The Basic Shot List

Bootstrap the Basics in your Brand Library, and Save the Good Stuff for the Professionals

When you think of brand photography – what do you think of? 🧐

Odds are – it's a woman, in a kitchen, holding a mug.

It's okay if that's your answer.

But what I want to say ... is it can be SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

But only if you put in the work of brainstorming and planning.

If you've ever wanted $5,000 results for the $500 price tag – you really need to get creative with the exact photos you're w wantake and how you'll be taking them.

Otherwise, if you're not planning, you'll get some portion of this list below every time.

This Basics Shot List is the starting point for getting your brand photography library up and running. If you have a friend, team member, or family member who is good with a iPhone or fancy camera, you might not need to hire a brand photographer for this list.

These are great go-to photos for social media that will help establish your presence and authority online and include multiple variations of the same shot to avoid feeling stale in your content as you're getting started.

Pro Tips:

1. Bring multiple outfits or 'layers' to the shoot – take all the photos in one outfit, then again in another, then again in another.
2. Between each outfit change, change the "setting" as well – move from the kitchen, to the home office, to the conference room, etc.
3. Change your hair up when you can during the same outfits – so move from down, to half up/half down, to messy ponytail or bun, ladies.

THE BASIC SHOT LIST

YOU STANDING

Headshot smiling horizontal

Headshot smiling vertical

Headshot not smiling horizontal

Headshot not smiling vertical

Midsection smiling horizontal

Midsection smiling vertical

Midsection not smiling horizontal

Midsection not smiling vertical

Full body smiling horizontal

Full body smiling vertical

Full body not smiling horizontal

Full body not smiling vertical

YOU SITTING

Looking at the camera horizontal

Looking at the camera vertical

Looking away horizontal

Looking away vertical

Midsection looking at the camera horizontal

Midsection looking at the camera vertical

Midsection looking away from the camera horizontal

Midsection looking away from the camera vertical

Full body looking at the camera horizontal

Full body looking at the camera vertical

Full body looking away from the camera horizontal

Full body looking away from the camera vertical

YOU WALKING

Towards the camera looking at the camera horizontal

Towards the camera looking at the camera vertical

Towards the camera looking away horizontal

Towards the camera looking away vertical

Away from the camera horizontal

Away from the camera vertical

YOU JUMPING

With joy horizontal

With joy vertical

YOU CONTEMPLATING

with NEGATIVE space above or to side horizontal (smirk + no smirk)

with NEGATIVE space above vertical (smirk + no smirk)

YOU ENGAGING WITH YOUR PROPS

With a pen and notebook horizontal

With a pen and notebook vertical

Pen and notebook looking to the side vertical

Pen and notebook close up (no face)

Take from behind focused on notebook

Working on/With a computer horizontal

Working on/With a computer vertical

Working on/With a computer looking to the side horizontal

Working on/With a computer looking to the side vertical

Working on/With a computer (taken from behind, focused on the computer)

Working with/On phone horizontal

Working with/On phone vertical

Working with/On phone close up shot (no face)

Taken from behind (phone your holding with your website or linkedin on it is in clear focus)

Stoked horizontal

Stoked vertical

Thankful (example: holding a thank you card) horizontal

Thankful vertical

Recommended reading book horizontal

Recommended reading book vertical

Recommended reading book close up (no face)

Looking out the window horizontal

Looking out the window vertical

Leaning forward in a chair to engage in listening

Drinking tea, coffee, wine or cocktail smiling at the camera vertical

Drinking tea, coffee, wine or cocktail smiling at the camera horizontal

Drinking tea, coffee, wine or cocktail close up on cup (no face)

Drinking tea, coffee, wine or cocktail looking thoughtfully to the side horizontal

Drinking tea, coffee, wine or cocktail looking thoughtfully to the side vertical

Cheers/celebrate to the camera horizontal

Cheers/celebrate to the camera vertical

Cheers/celebrate to the camera drink close up (no face)

Holding your tools smiling at the camera vertical

Holding your tools close up (no face)

Holding your tools in general (example: camera)

Flat lay shot of your accessories (variety of shots here)

Holding a stack of your recommended reading

Writing (in your handwriting) a note on a personalized notecard

What do I know about any of this?

I'm Nikki James Zellner, a Brand and Visual Advisor who empowers leaders and brands to tell stronger, more connected stories. After working with me, my clients have been recognized in major publications like Forbes, Telemundo, The Washington Post, and Martha Stewart Living and have gained clarity for the direction of their business.

Earlier in my career, I spent years launching fifteen (15) lifestyle magazines throughout the United States – working behind the scenes to share written and visual stories in a way that captivated audiences. My background is deeply rooted in marketing and storytelling – and I have worked with amazingly talented photographers throughout my career.

I'm a writer, creative, and advocate – on a mission to change the world. Just like you. xo, Nikki

You can book a free consult with me here.