How to plan a branding photoshoot for your yoga studio

Putting together a branding photoshoot for your yoga or fitness studio is so much fun and such a great way to get updated photos and showcase your space. You can use these on your website, social media, and use them for other marketing needs.

As a branding photographer in Colorado, I love working with small and local businesses to get fresh and modern imagery that will make their brand really stand out.

What details do you want to feature?

I suggest a collection of behind-the-scenes photos of a class, headshots of your staff, group photos, retail, and photos of the interior and exterior.

Think about what makes you unique from other studios and what makes you stand out. Do you do classes in a unique location outside of your studio? Here in the mountains of Colorado, we have stunning views, so mixing indoor photos with outdoor photos with a mountain backdrop could be fun. If you’re in the city, maybe find a unique location with a city backdrop.

Also, think about upcoming events or specials that you want to feature. Maybe you have a soundbath event you want to showcase. You could also document various poses or sequences for education on your social media platform.

Block out a day for your photos

Be sure to block out a day (or time) at your studio so it’s open during your photo session. I don’t recommend just having a photographer show up during a class. You’ll want consent (model release) from the people in the photos to be able to use them for marketing purposes. Also, having someone walking around with a camera can be really distracting, especially in a yoga class.

Put together a free class signup to get a group together that will be okay with being in the photos and having the photos featured on various places. It’s great to have a variety of different levels of yogis.

Put together a shot list

Now it’s time to start piecing together the small details of the photoshoot. Maybe put together a shot list of things, poses, and people you want to showcase.

Think about what angles you want to showcase for each pose and what each pose should focus on. Do you want to focus on correct form?

What time of day should I do photos in my studio?

This will vary depending on the studio, but take a close look at the light in the studio at different times of the day. Is there bright morning or afternoon light that comes in? Having lots of natural light is great for indoor photos. For outdoor photos, you may want a little more shade for consistent lighting.

Also, consider what classes you want to feature. Do you have a late-night candlelight class? This could be something fun to show off what it could look like!

What to wear for the photoshoot

Think about what you want everyone to wear. Do you have retail that you want people to be wearing? Would you prefer everyone in more neutral outfits or earth tones for a modern and fresh look? I recommend staying away from big logos or busy designs.

Will you be supplying yoga mats so the images look more cohesive, or will you have a mix and match of whatever people bring?

Clean the space!

Cleaning the space is one thing so many people overlook. Go through the studio and give it a nice cleaning, and make sure everything looks organized. Make sure mats, bolsters, and other equipment are stacked nicely and not just thrown in.

Make sure cords are hidden, messy papers are put away, and really take a look around to see what’s distracting.