How to plan a great photoshoot
If you’re a business owner who’s been thinking about getting professional photography done for the first time, you might be overwhelmed about how to start. What’s even involved in planning a photoshoot? Can the photographer not just handle everything?? Planning a photoshoot, especially for the first time, can be stressful and confusing. So, I’ve put together this guide that includes everything you need to know (and what your photographer needs to know) to plan a great shoot!
The majority of my shoots are priced per project, and it varies depending on the shoot you have in mind! I personally like to have every detail planned down to a T, so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day that may get in the way of me delivering a truly great shoot for my clients. When putting together a quote, there are some key pieces of information it’s important to know to ensure the project is costed effectively from the onset.
What is the subject of the shoot?
It’s important to know who or what you want photographed, is it clothing for a brand with models involved? A family? Just yourself? This way your photographer has a better picture of how long the shoot will take, and what will be involved on the day.
What will the shoot be used for?
This is a big one that determines how your photographer will plan the shoot, how they process the images, and what extra documents may be needed. Is it just for personal use i.e. to put on a personal social media profile? Are they going to be used to promote your business? Are they going to be used in print, or internationally for marketing purposes? Commercial image usage will carry extra charges so it’s helpful they know beforehand so they can give you an accurate quote and you’re not stuck with surprise fees down the road!
Do you have a deadline?
Photographers each handle deadlines differently. Some can work quickly to tight deadlines, but when there’s a lot of creative work involved much longer is needed to execute the vision.
Personally, I’m disabled, so sometimes my health gets in the way and it can cause delays. If you have a deadline it’s imperative you tell your photographer so they can serve you effectively. If the deadline is too tight, I may not be the photographer for you, but no hard feelings!
Where are you based, and do you need me to travel?
I’m based in Manchester and don’t tend to travel for shoots very often. I’m generally happy getting around most of the North West, however I rely on public transport when I travel, and travel costs outside of Manchester won’t be covered in my standard shoot fee.
If you’re looking at a photographer outside of the area the shoot will be taking place, you should be prepared to pay travel/mileage costs.
Do you require a studio or do you already have a location in mind?
For many photographers (myself included) studio costs aren’t included in the shoot fee, and studio costs vary depending on the scale of the shoot and how long you’ll need it for. Do you have a rough idea of another location but need help finding somewhere suitable? Most photographers will have a wealth of local locations they know and love to suggest.
What retouching, if any, will be required?
Whilst most photographers correct their images post-shoot, different levels of retouching will carry different charges, and each shoot will have a vast difference in the number of images produced. A full retouch on a large number of images is going to take longer and cost more, it’ll also differ greatly depending on if your photographer is doing the retouching themselves, or paying to outsource to a retoucher.
Do you need help planning the shoot and/or sourcing talent?
This one will depend massively on the level of experience of your photographer. It’s something I’m always happy to do, not everyone has experience planning shoots and knows what goes into them! I know a number of MUA’s and modelling agencies I can put my clients in touch with. I sometimes even handle booking the talent for my clients. In this case I’ll include their fees in my quote to give my clients a better idea of the full shoot cost at a glance. This takes a lot of the shoot admin off their hands, so they can focus on making sure you get the result they want!
All in all, knowledge is power, and the more information you and your photographer have agreed from the get go, the smoother an experience you can have working together! I want to make sure every shoot goes great, and the outcome is exactly what my clients are looking for. Imagery is an important investment in your business, and you want to make sure it’s always worth it!
Ready to take the plunge and work together on a project? Drop me an email or use the contact form on my website to get in touch, and let’s get planning your perfect shoot!