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Creating content for your brand is one of the top things that my one-on-one clients tell me they struggle with. And I completely understand why.

Instagram, especially, can stress people the eff out.

It's like that really cool house plant that you want to enjoy. But it needs just the right conditions to thrive. You've moved it from window to window in your house just to keep it happy.

Let's be real: creating content for Instagram can be a hassle. Getting just the right angle, hiding that pile of mail on your desk, and the laundry in the corner. We've all been there.

And let me tell ya, things haven’t exactly been looking “on brand” around here.

Between moving, living in a camper for the summer, and our house being under construction - I’ve been struggling to create content for Instagram in a space that doesn’t feel inspiring.

Long story short, the opportunity to spend a day in a dreamy local Airbnb fell into my lap - and I jumped at the chance to go create some content.

I had a few goals in mind for my short stay:

1. Take some BTS content for my client, who was also using the space to take Brand Photos for her new website (can’t wait to start designing with the shots!).​
2. To enjoy the night to myself and get some distraction-free work done on a personal project.
3. To create content and take updated brand photos (mine are about two years old).

After working in 1:1 branding containers with over 20 design clients, ive found most people are often hesitant to post on Instagram because they feel that they lack appropriate content, space, background, or photos that they like and that align with their brand.

If batch-creating a ton of photo and video content sounds like something that could work for your brand, keep reading to learn how to plan your own brand content day.

3-step process for planning your content day

Step 01. Plan The Content

First, determine the type of content you need. Are you looking for photos for your website or Instagram? Do you need video? Having a variety of assets can make the content creation process easier and more fun. Here are some examples of content that you can create in batches.

BTS lifestyle videos - Have you noticed the abundance of this type of content on your feed lately? I recorded videos, making pasta, enjoying the view, and brewing coffee. These are just ordinary, mundane activities, yet they seem popular on Instagram. So, why not give it a try?

"Working" videos - I don't know about you, but nine times out of 10, when I'm really working, I have the worst resting bitch face, poor lighting, and at least three half-consumed beverages in front of me. I don't have a great setup for this kind of shot at the moment, so I changed my outfit and work spots throughout my content day to capture various working shots for future use. I also made an effort to sit up straight and be conscious of my facial expressions for once in my life 😖.

Brand photos & headshots - I needed to fill some gaps in my Brand photos. Specifically, I wanted more straight-on headshots, working shots, and images that I could use to create custom mockups. Of course, these needs were specific to my brand. Your Brand photo collection may require something different.

BTS videos of taking the brand photos - I realized I could generate a lot of content quickly by recording videos while taking my brand photos. You've probably seen this on your reel feed, and even though it might feel silly at the time, it's simple to do by yourself and a simple way to create video content efficiently.

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Step 02. Match Your Space To Your Brand Aesthetic

You don't need to rent out an Airbnb to do this. If you can, that's awesome. Keep reading and I've got some tips on making the most of your stay. But first, here are a few different ways to curate your space for a content day.

Create your content at home.

• I took my first set of brand photos in my cozy home office, where I filmed the video gracing my website's homepage. Utilizing a dedicated workspace and a desk made recording content much more convenient for me. Depending on the size and layout of your living space, you can also opt to create your captivating content right from the comfort of your home.

Phone a friend

• Utilize the available resources around you, such as the space provided by a friend or family member. This not only helps you save costs but also allows you to create a more personal and intimate setting for your brand photoshoot. For example, in my own experience, I decided to hire a professional photographer for my second set of brand photos. To make the most out of my budget, I reached out to my closest friend and asked if I could use their home as the location for the photoshoot. This arrangement saved me money and added a touch of familiarity and warmth to the pictures, making them even more special and memorable.

Rent a photo studio.

• Even my small town now has a couple of these spaces available. If you're looking for a commercial photo studio that you can use, try following some of your local family, boudoir, and engagement photographers. Additionally, if you're hiring a professional photographer, they may have their own space.

Rent an Airbnb

• Now, this is the perfect way to maximize your productivity and creativity. Imagine having the luxury of not just a day, but an entire weekend to dedicate to your work. By booking an Airbnb, you can ensure a peaceful and distraction-free environment to immerse yourself in your creative process fully. With a clean and organized space, you can focus solely on your work and batch-creating content.

Step 03. Build Storyboards

As part of our comprehensive branding projects, I assist my clients in planning brand photo shoots and content days. This involves creating storyboards for the day. The level of detail in these storyboards can vary, but here are the elements I typically include for myself and my clients.

• An image of the space or "set."
• Notes about styling, including clothes, hair, and jewelry
• Notes about props to include in the shots
• Shot list: a checklist of the specific images you want to create and capture in that set
• Inspiration and poses: you can also include images as inspiration shots for styling and posing.

Based on my experience, you can complete about 3 sets in two hours. A clear plan for what you want to capture can greatly maximize the value you get from your time and effort.

Tried & true content batching tips:

** When creating content, it is important to consider the platform you are creating for.

For websites, you will need landscape-oriented content.

For social media, you will need portrait-oriented content.

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** Don't forget about the light. The lighting in your space can greatly impact the quality of your images. When unsure, natural diffused light is ideal. You can always capture some magic during sunrise or sunset, and north-facing windows provide the most consistent light.

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** Tripods, remotes, assistants & professionals

Nothing can replace the artistry and quality of working with a professional. However, if that is not currently feasible within your budget, you can still achieve a lot on your own. For instance, I was able to take my first headshots using a $10 chair from the flea market and a canvas drop cloth that I hung over my closet doors and secured with pushpins. Just like in business, with enough effort, you can accomplish a great deal even with limited resources.

If you can access a DSLR camera, you can ask a friend or family member to help you capture the shots. Depending on your confidence and skill level, this option can be fun and creatively inspired. Regardless of your approach, I recommend using a good tripod and a remote for your phone to capture behind-the-scenes footage.

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**Editing and photo management:

If you're looking for a techy option, I recommend Adobe Lightroom. It offers the option to purchase presets but also includes a wide range of great ones. The latest version of Lightroom also boasts excellent AI retouching tools. For those with a bit more experience, Lightroom can even be used to edit and apply filters to videos. When it comes to editing videos for your website or reels, I suggest using Canva or the Instagram app.

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** Work with the full moon:

So now we're getting a little "woo woo," but I somehow managed to schedule my content day on a full moon, and let me tell you, I could feel it 🤩. Did you know that you typically feel more creative during the full moon? It's a high-energy time to connect, making it the ideal time to create content.

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** Make it a workcation:

Who says we can't have fun while creating content, marketing, and running a business? If you want to have a productive day, try a workcation! So, what exactly is a workcation? It's essentially a vacation where you can still work. Be yourself, get creative, and make it work within your budget. Ideally, during a workcation:

• You are either alone or with someone else who is also working.
• You are in a space that inspires you to work and create content.
• You have minimal distractions, unlike your usual daily life.
• You can meal prep or have meals ready to make, or even have something delivered.
• It is a dedicated time to focus on one major project, such as building your brand, writing website copy, creating a new offer, or, in my case, designing a new workshop.
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Thats right, you heard it here first...

In addition to needing to create content, I was tasked with designing a brand new live workshop on Instagram post design for creatives during my 24 hour getaway.

I’ll be teaching Instabrand 101 - A Masterclass on Designing Instagram Posts for Creatives, live on 10/18.

During this interactive masterclass, you will learn:

• How to work smarter, not harder, to effectively share your message, provoke thought, and create valuable content on Instagram.
• The do's and don'ts of Instagram post design, empowering you to think like a designer and create more engaging carousels, ads, and other content.
• How to create your own templates using Canva.

This masterclass offers a wealth of video and digital resources to assist you in creating cohesive, engaging, and aesthetically pleasing Instagram posts.

The sales page goes live & enrollment for the workshop opens tomorrow! Register before 10/9 to receive a free 1:1 color consultation. During the consultation, I will help you create or edit your brand's color scheme and guide you on effectively incorporating your colors into your brand.

​CLICK HERE to join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens tomorrow!​

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KEEP SCROLLING FOR:

• What kind of content you need for your website
• A few of my favorite things - Content props edition
• Work with me 1:1

on the blog... Aside from Instagram, your website is another space where you will need great photos and content. Here's what you will need before a website redesign ​→ 5 MIN READ​

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→ Books, especially niche-specific books, are a great way to style a variety of shots, from lifestyle photos to flat lays to filling that empty corner of your desk in the background of your working shots.

→ Organic objects and shapes, like food or flowers (I brought a gourd from my garden and some jalapenos), add visual interest and a personal tactile quality to your content.

→ Accessories, both on your body in photos and videos or used to syle more formal content sessions (like headshots), add a flair from your personal brand to your brand photos.

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work with me 1:1

NEW 60m Brand Clarity Consultations | Now Booking October & November

​→ LEARN MORE​

1:1 BRAND CONTAINERS | Now Booking January & Beyond

​→ LEARN MORE​

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