What To Do When Planning A Photoshoot
It is a few weeks to your 30th birthday, or you just said yes to the love of your life and you want to plan a Birthday or pre-wedding shoot. You have no idea how and where to begin or you have a lot of ideas and cannot seem to choose the best one. All you know is that you want to break the internet and “give them” on Instagram.
Here are a few tips to help you with your planning process.
Determine Your Photographer
When planning a photo shoot, choosing the right photographer is vital to having a successful shoot and a great experience. This can be a very daunting process with the number and types of photographers we have now, but you can narrow down your options by selecting photographers with portfolios you find beautiful and styles that you love. From these selections, you can determine the photographer whose style you connect with the most and best fits what you want to achieve.
Communicate your Expectations
During the consultation or meeting with the photographer, you should communicate what you want to achieve in detail. If you have any ideas for the concept, color scheme, location, outfit, poses, lighting or you are looking for specific props or backdrops, let the photographer know so they can do their best to give you what you want. In most cases, except at clients’ request, all photographs are edited. So, if you have special requests or a few alterations, such as changing your eye color, editing your weight, whitening your smile, or changing your hair color, let them know that beforehand. Depending on the vibe, suggestions, and the photographer’s ability to address your concerns, you can determine if you should book a session or not.
Choose Your Outfit
This depends entirely on the type and concept of the photoshoot you’re doing. Some concepts require specific lighting schemes and your outfit can elevate or diminish the final output. Discuss with your photographer, the colors, style, design, fabrics that will best suit your shoot. For instance, wearing a red carpet dress for a corporate shoot is not fit for the concept. However, It’s important to be comfortable in whatever outfits you decide on. Once you know what works best, assemble your wardrobe a few days before your shoot, get them laundered, ironed, and ready for your session.
Determine the Appropriate Location for the Shoot
Choosing the right location is very important when planning a photo shoot. Depending on the concept of your shoot, you may use a photo studio, or outdoors, including a garden, an architectural landscape, your home, or a specific venue. The possible options should have been discussed during the consultation with your photographer.
Scout the Photoshoot Location
This is also an important aspect when planning a photo shoot. Depending on the suggestions raised between you and your photographer, you must scout these locations to determine if they are available for your proposed date if they are in usable condition and to find out all that is required to use the location.
What/Who to Bring to a Photoshoot
Apart from the aforementioned requirements, it can help to bring a friend, family member, significant other, parent, or guardian to your photoshoot. Photoshoots are always more fun with people who can make you relaxed and at ease. However, you must discuss with your photographer, the number of guests that can be on set and ensure that these know not to disrupt the photographer during the session.
Discuss The Budget
When you have concluded on the concept of your photoshoot, the outfit(s), location(s), styling, and deliverables, you need to discuss the financial implications with your photographer so that the requirements will be procured timely before your photo session. Sometimes, the pricing may be reviewed upward because of the concept requirements or your concept may be modified to accommodate your budget.
Be yourself
This is the most important part of the process. The part when you get to shine like the star that you are; so do not hold back. While it is the photographer’s responsibility to own the photoshoot and make sure you are having fun. You owe it to yourself to enjoy yourself and the experience.