What to Wear for your Luxury, Professional Branding Session in NYC
If you’ve been running a business for a year or more, then you’ve learned by now: Branding is so much more than the visuals.
But it does start there.
Your visuals are speaking, setting a tone, and supporting a vibe – all before a viewer absorbs a single word of your catchy hook you spent way too long second-guessing.
Your brand is a cut above the rest, just like your ideal client. So the average, approachable, laid-back messaging simply won’t do.
Your visual positioning needs to call to mind words such as:
Immaculate
High-end
Luxury
Authority
Leader
Exclusive
So let’s get clear on what exactly makes that possible.
What’s a “Luxury” Aesthetic?
Take thirty seconds to reflect on the first few brands that come to mind when you think of “luxury.”
For me it’s CHANEL, Lexus, Prada…
What do you see in your mind’s eye when you imagine these brands?
While they each have their own essence, they adhere to similar rules:
Clean, minimal, and neutral or monochrome color choices.
They want to be recognizable at a glance, with as little distraction as possible.
Above all else, a luxury brand should strive to be one thing:
Iconic.
Now if you’re struggling to figure out how to translate this “luxury playbook” to your own brand, don’t worry; I’ve got you covered, so keep reading!
How to Apply this Aesthetic to YOUR Brand
While I referenced some pretty broad themes for luxury branding, there’s a very practical approach you can take when applying this to your own luxury branding photoshoot.
Wardrobe is the first key factor in curating your luxury presentation. This doesn’t mean you have to transform into someone you’re not. (If the power suit is NOT your vibe, by all means avoid it!)
Luxury simply means that you put some thought into creating clean lines with your silhouette, color blocking with solid colors and avoiding patterns that create distraction. All to channel the most elevated, polished version of you. (Again, don’t rush out and buy a blazer if that’s not for you, but do think about what you’d wear to make a killer first impression at an important meeting or speaking engagement.)
Posing is the second way to convey an authoritative, elevated, and powerful presence. “Power poses” such as tall, long lines and dramatic use of angles will get you there! Don’t be afraid to channel your inner Vogue model to create high-impact, scroll-stopping imagery. You may be an entrepreneur, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a badass smoke-show in the process.
Staging and ambiance is the third, possibly most subtle but equally important detail. Keep props to a minimum, which includes both the tools you’d want to showcase for your business, along with the use of furniture or other decorative details.
Pro Tip: Consider the role that location plays in your branding visuals. An in-studio setting is your best friend for a controlled, sleek, and luxurious-feeling environment. But you can make an outdoor location work by seeking out clean, minimal or grand architecture and uncluttered public spaces.
If all of these details still have you feeling unsure or overwhelmed, take a deep breath: This is what an experienced, professional photographer is for! I’m here to guide you through every step of this preparation process, including fully guided posing on shoot day. If you’re a high-end life coach, business coach, real estate agent, or other luxury brand in New York City ready to set yourself apart with next-level visuals, reach out!