So you booked the session, you read the “How to prep for your brand session” blog post, but now…what props should you bring to your brand session? What things scream YOU, and what things will make for easy/valuable content for your audience? I got you! This blog is a list of some of my favorite props from previous brand sessions complete with photos of how they were used in a photo!

 

First things first: COFFEE

Okay okay, I know not everyone drinks coffee! If you’re not a coffee drinker (first of all HOW?!) you could totally bring an on brand (your brand colors!) mug for tea, your favorite water bottle, a cocktail, etc! A friend of mine in my mastermind even did photos of her with her favorite drink ever…bubly sparkling water! How cute is that??
This is such an easy, relatable post that you can use in your marketing strategy!
I’ll give you some examples of ways to use this type of photo!

1. “CHEERS to the weekend! I’m celebrating with my favorite cocktail/wine/champagne! How do you celebrate the weekend?”
2. “Coffee on me! Use the coupon in my stories to get yourself a coffee on me today and tag me with what you get!” (This is a BRILLIANT marketing strategy and I’ve used it several times…it’s so fun to give!)
3. “I’ll take a little coffee with my cream thank you! How do you like your coffee?”
4. “24oz down this morning! Have you had your water yet today? {insert why water is important for you and all the things}

And SO many more fun options with a drink prop! This is such a fun way to give your audience a peek into who you are…I just love this one!

 

Next up: ELECTRONICS

Most of us in today’s world use various electronics for our businesses. And your brand session is supposed to be authentic to you and how you work right? So let’s bring those babies!

-Laptop
-Ipad
-Apple pencil
-Phone
-Ring light
-anything you use!

These make for a good “What I’m working on this week” type of post. These are also GREAT for website headers, backgrounds, and more! Here are a few prompts I recommend for these photos:

1. “Happy Monday friends! I’m spending my day at my computer scheduling out content for you all. How are you spending your Monday?”
2. “Are you a paper planner or digital planner kind of gal (or guy)? I WANT to love paper, but my Ipad calendar has my heart!”
3. “I LOVE meetings! Zoom meetings that is…with my clients! When you inquire with me, we will sit down and do a discovery call via zoom and hash out alllll the details! I can’t wait to meet you!”
4. “Wanna know how I grew my IG?! Showing my face on stories y’all! I talk to my audience and serve them in that way! What is holding you back from showing your face on your stories?”

SO many options here!

 

For the photographers out there: YOUR CAMERA/CAMERA BAG

Okay I know not everyone is a photographer BUT, a lot of my clients are!
Bringing your camera and camera bag makes for a great “What’s in my bag” post! These work great for websites as well! I love grabbing a headshot of you with your camera so you can use these as profile photos, business cards, etc.
Some prompts that go well with these shots are:
1. “One of the questions I get often is what equipment I have in my bag, so I wrote this quick blog post that tells you ALL the things I take with me on wedding/shoot days!”
2. It’s wedding day! I’m using my fav lens ever the {Insert favorite lens} to capture today’s special day! Photographers, do you have a favorite lens?”
3. My first camera was a {insert first camera model- then talk about when you upgraded, how it felt to upgrade, and encourage those who are using strater equipment right now!}

 

Next up: TOOLS OF YOUR TRADE

This can be ANYTHING you use to make what you make, or do what you do! Paint, ink, podcast microphone, SO many options! Some prompts you could use with photos like this are:

1. “I’m photographing a few new jewelry pieces today and can’t wait to show you! What is on your agenda for the day?”
2. “A little behind the scenes of how I make my planners/lettered cards/podcast episodes/etc! I hope you’re having a great week!”
3. Talk about the specific item you are using in the photo! A specific ink, or paint maybe.

The options are endless and I LOVE incorporating this into your session!

 

Next we have: PAPER PRODUCTS

Your favorite books, notebooks, planners, pens, etc.
ALL of these are such great props to bring! I’m a notebook fanatic and have at least 4 on my desk at all times, so it would be super authentic to my brand to bring notebooks! If you have a paper planner you love and use (bonus points if it’s on brand!) bring it! A photo of you with books is such good content to have for a blog post on “My top 5 books I read in 2021” or something similar!
Prompt you could use for these photos are:

1. “My top 5 favorite books to grow your business revealed! Head to the blog to see which books made their mark this year!”
2. “Are you a paper planner or more of a google calendar kind of gal (or guy)? I’m a sucker for a pretty paper planner!”
3. “TJ maxx notebooks got me again…I came home with 3 more! Are you a notebook hoarder like me?”

 

PRODUCTS YOU SELL

Do you sell a product? BRING IT!! If you are my client, I will utilize the time you spend changing outfits and grab a few product shots for you to use on your website, socials, etc. If you make a product and we can get some action shots, even better!
A few prompt for these photos:
1. “IT’S LIVE!! The amazing product I’ve been working on for weeks is not LIVE in the shop! Go check it out!”
2. “Creating this specific product was a dream come true! Here i a little BTS action of the process!”
3. “Want to grab my XYZ freebie? Head to the link in my bio and get started today!”

 

Last but CERTAINLY not least: QUIRKY ITEMS

Honestly? These might be my favorite props! Probably because I’m mildly (okay mostly) quirky myself and I think it’s SO much fun to include this in your brand strategy!
Examples of quirky props can be:

-Longboard/roller skates/hoverboard/etc
-A collection of eyeglasses because you love to switch it up every day
-Your favorite weird snack to eat while you edit/work
-A stuffed animal of your favorite animal ever
-Your favorite plant (I feel like this USED to be quirky but now it’s in style so…)
-Enamel pins you collect
-Water bottle full of cool stickers
-DisneyLand mouse ears (it’s a thing and I’m here for it)
–Funny pencils
-A letter board with your favorite quote from the office (or other funny show…but just so we’re clear, nothing beats the office) on it.
-Backstreet boys/Nsync CDs (this needs no explanation…it’s a must.)
-Your favorite food combo- For example, if you are obsessed with tacos and margs, let’s make that HAPPEN!

Literally the options are endless here! Think about what makes you YOU. Think about what people tag you in on facebook. For me? It’s llama videos, and plant memes. Literally. So in the past, I’ve brought my llama mug to my brand sessions! *Also I may or may not have a brand session mood board in the works at a llama farm.
JUST…be YOU! It’s so much fun!