Content is so much easier to create when you have a bank of content. It is so much simpler when you have photos and videos you can just pull from when it’s time to post. That’s one of the many reasons brand photography is so powerful as a business owner, because everything becomes easier when you have the right tools at your disposal.
But this is true for brand photographers too.
One question that comes up pretty often inside Rebrand is, what type of b-roll do I actually need for my own brand? So in this post, I’m walking you through the b-roll for photographers that I think every brand photographer should have in their arsenal.
It’s simple, practical, and not nearly as complicated as people make it!
The Two Types of B-Roll Categories You Should Be Capturing
I think about this in two categories. The first is the b-roll you get at an actual brand photography client session, whether that’s a real client session or some sort of styled shoot or trade situation with a friend. The second is what I’d call content day b-roll, meaning clips you shoot intentionally during a dedicated content day or just pieces of your normal workday.
And if taking content at a session still feels awkward, I get it! You shouldn’t feel weird about it, but it is a muscle. Marketing is a skill you have to learn in public, and that can feel uncomfortable at first.
B-Roll for Photographers at an Actual Brand Session
In an ideal world, it’s easiest to have another person capturing content for you. That could be a friend, a content creator, your sister, your niece, whoever. I do this often with my own shoots because my clients love content and I love content, so having someone there to grab b-roll for both of us makes everything easier.
That said, I’m a big believer in “use what you’ve got.” If you don’t have another human helping, bring a tripod! A motion-tracking tripod is great, but even a regular tripod works. You might need to move it around a few times during the session, or even set it up for a couple more “fake” action shots and then put it away, but something is always better than nothing!
Capture the Experience of Working With You
At the session itself, I love anything experience related. Think walking into the studio, handing your client or the makeup artist a coffee, chatting during hair and makeup, or helping your client choose outfits, jewelry, or shoes. This kind of b-roll matters because it shows what it actually feels like to work with you.
That’s huge, because your potential client is already wondering what the experience will be like! They’re wondering what they’ll wear, whether they’ll feel awkward, and whether you’ll help guide them.
So when you show those moments, you’re answering their questions before they even have to ask.
Some of the best examples here are:
- walking into the studio or session space
- passing coffee to your client or makeup artist
- hair and makeup chatter
- picking outfits, jewelry, or shoes
- reviewing details together from multiple angles
Don’t Forget B-Roll That Shows Your Face
When the actual shooting starts, please get footage of yourself from the front! Learn from my mistakes here. You cannot only have footage of the back of your head and expect that to carry your content forever.
A few clips from behind are great because they show context and let us see the client, but you also need clips where we can see your face or at least your profile. That’s often the stuff that performs better, and it makes your content feel more personal and more human.
I also love b-roll of adjusting your client, fixing a necklace, moving a piece of hair, straightening a collar, or showing them the back of the camera. Those clips show attention to detail, care, and client interaction. They create a little bit of “I want that” energy because people can picture themselves in that experience.
Show How You Guide and Support Your Clients
Another really important type of b-roll is posing. Not just directing your client, but actually showing yourself demonstrating the pose. If you’re side by side with your client showing them where to put their hand or how to angle their body, that is incredibly helpful content.
A lot of people are not booking a brand session because they’re worried they won’t know how to pose. They don’t know what’s flattering or what to do with their hands. So when your content shows that you’re going to guide them through that, it builds trust before they ever inquire.
This is the power of good content! Your potential client might be reading a caption about something else entirely, but while they’re watching you direct a pose or adjust a necklace, they’re still receiving all of that information. That’s why simple content works so well: simple b-roll, simple hook, call it a day. You can accomplish a lot with that.
What to Film on a Content Day
The second category is content day b-roll. This can be a true content day where you block time to film, or it can just be clips you grab throughout your normal routine. This is where you capture things like:
- making coffee or tea
- editing at your computer
- working on the couch
- opening your laptop
- packing your camera bag
- scrolling Pinterest while planning a shoot
- on a client Zoom call
These clips do not need to be long. We’re talking about five to ten second clips here!
And again, if you’re filming over-the-shoulder footage, make sure you also get some from the front so we can see your face. Not every piece of content needs your face, but you’ll probably find that the content that performs best includes it.
Your B-Roll Does Not Have to Match Your Topic
I think this is one of the biggest mistakes people make with b-roll. They assume the video has to match exactly what they’re talking about in the caption or voiceover. It absolutely does not!
You can have b-roll of yourself packing your bag, drinking coffee, or even eating a sandwich while talking about brand photography. In fact, sometimes it does better when it’s not directly related.
If you’re talking to brand photography clients, they usually do not care what lenses are in your bag. They care that you know what you’re doing and that you can create a good experience and a good result.
So yes, you can still show gear, as it does establish expertise. I just wouldn’t overemphasize it, especially if your goal is to appeal to clients instead of other photographers!
Why Day-in-the-Life Content Works So Well
I also love day-in-the-life or vlog-style content for brand photographers. This can look like showing how you got ready for a session, how you planned a session for a specific type of client, or how you prep using Pinterest, a prop list, or your session guide.
Really, all you need for this kind of content is a bank of actions. Scroll Pinterest. Type on your laptop. Review your session guide. Pack your gear. Hop on a Zoom call. Then your voiceover can tie it all together.
If discovery calls or the planning process are part of your content (and they probably should be!) getting b-roll of a Zoom call can also be really helpful. It adds another layer of client interaction, even if you’re not physically with someone in that moment.
Use a Session Guide and Keep Building Your Content Bank
One more piece of content I love getting on a session day is anything with your session guide.
Whether you’re reviewing the guide on your own or walking through it with your client, that kind of content is valuable. And, so is the ending of the session itself! This might mean b-roll of saying goodbye, giving a hug, or showing that sense of connection after the shoot wraps.
Learn More Content and Marketing Tips Like These in Rebrand
If you want more support with the marketing side of your business, this is exactly the kind of thing we work through inside Rebrand. This is my group coaching program for photographers that helps you build a stronger brand, create better content, and book more brand photography clients. Learn more about joining here or send me an Instagram DM with any questions!
And if you have a type of b-roll you swear by that I didn’t mention here, I want to hear it! I’d love to know what’s working in your content bank.
comments +