I have done many photoshoots in my time as a content creator. However, I can actually admit that the first few years of shooting photography with my photographer really was not as beneficial as it could have been. This has nothing to do with my photographer of whom I have worked for years, and I absolutely adore. Rather, I wasn’t doing the necessary steps of understanding that a photoshoot requires pre-production and post-production to be successful. If you are a business owner looking to shoot your first photo set, or if you have been doing photo shoots for a while and just looking for ways to improve the experience, check out my tips down below.
The first thing I would recommend is planning as much as you can ahead.
This was something that I did not do because I am actually a really anxious person. So sometimes over planning actually causes me more anxiety. For me, I used to just wake up in the morning and opt to figure out whatever it was that I was going to wear to the photoshoot. And then when my photographer and I started shooting multiple outfits at one time, I would just throw items in a bag and hope to create magic later. This is absolutely not the way you want to go because there is just so much that gets lost when you lack planning.
First of all, you are bound to forget something even if it is as small as a shoe, or a purse or an accessory that really would have gone well with the outfit. Secondly, when you are rushing to put things together, you’re not doing your best work. I found that if I planned my outfits out at least a day in advance, I was more than likely going to be happy with the color palettes and the outfits that I had chosen, instead of feeling like everything was rushed and I had to make magic out of nothing. Lastly, by planning your outfits out in advance, you actually can determine what you need more of. I started packing all of my outfits, and would literally pack different accessories and different purses, and different shoes for each outfit. At some point, I realized that that was completely unnecessary.
The majority of people are not going to remember that you used this purse in this photoshoot and then you use it again in another photoshoot six months later. I like to get cost per wear out of my clothes. And so if I own it, I want to wear it. With that being said, I learned that a lot of outfits could use the same shoes or similar shoes. If it’s a pair of shoes that I use a lot and wear often, I can incorporate that into multiple outfits on photo day. Little things like that are things that you would not necessarily think about if you are in a rush, but that you actually can think and plan out when you have a bit more time on your hands.
Also in the same vein as planning out your outfits, I would definitely say that you should plan out how you want your shoot to go.
For me, I found that I was wasting a lot of money because I was picking very similar photos from my photographer after our shoot, only to realize that I wasn’t even utilizing all of the photos where they needed to be. If your photographer promises you a certain amount of photos per outfit, make sure that you are getting a diversity of photos to choose from that you can use. So for me, if I am given six images of an outfit, I’m going to do a few that are full body and a few that are also close up.
I might also opt to get a few photos just of the shoes or accessories or just my face. And the reason why is because those are photos that you can always use sprinkled within your content strategy If you think about it, the likelihood of you using six different photos that are all of you in the same pose and general location is pretty slim to none. So really think about the diversity of the photos that you want, and how you want to go about it. An easy way for you to accomplish this is by creating a mood board — you can do this in your mind or actually out on paper, whatever is easiest for you. For me, I like to think about where the location is going to be. And also some images that I hope to get out of it.
That can include a couple of images of me smiling or of me kicking my leg out. Looking that I’m walking in motion. Maybe I want to get a few back shots to show off some intricate details or look like I’m enjoying a delicious hot latte on a cold day. These are things that help you get into the mindset for your photoshoot, and really hone in on what you need to do and the way you need to pose. This brings me to my next point…
Have fun and relax.
My photographer can definitely attest that the first few times of us shooting together, I was extremely stiff.
No matter how animated and vivacious you may be, someone pulling a camera out on you does feel pretty daunting. I would definitely recommend that you just take a few deep breaths and that you relax. However, you need to relax, play some music, talk to your photographer, do motion, do dance moves, whatever it is that kind of keeps you moving and prohibits you from getting stiff. For me, I like to laugh and tell jokes and talk to my photographer who will tell me stories as she shoots.
In many ways, it helps me get my mind off of the actual art of taking my photo and be more focused on the human element of talking to my photographer. For you, it may be different. But incorporating different elements into your routine can help you loosen up. And sure enough the more you do it, the easier it gets I promise.
Last, but certainly not least, make sure you get a good night’s rest the night before.
I cannot stress this enough as someone who has a terrible tendency of going out even though she knows she has to be up early in the morning.
The reality is your photoshoot, no matter how long or short it may be, actually is even longer than that because you need to take into account the time it’s going to require for you to do your makeup or hair, or get your clothes all together if you haven’t already packed, ordering your Uber or however it is that you plan to get there, setting up, and then obviously the finale after the photoshoot. No matter what, you want to make sure that you are fully prepared both before the shoot and after. That is why I really believe that you should plan as much out in advance.
So if you have a photoshoot at 9 o’clock in the morning, perhaps you don’t want to be out until 2 AM with your friends. I know it sucks and sometimes you will say I can do it. But you really want to be fresh-faced and ready to go both of your energy as well as your mental and physical for your photoshoot. Your friends will be there and the parties will stay but it’s time to hone in on your business and really enjoy the work.
So guys, those are my tips. What are your thoughts? Are there any other things that you have been doing to prepare for photoshoots? Let me know down below.
