3 Smart Practices for Batching Brand Content
When Danielle launched her editorial magazine, XO Sweet Dee, she committed to creating an original publication filled with recipes, fashion, styling, and her wonderfully over-the-top ideas.
That also meant she needed a LOT of original photography.
We were fully, 100% into this! Her launch shoot was short, sweet, and gave her just enough content for the first publication. You can read about the launch here.
The magazine was such a hit that Danielle needed multiple concepts for the summer issues. Therefore, we planned two completely different magazine editorials during one production day.
It saved time and resources, but it required much more planning than simply bringing another outfit.
1. Batching Content NEEDS Pre-Production
Good content batching begins before anyone arrives at the studio.
The June issue needed to feel experimental, colorful, and slightly edgy. The July issue was inspired by the Barbie movie release and needed to feel clean, graphic, and overwhelmingly pink.
We planned each concept separately, including the set, wardrobe, props, colors, lighting, posing, and overall energy. Without that preparation, both issues could have easily looked like one long pink photoshoot.
We also considered how Danielle would use each photograph. A magazine cover needs something different from a recipe feature, website banner, social post, or promotional campaign.
We weren’t trying to create as many photographs as possible. We were building two planned collections with separate jobs.
2. Location Selection Is KEY
We photographed the first XO Sweet Dee publication at Beloved Studios to create a sweet, light, and airy look.
However, Danielle wanted the summer issues to feel edgier and more like high-fashion editorials. So, we selected the blank-canvas space at The Good Vibe Studios.
Its cyclorama wall and built-in professional lighting allowed us to completely change the look without changing locations. We could also use the studio lighting to make the entire set pink!
For June, we created sprinkle lips, incorporated candy and iridescent fabric, and used harder light to produce dramatic shadows. The sprinkle lips were such a fun challenge—and yes, I needed to pull out all my Photoshop skills afterward to fill the tiny gaps.
Then, we cleared the set and went completely pink for July.
Same studio. Same production day. Very different results.
3. New Concepts Need More Than an Outfit Change
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when batching brand content is assuming an outfit change automatically creates a new campaign.
If the background, lighting, props, and energy remain the same, the photographs will still look like they came from one photoshoot.
Instead, give each concept its own visual direction. Change the color story. Adjust the lighting. Move differently. Bring in props that support the message rather than simply filling empty space.
That is the smartest way to batch brand content: create more while ensuring every concept still has its own purpose.
How To Create Fall Themed Brand Photography in Phoenix
Check Out the Issue:
Makeup by Artistry By Azure
Studio: The Good Vibe Studio
Learn more about my small business branding & editorial content photography.
Go get inspired for your branding shoot on my pinterest boards!
add a comment
+ COMMENTS