skyyrose-social-brand-photography-brief

name	skyyrose-social-brand-photography-brief
description	Produces a photographer-ready brand shoot brief for SkyyRose — shot list, per-collection creative direction, mood board language, and deliverable specs — for lifestyle, founder, and campaign sessions that feed the Elite Studio imagery pipeline.
allowed-tools	Read Write Edit Glob

SkyyRose Social — Brand Photography Brief

When to Use This Skill

• Planning a lifestyle or brand shoot for any SkyyRose collection (Black Rose, Love Hurts, Signature, Kids Capsule)
• Briefing an external photographer or creative team on SkyyRose's visual identity
• Preparing a shot list for a founder session with Corey Foster
• Building mood board language without design software
• Defining visual direction before a campaign or collection launch shoot
• Generating shoot assets that will flow into skyyrose/elite_studio for the imagery pipeline

DO NOT use this for product-only e-commerce shots (white background, angles, detail macros) — use skyyrose-social-product-photography-brief for those. This skill covers brand storytelling sessions: lifestyle, editorial, founder, campaign, behind-the-scenes.

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Brand Canon (non-negotiable)

• The Five visual references — pull from these exclusively: Kith (editorial product storytelling, elevated polish), Oaklandish (Oakland pride, community rootedness), Culture Kings (hype energy, bold streetwear merchandising), Fear of God (quiet luxury silhouette, tonal restraint), Palm Angels (street-luxe graphic confidence). Never Bottega Veneta, Hedi Slimane, Rick Owens, 032c, Acne, or any European luxury-house lineage — wrong brand DNA.
• Lockup images, never live type: Collection names in any hero or title frame come from the lockup asset — assets/images/hero-overlays/ for Black Rose, Love Hurts, and Signature; assets/images/logos/ for Kids Capsule. Fonts (Cinzel, Playfair Display, Cormorant Garamond, Bebas Neue) apply only to body copy, captions, and slide subtext — never to the collection name itself.
• Per-collection visual register (never cross-attribute): Black Rose = gothic luxury, twilight, defiant elegance, silver accents (#C0C0C0). Love Hurts = street passion, crimson heat, raw romance (#DC143C). Signature = West Coast luxury, golden hour, elevated worldwide respect (#D4AF37). Kids Capsule = little royalty, playful-premium, rose gold warmth (#B76E79).
• Global tokens: Rose Gold #B76E79 (brand accent), Dark #0A0A0A (background), Silver #C0C0C0, Crimson #DC143C, Gold #D4AF37.
• Tagline (verbatim, only): Luxury Grows from Concrete. — period included. Never paraphrase.
• No urgency manipulation, no cross-sell, no European luxury mood. The garment is the protagonist. One piece, one story per frame.
• Full canon: ../skyyrose-content-engine/brand-guardrails.md

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Phase 1: Brief Intake

Gather the following before producing anything. If the user has already provided these, skip to Phase 2.

Input	Question	Notes
Collection	Which collection(s)?	Black Rose / Love Hurts / Signature / Kids Capsule — sets visual register
Products	Which specific products will be featured?	Reference by NAME (e.g. "Black Rose Crewneck"), not SKU
Shot purpose	What is this session for?	Campaign launch, evergreen lifestyle, founder story, behind-the-scenes, lookbook
Platforms	Where will photos land?	IG Feed (4:5 1080x1350), Pinterest (1000x1500), website hero, email header
Talent	Founder (Corey), model, or no talent?	Affects shot categories and wardrobe direction
Location	Oakland/Bay Area anchored, studio, or other?	Oakland-first preferred
Timeline	Shoot date and delivery deadline	Affects shot count recommendation

GATE: Do not proceed to Phase 2 without knowing the collection and shot purpose.

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Phase 2: Creative Direction

Define the visual identity for this specific session. Tailor every element to the collection's register.

Per-Collection Visual Direction

Black Rose

• Aesthetic: Gothic luxury. Twilight, shadow architecture, defiant elegance. Armor framing — "you already stood up," "concrete answering back."
• Palette: Dark #0A0A0A dominant, Silver #C0C0C0 accent details, deep charcoal and slate.
• Lighting: Low-key dramatic. Single key from above or side casting strong shadow. Negative space used as weight.
• Backgrounds: Concrete walls, industrial iron, wet asphalt, rusted metal gates, foggy Oakland waterfront.
• Wardrobe / styling: Matte fabrics, silver hardware, minimal layering. Nothing soft or pastel.
• References: Fear of God's tonal restraint + Palm Angels's street-luxe graphic confidence + Oakland's post-industrial grit.
• Avoid: Warm tones, golden light, florals, European fashion-week staging.

Love Hurts

• Aesthetic: Street passion, raw romance, crimson heat. The bloodline that raised me.
• Palette: Crimson #DC143C hits against dark grounds. Deep reds and near-blacks.
• Lighting: High-contrast. Dramatic shadows and crimson color gels acceptable. Sunset or dusk for outdoor.
• Backgrounds: Red-brick alley walls, cracked sidewalk, chain-link, neon-lit corridors.
• Wardrobe / styling: Bold silhouettes, red-toned accessories. Tension in the frame — not romance-novel soft.
• References: Culture Kings hype energy + Oaklandish authenticity + Palm Angels street-luxe.
• Avoid: Pink-and-red Valentine's clichés, soft-focus romance, European editorial detachment.

Signature

• Aesthetic: West Coast luxury, elevated, worldwide respect. Stay golden.
• Palette: Gold #D4AF37 in light and accessories, warm neutrals, cream, amber.
• Lighting: Golden hour, warm late-afternoon sun, California outdoor. Natural light preferred.
• Backgrounds: Sunlit Oakland streets, stadium steps, rooftop with Bay Bridge behind, eucalyptus groves.
• Wardrobe / styling: Layered premium basics, gold jewelry, clean sneakers. Corey in his element.
• References: Kith's editorial polish + Oaklandish community rootedness + Fear of God quiet luxury.
• Avoid: Beach/surf lifestyle, tech-bro minimalism, European neutral palette.

Kids Capsule

• Aesthetic: Little royalty. Heritage passed down, playful-premium. Not childish — aspirational and warm.
• Palette: Rose Gold #B76E79 dominant, soft cream, warm white.
• Lighting: Bright, even, natural. Morning light or overcast outdoor — no drama.
• Backgrounds: Neighborhood park, Oakland mural walls, clean studio with warm backdrops.
• Wardrobe / styling: Kids in full looks. Parents (Corey when relevant) in matching or complementary Signature pieces.
• References: Oaklandish community warmth + Kith editorial storytelling at kid-scale + Culture Kings energy.
• Avoid: Overly cute/saccharine styling, stock-photo "happy family" setups.

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Phase 3: Shot List

Build the shot list using the categories below. Recommended total per half-day session: 15–22 shots. Full-day: 25–35 shots. Flag to user if the list exceeds 30 — recommend splitting sessions.

For each shot, specify: Description · Framing · Mood/Energy · Platform destination

Hero Shots (3–5 shots)

Primary images for campaign landing, homepage, social feed anchors. Must be lockup-ready — collection name is a placed asset, never type-rendered in frame.

#	Description	Framing	Mood	Platform
H1	Full look, model stationary against primary location backdrop	Wide, centered, ample negative space above for lockup overlay	[Collection register — see above]	IG Feed 4:5 / Website hero
H2	Three-quarter turn, light catching garment construction	Medium, rule of thirds	Confident, unhurried	IG Feed 4:5
H3	Product hero: garment laid flat or draped on textured surface without model	Overhead or 45-degree angle	Editorial, clean	Pinterest 2:3

Lifestyle Shots (5–8 shots)

Product in real SkyyRose world — Oakland streets, community settings, authentic motion.

#	Description	Framing	Mood	Platform
L1	Subject walking toward camera in location	Medium-wide, motion, slight blur at edges	In motion, confident	IG Reel cover / TikTok
L2	Subject in candid moment — checking phone, looking off-frame, adjusting piece	Medium, environmental	Real, earned	IG Feed
L3	Environmental wide: subject small in a large Oakland location	Wide, subject off-center	The Town as backdrop	Website, editorial use
L4	Two subjects together (community frame)	Medium, both in frame	Brotherhood/sisterhood, not romance	Culture pillar content
L5	Subject from behind, walking away — garment back detail prominent	Medium, trailing	Directional, editorial	IG Feed / Pinterest

Detail Shots (3–5 shots)

Construction, craft, brand marks. Feed into product pipeline and close-up gallery.

#	Description	Framing	Mood	Platform
D1	Fabric texture or embroidery under directional light	Macro, tight crop	Craft, premium	Product page detail
D2	Hardware, zipper, or label close-up	Macro, 30-degree angle	Branded precision	Social close-up
D3	Collar, hem, or seam construction	Macro, raking light from side to reveal texture	Artisanal	PDP gallery

Founder / Story Shots (4–6 shots — if Corey is on set)

Corey Foster: earned, direct, Oakland-grounded. Not a fashion model — a founder. Every shot should read as real, not rehearsed.

#	Description	Framing	Expression	Platform
F1	Direct eye contact, neutral or slight smile	Head and shoulders, clean or minimal background	Confident, founder energy	Press kit / About page
F2	Corey in environment — doorway, loading dock, or Oakland street corner	Medium-wide, environmental	Purposeful, in his city	Brand Story pillar
F3	Hands-on moment — holding product, adjusting tag, reviewing production	Medium, hands prominent	Working, intentional	Behind-the-scenes pillar
F4	Candid laugh or off-guard moment	Medium, natural	Real, human	Community pillar
F5	With Skyy Rose (daughter) — if appropriate to session	Wide enough to show relationship	Heritage, legacy	Brand Story / about

Behind-the-Scenes Shots (2–4 shots)

Authentic process content. Not staged — captured during the shoot.

#	Description	Framing	Usage
B1	Behind the camera: photographer or DP working	Wide	Stories, TikTok
B2	Rack of SkyyRose pieces backstage	Medium	Stories
B3	Close-up of styling table: tags, accessories, brand packaging	Overhead	Stories / Pinterest

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Phase 4: Logistics and Deliverables

Aspect Ratios Required

Provide crops in these ratios for every hero and lifestyle shot:

• 4:5 (1080×1350) — Instagram Feed primary
• 1:1 (1080×1080) — Instagram Feed square / carousel
• 9:16 (1080×1920) — Instagram / TikTok Stories and Reels cover
• 2:3 (1000×1500) — Pinterest
• 16:9 (1920×1080) — Website hero banner, YouTube / email header

File Specs

• Deliver RAW + high-res JPEG (minimum 2048px on shortest side) + web-optimized JPEG
• Color grading: match per-collection direction above. No cross-collection bleed.
• Retouching: remove technical blemishes (lint, dust, sensor spots). Preserve real skin texture. No heavy smoothing.
• White balance: consistent within collection. Black Rose: cool-neutral. Love Hurts: warm-dramatic. Signature: warm-golden. Kids: bright-neutral.

File Naming Convention

{collection-slug}-{shot-type}-{sequence}-{aspect}.jpg

Examples:

• black-rose-hero-01-4x5.jpg
• signature-lifestyle-03-9x16.jpg
• founder-story-02-1x1.jpg

Elite Studio Pipeline

All delivered assets flow into skyyrose/elite_studio for composite rendering, 3D integration, and social posting pipeline. Deliver assets to the designated Elite Studio intake folder. Do not place hero collection name text in the photography — the lockup image from assets/images/hero-overlays/ is composited at the Elite Studio stage.

Delivery

• Shared drive folder organized by: collection → shot category
• Timeline: confirm with photographer at brief handoff
• Usage rights: all-rights buyout for skyyrose.co commercial use; confirm model release forms before shoot day

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Artifact specification

The skill produces a single photographer-ready brief document. Structure:

# SkyyRose Photography Brief — [Collection] [Session Type]
## Session Overview (collection, purpose, date, location, talent)
## Visual Direction (aesthetic, palette, lighting, backgrounds, styling, references, AVOID list)
## Shot List (tables by category: Hero / Lifestyle / Detail / Founder / BTS)
## Logistics (aspect ratios, file specs, file naming, delivery timeline)
## Elite Studio Notes (pipeline destination, lockup-image compositing note)

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Example

Request: "Need a brand shoot brief for the Black Rose collection. We're shooting in Oakland — industrial location, Corey on set. Output goes to IG feed and Pinterest. Half-day session."

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SkyyRose Photography Brief — Black Rose, Brand/Lifestyle Session

Collection: Black Rose Session type: Brand lifestyle + founder Location: West Oakland industrial corridor — warehouse exteriors, iron gates, concrete loading docks Talent: Corey Foster (founder) Platforms: Instagram Feed (4:5), Pinterest (2:3), website Session length: Half-day (4 hours, target 18 shots)

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Visual Direction

Aesthetic: Gothic luxury. Defiant elegance. Shadow is structural, not decorative. "Concrete answering back." Color palette: Dark #0A0A0A as ground, Silver #C0C0C0 for hardware and accent, deep charcoal, slate gray. Lighting: Low-key dramatic. Single key light (strobe or HMI) from camera-left or directly above. Strong shadow; reflector to preserve detail in dark fabrics — not to fill the darkness. No softbox-bright, no even-exposure lifestyle look. Backgrounds: West Oakland warehouse wall (raw concrete preferred), iron security gate, rusted corrugated metal, rain-slicked asphalt at dusk. Styling: Black Rose Crewneck as hero piece. Matte fabrics throughout. No shiny or glossy outerwear. Silver jewelry only — no gold. Clean black pants or denim. No distressed finishes. References: Fear of God quiet luxury silhouette + Palm Angels street-luxe graphic confidence + Oakland's post-industrial grit (Oaklandish community rootedness relocated to hard urban surfaces). AVOID: Warm or golden tones, floral props, European fashion-week editorial staging (clean white studio, floating fabric, motion blur for art's sake), anything that reads soft or aspirationally luxe in the European sense.

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Shot List

Hero Shots (4 shots)

#	Description	Framing	Mood	Destination
H1	Corey in Black Rose Crewneck, back to concrete wall, direct gaze into camera	Medium-tight, centered, 4:5	Armor, unflinching	IG Feed hero / Pinterest
H2	Three-quarter profile, silver hardware detail visible on silhouette edge	Medium, rule of thirds	Editorial, contained	IG Feed
H3	Full-length against iron gate, negative space above head for lockup overlay placement	Wide, full body	Statement, landscape of defiance	Website hero, email
H4	Crewneck flat on concrete surface — garment only, no model	Overhead, garment fills 70% frame	Product editorial	Pinterest 2:3

Lifestyle Shots (6 shots)

#	Description	Framing	Mood	Destination
L1	Corey walking toward camera on slicked asphalt, low angle	Medium, dynamic, slight motion	In his city	IG Reel cover, TikTok
L2	Corey looking away from camera — past a chain-link fence, industrial background receding	Medium, environmental	Internal, earned	IG Feed
L3	Wide: Corey small in large warehouse corridor, light source at far end	Very wide, subject in lower third	The Town owns the frame	Website editorial
L4	Corey in shadow — only face and crewneck collar lit	Medium-tight, chiaroscuro lighting	Armor, mystery	IG Feed (Black Rose campaign)
L5	From behind: Corey facing West Oakland skyline	Medium, back of crewneck visible	Directional, Oakland horizon	Pinterest / editorial
L6	Candid: Corey looking down at phone or adjusting sleeve in a loading bay	Medium, natural	Real, unguarded	Behind-the-brand pillar

Detail Shots (4 shots)

#	Description	Framing	Lighting	Destination
D1	Black Rose Crewneck — embroidery or screen-print detail close-up	Macro, tight	Single raking light from left to lift texture	PDP gallery
D2	Fabric texture — ribbed cuff or collar close-up	Macro	Directional, no fill	Social detail post
D3	Tag / label detail — brand mark visible	Macro, 30-degree	Natural ambient	PDP
D4	Silver hardware close-up (zipper pull, grommet, or similar if applicable)	Macro	Single key, cool tone	Social close-up

Behind-the-Scenes (2 shots)

#	Description	Usage
B1	DP or photographer framing Corey — behind-camera shot	Stories, TikTok
B2	Wardrobe rack of Black Rose pieces backstage	Stories

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Logistics

Aspect ratios: 4:5, 1:1, 9:16, 2:3, 16:9 crops from all hero and lifestyle shots File specs: RAW + high-res JPEG (min 2048px short side) + web JPEG Color grading: Cool-neutral throughout. Lifted blacks just enough to hold texture. No warm color shift. Retouching: Technical blemishes only (sensor dust, fly-aways on concrete). Preserve skin texture. No smoothing. File naming: black-rose-hero-01-4x5.jpg, black-rose-lifestyle-03-2x3.jpg, etc. Delivery: Drive folder organized as black-rose / hero, black-rose / lifestyle, black-rose / detail, black-rose / bts

Elite Studio note: Deliver all assets to skyyrose/elite_studio intake folder. Do NOT burn the "Black Rose" collection name text into any photography frame — the brand-script lockup from assets/images/hero-overlays/ is composited in post by Elite Studio.

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Anti-Patterns

• Never type-render the collection name in the photograph. The lockup image (assets/images/hero-overlays/) is composited at the Elite Studio stage — burning it in photo makes it uncorrectable.
• Never pull European luxury-house mood. No Bottega muted-warm, no Rick Owens conceptual void, no Hedi Slimane skinny-suit polish. Pull from the Five: Kith, Oaklandish, Culture Kings, Fear of God, Palm Angels.
• Never cross-attribute collection voices. "Bloodline that raised me" = Love Hurts only. "Concrete answering back" = Black Rose only. Do not swap emotional registers between collections.
• Never reference products by SKU in the brief. "Black Rose Crewneck" — not "br-001." Photographers don't know SKUs; product names prevent set confusion.
• Never promise specific camera gear or lighting equipment. Describe the desired look (low-key dramatic, raking side light) and let the photographer choose the gear. Brief = desired outcome.
• Never schedule more than 30 shots in a half-day session. Flag it and recommend splitting into two sessions. Rushed shots are unusable shots.
• Never produce a brief without an AVOID section. What not to do is as important as what to do — especially when briefing a photographer unfamiliar with SkyyRose.
• Never stage "successful founder" clichés: Corey pointing at a whiteboard, arms crossed in a boardroom, standing on stairs of a private jet. Wrong register entirely.
• Never use European luxury-house location signifiers: Parisian cobblestones, whitewashed studio with linen drapes, vineyard settings. Oakland — The Town — is the anchor.
• Never use warm/golden tones on a Black Rose shoot. Golden light belongs to Signature. Cross-collection lighting confusion destroys visual identity.

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Recovery

• Photographer unfamiliar with the brand: Share docs/brand/visual-references.md and send them 5 reference images before the shoot. Do not rely on the brief alone.
• Location falls through on shoot day: Have one backup Oakland location pre-scouted. For Black Rose: any concrete wall or industrial alley. For Signature: any rooftop with Bay Area horizon. Never substitute a neutral studio as the "safe" option without adjusting the brief's visual direction.
• Shot list too long for available time: Protect Hero and Lifestyle shots first. Cut Behind-the-Scenes last. If forced to cut a category, cut Detail (those can often be shot tabletop with product alone in a second shorter session).
• Corey's energy reads stiff on camera: Pull back the lighting setup, go to a natural-light moment at the location, shoot candid while he's walking or talking. Real Corey beats posed Corey every time.
• Delivered shots look wrong (wrong collection mood): Before rebrief, check color grading — often a warm-grade error is adding gold to what should be cool-silver. Correct in post before requesting a reshoot.
• Hero shot needs lockup but collection name was burned into photo: Do not attempt to remove it in post. Use a non-lockup lifestyle shot as the hero and schedule a clean reshoot of that frame. Add "no in-frame text" to the standing brief for all future sessions.