Hot take: You don’t need a $5K camera to get beautiful, on-brand photos.

In this episode, Chelsea and Kayla take you behind the scenes of their latest B-roll shoot and break down exactly how to plan a branded photo shoot that feels like you, whether you’re working with a pro or just your iPhone.

From picking the perfect location and curating fun, story-driven props (hello, pink straws and pizza boxes!) to avoiding outfits you’ll instantly regret, they’re sharing all the inspo you need to capture content that actually works.

If you want photos that stop the scroll, spark engagement, and feel totally on-brand, this is your playbook.

Finding the Right Location for Your Brand Shoot

When we plan shoots we’re super intentional about the locations we choose, gravitating towards cozy corners, Nancy Meyers vibes, designer touches, and spaces that feel lived in.

We want personality, charm, and character.

One of our favorite ways to find shoot locations is through sites like Home Studio List, where you can rent beautifully styled homes by the hour. We’ve also used Airbnbs (just be sure to get permission from the host if you plan to use the content commercially).

Sometimes we’ll even turn it into a mini content retreat! Book a place for a night or two, prep your outfits, line up your props, and give yourself the space to actually enjoy the creative process instead of cramming it all into an afternoon.

Coffee Mugs? Pizza Boxes? Trader Joe’s Bags? What Props to Bring

Props: the little things you carry, sip, style, or snack on that quietly (and powerfully) tell your story. They are an essential piece of the puzzle in making your photos stand out and connect with your ideal clients.

And when it comes to props our goal is to add real-life details to the scene, like a grocery bag from Trader Joe’s, a pizza box, or a pair of shoes by the door.

Let’s break down the method behind the madness:

Props Make Your Content Feel Relatable.

Pizza and champagne feel like moving day. A half-eaten cake with a “home sweet home” card next to it feels like a cozy first night in a new place. They tell a story your followers can see themselves in.

Props Add Personality.

When everyone else is posting Canva graphics and “just sold” banners, your coffee mug labeled “future homeowner” hits differently. Props allow you to add your quirks, vibe, and even humor — whether that’s through a custom fake newspaper, a leopard-print cup, or the perfectly wrapped bouquet of flowers for open house day.

Props Can Communicate How You Do Real Estate.

Sure, we love lifestyle. But you’re still a real estate pro, and there are a million ways to remind your audience of that without it feeling forced. Toss a lockbox in your tote. Snap a shot of your planner open to “listing appointment day.”

Wrap your props in a story: you’re not just carrying pizza boxes, you’re delivering them to new homeowners. You’re not just photographing a cake — you’re celebrating a major life milestone with your clients.

Here are some ideas:

• A Trader Joe’s tote with fresh florals and a bottle of rosé
• A folder labeled “Buyer Packet” peeking out of a cute bag
• Your favorite latte next to a “Welcome Home” keychain
• Cell phone in hand, snapping a shot of a staged kitchen
• Flowers wrapped in branded newspaper, ready for the dining room table
• A basket full of props like towels, greenery, candles
• A stack of pizza boxes next to a handwritten “home sweet home” card
• A cake with something written on it

Pro Tip: Create a ‘Brand Prop Box’

This is your cheat code. Keep a box or basket with your go-to visual brand items ready to go: straws in your color palette, cute notebooks, signature snacks, your fave mug, stickers for your laptop, a fun pen.

That way, when it’s time to shoot — even if it’s just in your kitchen — you’ve got an easy grab-and-go setup that makes everything feel easy and cohesive.

Personal Style = Brand Power

Let’s talk about something that gets way less credit than it should: your personal style is your brand power. And yes, we’re talking about your favorite color, the sweater you actually want to wear, and even your go-to coffee cup.

Chelsea said it best: when you stop trying to reinvent the wheel with every shoot and instead start curating around your actual taste, everything clicks. Suddenly you’re not stressing about what to wear or second-guessing whether that pillow or notebook fits your vibe. You know your color palette. You know your “thing.” And the rest just falls into place.

Of course, getting to that place isn’t always instant. Kayla shared that when she first started in real estate, she went with the trendy burnt oranges and neutral tans that were “in” at the time.

But there was a problem… She didn’t even like those colors. She preferred how she looked in black and white with pops of color, and none of that was showing up in her branding. So when she got those first photos back, they looked polished… but they didn’t look like her.

When she decided to start building her brand around what actually felt natural, everything changed. She could film stories without overthinking the background. She could pick out props or wear her favorite patterns and know they’d just work. It didn’t feel forced anymore.

Chelsea’s journey was similar. At one point, she redid her website with a whole new color scheme just to feel “different.” The site looked gorgeous, but the colors were not her at all. She found herself thinking, I would never wear a swimsuit in these colors, let alone decorate with them. And that disconnect started showing up in her content. Until she went back to basics — her love of pink, black, white, and little splashes of purple — and rebuilt around that.

The big takeaway here is that you don’t need to chase trends to have a beautiful brand. In fact, the strongest brands come from leaning into what’s already true about you.

You’ll know it’s right when it’s easy.

Tips to Maximize Your Time and Create Awesome Content

Okay, so you’ve got your location nailed down. You’ve got your props and wardrobe planned, you know your brand colors and feel comfortable in them… now what? It’s time to talk about how to make the most of your photo shoot.

Use the House Like You Live There

Chelsea kicked things off with one golden tip: use the house. Not just as a backdrop, but like you actually live there. Brew coffee. Pour a glass of wine. Light a candle. Run the sink. Eat the dang cake. Think about the sounds of home — coffee dripping, a fork clinking against a plate, the pop of a wine bottle, the flick of a match — and let those everyday sounds and moments infuse your content with that cozy, lived-in vibe.

And yes, these make great B-roll (more on that soon), but even in still photos, those little details tell a bigger story.

Make It a Story, Not a Staged Set

Instead of lining up with a “just sold” sign and calling it a day, think about the memories someone might make in that house. Kayla had this super cute idea of filming a birthday party scene — candles on a cake, shoes by the door, laughter in the background.

As Chelsea said, think like a commercial. North Face doesn’t just show you the jacket — they show you climbing a mountain in it.

You’re selling homes. Show how people will live in them.

Zoom In, Zoom In, Zoom In

One of the best photo tips of the entire episode: Zoom in. Capture the little things — your hand pouring wine, a notebook next to your laptop, your phone taking a listing photo. Little moments that pull people in.

And good news: they’re super easy to capture in your own home! You don’t need a designer house for a killer close-up.

Bring a Friend (or Two!)

Listen, juggling props, outfits, angles, and photos is a lot. That’s why we recommend bringing a couple of friends — maybe fellow agents — and helping each other shoot. While one is in front of the camera, the others can snap behind-the-scenes shots, film B-roll, or set up the next scene.

Think Strategically And Creatively

Create content that reflects your real-life clients. Show a girls’ night in to highlight shared homeownership. Show your parents playing with your kids to nod to multi-generational homes. Show what affordable homeownership truly looks like right now.

Prep Like a Pro

To avoid overwhelm, go in with a plan. Create a Pinterest board, print it out, and have your inspo ready to go.

And don’t forget about your outfits. Bring multiple, mix in your brand colors, and don’t shy away from jewelry or details that pop on camera. Kayla said video and photo dulls your energy and features a bit, so elevate everything slightly — a bolder lip, a few extra rings. It’ll make a big difference.

You Don’t Need Fancy — You Just Need a Corner

After hearing all these tips, please don’t think you need to rent a $1,200 a night designer Airbnb. The truth is you can do all of this in your own home, even in just one well-lit corner. Zoomed-in shots, intentional props, and on-brand outfits are all doable at home.

Chelsea said it best: don’t wait for the “perfect” time or place to show up for your brand. Use what you’ve got, and show up now.

Grab the Free Resource

Want to make this even easier? Grab our free B-Roll Checklist for Agents (over 100 ideas!) and other helpful freebies here. Whether you’re shooting photos or video, it’s packed with inspiration and will make planning your shoot a breeze.

This whole conversation was such a reminder that your marketing doesn’t need to be polished or perfect. It just needs to feel like you. Bring the coffee mug. Pour the wine. Bake the cake. The more fun and personal you make it, the more people will remember you and want to work with you.

Remember that Legally Blonde scene when Elle Woods recorded her admissions video in a hot tub? That’s the energy we’re going for.

This episode was edited by Adrienne Cruz.