You’ve finally committed to doing a branding photoshoot, and now you are trying to figure out how many photos you should get. How many images are too many, and is it possible to have too few?

The answer depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are a few factors to consider to help you decide.

What Factors Influence the Number of Photos You Need?

The Way You Plan To Use Your Photos

Many people get branding photos without truly understanding how they will be used. While getting branding photos might be the next item to check off your to-do list, not knowing how they will be used may make them useless.

Determine which marketing channels you’ll use, and then establish a photo roadmap to understand how, when, and where you will use them.

Who Your Target Audience Is

Consider your target audience and what will resonate with them. Targeting more than one audience may mean you need additional pictures showing each audience how they can use the photos.  

Your Business Type and Industry

The size of your business and the type of industry you are in may influence the number of images you need. For example, service and product-based businesses have vastly different photo needs. 

The Marketing Channels You Will Use

Consider where you can use photos. Photos can be used in printed materials or online, on websites, and on social media. They can be used in advertisements, mailers, newsletters, and other places. You may also need some for trade shows or conferences.

Share your photo roadmap with your photographer so they can determine the best angles, shots, and orientation for your photos.

Social Media

When creating social media posts, many companies find it helpful to have a library of photos from which to choose, rather than spend time searching for that “perfect” photo.

Create a social media calendar to plan how to use your pictures. Which sites will you use? For example, will you be on LinkedIn rather than Facebook or Instagram? These sites cater to different audiences, so you may need different pictures for each site.

Marketing Campaigns

What types of marketing campaigns are you kicking off within the next year? Having the photos you need when you need them is essential, making planning and preparation critical.

How Often You Like To Take Branding Photos

If you don’t like taking photos, does it make sense to take more pictures all at once or have multiple sessions? Speak with your branding photographer for some options.

How To Maximize Your Photo Utilization

Maximize your photo utilization by strategically using them across different platforms and campaigns.

While it will be necessary to refresh your photos occasionally, consider how to repurpose your pictures across multiple channels; for instance, it may be possible to crop some without losing focus, enabling you to maximize the images you have. Speak with your photographer for ideas.

If you need more pictures than originally planned, consider booking a pop-up session or look into a retainer plan.

Final Thoughts

The ideal number of branding photos is unique to your business, marketing plan, and goals. Quality, not quantity, is the most important goal. Remember your brand objectives and goals to ensure your photos align with your goals. High-quality photos will elevate your brand image and professionalism, but don’t sacrifice quality to get a few more photos. Work strategically to maximize your photos and speak with a professional photographer to understand how best to align your goals, brand, and photos.   

Looking for more information? Ready to book your branding session? Send me an email or book here.