How to Plan a Modern Brand Photography Session in Louisville
Brand photography is one of the most powerful ways to communicate your brand’s personality and values. The right images tell your audience who you are before they even read a word of copy. For Carrier Coffee, I wanted to create a collection of images that felt warm, modern, and true to their brand identity. From modern studio portraits to lively event photos, every image highlights that connection, design, and great coffee that makes this brand so special.
In this blog post:
Modern Brand Photography for Carrier Coffee
For this brand photography session, I wanted the images to reflect the cozy, modern energy at the heart of Carrier Coffee. The brand is welcoming, personal, and unique. You can see from their branding (their logo and fonts, for example), that the Carrier Coffee brand prioritizes clean communication over busy visuals.
We opted for a mix of studio and event photography to communicate all of this. To give the best attention to detail, we held the two sessions on different days. I used a mix of film and digital photography both days.
These photos give Maggie everything she needs for any kind of marketing material you could imagine. From her website to socials, Maggie has everything she needs.
Studio Photography
Carrier Coffee owner Maggie brought her coffee cart to a photography studio. We kept the setting minimalistic to keep the focus on Maggie and her coffee cart. She brought two outfits, one casual and one more formal. Using the natural light in the studio, I created a wide variety of images that have the fresh, clean look that’s in line with the Carrier Coffee brand.
Here are some of the types of images I prioritized.
Portraits of Maggie that communicate her professionalism and inviting personality
Images of the cart
Photos of the drinks and drink-making process
Event Photography
While the studio session highlights Maggie and her product, the event photography conveys the social aspect of the Carrier Coffee brand. Candid photos of folks enjoying the coffee shows the community that coffee creates.
Photographing outdoors also gives you a sense of place. Carrier Coffee is a Louisville brand, and you get a sense of that with photos in the natural setting. Golden hour adds some on-brand warmth to the photos.
How to Plan Your Brand Photography Session
Hopefully, this brand photography for Carrier Coffee is inspiring you! Here are some tips for planning your brand photography session.
Know Your Brand
Just like creating branding and copy, it’s important to understand your brand before planning your brand photography session. Here are some questions to consider.
Who are your ideal clients/customers?
What problem are you solving for them?
How are you solving the problem?
Do you have brand visuals (logos, colors, fonts)? What do you like about them?
What are the characteristics of your brand’s personality? Is it warm and bubbly or no nonsense and professional?
All of this information will help a photographer come up with an artistic direction that communicates your brand’s messaging.
Pick Your Brand Photographer
Choosing your brand photographer is just as important as choosing your designer or copywriter. You’re hiring someone to translate your brand into visuals. Ideally, those visuals are cohesive with your brand design and copy.
When you’re looking for a brand photographer, consider
Their style: Does their portfolio align with the aesthetic you envision for your brand?
Their medium: If film is important to you, can the photographer accommodate your preferences?
Their process: Do they take time to learn about your brand, audience, and goals?
Their communication: Do you feel comfortable communicating with them and sharing your ideas?
A great brand photographer will help you feel confident and prepared. They’ll also help you plan your outfits, select props or locations, and guide you through poses that feel authentic to you.
Identify Your Artistic Direction
Before your session, take time to define your artistic direction. This ensures that your images look cohesive and aligned with your brand identity across all platforms. A good brand photographer will be a huge help here!
Here are a few ways to shape your artistic direction for your brand photography:
Gather inspiration: Create a mood board with colors, textures, and photos that reflect your brand’s tone.
Plan your palette: Outfits, backgrounds, and props should complement your existing brand colors and overall aesthetic.
Consider the context: Where will you use your images? Chances are you need a variety of compositions for your website, social media, and print materials.
Your artistic direction acts as a roadmap for your photographer and you to create photos that work hard for your brand.
Whether you’re launching a new business or refreshing your visuals, brand photography is an investment that pays off every time someone visits your website or scrolls through your feed. The right images help your audience feel connected to your brand. I’d love to help you create them. Inquire with me today!