Let’s Get Real: You’re Not Just Showing Up, You’re Showing OFF (Your Brand)
You’ve done the hard work. You have built a brand that you are so dang proud of. Now the personal brand photo session is booked! (High five!) And…you’ve even figured out what you’re going to wear.
As soon as that box gets checked off, then comes the next big question: “Um… what do I bring?”
Friend, we get this question at every session. In fact, after “what do I wear?” it is the second most common question we get. And no surprise – it’s a good one. Yes, showing up with confident energy is essential, but so is showing up with props that visually tell your story. Much like good ingredients elevate a home-cooked meal, thoughtful props can take your photo shoot from “technically nice” to “undeniably YOU.”
At Harmonie House Images, we believe every prop on set should whisper (or shout!) something about you, your craft, your values, or your client experience. Not clutter. Not randomness. Without doubt, it’s the use of meaningful details that give your audience instant insight into what makes your business exceptional.
Let’s talk about how to do that with style and intention.
The Power of Props: Making Your Brand Tangible
We’ve seen it happen time and again. Clients arrive with bags full of meaningful objects – the exact mug you sip from every morning, your beautifully branded notebook, or a tiny wax seal stamp that you lovingly press into every package. These aren’t just items. They’re iconic details of your client experience, your aesthetic, your standard of care.
So our approach? We plan for the WHOLE composition. Not only do we lay the groundwork with clear brand icon props (a concept we learned about from the lovely Katherine Bignon) but we also think about every shelf, surface, and corner of the frame. This doesn’t mean it’s cluttered. Quite the opposite. It means every nook feels intentional, styled just enough, and completely in tune with you.
Planning your photoshoot prop list doesn’t have to feel like packing for an emotional scavenger hunt. We’ve got you covered with categories designed to make the process smooth, fun, and totally strategic.
What to Bring: Our Tried-and-True Prop Categories
NO. 1 – Tools of Your Trade
Start with what you use every day in your work. Of course, there is the general tech that we all use daily nowadays. You know:
- Laptop or tablet
- Cell phone
- AirPods or headphones
- Microphone or ring light (for content-based businesses)
- Camera (if you’re also a photographer or videographer)
- Apple Pencil or stylus
But, there are also those tools and items that are specific to your industry. They are the tools that make the magic happen. These are the things your hands know and know how to use instinctively.
Are you an artist? A calligrapher? A hair stylist? An interior designer? What items can’t you create your products or provide your service without? These are the really interesting props that absolutely must show up in your personal brand photos.
Pro Tip: Don’t just think about tech – think tactile. People want to feel your process.
NO. 2 – Examples of Your Work
Even if your business isn’t product-based, bring something that represents what you create or the services you provide.
- Actual products (if applicable)
- Print samples
- Finished pieces
- Service artifacts (like client welcome guides)
You’ve poured time into making this work real. Let’s show it off beautifully.
NO. 3- Marketing Materials & Brand Collateral
This is where polish meets personality.
- Business cards
- Custom packaging or tags
- Branded letterhead or documents
- Flyers or info packets
- Tote bags or coffee cups you give to clients (yes, please!)
Using these tells the world, “This is not my first rodeo.”
No.4 – On-Brand Decor & Styling Details
These are scene-setting props that help the entire image vibe align with your brand energy.
- Think: cozy, minimal, playful, luxe… whatever feels right
- Matching pillows, throw blankets, candles, or books
- Fabric swatches, ribbon, dishes, trays
- Poster board or paper in your brand colors
Sometimes it’s the quiet layering of these pieces that really makes the visuals sing.
No. 5 – Tchotchkes from Your Desk (Seriously)
We love this category because it’s you, but editorial.
- Pencil cups, scissors, markers, washi tape
- Fun paperclips or sticky notes
- A cute organizer you actually use
These help bring your workspace into the frame subtly but effectively.
No. 6 – Your Favorite Snacks & Sips
YES we want to photograph you taking a graceful bite of that BLT.
- A beloved mug or drink glass
- Favorite pastries or snacks
- Branded coffee cup sleeves
These little indulgences say, “Yes, I’m an expert… but I also like dark chocolate and oat milk lattes.” They bring a human and relatable quality to your image gallery.
No. 7 – Let’s Celebrate, Shall We?
Bringing the JOY into your shoot is NEVER a bad idea.
- Confetti
- Streamers or balloons
- Party hats or novelty glasses
- Favorite props that reflect your playful side (bikes, books, plants, or pets)
We’re strong believers that your session should honor all the sides of your brand – including the woohoo moments.
Why Props Matter: It’s Not About “Stuff”, It’s About Story
Here’s the truth: the right props don’t just make your brand imagery prettier – they make it clearer.
The goal of your brand session isn’t just to look nice (although, trust us, you will). It’s to communicate something meaningful to the people you serve. It should demonstrate:
- how you work
- why you care
- what details matter to you
- who you are to your community
Your brand imagery should communicate all of this before you ever say a word. We are firm believers that when every surface, shelf, and flatlay has thought behind it, your visuals work harder for you long after shoot day is over.
Ready to Put Your Props to Work?
If you’ve got the heart, we’ve got the planning chops. We walk you through all this (and more) as we prepare for your session. You’ll get general ideas in our Brand Shoot Guide shortly after booking. Then we will talk through your prop plan in our pre-shoot strategy meeting. Finally, you’ll receive a finalized list of props you need to have on-hand for shoot day when we deliver the Creative Brief for your shoot.
Whether you’re photographing handcrafted goods, consulting work, or content creation, your brand deserves visuals that feel intentional from every angle. And you deserve a shoot that feels like YOU.
Still brainstorming what to bring? Let’s talk through it together. Click the button below to inquire and let’s start designing a visual story that puts both your personality and your purpose front and center.
We’ll see you on set (snacks and confetti welcome).
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