Planning a Brand Shoot | Toronto Interiors, Lifestyle and Brand Photographer

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Regardless of the type of business you own, having a dedicated brand shoots is a great way to support your marketing efforts. Building a library of brand images with a consistent look and feel helps solidify your brand, attract your ideal customer and ensures you have content that can be used across platforms throughout the year.

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Brand photography for Toronto kidswear clothing line Sunday Story.

Sunday Story

Establish some goals or themes for your brand shoot.

The great part about brand shoots is they can take many directions. Think about your current goals for your brand and what supporting collateral you might need. By focusing your brand shoot, you will be able to build a shot list that ensures you’ll get imagery you will use. Some themes your brand shoot might take include: 

  • New brand launch 
  • New or seasonal content, products, services or offerings 
  • Updating headshots of team members 
  • Content pillars or themes you regularly post about 
  • ‘Behind the scenes ’ or ‘Day in the Life’

It’s best to try not to do too many things in one shoot, by focusing on a few themes you will ensure you get quality but still variety in the types of images you need.

Brand photography for Canadian clothing designer Central Standard.

Central Standard

Create a shot list to help with planning.

A shot list offers direction and helps refine the focus for your shoot. A shot list can be accompanied with sample imagery or a moodboard to establish a desired look or feel. Determine ‘need to have’ shots as well as other general categories of content you are hoping for. This again depends on the goals of the shoot but will help guide the shoot. Some types of shots might include:

  • Portraits 
  • Products or offerings
  • Flatlays or ‘custom stock’ 
  • Process, ‘working’ or lifestyle shots

While a shots list can be very specific, it’s often best to leave some room for creative flow on the shoot day to ensure we get some variety and things don’t feel too forced. 

Flat lay shot for Toronto interior designer Melanie Kushner Interiors.

Melanie Kushner Interiors

Choose a Location.

The location again will depend on your business and type of shoot. Some options to consider are:

  • Your place of business if you have a brick and mortar location.
  • Your home or home office if the focus is on you and your daily operations.
  • A rental studio space. Toronto and the GTA have many options to choose from that offer stylish living spaces, kitchen and office scenes that work well to support lifestyle brands.
  • A ‘day in the life’ or ‘behind the scenes’ shoot might involve a few locations such as site visits, vendors, outdoors or on location in a neighborhood you work in.
Lifestyle brand photography for Toronto interior designer Melanie Kushner.

Melanie Kushner Interiors

Once you’ve established your shot list and location, you can plan out what you need in terms of props and prep.

Props will look different depending on the focus of your shoot.

  • For a product-focused shoot that might mean accessories, decor, seasonal items or other supporting elements.
  • Tools of your trade - may just mean a laptop, phone and notebook, or it may be actual tools. For example, an interior designer might also want to bring along material samples (paint swatches, tiles, wallpaper, fabrics), floor plans or drawings, mood boards or bulletin boards, or tools like a measuring tape. 
  • Personal effects that support a scene and appeal to your ideal client. That might include things like a coffee mug, a handbag, designer shoes or even a pet. 
  • Flat lays or custom stock will consist of elements that support each other. Choose things that go together, and have items you can mix and match to build small vignettes in a meaningful way.
  • Depending on the location or scene, adding fresh elements like plants, florals or produce can add life to neutral spaces.

If you are capturing portraits or lifestyle imagery, consider hair, makeup and wardrobe for your shoot. Choose clothing that you feel suits the brand in terms of colour and style. Consider having hair and make-up services to help add ease to the day and ensure you are looking your best. You can read more about preparing for brand portraits here.

Lifestyle product photographer for Canadian slow fashion brand Central Standard featuring everyday tote bag in olive.

Central Standard

If you’re a business owner and looking to update your brand photography reach out! I’d love to chat about planning a shoot that will help you grow your business!

Toronto interior, brand and lifestyle photographer.

Melanie Kushner Interiors Project Grenadier | Interior Design Photography Toronto

Melanie Kushner Interiors is a Toronto-based design firm. This project focused on millwork and furnishings! 

Cozy neutral mid-century furnishings and textiles play off the warm millwork in the living room.

In addition to the living room, Melanie assited the clients with updating a dining room off the living room with a new light fixture and chairs that worked with the existing table and complemented the adjacent spaces.

Upstairs in the office,  we captured a beautiful custom floor to ceiling millwork piece. For the photo shoot, she kept the styling minimal and monochromatic, but I’m sure the homeowners will enjoy the ample storage and shelving.  I love the fun colour paired with other finishes used in the unit!

If you are an interior designer, decorator, homebuilder or architect and have a project you’re interested in photographing, let’s connect!


ALC Interiors & Generation Construction Bloor Condo Project | Interior Design Photography Mississauga

ALC Interiors along with Generation Construction Ltd. recently teamed up to update and upgrade this Mississauga condo.

The refreshed space now features an open concept kitchen, new flooring running throughout the unit, removal of popcorn ceiling and a fresh new colour pallette.

The new kitchen features plenty of storage, lots of work surfaces, a colourful island, and a beautiful counter and backsplash. The dining space features wood floating shelves, a modern light fixture, and elegant yet contemporary furnishings.

Interior Designer Lisa styled the unit with modern decor pieces, colourful artwork, books and florals and greenery.

The main bath also received an update carrying the blue tones from the main space through with the vanity, mirror border and bathtub surround tilework. A contemporary white hexagonal tile adds a subtle modern twist to the space.

If you are an interior designer, decorator, homebuilder, contractor or architect and have a project you’re interested in photographing, let’s connect! Inquire about how you can share your photoshoot costs with your design-build partners.

Using Format