In partnership with

4 Million People Found Peace with BetterHelp – What’s Stopping You?

Do you find yourself stuck in a loop of worry and self-doubt? You’re not alone. Millions struggle with these thoughts, but you don’t have to. BetterHelp therapists specialize in helping clients change unhelpful thinking patterns and build healthier habits. Answer a free 5-minute quiz to get matched with a therapist today and start therapy from your phone, computer, or through text. Plus, use your FSA/HSA dollars to cover therapy and enjoy 30% off your first three months. Don’t wait—take control of your mental health now.

Claim 30% Off

I’m writing to you from 30,000 feet… a few hundred miles from landing in New York. 

(I don’t want to get political but the airplane ginger ale gives the 2pm Diet Coke a run for it’s money.)

Tomorrow I’ll give the creative direction for a yearly brand shoot. Sounds so fun, right?

It for sure is. 

It’s also a lot of work. AND it’s my day job. 

So I have a special place in my heart for the people who are in the I-Am-The-Point-Of-Contact-For-Absolutely-Everything-That-Happens stage of business. We been there, you’re doing a good work, and your time is coming.

If you are the owner, founder, writer, subject of the photos and creative director for your business shoots:

I see you grinding and I’m proud of you. 

That’s why I’ve put together all of the resources I’ve used to inspire brand shoots over the past 3 years, all in one place. 

I’m not a photoshoot expert, but I’m a menace on Google and here are my six must-haves:

(Everything is still filled in with our stuff as examples but feel free to make copies of the documents and run free!)

👀 THE VISION: A list of questions to prompt your thinking and help you land on a concept/vision for the shoot.

🪩 PROP LIST: I think I used to believe that beautiful things popped out of thin air and now I know they are masterfully curated by creatives who are sweating in the back of a shot.

Props for flat lays are a must- books that demonstrate your beliefs, pens, laptop, jewelry, post its, merch! And don’t forget any of your intellectual property like books/workbooks inside your programs.

📃 INSPO BOARDS ON CANVA: These are definitely just fun to lay in bed and make, highly recommend. But it’s more than just aesthetics. Try printing them out and taping them on the wall of the studio so that when everyone's feeling awkward and doesn't know what to do with their hands, you can just peep over there and get inspired.

The photographer loved having these because in any down time during outfit changes, she could mimic some flay-lays and stay really efficient! It also guarantees you stay on brand with the vision.

📸 SHOT LIST: This isn't all the photos you need, but it is every photo you don't want to forget to take. I started making this list and every time I would be creating a page or posting on IG and I thought, "wow I wish I had a photo for this!" I would add that vision to the shot list.

The order was created to use time efficiently so we weren't running back and forth needing different props and outfits. Do your thang.

📋 DAY-OF SCHEDULE: Optional, like all of this honestly, but really helpful overview of the day. I send this to our vendors a few days before so they can feel really prepared. The email I usually send to everyone involved in any way looks like this:

🎶 PLAYLIST: Use ours or create your own but it definitely helps keep things fun and light all day!

Say Sbarro!

Xo, The Salesgirls

Weekend Picks:

🇬🇧 I can’t believe this is was the best football play of the entire weekend

🧳 Kat’s new luggage for the trip

👑 huge! news!

🫧 on autoship forever