16/11/2020
I’ve been fortunate enough to plan and art direct many different types of photoshoots over the years. Due to stupid Covid, 2020 has only allowed 1 photo shoot in person, remote shoots just don’t cut it!
If I knew it was my one and only for the year what would I have done differently? Nothing! It was a successful blast, I crave to do it again! I love photo shoot days. The energy, the pressure, the instant results... oh I miss it! What made (makes) it (and any shoot) successful?
1. DECISION by committee rarely gets results. Make sure that final say is reflecting the needs of the client and product requirements.
2. SETUP a process for remote client buy in, keeping them out of the hustle of the studio. This gives them the ability to give final signoff and see how things are progressing, but also forces them to provide their opinions quickly and simply.
3. KNOW the product and shot application it will make you a stronger decision-maker. A photo shoot, is very fast paced and you need to make a lot of decisions on the fly. Coming prepared helps skip the need to ‘try different things’. If time allows, going ‘freestyle’ for those different angles / props / lighting approaches may be attempted, but after you get the shot.
4. PLAN your shots. Have an assembly line of shots being prepped while others are being photographed so there’s no downtime or waiting.
5. TEAM. Have a photographer and stylist you trust and work well with.
6. Value TIME. Lean on your photographer when in doubt about what should be saved for post-production versus handled on the shoot.
7. MOCK-UP artwork in real time. Have a few layouts ready to go so you can test how the images will work in context.
8. ENERGY. It can be exhausting. Rely on each other to keep things rolling.