If I was planning outfits for my brand photoshoot, this is how I would do iT!

As a Minneapolis brand photographer, I’ve helped so many small business owners plan outfits for their brand photoshoots and I can always tell when someone feels prepared versus when they grabbed something the night before.

Your outfits matter more than you think. They communicate your personality, your positioning, and how you want clients to feel when they land on your website or Instagram.

So if I were planning my own brand photoshoot outfits, here’s exactly how I would approach it.

1. I’d Revisit My Mood Board First

Before I even opened my closet or stepped foot in a store, I would go back to my mood board.

I’d sit with it for a few minutes and really notice what I’m drawn to. Are the colors soft and creamy? Warm and earthy? Bold and high-contrast? Do the images feel structured and polished, or relaxed and organic?

Your mood board already holds so many clues. It shows the energy of your brand before you ever say a word.

If I kept seeing neutrals and natural light, I’d probably lean into soft textures and lighter tones. If my brand felt bold and punchy, I might choose more saturated colors or stronger silhouettes. The goal wouldn’t be to copy anything exactly — just to make sure my outfits feel like they belong in the same world as the visuals I’m trying to create.

That’s what makes brand photos feel cohesive instead of random.

2. Then, I’d Shop My Own Closet First

There’s something powerful about wearing pieces you already love. The jeans that fit just right. The blazer that makes you stand taller. The dress you’ve worn to every important meeting because it just feels like you.

I’d pull everything out and start building outfits on my bed, mixing and matching pieces I might not normally pair together. Sometimes adding a simple layer or swapping shoes completely changes the feel.

As a Minneapolis brand photographer, I’ve seen it over and over again: confidence photographs better than anything else. A brand-new outfit that doesn’t quite feel right will show up in subtle ways — stiff shoulders, constant adjusting, awkward energy.

If I already feel like myself in it, that’s a good sign.

3. I’d Choose a Variety — Not Just One “Look”

If I were planning strategically, I wouldn’t choose five versions of the same outfit. I’d want range.

I’d probably pick one outfit that feels polished and professional — something I could wear for website portraits or client-facing content. Then I’d choose something more relaxed and everyday, the kind of outfit I’d realistically wear while working at a coffee shop or brainstorming at home. And finally, I’d add something a little more fun — a bold color, a statement piece, something that shows personality and creativity!

That variety gives you so much flexibility when you’re creating content later. Your Instagram won’t feel repetitive. Your website won’t feel one-note. And you’ll have images that match different types of messaging which helps your brand feel dimensional.

4. I’d Keep My Brand Colors and the Season in Mind, But Think Long-Term

Living in Minneapolis, we feel the seasons deeply. And yes, I would consider that when planning. But I wouldn’t go so seasonal that I could only use the photos for three months.

If I were shooting in fall, maybe I’d lean into warmer tones or layering. But I’d still choose pieces that feel timeless. Clean silhouettes. Solid colors. Minimal patterns that won’t compete with my messaging.

Brand photography is an investment. I’d want outfits that allow those images to live on my website, Pinterest, email marketing, and social media all year long without feeling outdated.

5. And Finally, I’d Try Everything On Well Before Shoot Day

This is the step I would refuse to skip.

A few days before my shoot, I’d try on every single outfit. I’d sit in it and move in it. Maybe even take a few mirror photos on my phone.

• Does it wrinkle instantly?

• Does it feel tight when I sit?

• Do I feel like the best version of myself in it?

If I don’t feel comfortable at home, I definitely won’t feel comfortable in front of a camera.

As your brand photographer, I can guide you through posing and help you relax, but the foundation of confidence starts with what you’re wearing. When you feel good, your energy shifts. Your expressions soften. Your posture changes. Everything flows more naturally.

The Bottom Line

If I were planning my brand photoshoot outfits, I wouldn’t overcomplicate it. I’d focus on alignment, confidence, variety, and longevity.

Because the right outfits don’t just make you look good, they help your audience understand who you are before they ever read a caption.

And if you’re a small business owner looking for a Minneapolis brand photographer who will help you think through all of this (and more), I’d love to walk you through it. Outfit planning, content strategy, location ideas — we make it all feel doable and actually fun.

Your brand deserves photos that feel like you!