So, Where Are We Actually Shooting? Location tips for your brand photography
When it comes to choosing your London branding photography locations, it’s a huge part of the story – so it’s important to choose a backdrop that actually reflects who you and your brand are. As a London brand photographer, when I’m scouting a space I’m really looking for two non-negotiable things: space and light. If we have those, we’re halfway there.
Here is a breakdown of the options we can look at for your branding session, depending on the vibe you’re going for and how much “cleaning up” you actually want to do.
Professional shoot homes in London
These are usually the most beautiful London branding photography shoot locations because they are specifically designed for photoshoots. You get a lot of light, plenty of space, and a huge variety of looks all in one place -everything from kitchens and dining rooms to bedrooms has been considered with photography in mind. The biggest advantage? There’s no clutter to clear and absolutely no stress about having to deep-clean your own house before I turn up at your door.
The AirBnB Gamble
While an AirBnB seems like a great idea because everything is in one place, you really have to get lucky with them. They tend to have quite awkward check-in timings, and you’re often paying for a full night’s stay rather than a half-day slot. You also have to be really careful with the fine print, as many hosts restrict commercial photography, and the last thing we want is to be moved on mid-shoot.
Co-working Spaces
These are potentially great for business owners, however, you’ll find that most co-working spaces don’t actually allow you to photograph in the communal areas. Let’s face it, those are usually the bits that are well-designed and have all the personality, space, and light we’re looking for. If we’re stuck in a private glass box, it can feel a bit clinical.
Content Studios
These are popping up everywhere now and are fantastic, budget-friendly options if you want a blank canvas for your personal branding. They allow us to create a lot of images where you are the “hero” of every shot, and they’re also good if you want to feature a handful of your products without it becoming a full-blown product shoot. Just ensure the studio actually fits your brand; if you’re all about colour and chaos and magic and joy, a minimalist white studio can feel a little soulless.
Using Your Own Home
This is a solid London branding photography shoot location and, as a backdrop, it totally reflects who you are. The only real “no” to shooting in your own home is if there’s a genuine lack of space or light – it’s never about your decor, but if we can’t get the light to work, it really shows in the images. Some people love using their home because there’s no travel time and all their props are right there, while others find it far too stressful having to keep everything uncluttered and tidy for my arrival.
Overwhelmed by the options?
Let's have a quick chat about what would actually work for you and your brand. I can usually tell pretty quickly what's going to give us the best results.A Friend’s House
I’m serious about this one! If you have a friend or a family member who has an airy, well-lit house, ask them nicely. People are often surprisingly happy to help out if you’re a fan of their interior design. It’s one of those London brand photography secrets that nobody really talks about — some of the best branding photography shoot locations are hiding in plain sight.
Coffee Shops, Bars and Hotel Lobbies
London is full of incredible independent cafes, bars, and hotel lobbies that make brilliant London branding photography shoot locations. If you don’t want the expense of a rental or you only need a few images for your brand photography, these are great. It can be a bit tricky, though — some places need to know in advance (especially if they’re part of a chain) while others will say “yes, no problem” at the drop of a hat. It is always worth asking very, very nicely, and quite often the answer is yes — just make sure we buy a coffee and a piece of cake at the very least.
The Great Outdoors
Outdoor shoots are easy, there’s no cost, and I actually find that a lot of entrepreneurs feel much more relaxed once they’re outside. As a London brand photographer, I’m spoiled for choice — the city has no shortage of beautiful streets, parks, and neighbourhoods that work brilliantly as backdrops. Just make sure the location matches your vibe; if you’re a high-end stylist, Marylebone works perfectly, but your local suburban high street might not quite cut it. I always start us off in quiet side streets until you’re feeling more confident, and you’ll find that passers-by are usually very supportive. If they’re staring, they’re usually just a little bit curious about what we’re up to.
Ready to find your spot?
Book your branding session and we'll figure out the perfect location together—one that feels like you, not like Pinterest.Ready to pick a spot
At the end of the day, your London branding photography shoot location needs to feel like an extension of you — not someone you think you should be. Whether that’s the “organised magic” of a professional shoot home or a quiet corner of your favourite cafe, we’ll find a spot that actually works rather than one that just looks good on Pinterest. If you’re eyeing up a space and aren’t sure if the light is quite right, send me a quick snap of it on your phone — I can usually tell pretty quickly if it’s going to work or if we need to keep looking.
