11 Creative Branding Photoshoot Ideas For Your Next Commercial Shoot

Looking for a few killer, super creative, branding photoshoot ideas? Commercial photoshoots that are focused on forming a brand identity demand a whole different set of priorities than other forms of photography.

To help you figure out how to make your next commercial photoshoot a big success, we at Peerspace have gathered 11 creative branding photoshoot ideas for inspiration on your next photoshoot. Keep reading for our suggestions since they’re pretty useful if we say so ourselves!

1. The classic professional office photoshoot

We’re starting off our list of creative branding photoshoot ideas with a pretty straightforward suggestion. How about a classic professional shoot where you’re wearing your best business or business casual outfit? You can choose an office or other workspace setting and posing more formally. A great location for such a photoshoot, if not your own office, is a space like this industrial chic 10-person conference room in Denver, Colorado.  

2. Step outside

Branding photoshoot ideas like this let you take things in a less formal and more casual direction while still looking professional and put-together. Have your branding photoshoot outside, perhaps in a specific outdoor location that you love. If you live near Austin, Texas, you could do your outdoor branding photoshoot at this beautifully landscaped 22-acre sanctuary. There’s tons of gorgeous outdoor space to explore there and the photos will almost automatically be stunning.

3. A hobby photoshoot

Do you have a hobby that’s a big part of your identity and one that you’d like to share with the world more publicly? Incorporate this into your branding photoshoot if you feel that it’s a good fit! If you’re a knitter, take some photos that incorporate this into the photos. Or if you’re a lover of horseback riding, this will also make for some truly fabulous photos.

Where you hold this photoshoot will depend heavily on what the hobby is, of course. But if you are a knitter, you could have your hobby-themed branding photoshoot in a comfortable and homey environment like this bright modern home perfect for photoshoots in Cedar Park, Texas. 

4. Cozy laptop photoshoot

Taking candid photos of yourself while you’re working on your laptop doesn’t mean you have to look stressed out like you’re overwhelmed with work! You can get some photos taken of yourself looking like you do when you’re answering emails. Think curled up on the couch, shoes off, comfortable yet still put together. A photoshoot like this would definitely work best in a home. And if not at your own home, then in a beautifully curated yet still cozy and welcoming space like this hidden boho Scandinavian home in Chesapeake, VA. 

5. Formal photoshoot in a studio

If you want to take this in a really classic and simple direction, you can find a photo studio with white backdrops for your branding photoshoot. This means the focal point of the photos is you, not the setting or the activities you’re doing. You might even consider these akin to professional headshots. It’s just a matter of finding the right photo studio, like this industrial photo and film studio in Falls Church, Virginia. 

6. Power poses photoshoot

Embrace your power and convey your confidence, competence, and strength by doing a photoshoot where you’re purposely doing “power poses”. Watch this TED Talk by Amy Cuddy for more details on the significance of these and how they can be helpful to your career. For instance, you can stand directly facing the camera with your stance fairly wide and keep your hands on your hips. Choose poses where you take up a lot of space and you feel comfortable, confident, and relaxed. These will result in some truly great photos.

7. Cafe photoshoot

Do you spend a lot of time getting work done at a local coffee shop? If so, consider having your photoshoot there or in a space like it! Think about it: photos of you in a cute cafe, sitting with your coffee and a pastry, gazing at the camera. This branding photoshoot idea will strike the perfect balance between formality and comfort. If you don’t have a specific cafe in mind where you can take photos, consider renting out a lovely space like this contemporary cafe and gallery in Chicago. 

8. Meeting photoshoot

Stage a meeting with a friend or colleague and do the photoshoot while you’re having the meeting. It’s a bit unorthodox, but it could result in some really great candid photos capturing you in your element. Plus, it can give your photos greater authenticity than more posed and formal photography ever could. Be sure to choose an especially nice location for this meeting, if possible, since you’ll be capturing it in photos. If you live near Washington, DC, for example, we’d recommend these gorgeous and professional private meeting spaces.

9. Brand color scheme photoshoot

Does your brand have a certain set of colors that you’ve chosen to define it by? Take advantage of this to build brand identity by having a photoshoot where your clothes and/or the setting adhere to your brand’s color scheme. You can have a photoshoot like this practically anywhere, but if you want to use customizable colored lighting, choose a location like this natural light photo/video studio with RGB lights in Chicago. 

10. Photos of your work tools/”props”

As part of your brand photoshoot or even as a standalone idea, why not focus the camera lens on the “tools of your trade,” so to speak? This will depend what industry you’re in, of course, but possible items you can focus on might include your laptop, daily planner, iPad, magazine(s) relevant to your industry, glasses, and so forth. You want to make sure there’s great natural light on the subject for a photoshoot like this to really achieve its maximum potential, so consider renting out a space like this gorgeous natural light studio in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

11. Kitchen photoshoot

Are you a chef, a baker, or someone who works regularly in kitchens? Or maybe cooking happens to be one of your favorite hobbies and the way you unwind when you’re not working? Either way, a cooking-themed photoshoot in a kitchen can make for dynamic and fun photos (as well as an opportunity to cook delicious food and eat it at the end!). If you don’t have a suitable kitchen for these photos, you can rent one out, like this West Loop custom kitchen in Chicago.

Find unique photoshoot locations on Peerspace