Pack Your Images With Personality
In the competitive world of ecommerce fashion, clean simple images aren't enough. Consumers want to feel a connection with the brands they buy from, and believe they're authentic, and trustworthy. That's why people focussed ecommerce imagery full of personality can resonate with today's customers.
In this article, we explain why this approach works, which brands are likely to benefit, and how we pack our photoshoots full of personality.
Why Personality Sells
Surrounded by an abundance of digital advertising, shoppers are looking for something real. Overly posed model images can feel bland and impersonal. Authentic, human connection in images bridges this gap, creating a relatable and memorable brand experience.
When models are pictured laughing, moving naturally, or interacting with genuine emotion, customers don't just see a garment, they see an aspirational ideal that they want to emulate. This builds trust and loyalty, as they can relate to the models' personality on show. Such images are effective across all digital marketing platforms, especially social media where a more 'real-life' view of products and people is sought after by customers. By including more personality into your model shoots, you are more likely to set your fashion brand apart, generate customer engagement, and build a loyal community.
Which Fashion Brands Benefit Most From Personality?
While a serious, luxurious aesthetic works for high-end designer labels, a playful approach is suited for a range of other brands.
Brands focused on comfortable, wearable, and day-to-day styles take well to fun model photoshoots. For example, street style, unique prints, and vibrant colours all work well, as well as affordable clothing brands where the buying decision is less about exclusivity and more about spontaneous joy and self-expression.
Young Gen Z audiences who value individuality, authenticity, and non-conformity may respond well to added personality, particularly from models of a similar age demographic. The same is true for quirky and niche brands known for bold patterns, expressive clothing, or a specific subculture - often such brands are able to build a loyal following that respond well to personalities in marketing content.
If your brand's core values include joy, confidence, community, or comfort, injecting personality into your photos will align perfectly and amplify your message.
How to Inject Personality into Your Fashion Shoot
To achieve fun, spontaneous images, rather counterintuitively, we plan for them. Our Production Managers will work with you on your brief and bring this to life with our photographers, models and Post Production team.
Model Selection For A Shoot
We work with the best model agencies and work with you to choose the best models for your brand. It can help to look beyond traditional modelling requirements, for individuals who are genuinely expressive, comfortable being silly, and who represent the diversity and spirit of your target audience.
If you're shooting multiple models, chemistry is key. Models who genuinely enjoy each other's company and can riff off one another will naturally produce the authentic, fun moments you're seeking. This is not always easy to achieve when booking models, but we can use our experience with our various model agencies to help you select the right characters.
Flexibility In The Brief And Poses
While you may need specific angles for product detail, include time for a few personality shots in the brief that can be open to interpretation. We'll allow the models to bring out there natural personality, encouraging them to be playful on the shoot. Our photographers will provide some ideas on set to get the ball rolling and to bring out the best in your chosen models.
How Our Team Manage the Shoot for Success
The production team plays a vital role in creating an environment where models can relax and shine. The build up to the shoot ensures everything is in place, so that on the day the focus can be on bringing the best out of the model. This often means having all the garments and wear-withs prepped and steamed, ensuring the lighting is set up and kit is ready, and the photographer and modes are fully briefed.
The mood on set is everything. A positive, light-hearted crew makes the models feel safe and encouraged to be themselves. Lots of positive reinforcement and laughter go a long way.
Music is essential and we'll play upbeat, energetic music that instantly relaxes the mood and encourages natural movement and rhythm. It also allows us to keep the energy high. Quick transitions and shooting in short, dynamic bursts keeps the spontaneity flowing. Lots of takes aim to capture that split-second, genuine laugh or funny moment.
We may also introduce props to help with the playfulness, or encourage models to interact with the clothes or accessories in a playful way - this can be particularly effective when shooting accessories or various combinations of garments.
Balancing Fun With Function
While personality is powerful, it's important to keep in mind that you need to show the features, qualities, and selling points of the garments. Shoot close-up detail shots alongside the energetic full-body images to build up a full picture of the garment.
It's equally important to stay on brand, ensuring that the expressions and poses align with your brand image. Personality should be an expression of your brand identity, and it can look like a gimmick if it doesn't align with your wider branding. For example, if your brand is known for minimalist, refined elegance, an overly silly shoot will confuse your audience. Be wary if your brand's positioning is luxury, or high-end design. In this case a more subtle use of personality and fun is advised.
Creating Fun Images With Help for Heroes
In a shoot for veterans charity, Help For Heroes, we created ecommerce images and lifestyle images that were full of personality.
Go behind-the-scenes with our team to see the shoot in action.
