Why should you hire a brand photographer, and who really even needs brand photography, anyway? (That’s a real question!)

We see hundreds of beautifully shot and edited photos, every single day. Whether we experience that content in an ad or on Instagram, it’s easy to say that the photographic standards for even simple social media posts have been raised in the last few years.

But how do you even know if you need a brand photographer? And how do you know who to hire?!

Who needs brand photography?

Contrary to popular opinion, (aka Instagram gurus) not everyone “needs” a brand photographer. Yes, I the brand photographer *actually* said that. 

If you’re someone who enjoys using portrait mode on your iPhone and self-timing your photos, you might find that brand photography isn’t necessary at the moment. Or, if you have a partner, friend or family member in your life who happens to take gorgeous photos of you while you’re already out and about and dolled up, you might find that your existing setup works well for you. (And if it does, I have resources to support you in this area! Check out my Lightroom Mobile presets or my phone photography course for brands, Brand Your ‘Gram.)

That said, many of the people I work with first start by taking photos of themselves, and after maybe several months or a year, feel ready to outsource those tasks. As they quickly learn, finding locations, culling, and editing those photos is a full-time job! 

So, who needs brand photography, you ask? Entrepreneurs + content creators who:

• Are tired of taking up all of their phone memory to store their own photos
• Have a big launch or rebrand coming up
• Are ready to find better locations, and be posed professionally
• Are sick and tired of editing and organizing their own photos, week after week or month after month
• Want to take their visual content up a notch and achieve that editorial look
• Are looking to save some time by getting photoshoot-ready far less frequently (a win-win)

If you feel like you fall into one or more of those buckets, it might be time to hire a brand photographer! Which begs the question:

What’s the biggest mistake people make when hiring a brand photographer?

I’ll keep this one short and sweet: hiring someone who has no experience in actual brand photography. I know, I know. It seems obvious, right?

But seriously – not everyone has the skill or eye to create beautiful brand photos. They might take amazing lifestyle, headshot, newborn or wedding photos, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they know how to bring someone’s business and brand to life behind the lens. 

When searching for a photographer, make sure to use the term “brand photographer.” Take a look at their site and portfolio: do you like their photographic style? Do you think their work will fit in well with your own branding and content?

At its core, brand photography is strategic and intentional. The right brand photographer will not only take amazing photos of you while finding great locations that fit your brand’s vibes and aesthetic, but they’ll work as a strategist, too! It’s their job to ensure that your photos also visually call out the services, content or products you offer, so that you can better connect with your audience. 

The best way to make your decision is to hop on a phone call with any photographers you are considering. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to tell who is the best personality match for you and your business!

When is the right time to hire a brand photographer?

If you’re somewhere in between taking your own photos and feeling ready to book your first brand shoot, you might be wondering when the best time would be to hire a brand photographer. It’s a big decision, I know! 

So, if you’re:

• Going through a rebrand or website redesign
• Known you need to market yourself online, but don’t feel confident that the photos you have are right for you still
• Launching a new product or service
• Experiencing a major life change, or have moved to a new place

It’s probably time to book a brand photographer 😎

Are you ready to add some beautiful brand photos to your arsenal? Click here to sneak a peek at my brand photo packages 📷

If you liked this blog post, you might also like:

• When to book a mini brand photoshoot versus a full brand photoshoot
• 5 reasons to book a brand photoshoot
• Brand photoshoot inspiration and ideas

Save this on Pinterest

About the writer

Hi there! I’m Emily, and I’m a brand photographer for passionate small business owners who want to stand out online as local industry leaders.

I, my (dog) daughter, and my fiancé are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here at Emily Kim Photography, I provide creative, strategic marketing imagery that are in line with your business goals.

To save time and edit your photos to stand out from the scroll, get my mobile preset pack. To get in touch and work with me, click here.