Let’s talk props, one of my most talked-about subject during the planning stage. The popular question on this topic is always: What should I bring, and what should I avoid? I know this can start to feel overwhelming for a lot of entrepreneurs. Having questions about what props to bring to your branding photoshoot is not uncommon. This is why I’m here: as a San Francisco Brand Photographer, I’ll share with you my best recommendations.
I want to start off by heavily expressing that you don’t need to go overboard with what you bring. Actually, the more you have, the more confusing and overwhelming your shoot could become. Think about it: you are going to have to carry the props to your shoot location! Imagine you have four boxes of items; that’s a lot to carry. So the question remains: how many and what props should you bring? Let’s dive in!
Basic Props To help you out
The following are basic props that many entrepreneurs have found useful: laptop, planner, coffee cup, personalized pens, etc. However, a classic #2 yellow pencil can be pretty classic as well. These items are small but can make a huge impact on how your branding photos turn out. The way to view photography is that the simplest details make the best images. The key to choosing the most natural props, would be to think of your trade and incorporate them. A few examples: Scissors for hair stylists, cameras for photographers, etc.
Who Are You?
Once you have these basic props figured out, you can begin to think about items that represent who you are and your business. Once you have those items in mind, bringing one or two of them will help your photos stand out. A few examples would be; books, magazines, and meditation pillows. To give you an idea, I brought some records to my shoot, since I love and cherish my record collection. One of the most popular questions I always receive is a lot about book covers and if they matter. To this, I say if you want to show the book cover or spine because it is something that you talk about, then by all means yes! Otherwise, it can be fun to use the books as a color prop for your branding photos. You can also find books that are all in the same color family to add variety.
Make The Space Your Own
Brining in your personal style to the space where we’re taking your branding photos can sometimes bring in that extra element we’re looking for. Bringing items that can create a similar vibe to your space can be super helpful. Unless your space already has some of those quality items, then I wouldn’t worry too much about bringing extra props. Here are some ideas: plants, flowers, and pillows. Keep in mind your brand colors when choosing these items, and if you don’t have specific brand colors, always lean into neutrals.
Celebrating Something?
If you want to add some fun to your shoots by creating celebratory photos, I highly recommend bringing champagne; this is my all-time favorite. Also, think about bringing a champagne glass for an extra touch for photos. Another option would be confetti. With this specific prop, I suggest avoiding glitter, as it can create too much of a mess to clean up. Bringing bigger size confetti would also show up better for photos, and it’ll be a quicker clean-up. One thing to keep in mind is how easily we can clean certain celebratory props. Especially if we’re renting a space, or we are outdoors at a public location.
Balloons, are also a great option for a pop of color and cheerfulness. Again, you can’t go wrong with any prop that helps bring in the fun to show you celebrating either a business anniversary or something fun happening for your brand. One key thing to remember is that your props stay on brand. All the details matter, from the color of your planner and books, to the balloons you choose to bring.
Remember, I would try not to go overboard in bringing too many props. This can overwhelm the shoot for you. Check out the images below to help you brainstorm what type of props you’ll be bringing to your next branding photoshoot!
