People LOVE taking pictures. Some people are shy or might be self-conscious of their smile, but most of the time they can’t wait to see the finished photos. Friends, family, and models get together; we laugh, we joke, we talk. Everyone has a blast at the photoshoots. But before the fun and creativity kicks in, planning the photoshoot is the most important part.
We need to understand our cameras before we get creative, and we need to plan our photoshoots. Planning a photoshoot really helps you and your guests feel at ease on the day of the shoot.
I’ve compiled five photography tips to keep in mind when we photograph a model – before, during and after the photoshoot, featuring Orlando vlogger, Amanda of Written Ritmos.
Confirm all details at least a week before the photoshoot.
Your model(s) need to know what the shoot is for, what to wear, what to bring, where you’ll shoot, and what time you’ll meet. These important details will prepare both you and your model for a successful photoshoot.
Confirm these details in an email so it’s in writing. A text message is OK if you are familiar with the model, if it’s a friend or family member. But an email is more professional for a business shoot.
Make sure you include all the details, and ask the model if he or she has any questions. It’s best to take care of these details before the photoshoot so you don’t have to worry about these the day of.
Plan your shots. Know your camera, and browse online for inspiration.
Plan, plan, plan! We need to know what shots we want to get before walking into the photoshoot. I think it’s important to respect your time and your model’s time. The more planned out the shoot, the easier it will be to walk away with the shots you wanted.
Know your camera and its settings. I recommend shooting in manual so you always have control over all settings, including the focus. Manual focus uses less battery since it’s not constantly trying to find something to focus on, and it allows you to guide the photo’s focus.
Are you showcasing a brand name? A clothing item? A logo? Or maybe you are focusing on someone’s eyes? Know what you’re doing with the technical settings so you can have fun and get creative.
Check out a photography website or search for similar photoshoots. If you’re shooting at a special location, search for photos taken at that location. If you’re looking to convey a certain mood or emotion, then search for those ideal shots. This will allow you to combine your own creative shots with inspiration from other people.
In this shoot, model Amanda asked me to get shots of her showcasing this coat for a brand, and she wanted it taken at this specific mural. I researched the mural and the company that sells the coat to get a background on what shots might look good, what the brand was looking for, and how to direct Amanda.
Plan for the unexpected: weather conditions, getting lost, camera settings.
I knew this shoot would be a little overexposed because we squeezed it in on my lunch break – right in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest and hottest.
The weather wasn’t ideal – I didn’t want to make Amanda stand in the heat, wearing a coat in 80 degree weather for too long. I setup my camera so I could take quick shots with less harsh lighting, and to make this easy to edit later on. The more work and prep you do ahead of time, the less time you’ll spend in post-production.
However, we didn’t know where the mural was located. We thought it was at the nearby art supply store, Sam Flax.
We couldn’t find the mural when we arrived, so we asked one of the Sam Flax employees. They told us some Orlando murals change within months and get painted over! Thankfully they pointed us to a nail supply store near Publix – the previous Sam Flax location.
I was bummed because we got to the first location so quickly, and now we were up against the clock. We drove back, not sure where the nail supply place was. We found Publix and parked there, about to settle for a pastel building nearby.
Thankfully, we spotted the mural right across the street! While we had very limited time, we got the shots, and we were both very excited at the end of the shoot.
Pay attention to model placement.
Decide where you want your model to stand in the shot. You’ll need to figure out what story you’re telling and where to lead the person viewing the photograph.
Photos tell stories with details, colors, where you place your model, where you stand or sit to take the photo, and more.
Here, Amanda asked me to put her in the foreground so we could focus on her as the mural colors complemented the coat.
I positioned my camera looking up at Amanda so she appeared to almost be larger than life with the coat. I also placed Amanda on the edge of the left portion of the photo so we could get the skyscraper in the middle and the rainbow leading us out of the photo.
Set expectations. Communicate when you’ll provide the finished product.
Give your model a realistic timeframe when you’ll send the edited photos. Based on how many clients you work with, what your workload is like, and how long your editing process takes (I recommend Lightroom and Photoshop), you’ll be able to provide a solid date when you’ll send the photos.
I recommend sending the photos via Pixieset, using your own online storage site, or kicking it a little old school by sending a CD or USB drive to the model. Whatever you do, confirm the date you’ll send the photos, and follow up!
Within two days of the shoot, send a follow-up email thanking the model for the photoshoot. Confirm the date and format in which you’ll send the photos in writing.
Follow up once more with the finished product on or before the due date. If you had a great shoot, then leave the door open by ending the email with, “I’d love to work with you again in the future…”
Planning the photoshoot makes the whole process run smoothly!
Let me know if you have your own photoshoot tips. I’d love to hear from you!