Branding sessions are all you smiling at your computer, right?

Hate to break it to ya, but they’re so much more than that in such a good way.

Whenever I am creating a shot list for my branding clients (no matter the industry), I make sure I include what I call “object shots” into our session. Object shots will become images that can be used to represent the brand without the actual business owner being in them. Many times this results in some sort of “flat lay” or creatively styled shot, such as the one of the mirror above.

Let’s use our friend Katie, the owner of Tilly + Teal Weddings & Events as an example. The above shot of the mirror was from her branding session. At first glance, it may not make sense, but it is an heirloom. Legacy is an essential pillar within her brand, and one way to signify legacy is through a personal heirloom of her own. So she brought the vanity set her grandmother gifted to her when she was young to illustrate that story within her brand.

Alright, let’s explore another example in the case of Sally, an artisan cake and pastry maker and owner of The Cakebee. The above image is actually a hand-crafted sugar flower–seriously! She made that with her very own hands, which is what differentiates her cakes from every other baker in the area. This illustrates a part of her client experience that really draws in her ideal client, those that value the luxury of having a custom cake without sacrificing flavor and guest satisfaction.

Okay, final example is from Samantha’s session. She is the owner of Styled for Elegance, where she provides brides with timeless bridal hairstyles. This specific object image could be used for a bit of client education. It is an image of some of the products she uses and she could pair it with an Instagram post that educates her brides and potential clients on how to prepare their hair for their trial and wedding day.

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Now, let’s take a step back and recap how object shots can be useful.

1. They can portray and/or embody an integral part of your brand that may be difficult to do otherwise, especially if your brand embodies abstract concepts like “legacy.”
2. They can display a part of your process or client experience that differentiates your business from all the others.
3. They can be used to educate your client, which shows your value to those that may be on the fence about booking your services/purchasing your product.

Finally, think in terms of your actual Instagram grid. Whenever there are multiple images of people side-by-side, the feed can look a little busy. It’s good to give your followers’/potential clients’ eyes room to breathe. White space is good and that is what object shots provide.

So…when you go to plan your branding session shot list, don’t forget to include those object shots. They may take a bit of extra thought, but they will be worth it in the end!

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Drop a comment below if you have questions about object shots or have an idea for how to incorporate one into your own session!