Every brand photo session I do has one thing in common: a plan.
And it’s not a basic plan. I create a highly customized brand shoot roadmap that lays out the strategy, storylines, and visuals for each one of my clients.
For years, this document has been my secret weapon. I keep it close to me on shoot day inside my trusty brown leather binder.
This document wasn’t flashy (in fact, it was downright utilitarian), but it was my lifeline on shoot day. The brief told me exactly what we were shooting, why we were shooting it, and how photos from your shoot would be used to tell your brand story.
The funny thing? My clients never actually saw it.
My clients have always received plenty of communication from me — prep guides, questionnaires, planning calls — but the strategic document stayed behind the curtain, a tool just for me.
Why a Brand Shoot Roadmap Matters
Here’s the thing: a brand photo session isn’t just about taking “pretty” pictures. Pretty is nice, but pretty doesn’t move the needle in your business.
What does?
➡️ Purposeful images that speak to your brand values.
➡️ Photos that tell your story and connect with your audience.
➡️ Visuals that feel unmistakably you, while also being strategic tools for your marketing.
That’s what a Creative Brief ensures. It’s the difference between walking onto set thinking “I hope we get good photos” versus “I know these images will work for my business.”
My Creative Brief Glow-Up
This summer, my Creative Brief got a major glow-up — and now, I share it with my clients, too!
Think of it like a behind-the-scenes peek into your own photoshoot strategy. You’ll see how your brand vibe, colors, messaging, and goals translate into specific storylines that we’ll capture on your shoot day. The Creative Brief makes sure we get it all, and we don’t miss a thing.
When Laurie—from Evolve with Laurie—saw her Creative Brief before her shoot, her reaction said it all:
“This is incredible!! Thank you…I’m so excited 🤩“
That’s the energy I want every client walking into their session with. Excitement. Confidence. Clarity.
From Roadmap to Results
The proof is always in the photos. With Laurie’s shoot, we walked in with her Creative Brief in hand and walked out with a gallery full of images that weren’t just beautiful — they were designed to tell her brand story.
Laurie is a heart-led transformational business coach. She works with technology professionals who are looking to move forward in their businesses and lives, and she often uses intuitive tools in her coaching practice. Here’s just a few photos from her shoot:
Why This Change Matters for You
At the end of the day, brand photography is an investment. My job isn’t just to take photos you’ll like — it’s to create images you’ll use, and that will generate income for your business.
By delivering the Creative Brief as our brand shoot roadmap, you don’t just get a photographer… you get a creative director, strategist, and partner who’s just as invested in your brand as you are.
