Common Mistakes in Branded Photography to Avoid

Let’s make sure you’re not falling into some common traps that can sabotage your efforts. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid in branded photography, along with tips to keep your visuals and your brand looking sharp.

1. Inconsistent Visual Style

The Mistake: Mixing different styles, filters, and tones that don’t align with your brand’s identity.

Why It Matters: Consistency is key to building a recognizable brand. If your photos look like they’re from different brands, you’ll confuse your audience.

Fix It: Create a style guide. Define your brand’s color palette, lighting, and editing style. Stick to it religiously.

Example: Look at brands like Warby Parker or Aesop. Their photos are instantly recognizable because they maintain a consistent style across all platforms.

2. Poor Lighting

The Mistake: Using bad lighting, which can make your products look unappealing and unprofessional.

Why It Matters: Good lighting can make or break a photo. It highlights the details and colors of your products, making them more attractive.

Fix It: Invest in proper lighting equipment or use natural light effectively. Soft, diffused light is usually best for product photography.

Example: Glossier’s photos are known for their bright, natural lighting, which makes their products look fresh and inviting.

3. Cluttered Backgrounds

The Mistake: Using busy or distracting backgrounds that take focus away from your product.

Why It Matters: Your product should be the star of the show. A cluttered background can distract your audience and dilute your message.

Fix It: Use clean, simple backgrounds that complement your product without overshadowing it. Neutral colors and minimal designs work best.

Example: Apple’s product photos often feature clean, white backgrounds that keep the focus on the sleek design of their gadgets.

4. Ignoring Your Brand’s Personality

The Mistake: Using generic photos that don’t reflect your brand’s unique personality.

Why It Matters: Your photos should tell your brand’s story and evoke the right emotions in your audience.

Fix It: Infuse your brand’s personality into every photo. Think about what makes your brand unique and find ways to showcase that through your visuals.

Example: The Honest Company’s photos reflect their commitment to simplicity and natural ingredients, aligning perfectly with their brand ethos.

5. Over-Editing

The Mistake: Using too many filters or over-editing your photos, making them look unnatural.

Why It Matters: Over-edited photos can appear fake and unprofessional. Authenticity is crucial in building trust with your audience.

Fix It: Keep editing subtle. Enhance your photos without altering the reality of your products. Focus on adjusting lighting, contrast, and saturation to make your photos pop.

Example: Brands like Everlane keep their photos clean and natural, which aligns with their transparency-focused brand message.

6. Neglecting the Mobile Experience

The Mistake: Forgetting that most people will view your photos on their phones.

Why It Matters: If your photos don’t look good on mobile, you’re missing out on a huge portion of your audience.

Fix It: Always check how your photos look on a mobile device. Ensure they’re clear, well-lit, and visually appealing even on smaller screens.

Example: Instagram-focused brands like Mejuri optimize their photos for mobile, ensuring they look stunning on a smartphone screen.

7. Not Showcasing Your Products in Use

The Mistake: Only taking static product shots without showing them in action.

Why It Matters: Customers want to see how your product fits into their lives. Lifestyle photos can help them envision using your product.

Fix It: Include lifestyle shots that show your product in use. This can make your photos more engaging and relatable.

Example: Lululemon’s photos often feature people wearing their activewear in real-life workout settings, which helps customers see the product in context.

8. Ignoring the Power of Storytelling

The Mistake: Focusing solely on the product without telling a story.

Why It Matters: Storytelling creates an emotional connection with your audience, making your brand more memorable.

Fix It: Use your photos to tell a story about your brand, your products, and your values. Show the behind-the-scenes, the process, or the people behind your brand.

Example: Patagonia often uses their photos to tell stories about the environment and their commitment to sustainability, which resonates deeply with their audience.

Final Thoughts

Branded photography is a powerful tool for building your brand’s identity and connecting with your audience. By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on consistency, lighting, background, and storytelling, you’ll create stunning visuals that truly represent your brand.

And hey, if you’re looking for a head start, there’s a fabulous free template waiting for you in Canva.