How I Did My Own Brand Photoshoot (And How You Can Too)

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No photographer. No studio. Just me, a camera, and a plan.

Hey friends! If you’re a content creator like me, you know the struggle: you’re building your brand, showing up online, creating great content — and then you realize… you don’t have a single photo of yourself you actually like using.

That was me. So I decided to just go for it and plan my own brand photoshoot. No professional photographer, no big budget — just a solid plan, some natural light, and a big ol’ checklist.

Here’s exactly how I pulled it off (and how you totally can too).

Step 1: Start With Why You’re Doing This

This sounds obvious, but seriously — before you even touch your camera, ask yourself:

  • Where am I actually going to use these photos?
  • What vibe am I trying to give off?

For me, it was things like YouTube thumbnails, sales pages for digital products, my website, and just having fresh visuals for social. That helped shape my shot list big time.

I knew I wanted:

  • Some clean headshots
  • Laptop and phone shots (very “content creator at work” vibes)
  • Lifestyle moments — laughing, sipping coffee, looking approachable and fun
  • A few goofy ones (because that’s real life, right?)

Step 2: Make a Mood Board (Trust Me)

I made mine in Figma, but you could use Canva, Pinterest, whatever you love. I pulled inspo from creators I admire and dumped it all in one place — poses, outfits, lighting, everything.

And then I literally made a shot list based on those photos. Like:
“Girl holding coffee cup, looking at laptop, window light in background.”
…That specific.

I kept this list with me the whole time while shooting — it helped so much when I started to feel stuck or forget what I even wanted to capture.

Step 3: Outfits That Feel Like You

I pulled about 8 outfits (yes, I overpacked, no regrets). I made sure they included my brand colors, and had a mix of casual and slightly more polished options. Think: jeans and a cute top, then jeans with a blazer. Boom — two totally different vibes.

Also brought:

  • Statement earrings
  • A few necklaces
  • A couple “fun” pieces — like graphic tees I actually wear

Even a quick outfit change mid-shoot can give you so much more variety.

Step 4: Pick Your Location (No Studio Required)

I shot at one of my sister’s Airbnbs (yes, I have the best sister), and honestly, it was perfect. Tons of natural light, styled spaces, and options for different backdrops.

But here’s the thing — you don’t need an Airbnb. You can absolutely:

  • Use your house (bonus if you have big windows)
  • Go outside — parks, cute alleys, your front porch
  • Walk around downtown and find cool corners
  • Set up near a window with a white wall

Look for light + texture + variety. That’s it.

Step 5: Props = Personality

Here’s what I grabbed:

  • My laptop
  • My phone
  • A coffee cup (always)
  • A notebook
  • Cute desk stuff I already had
  • A candle and plant for “atmosphere” 😄

If you sell products or have tools you use all the time — include those! It helps your photos feel like you and not just random stock.

Step 6: Gear Checklist

I used:

  • My Canon 5D Mark III
  • Tripod
  • Remote timer
  • Extra batteries and memory cards
  • A big flash (which I barely used because the natural light was great)
  • Video lights — just in case

But here’s the deal: you don’t need fancy gear. Your phone and a $20 tripod from Amazon can totally work. The planning matters way more than the equipment.

Step 7: Block the Time and Pace Yourself

I blocked out 3 hours, and yes — I needed every minute.
If you’re doing this solo (or even with help), remember:

  • Give yourself time to change outfits and locations
  • Take breaks to breathe, drink water, check your checklist
  • Keep your mood board and shot list nearby
  • Build in some wiggle room — some of my favorite shots were totally unplanned

Also, my sister helped that day and was basically my stand-in model + focus tester + hype squad. 10/10 would recommend having a buddy if you can.

Step 8: Loosen Up! You’ll Look Stiff at First, Promise

I felt so awkward the first 15 minutes. I had to warm up to the camera again (yes, even though I used to be a photographer). So I:

  • Put on music
  • Practiced smiling in the mirror (ha, but it works)
  • Tried out a few silly poses to shake off the stiffness
  • Took a ton of shots just to get comfortable

By the end, I was literally dancing around and having a blast. That’s when the best shots happened.

Step 9: Organize + Back Everything Up

Once I got the photos on my computer, I sorted them right away:

  • Headshots
  • Laptop/desk shots
  • Lifestyle + candid
  • Detail shots

Then I backed them up to Google Drive and SmugMug (because losing them would be a nightmare). Having them organized also makes it so easy when I need a quick photo for a new landing page or launch graphic.

Yes, You Can Totally Do This

Was it work? Yep.
Was it worth it? 1000%.

If you’re a content creator, having brand photos that actually look and feel like you is such a confidence boost. You’ll use them everywhere — and knowing you created them yourself? Even better.

📸 Want to see the full behind-the-scenes and setup tips?
▶️ Watch the video here: [insert YouTube link]

Have questions about how I planned it or want to share your own DIY shoot? Drop it in the comments below!