5 Things People Forget When planning a Small Budget Photoshoot
TLDR:
AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU NEED
DETAILS LIKE: WHAT TIME, WHERE IT IS, WHAT’S HAPPENING
YOUR PRODUCT OR APPAREL
A SCHEDULE
A GOOD VIBE
So you want to do a photoshoot for your small company’s Instagram account. Or maybe you need images for your email blasts or your blog. That’s great! You are making moves towards promoting your business and that is a big step. Hooray!
If you’re reading this, you’re most likely on a low-to-no budget and need advice on how to get content without going broke. You’ve hired a photographer or watched a video on how to do it yourself, picked your model, and now you’re ready to shoot. But STOP!
Make sure you’ve got these 5 things checked off before you show up to the shoot.
1. A Clear Picture of What You Need.
This seems obvious, but I promise you, it’s not. I’ve been on way too many shoots and worked with too many clients that don’t know what they want. This makes it hard for your photographer, your team to capture what you want and need, and should have been figured out well before this shoot! If you need help with this part, hire me and we will sort that out! :) Anyway, in order to leave a photoshoot satisfied, you have to know what you’re going in for. To begin, write down a list or create a moodboard of everything you want to do that day. Then share it with your team! Now you’re all on the same page.
2. The Day-Of Details.
If you are the business owner, you are the client. Everyone will look to you for details, like where to go, what time to be there, and what to bring! Make sure you know these answers and communicate them CLEARLY before the shoot. You can’t expect models to show up on time if you don’t tell them when to come! Send a brief email or even a text with these 3 things and you’ll save yourself time, money, and stress.
3. The Stuff.
Don’t forget all the stuff you need for the shoot. The clothes for the models (bring multiple sizes!!), your own products, any props you need to make the scene look real. Make another list of all the products you want to shoot or props you plan to use and then pack. it. UP!
Think big picture, plan for every scenario, and don’t leave for your shoot until you’ve gone through the list. (You could even include your camera, any lighting, your laptop, etc. in this list)
4. A Timeline.
Every event needs a schedule. Your time is valuable and so is the time of anyone you’re working with. Have a start and finish time, or a rough estimate, and let your team know what it is. This will keep you on track as you go along.
5. Gratitude and an Open Mind
No matter your budget or lack of one, show the people you’ve hired that you are grateful for their help and their talents. Be clear with your expectations, but also respect the craft of who you’ve hired (you picked them for a reason!) and you’ll end up with content that’s even better than you could imagine.
Also, a good attitude and good energy makes for an overall good vibe!