How to Stage your Workspace for your Personal Brand Shoot

Written by Catherine, interior designer from Catherine A Muir Interior Design

When you are thinking about having your head shots done its not only important that you look the part but also that the space you choose to represent your brand does too. Ideally you want the whole image to reflect who you are and what your business does.

Imagine promoting yourself as an efficient PA with a messy office behind you, or as a creative crafter without reflecting some photos of the tools of your trade behind you, it wouldn’t work!

The first step is to decide where you want your ‘workspace’ to be. Use your business branding to guide you and consider how you want your clients to perceive you; do you want to appear friendly or serious, creative or academic, global or local, nature versus industry and boardroom versus home environment.

When you have chosen the location(s) – there may be a few, and you are staging them for the shoot try to keep these things in mind so that everything within the final image represents you and your business.

Do you meet your clients in the location you are shooting?

If you do bare it in mind that you can’t do anything too dramatic just for the shots, it will confuse the client when they come and visit and might even make you appear less trustworthy.

However, if you are not going to have clients in your space then feel free to dress it up as much as you wish, Rachel can do some clever angles to ensure that the room is shot at its best. 

Here is my 7-step plan to get the location looking its best…

1. Remove anything messy or not related. Basically, have a good tidy up! 
2. Now you need to remove excess. You don’t want to show the messy realities of everyday but the idealistic version of yourself that you want potential clients to look for. If you have a bookcase remove some of the books and arrange them in a more visual pleasing way. Remove any odd size ones so they are all similar, remove any with odd colours, promote any with your branding colours. Turn box files round so you can’t see the mess within and bring in a few ornamental pieces.
3. Now consider your desk. Again, have a good tidy up and dust and then begin to remove excess. Less is more!

• Arrange your must have items in a pleasing way. You might realise that you need to spend a little money here. Perhaps purchase a lovely new desk lamp, a nice mug in your brand colours and some beautiful new stationary. Check out Under the Rowan Tree for inspiration!
• Do you have any tools of the trade that you could have to hand? It will be useful to Rachel if you have a few props that can be called upon during the shoot, also nice to hold if you feel a bit nervous.

• Do you have some books that promote the business that you do? Even better if some are in your brand colours. Arrange some on your desk.
• Do you have any nature in your office? A well-placed plant or flowers in a vase can really soften a hard location and add a pop of fresh colour (make sure its in line with your brand!) Rachel can also use them at the side a of the photo frame to add interest to the image.

By going through these steps, you will present a stylish, clean and tidy work place that will reflect you and your business ready for the photoshoot. However, if you feel that this isn’t enough, and you would like some help to style or even redecorate your office then I’d love to hear from you to discuss your needs and how I can help you achieve the office that you require.

Email – catherine@interiordesignerdurham.co.uk

Website – www.interiordesignerdurham.co.uk

Click here for more info on headshots packages