So... you booked a branding or headshot session. Yay!

And then approximately five minutes later you thought:

Wait. What the heck am I supposed to wear?

This is usually the part that makes people a little nervous. Choosing an outfit for family photos is one thing, but choosing what to wear when you're putting yourself and your business out there for the world to see can feel like a whole different kind of pressure.

The good news is, it really doesn't have to be that complicated.

Your branding photos should look and feel like you. They should give potential clients a sense of who you are, what you do and, ideally, what it would feel like to work with you. Your clothing is just one piece of that puzzle.

And I definitely don't want you showing up in something that looks great on Pinterest but feels completely wrong for you!

Start With Your Own Closet

My first piece of advice is always to look at what you already own before you go shopping.

Think about the clothes you reach for when you want to feel really good. Maybe it's a dress that always gets compliments, a favorite pair of jeans, a great blazer, a colorful top or something that just feels very "you."

Those are the pieces I want you to consider first.

You don't need to completely reinvent your wardrobe for your branding session. In fact, I would much rather photograph you in something you already love than put you in an outfit that looks nice but makes you feel uncomfortable.

If you're constantly pulling at your shirt, fixing your dress or wondering if you look okay, you're probably going to feel that way in the photos, too.

Wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. It sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference.

There isn't one “right” branding outfit.

There is only the outfit that makes sense for you and the people you want to attract.

Think About What Your Clothes Say About Your Business

This is where branding photos are a little different from a traditional headshot.

Before choosing your outfits, think about the personality of your business. Are you polished and professional? Relaxed and approachable? Creative and colorful? Classic? Modern? A little quirky?

There isn't one right answer.

If you're a realtor, you might want a polished look paired with something a little more relaxed and approachable. If you're a hairstylist, your personal style might be a big part of your brand and we should absolutely show that off. For example, is your salon all animal prints? Wear a cool pair of bold leopard earrings or boots. But maybe not full on animal print. We still want to keep the focus on your face. If you're a designer or creative, your wardrobe can fit with your creative vibe to let some of that personality come through.

The goal isn't to dress like the person you think a "business owner" is supposed to look like.

The goal is to look like yourself, just a really good version of yourself.

What About Brand Colors?

You can definitely incorporate your brand colors into your wardrobe, but please don't feel like you have to wear them from head to toe!

Sometimes a little hint of your brand colors is all you need. Maybe it's a shirt, a cardigan, a pair of shoes, jewelry or even a fun accessory.

And remember, your branding photos don't have to get all of their color from your clothing. We can also use the location, background, props and other details to create images that work well with your overall brand.

If your brand is mostly neutral, that's okay, too. You don't need to suddenly start wearing colors just because you have a branding session coming up.

Think About What You Actually Do

This is one of my favorite parts of a Branding session and what sets it apart from my lifestyle headshot session.

If you do something in your business, let's photograph you doing it!

If you're a baker, let's get you baking. If you're a hairstylist, let's get you working with your tools. If you're a designer, bring your sketchbook. If you're a realtor, maybe we'll incorporate your laptop, a home listing or some of the things you use every day.

These little details help tell your story and give you images that are much more useful than just a collection of smiling headshots.

Don't Forget the Accessories

Sometimes it's the little things that make an image feel like you.

Wear your favorite earrings. Your funky glasses. Your fave coffee cup. Your camera. Your favorite notebook. Whatever makes sense for you and your business.

You don't need to bring a million props. Just think about one thing you actually use or love.

The goal isn't to create a set of photos that looks like a stock photography shoot. I want your images to feel personal and connected to your actual life and business.

And Yes, I Can Help With All of This!

One of the things that might surprise you about me is that before I became a photographer, I went to college for fashion and worked as a clothing designer for many years.

So I genuinely love helping people figure out what to wear for their branding session!

We'll talk about your business, your style and the kind of images you're hoping to create. I'll help you narrow things down and I'm always happy to help look at outfit options with you if you feel stuck.

I can also create a custom mood board to help you pull everything together.

So if you're standing in your closet thinking, "I have absolutely nothing to wear," don't panic. You probably have more options than you think!

A Few Things I Would Skip

I'm not a huge fan of a long list of "don't wear this" rules because so much depends on you, your business and your personal style.

That said, there are a few things that can make a session more difficult.

Anything that is extremely uncomfortable or something you constantly have to adjust is probably not the best choice. Clothing that wrinkles very easily can also be frustrating and impossible to edit out.

I'd also avoid very large logos or graphics and neons, unless they're intentionally part of your brand.

And probably the biggest one: don't wear something just because you think it's what you are "supposed" to wear for professional photos.

If you never wear a blazer in real life, you don't have to suddenly become a blazer person for your branding session. They can be uncomfortable if you normally don’t wear them and that will show in your photos.

If you're happiest in jeans, let's work with that. If dresses are your thing, wear the dress. If your style is colorful and a little bit funky, I want to see that!

Most Importantly, Be Yourself

At the end of the day, your photos should feel like you. Whether you need a few updated headshots or a full branding session, I want your images to show your personality and give people a feel for who you are and what you do.

A headshot session is perfect if you're mainly looking for a few updated portraits for your website, LinkedIn, social media or other professional needs. A branding session gives us more time to tell the bigger story of your business. We can incorporate different outfits, locations, details of your work and the things that make your business unique. You'll walk away with a variety of images you can use throughout your website and social media.

And if you need a little extra help figuring out what to wear, I've got you covered! I offer a styling service called STYLE AND SELECT, which can help you pull together outfits that fit your style and your brand. You even have the option to purchase any you might love or just use it as inspiration. You can use code ALSJSTYLE to access my styling site. I also have a past post with more information about how Style & Select works.

If you're a small business owner, creative or entrepreneur in Morristown, Morris County or the surrounding New Jersey area and you're ready for updated headshots or branding photos, I'd love to hear from you!