If you’ve ever invested in a brand shoot only to let the images collect digital dust in your Google Drive, you’re not alone. 🙋‍♀️

Here’s the thing: a great brand shoot is about so much more than pretty pictures. It’s an investment in your marketing, your website, and the way your clients see you. If your current images don’t feel aligned with your brand or attract your ideal clients, a fresh shoot can change everything.

I know this from experience. I’ve done multiple brand shoots for my business over the years, and I can tell you—each one has gotten better because I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) how much prep it really takes. Early on, I thought I could just show up with a cute outfit and a coffee in hand. Nope. That’s how you end up with a gallery full of images you never actually use.

Now? I plan at least two months ahead to book my photographer and secure a location, and I give myself a full month to prep the content—shot lists, props, outfits, and all the moving parts. And since I’m a mom of three, that prep also looks like arranging childcare, making sure the fridge is stocked, and timing the shoot so I can wrap before the kids come barreling through the door ready for snacks and attention. (Trust me, nothing cuts into your “boss babe moment” like someone yelling Mom, where are my soccer cleats?!)

Because of all this, I’ve learned that the more you prepare, the more confident and present you’ll feel on shoot day. And that’s exactly what I want for you too.

Why Brand Shoots Matter

We tell so many of our website clients: if you’re launching a new site, make sure your imagery reflects the best version of your brand. This means showcasing your most strategic, most aligned work—the work you actually want more of.

When your photos feel consistent, polished, and purposeful, your brand instantly communicates credibility. In addition, it gives you a library of content you’ll use again and again.

So, here’s my mom-tested, creative-approved method for planning a brand shoot you’ll not only love but actually use everywhere.

Step 1: Decide why you’re doing it

Before you start pinning brand photo ideas, pause. Ask yourself: what’s the real goal here?

For one of our Arizona brand shoots, our “why” was crystal clear. We wanted images that:

• Aligned with our updated brand direction
• Showcased our most strategic, dream-client work
• Could be used across our website, Instagram, Pinterest, and newsletters for months
• Used for a new business we are creating for other designers

Because we had clarity, every shot had a purpose. No wasted time, no random filler images—just intentional brand imagery for creatives that told our story.

Step 2: Budget for the essentials

Brand shoots vary in cost, but here’s a realistic brand shoot checklist to help you plan:

• Photographer: $500–$2,500+ depending on experience. We used my go-to brand photographer Hey Becca. We flew her out to Arizona for this session because her style matched my vision perfectly.
  
• Hair + Makeup: $100–$300
  
• Location: Studio rental, Airbnb, or travel costs
  
• Props + Materials: Styled details, product samples, florals, or backdrops
  
• Shoot Coordinator: Optional, but such a game-changer if you’re on a tight timeline. We used one of my best friends Mckenna Ryan in Arizona. We shot in her new home that had tons of natural light and white space. There was plenty of room for multiple setups as well, making it easier to take advantage of the short amount of time we had.

Total for our shoot was around $3000. Don’t just budget for the photographer—think of the entire experience.

Step 3: Plan your content (start early!)

This is the step that changed everything for me. These days, I start creating my content plan at least a month before the shoot so I’m not frantically ironing outfits at midnight the night before (been there).

Here’s what to include in your plan:

• Website banner photography
  
• About page portraits
  
• Service or product shots
  
• Horizontal + vertical social media content
  
• Marketing materials (brochures, guides, proposals, PDFs)

For example, you might want a mix of lifestyle images, close-up product shots, and professional headshots so you have variety to pull from.

Pro tip: Choose your brand photography style ahead of time. Whether you’re drawn to light + airy, bold + editorial, or playful + colorful, consistency is what makes your brand feel polished and professional.

Here is a look at the editing style we were going for >

Step 4: Prep your materials, wardrobe… and family

As a mom, prepping for a brand shoot means double duty. While I’m styling flat lays and sourcing props, I’m also making sure my kids’ schedules are covered and snacks are stocked so no one melts down five minutes before I leave.

For our last shoot, I gave myself plenty of buffer time (remember: at least 2-3 months for booking, 1 month for prep). Here’s what went into it:

• Gathering details from client projects (stationery, mockups, printed pieces)
  
• Choosing outfits that matched my brand colors (and that I could actually move in)
  
• Packing props, styling tools, and backups (because sticky toddler fingers are a thing)
  
• Arranging childcare, food, and creating a schedule for everyone helping(it takes a village!)
  

Spoiler: all of this behind-the-scenes prep made shoot day so much less stressful.

Step 5: Organize your day like Marie Quando

A brand shoot can fly by faster than a wedding reception. We only had 4–5 hours to capture everything: flat lays, headshots, team photos, behind-the-scenes, and detail shots—and all before my best friend’s four little kids came home to add their magical energetic flair ✨

The game-changer? We had my friend McKenna Ryan act as our photoshoot coordinator. She kept the timeline on track, managed the shot list, and swapped out props, which meant I could focus on being in the photos instead of worrying if we missed something. This honestly is one of the BEST things you can do for your shoot. Hire someone to coordinate it all.

Step 6: Think beyond your website

Yes, you’ll need gorgeous website launch photography—but the best brand shoots give you a content library you’ll use again and again:

• Instagram posts + stories
• Pinterest graphics
• Email newsletters
• Client welcome guides + proposals
• Blog posts
• Press features

Final Tip: Give yourself margin

The secret sauce to a stress-free brand shoot? Time.

• Book your photographer + location about 2-3 months out (because the good ones book fast).
  
• Start prepping your wardrobe, props, and shot list at least 1 month in advance.
  

That way, when shoot day arrives, you’re not frazzled—you’re ready to show up as the best version of yourself.

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✨ A brand shoot is one of the smartest investments you can make as a creative and as a working mom. Done right, it’s not just about pretty pictures—it’s about creating brand imagery that feels aligned, confident, and oh-so-usable for months to come.

-Jacki