1. Start with the content you actually need
Before you think about outfits, list where the images will live: a website hero, an about page, a speaker one-sheet, a month of social posts, an email header. Each placement has a different crop and mood, and knowing them means you leave with a library instead of a handful of pretty frames.
A simple way to plan: write five to eight captions or headlines you know you'll publish in the next quarter, then decide what image sits beside each one. Bring that list — it becomes the shot list on the day.
- Two to three horizontal images with negative space for website banners
- One clean, straight-to-camera portrait for press and directories
- Working shots — hands, laptop, product, notebook — for filler posts
- One or two vertical, full-length frames for reels and stories
2. Choosing outfits that photograph well
Aim for three looks: one elevated (tailoring or a structured dress), one relaxed (knit, denim, linen), and one signature — the piece your audience already associates with you. Three is enough to look varied without eating the clock.
Solid, mid-tone and neutral colours read best on camera. Tight patterns, thin stripes and busy logos fight the frame and date quickly. Texture — ribbing, silk, boucle, leather — gives depth without the noise.
- Steam or press everything the night before; creases are the hardest thing to retouch
- Check the fit while seated, not just standing — most branding shots are half-body
- Bring layers: a blazer or overshirt doubles your looks in seconds
- Avoid brand-new shoes and anything you have to keep adjusting
- Nude, seamless underlayers under anything fitted or light-coloured
3. Hair, skin and styling
Book hair colour, lashes, brows or a facial at least a week out so nothing is settling on the day. Fresh is good; brand new is risky.
Makeup should be a slightly stronger version of your everyday face — cameras flatten definition. Matte or satin finishes photograph more reliably than heavy shimmer, and translucent powder in your bag is worth more than a full touch-up kit.
- Hydrate and sleep — skin and eyes show it more than any product
- Neutral or freshly done nails; hands appear in almost every working shot
- Keep jewellery to two or three pieces that read at a distance
- Bring a hairbrush, clear elastic and any styling product you rely on
4. Props that tell your story
Props are shorthand for what you do. A ceramicist brings clay-dusted hands and a finished piece; a coach brings a notebook, a warm mug and a beautifully bound workbook. Choose objects you genuinely use — anything borrowed for the day tends to look borrowed.
Keep the palette in the same family as your brand. Three or four well-chosen items beat a box of everything.
- Your actual product, packaging or printed collateral
- Laptop or tablet with a clean desktop and closed tabs
- A signature drink — the mug in the shot should be one you'd really hold
- Business cards, books or tools of your trade
- Flowers or a textile in your brand colours for softness
5. The day itself
Arrive up to twenty minutes early with everything on hangers rather than folded in a bag. Eat something. Give yourself a slow morning — the difference between rushed and settled shows immediately in the shoulders and jaw.
Come early, stay after — this is your space. Grab another coffee, meet the other women shooting that day, cheer each other on. Some of the best moments happen between sessions. All we ask is that you give whoever is in front of the camera the room to shine.
You don't need to know how to pose. Movement beats posing: walk, turn, adjust a sleeve, laugh at something real. The frames in between the poses are usually the ones you'll use.
- Bring your shot list and any captions you're shooting toward
- Charge your phone if you're capturing behind-the-scenes clips
- Snacks, water and a lint roller are provided — no need to pack them
- Confirm parking and arrival instructions before you leave home
Preparation questions, answered
Coffee. Content. Connection.
Ready to shoot it, not just plan it?
Only eight spots are available per content day. Wardrobe from the Curated Revival Closet, styling and your drink of choice are all part of the session.