The props you use in a branding session should align with your company’s overall brand, style, daily work experience and marketing needs. They can help emphasize your products or services, create a vibe, or tell a story that connects with your audience. Here are some ideas for props you might consider using:
1. Products or Services
If you’re showcasing a product-based business, your products should be the star of the session. Whether it’s fashion, beauty items, or home goods, having them in the photos helps customers visualize using them. If you’re offering services, props related to what you do (like tools, stationery, or technology) can help highlight your area of expertise.
2. Personal Items
For personal branding or service-based businesses, props like a laptop, notebook, or phone can help show how you work or what your day-to-day looks like. It can also be used for promotional marketing when you want somebody to contact you. Artists can use brushes, photographers can use a camera, welders can get cool images with sparks flying. These props add a personal touch and make the photos feel authentic to you.
3. Work Tools or Equipment
For businesses that rely on specific equipment, showing it in your branding session can add authenticity and help customers get a feel for their experience with you. This could be a cooking tool for chefs, a stethoscope for doctors, or a plant if you’re in a gardening-related business.
4. Stationery and Branded Items
Custom stationery like notebooks, planners, or pens can work well for businesses in creative or professional fields. These props can help add a polished and organized feel to your images, especially if you’re showcasing your attention to detail. It can also balance lifestyle images that show personality by using a branded prop. Having your logo on objects in the photos adds to brand recognition without being overly promotional.
5. Lifestyle Items
If your brand is more lifestyle-focused (fitness, wellness, travel, etc.), props like water bottles, gym gear, or travel accessories can help set the tone. These items can be used in ways that show how your audience can incorporate your brand in their daily life.
6. Textures & Fabrics
Items like blankets, pillows, or drapes can add texture and richness to the photos, especially if you’re in a design or fashion-related business. They can create mood and depth without distracting from the main focus of the session.
7. Food or Drink
If your brand involves food, beverages, or lifestyle (like a café, nutrition, or hospitality brand), incorporating these items can add warmth and appeal. It’s a great way to show the human side of your brand, especially in lifestyle or cozy home settings. Sometimes on blog and social media posts, it’s important to show who you are as the person behind the brand. It feels natural to hold onto a mug of coffee or tea so you’ll feel natural in front of the camera doing this. That feeling comes out in the photos as well!
8. Books, Magazines, or Journals
Books can add a sense of sophistication or education, especially if they’re related to your field. For example, if you’re a business consultant, showing books or journals on business topics can make your space look professional and knowledgeable. You could be reading, have them on your desk or just have them in the background.
9. Technology
Items like smartphones, tablets, or even headphones can be relevant props if your business is tech-related or caters to a modern, digital-savvy audience. They show how your brand fits into today’s fast-paced, connected world.
However, I’d argue that it’s a good idea to get a photo of you with your phone or computer no matter what field you’re in. They make great images for newsletters, blog posts, contact forms and social media posts that ask people to contact you!
10. Props for Mood or Atmosphere
Props like candles, coffee cups, or decorative items can help create a particular vibe—whether it’s calm and cozy, professional and sleek, or fun and creative. These elements can make your branding session feel more relaxed and relatable. They work in any setting, whether you’re professional in a suit with an office or you’re an entrepreneur with a polished brand.
Key Tips for Using Props:
- Keep it relevant: Ensure that props reflect your brand and make sense for the story you’re telling.
- Less is more: You don’t want the props to overpower you or your products. Keep them subtle and complementary.
- Be consistent: Choose props that match the overall aesthetic of your brand (minimalistic, rustic, elegant, etc.).
The right props will enhance your branding session, helping to communicate your brand’s story and personality effectively.
Reach out if you’d like to learn more about what props I’d suggest for your session!