ZebraJojo Photography

Singapore Brand Photographer

story of life

Planning a Personal Brand Photoshoot

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Guest Blog Post from Home and Life Organisation Coach Nathalie Ricaud, founder of Get Organised and Beyond.

Last year, as part of my business rebranding, I needed images for my new website.  The choice of the photographer was easy: Silke from Zebra & Jojo Photography who specialises in visual brand storytelling for female-led businesses.  I had been following her for many years and was patiently waiting for the right opportunity to hire her as I knew her style would be perfect for my brand.  I wasn’t disappointed, I love the pictures she took. 

The thing I was not prepared for though was how much planning a brand photoshoot was entailing.  I knew it would be more than just showing my face – and ideally my best smile, not an easy one – and let the photographer work her magic, but I hadn’t anticipated that so much planning was needed beforehand.  Well, my organising skills quickly kicked in (good thing as that’s what I do for a living!) and the preparations and photoshoot went smoothly. 

Silke thought the list I had put together to keep everything in check could benefit many of her clients so I’m sharing it with you here today together with a few tips.  Of course, not all will apply to you, but I hope it can save you time and avoid you some costly mistakes. 

Here’s my list of things to do before a brand photoshoot, once you’ve hired your photographer:

3 weeks before the photoshoot:

  • Tell the photographer about your business, personality and values as well as the scenarios and stories you want to be portrayed in the photoshoot
  • Share images with the photographer that you like and illustrate the points above

If you work with an experienced brand photographer like Silke, she will guide through these steps very seamlessly. 

2 weeks before the photoshoot:

  • Conduct a photoshoot planning session with the photographer, and the stylist if one is involved (mine was Patricia from Fancy Girl Design Studio), to discuss the stories to be told, the compositions, the props needed, your outfits etc. 
  • Plan your outfits, in line with your brand and logo colours, including shoes and jewellery.  Try them on to make sure you’re comfortable in them.  Share them with your photographer so she knows what to expect and make recommendations. 
  • Schedule grooming sessions – think facial, pedicure/manicure, makeup, hairdo, etc.
  • Make a list of the props needed and whether you have them, need to borrow them or to buy them
  • Reach out to your friends if you need to portray clients in your photoshoot.  Make sure they represent your target client and that they make you feel at ease, especially if like myself you feel quite nervous in front of a camera.  And plan some back-up!!  On the morning of the photoshoot, one of the two friends who were supposed to be involved in my photoshoot informed me that her son had got covid and that she shouldn’t take the risk of spreading the virus.  Good thing I had a back-up otherwise I’d have been quite stressed out! 
  • Engage help to set up the props for the photoshoot.  Our session was quite intense, and I had barely time to breathe.  I was quite grateful for one of my friends to be there to help the stylist with the set-up.  Also, that person can help you take photos or videos if you want to share behind the scenes shots. 

1 week before the photoshoot:

  • Gather the props needed
  • Create a WhatsApp group with all the people involved in the photoshoot to facilitate the exchange of information – do include exact address and timing of the photoshoot
  • Help your friends select their outfits so that they are in line with your brand and the scenarios they will be involved in, and won’t be clashing with your own outfits

3 days before the photoshoot:

  • Get your facial done
  • Remind your friends of the photoshoot

The day before the photoshoot:

  • Pack the props and outfits by scenario
  • Get your pedicure / manicure done
  • Have a good night sleep so that you are fully rested

The day of the photoshoot:

  • Send a last reminder to your friends
  • Get your hair and make-up done, unless your make-up artist/hairdresser can be on the set with you.  Not only it will save you time for the last-minute tasks you might have to complete but they can also do some touch-ups during the photoshoot. 
  • Run last minute errands – such as buying fresh flowers. 
  • Eat well: a photoshoot can be quite intense, I was grateful I had a good lunch to give me the energy I needed. 
  • Leave your home early: you don’t want to arrive on the set stressed, sweaty and dishevelled!

I hope the above list and tips help.  What else would you add?

“Once upon a time…”- Cohesive storytelling

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Who doesn’t love a good story? As soon as our brains are capable of comprehensive listening we long for stories. So it’s no surprise that the secret sauce of every successful brand is cohesive storytelling, next to consistent marketing and spot on branding of course.

The ability to tell a story that emotionally touches and engages your audience is priceless. For most of us telling a story to a child or friend is no trouble at all.

But how to you tell the story of your brand? It all starts with the pressing question of

“Who are you?”

The biggest mistake most business owners make is being in love with their products or service, not with their clients. You have an outstanding product or extraordinary service but no one is buying? Truth is, people don’t fall in love with a business, they fall in love with the person behind it. In order for your ideal client to purchase from you, they first need to get to know you, because:

We don’t buy goods or services, we buy relations, stories and magic. -Seth Godin

Don’t be shy to showcase all the different sides of your personality, ranging from the bubbly bestie to the focused business woman. Share that cup of coffee and why it energises you, or talk about the latest experience you had in that calligraphy workshop. Let people in on where you get your best ideas from or why running is your way of mediation. Tell your followers what inspires you, why you do what you do, share your values and beliefs.

In other words, give a holistic and authentic insight on what they are dealing with when engaging with you.

“What do you do?”

Help your audience understand what it is that differentiates you from all the others by explaining your process and workflow. What is it people gain by hiring you? What problem do you solve for your clients? Break everything down so it would be easy to understand, even for a five year old. Remember, you are the expert, not us. If you’re selling a product, let us in on how you source. Is sustainability just a word for you or do you live it?

Make choosing YOU and your business the only choice for your prospective clients.

Cohesive storytelling should align both literally and visually, so make sure you have the imagery to go with the storytelling. You don’t have? Oh well, then hit the button below and let’s have a chat!

Let’s chat!

How Zebra&Jojo Photography was born

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Time blurs pain and the whole birthing experience itself. So they say. Absolutely true in my case, but what time did not blur was the feeling I had after my first born was lying on my chest: a surging panic attack while thinking: “Now what?” This delivery came with no manual.

The only thing I always wanted in my life was my own family. I was never really the career type of woman. But when I finally had my tiny little first born lying on my chest I panicked. Fully aware that there was no return, no way out. Why is it that we mothers-to-be learn all the breathing for pain control during labour but nothing really prepares us for the time AFTER giving birth?!

I guess everyone will figure out for themselves. So after the next couple of bumpy weeks (you don’t want details) of adjusting I found my rhythm and truly loved being a mum including the inevitable chaos. I could even live my creative side to the fullest, with home made play dough, finger colours to smear on the windows pretending it’s an Easter bunny or get the whole kitchen covered in flour while hosting a pizza making event for a bunch of three years old. LOVED it. My new obsession was styling birthday parties. Needless to say that every birthday in our house had a theme. Yep.

Time went by until I found myself baking a Kasimir cake on my own, because my kids have grown into teenagers. I swear this happens over night, and without any warning. They have no more time for kids stuff. I found myself without a project, jobless and bored to death.

I needed something new, something fulfilling. Going back to my trained job as a beautician? No thanks. I wanted something more meaningful but still creative. After a few sessions of life coaching, I finally decided to give the photography a chance. I had been a photographer for many many years already, just never on the professional side.

My new source of energy is helping aspiring women who are raising families while running businesses, trying not to get lost in the process. It never fails to amaze me how energetic and determined yet adaptable these women are. I cherish every client and look forward to listening to their very own unique story. I feel nothing but sheer joy in the process of translating their story into compelling imagery. Yes, I have found my passion. But the best part? I get to help others implement theirs, too.