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Why Colour in Branding is Important & How to Incorporate Your Brand Colours into Your Branding Shoot

6 January 2025

Branding photography goes beyond simply capturing stunning images that showcase you and your business; it also emphasizes your brand identity by providing cohesive visuals that resonate with your audience. The colours you select for your brand are essential in establishing that identity and enhancing brand recognition. Perception of colour can greatly influence how your audience connects and engages with you and your brand. Thus, careful thought must be given to the colour palette you incorporate into your brand shoot.

In this blog, I will explore the significance of colour in branding and offer insights on how to weave your brand colours into your photo shoot.

Why is colour vital in your branding?

Builds Recognition 

Consistent use of colours in your logo, marketing materials, and imagery fosters recognition, strengthens your brand identity, and reinforces your brand personality.

Emotional Connection

Numerous studies highlight the psychology of colour, showing that specific hues carry meanings and evoke feelings. Selecting the right colours can help forge an emotional and memorable link with your audience.

Differentiation from Competitors

Clearly defined brand colours, used consistently, set you apart from competitors and effectively communicate your unique message and story.

Cohesive Branding

A consistent colour palette across all marketing channels creates a unified brand that enhances recognition and presents a more attractive and professional image.

Sense of Belonging & Loyalty

Colours that resonate with your audience can foster a sense of belonging (as they do when for instance with a sports team) therefore it’s no surprise that making your audience feel at home and part of your community can instil loyalty to your brand.

Assuming you have already established your brand colours, how can you integrate them into your brand shoot?

How to incorporate your brand colours into your shoot

Props & Accessories

Thoughtfully choosing and positioning items that reflect your brand colours during the shoot can help create a cohesive colour palette. For instance, consider using a mug in your brand colours or one featuring your logo. Ensure that everyday items like your phone cover, notebooks, folders, and pens align with your branding. Flowers and plants also provide a vibrant way to introduce colour. Don’t forget to include your business cards or other branded materials in the shoot

Flatlay image of desk accessories in Ginger Bee Branding colours
Flatlay of desk accessories in brand colours for Ginger Bee Studios

 

Watercolour palette & brush with greeting cards and artist, Helen Wiseman's business card

Here artist Helen Wiseman has included her business card in a shot featuring her greeting cards

 

Outfits

While you don’t need to be dressed entirely in your brand colours, consider adding a jacket or scarf that adds a splash of your brand hue. For example, the turquoise jacket worn by financial advisor Karan in this shot effectively reflects her brand colours.

Financial advisor sat at desk on telephone wearing a turquoise jacket in keeping with her brand
Karan incorporated her brand colours by wearing this fabulous turquoise jacket

 

It's equally important for your outfit to match your brand style—be it casual, formal, sporty, or glamorous—while ensuring you feel comfortable. Take this image of Kali & her daughter Jemima for example... as publishers of colourful, fun greeting cards they wanted their shoot to reflect their fun, creative and relaxed style. Their bare feet give a very relaxed feel to the image and their block colour, linen dresses pop out from the neutral kitchen background. 

Relaxed branding shot of Kali & Jemima in their kitchen
A relaxed branding shot of Kali & Jemima in their kitchen, note the bare feet

 

When including others in the shoot, ensure they also align with your brand colours and style.

Lighting

The lighting chosen by your photographer can significantly alter the colour tone of your images, so communicate your desired look to your photographer, whether it be light and airy or rich and darker.  Designer, Robina's brand palette of pink, white, and black called for a bright and airy aesthetic for her images to maintain the crispness and cleanliness of the whites.

Branding shoot for designer, Robina, who is sat at desk with pink accessories to reinforce brand colours
Robina's colour palette dictated a light & airy aesthetic to the lighting

 

Locations

While your photographer can work wonders with backgrounds, try to select locations that complement your brand colours. For instance, as a change & team development consultant, Emma’s brand emphasizes comfort and nurturing, making a café setting with a natural brick wall and abundant plants an ideal backdrop for her shots.

Consultant, Emma, sat in cafe in front of laptop with phone in hand. Natural brick wall behind. Hint of plants in foreground
Emma chose this cafe location as the natural brick background and abundance of greenery matched her brand colours & vibe

 

Finally ...If you find yourself unsure about what your photo shoot should entail, don’t worry! When you collaborate with me, we’ll engage in extensive pre-shoot planning to ensure a cohesive set of images that authentically reflect your brand and allow your unique self to shine through. Reach out to learn how we can create a personalised photo shoot tailored to your brand. 

Bev Cunningham, branding photography expert 

 

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