If you’re trying to have an unforgettable influencer photoshoot, you’re in the right place! Standing out is key when it comes to posting content and getting people to pay attention. That’s truly where the art of a well-crafted photoshoot comes into play.

As a photographer for content creators, artists, and influencers in NYC, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of a photoshoot that’s been well thought-out and planned with co-creation. It’s really not about the right angle or even the lighting; it’s about creating a story that resonates with your specific audience and embodies your personal brand.

In this post, we’ll dive into the secrets behind having a captivating influencer photoshoot. From selecting unique locations that really speak your style to deciding how often to have a photoshoot, I’ll guide you through everything you have to know.

Whether you’re an aspiring influencer or you’re just looking to refresh your social media presence for your followers, these tips will elevate your content. Keep reading to learn more about how to have a photoshoot filled with images that are not just seen but remembered. (And see some great photos of my client, Bex, along the way!)

Why have an influencer photoshoot?

Let’s start with the basics: why should you even have a photoshoot as an influencer instead of just snapping selfies on your own? Well, there’s a few reasons.

Build your personal brand

First, an influencer photoshoot can be powerful when you’re working on building your personal brand. Whether you’re a fitness guru, fashion blogger, or even a travel YouTuber, your photos can really easily convey your passions and personality in a visual manner. In a fast-paced world, we’re way more likely to pick up cues from photos because it’s a lot simpler and quicker than sitting and reading an entire Instagram caption.

A contemplative woman sits on brownstone steps in a trendy leather jacket and boots, surrounded by vibrant ivy, embodying a relaxed, fashionable city vibe
A woman in a black leather jacket and dress smiles over her shoulder on a city street lined with trees and ivy-covered buildings, exuding urban chic

Showcase brand products

As a content creator/influencer, odds are high that you occasionally have brand deals where you have to showcase brand products like shoes, clothes, makeup, etc. Sure, you could totally snap a few selfies and call it a day, but to match your brand aesthetic and really impress the brand who sent you the products, it can be a great idea to book an influencer photoshoot with a professional photographer.

This way, when you share about the product on social media, not only does it make it easy, but it also takes the stress out of creating the content yourself. If you already have content that you want to post, then having more professional-level photos can really help to level up the post altogether as a great addition.

A fashion-focused shot featuring a woman in a lace dress and leather jacket, with a close-up on her hands and chic black heeled shoes with white ruffled socks, on brownstone steps
Stylish black leather boots with pearl embellishments on the steps of a brownstone, complemented by autumnal ivy, highlighting a mix of rugged and delicate fashion elements

Elevate your professionalism

High-quality photos that are shot by a professional photographer will also instantly elevate your credibility. Even though we do live in an age where the occasional blurry selfie can do a lot for your brand (because it makes you relatable), credibility is going to signal to other potential collaborators and sponsors that you’re serious about your online presence. It’s a simple way to open doors to new partnerships, as brands often look for influencers who can reflect their values and quality.

A stylish woman poses confidently on a city sidewalk, leaning against an iron railing with ivy-covered walls behind her, wearing a leather jacket and pointed shoes with white socks
A woman in a chic black turtleneck and skirt leans against a brick wall, basking in the sunlight, exuding a sense of casual elegance in an urban setting

Creates engaging content

As we also all know, content is king. You’ve heard it before. An influencer photoshoot taken with a professional eye can give you months of high-quality content that can be used across many social platforms. This content can engage your followers, attract new ones, and really keep your feed fresh and interesting. 

A woman in a chic black ensemble stands thoughtfully by a bright red door, contrasting with the fallen yellow leaves on the sidewalk
The Cherry Lane Theatre entrance with its iconic red doors is highlighted by a woman in a black dress with a red belt posing under the archway

Stand out and differentiate yourself

The right photos can also help you to stand out in an oversaturated market. Your personal brand will be everything when it comes to differentiating you from other influencers, and a unique photoshoot can set you apart by creating a recognizable aesthetic for your audience.

A woman in a black turtleneck and lace skirt casually crosses a city street, looking back over her shoulder with an air of spontaneity
A tranquil moment as a woman in a black outfit leans against an iron railing, basking in the warmth of the sunlight

Express yourself and push your creative boundaries

Lastly, this one is a bit more personal, but an influencer photoshoot can help you express yourself and even boost your own self-confidence. Seeing yourself in a professional and artistic manner can be empowering, even more so when you work with a photographer who co-creates images like I do. It gives you the opportunity to experience different concepts and steps and push your creative boundaries.

Truly, it’s a strategic investment in your brand that can showcase your professionalism, create engaging content, stand out, and, most importantly, tell your story in the most compelling way possible.

A woman in a lively stride wearing a black leather jacket and mini skirt, her hair caught in mid-motion, embodies the energy of city life
A playful and relaxed woman in a black sweater and lace skirt stands by a brick wall, her shadow accompanying her

Fun Influencer Photoshoot Ideas

One of the keys to having a successful photoshoot as an influencer is to have a unique and engaging concept. Here are some that can serve as great starting points as you plan yours!

Behind the scenes

A behind-the-scenes concept is one of the easiest ways to connect with your audience. Your audience cares about you, so this will allow them to connect with you on a more personal and authentic level by pulling back the curtain on your life as an influencer.

Whether it’s showcasing the effort that goes into creating content or sharing a place that you go to every day, this can help to create a more engaging and relatable narrative that can lead to deeper connections from your audience.

Having a photographer help you out with behind-the-scenes content can be game-changing as they can help to craft that specific story throughout the photos. 

A poised woman in a leather jacket and mini skirt stands on a brownstone's steps, a backdrop of lush ivy enhancing the urban autumn vibe
Captured in monochrome, a woman sits on brownstone steps, exuding a timeless elegance in her leather boots and jacket

Local love

This concept revolves around highlighting your favorite local spots, whether it’s a cozy cafe, a hidden gem of a bookstore, or your favorite market. It can be a really fun and heartfelt way to promote local businesses while sharing the special meaning that they have to you. 

By showcasing these local favorites, you can help to create a sense of community and belonging to your local followers. This is one of those concepts that can also really come from a place of authenticity and attract those who are interested in traveling and exploring their own local town or city.

A close-up on the stylish details of a woman's black lace skirt and studded leather boots, with autumn leaves scattered around
A woman in a black outfit smiles as she looks back, standing next to an ornate iron railing, a scene of city streets and autumn leaves in the background

Day in the life

Another fun concept is one you’ve probably heard before: a day in the life! Write down the key things that you do every day, and you can concept those out for a photo shoot with a professional photographer.

This approach, as you know, is all about capturing the authenticity of everyday life. And remember, this isn’t YouTube in 2014, so you don’t want to go overboard and make it seem like you do alllll the things every day; be really honest with it.

Followers will be able to get to see the real person behind your online persona, which should include the mundane yet relatable aspects of daily life. This transparency and vulnerability can honestly be really refreshing.

A black and white photo captures a woman in a leather jacket and skirt walking down a sidewalk lined with ivy-covered fences in the West Village, exuding a carefree urban chic vibe
Sunlight filters through the trees on Commerce Street, casting a warm glow on a woman in a black outfit, her expression thoughtful as she adjusts her skirt

Passion projects

What are you passionate about? This can make for an incredible concept for a photoshoot. It could be anything from painting to your favorite sport or even gardening. By sharing your passion projects, you can invite your audience to learn more about your own interests that really fuel you as a person.

This concept is really fun because it really can serve as a source of inspiration for your following. They’ll also see your passion and dedication, which in turn may make them want to focus on their own hobbies more, too.

A woman sits contemplatively on the steps of a brownstone, her leather jacket and confident gaze adding to the casual elegance of the West Village ambiance
A woman in a stylish black leather jacket and lace top stands on the stoop of a classic brownstone, surrounded by the greenery of ivy leaves in the quiet city morning

Review pop culture

This one is a bit different, but let’s be honest; we’ve probably all seen those videos on TikTok where influencers review the most recent TV show episode, movie, or even song release. What if you did an entire photoshoot influenced by pop culture?

This can be perfectly paired with content that reviews that specific piece of pop culture, too, and honestly can be very scroll-stopping, especially to those who have seen the piece of pop culture that you’re being inspired by.

A woman in a leather jacket and skirt stands poised on a New York street corner, with autumn-colored ivy framing the brownstone buildings behind her
In a dynamic black and white photo, a woman's hair flutters in the wind as she crosses a street in the West Village, her joyful energy palpable

Fashion favorites

A fashion favorites concept can be a creative option if you’re an influencer who has an interest in style. This idea centers around having fun while showcasing your favorite clothing pieces, accessories, or even entire outfits that define your personal style. 

What makes this so fun is that it’s a way for you to be self-expressive. Your audience will love content like this because it serves as a source of inspiration for their own wardrobe and, if done correctly, could lead to potential partnerships or sponsorships for you in the future.

A woman's legs are captured mid-step on the stairs of a brownstone, highlighting her black heels and frilly white socks, embodying a playful yet fashionable spirit

Personal brand story

Last but not least, you can translate your unique story into compelling images through a photoshoot, too. This type of photoshoot can show many different aspects of your life of your life or even focus on just one particular part, whether it be your inspirations, future aspirations, or turning points.

Through a personal brand story photoshoot, you aren’t just taking photos of what you do (which is to be expected). Instead, you spin it to talk about who you are and what really shaped you into the person that you are today. This can create a deep sense of connection with your followers.

A close-up shot focuses on a woman's upper body as she holds onto a stylish bag, with a black brick wall providing a textured backdrop in the West Village
A woman in a black outfit walks past a brick wall, her shadow cast beside her in the bright sunlight, reflecting a moment of solitude in the city

How often should you get influencer photos?

Now, let’s finish off with answering the important question: how often should I actually get photos as an influencer?

I’m going to tell you an answer you probably don’t want to hear… but it depends!

If you rely heavily on visual content in your niche, like lifestyle, fashion, or even travel, then regular photoshoots are going to be even more essential. This could be anything from monthly to quarterly photoshoots to ensure a consistent flow of high-quality content that’s varied. It will also allow you to keep up with current trends and seasonal changes in your niche.

If you’re in a niche that doesn’t change as much throughout the year, you may be able to get away with having a new photoshoot every six months for your brand. But again, if you post a lot (which you probably do), then you’ll want them at least once a quarter.

You’ll also want to consider special events and campaigns. If you’re doing a specific product launch or brand collaboration, it can be a lot easier to get the aesthetic that you’re going for by working with a professional photographer and even meeting deadlines that you have from sponsorships.

Luckily, most photographers will have ongoing package options that can be discussed if you routinely need content.

A woman in a black turtleneck and flowing skirt stands confidently on Commerce Street, sunlight highlighting her and the quiet charm of the West Village
A dynamic black and white photo of a woman twirling in a chic black outfit on a New York street at night, capturing the motion and city lights
A monochrome image of a woman in a black ensemble, looking up thoughtfully, with a softly illuminated metal door creating a moody backdrop

Final Thoughts: Photoshoot for an Influencer

Hopefully, this post has helped you to figure out how to have the perfect influencer photoshoot! Whether this is your first time planning a photoshoot as an influencer or you’re more of a seasoned pro, I know your next batch of content will truly be scroll-stopping.

If you’re in the NYC area and you’re looking for a photographer who values co-creation with photos, I’d love for you to get in touch. Click here to learn more!

Companies featured in this shoot:

Reformation | Hanky Panky | French Connection | Marc.Fisher | Khaite_NY | Bex

Check out these posts next:

Business, Portraits

How to Have a Scroll-Stopping Influencer Photoshoot

Influencer photoshoot of a woman looking over her shoulder while standing in front of a wall covered in pages from a sketchbook.

December 8, 2023

I’m an NYC photographer who is more than a little obsessed with documenting your looking-good-feeling-even-better moments.

I’m Francesca!

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