How to Choose a Location for Your Branding Session
As a personal branding photographer based in the Cotswolds, I understand that selecting the right location for your branding session can be a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of options and choosing the right one can transform the outcome of your session. The location you choose can significantly influence the mood, aesthetic, and effectiveness of your photos. In this blog post, I’ll explore various options — from using your own home or home studio to a hiring a beautiful location house —and discuss the benefits of each to help you make an informed decision.
Your Own Home or Home Studio
There’s no place like home! The familiarity of your home offers numerous backdrops tailored to your personal style. Whether it’s a cosy nook with bookshelves, a sun-soaked kitchen, or a chic living room, your home provides a unique narrative to your brand story. Moreover, you can take a lot of time to customise the environment with meaningful decor, products or props that reflect your brand personality, making your session feel deeply personal and genuine. It also has the benefit of being completely free, so you can get set up ahead of time and you don’t need to travel.
Price: Free
A Location House
If you’re looking for a fresh, stylish backdrop that’s not your home, consider renting a location house. These beautifully curated spaces often feature stunning interiors and exteriors, providing a wealth of diverse settings within one location. Location houses can offer a refined, upscale vibe that complements higher-end branding, allowing for a polished and sophisticated look. Plus, many location houses have outdoor areas that help seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor shots, adding versatility to your images.
Price: £150/hr (usually with a minimum of 3/4 hours)
Airbnb
Airbnb properties are incredibly diverse and can be a fantastic option for branding sessions. From quaint cottages in the countryside to modern apartments in the heart of town, you can find a setting that aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity. Many hosts are open to guests using their property for photoshoots, and these unique spaces often have character that can add warmth and authenticity to your images. Just be sure to communicate with the host beforehand to respect their space and to get any necessary permissions.
Price: It varies depending on the property but has the added bonus of being able to stay somewhere lovely for a night (or two!).
An Outside Space
Outdoor locations like a park or a pretty street provides a fresh, natural backdrop for branding shoots. Parks offer greenery and serene environments that can add an element of calm and reliability to your branding. Streets with interesting architecture or unique urban features can create vibrant and dynamic compositions. Based near The Cotswolds like me? We could even combine the city of Oxford for a more urban feel with the beauty of a a local park or even a quintessentially Cotswolds village. One thing to bear in mind is that we’d want to avoid taking photographs in the very middle of the day when the sun is at its highest in the sky.
Price: Free
A cafe
The cosy atmosphere of a cafe offers an inviting setting that can feel relatable and down-to-earth. Not only do you get beautiful natural light from large windows, but you can also showcase your lifestyle and professional persona in a social environment. An excellent choice if its the kind of location in which you tend to meet clients. Plus, you might even enjoy a coffee or two during the session! I would recommend getting permission in advance from the cafe’s owner and choosing to visit during a quiet time so your images aren’t packed with people and there are no challenges finding a good table!
Price: Free (or a slice of cake and a cuppa!)
A Wedding Venue
If you have access to a wedding venue, this can be a stunning choice for a branding session. With lush gardens, elegant, spacious, light-filled rooms, and beautiful outdoor settings, wedding venues often come with an abundance of picturesque spots. The romantic and dreamy atmosphere can enhance your branding, especially if you are a lifestyle or wedding-oriented business. It’s an excellent way to create enchanting visuals that capture the heart of your service. It’s worth reaching out to a venue if they fit with your brand as they may have availability for a weekday booking, especially during quieter months where you may be able to negotiate a good price.
Price: varies greatly depending on the type of location, its size and popularity
If you’re ready to book your session or have any questions about these locations, feel free to reach out! I consider it a part of my role to help you to find a suitable location that fits with what we have planned for you and your brand.
Already have a location in mind? I’d love to hear about it? Do get in touch so that we can schedule a discovery call so that you can learn more about the process.
