How to Create a Shot List in 6 Easy Steps
Plan for session success
When you hire a brand photographer, you want to walk away from your session with all the shots that you need… and want. After all, it’s a financial and emotional investment in your business.
Partnering with a photographer who is capable of taking beautiful photos is only part of the equation. A successful brand shoot goes way beyond nice photos. Your photographer should be able to guide you through the process of putting time and thought into creating a shot list, which will serve as the roadmap to your session.
Having a complete list of shots written down going into your session will ensure that you and your photographer are on the same page and also that the resulting gallery of images is exactly what you need to grow your business.
Coming up with a shot list can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before, but I’m here to walk you through the process so you can approach your brand session with confidence!
Read on to go from zero to a complete shot list in six easy steps!
1. Collect inspiration
Start by collecting photos you like and are drawn to. Browse photos on Pinterest, your photographer’s portfolio on their social media or website, or websites of other business owners whose style you vibe with. Save all the photos you like to a folder or a Pinterest board so they’re easy to see in one place and to share with your photographer.
2. Perform an audit
Do an audit of your own website, social feeds, and email marketing collateral. Do you need a certain crop to add to your sales page? Perhaps you want a specific style for your LinkedIn headshot or cover photo. Do you need more horizontal or vertical images? Include all these notes on your shot list.
3. Plan your wardrobe
Knowing what you’ll be wearing on the day of your shoot is a crucial step in thinking about your shot list. Maybe you need candid photos in your most relaxed outfits for your social feeds and more formal headshots for your marketing collateral. I realize that picking out multiple outfits that represent both you AND your brand is a big task in and of itself, so I wrote a whole blog post on the subject here. Take a look and get inspired… and then get back to planning your shot list.
4. Get your ideas on paper
Now that you’ve gathered some information - the style of photos you’re drawn to, the shots you need for your website and marketing channels, the outfits you’ll be wearing - write everything down! Make a detailed list of the shots you like and want.
5. Edit and Organize
The next step is to take all of the ideas you have and organize them into categories. List your outfits, props, must-have photos, and additional notes (for example, photo orientation or proportions, specific preferences, things you are self-conscious about, etc.) Canva or a simple Word document is perfect for this.
6. Share with your photographer
The last step is to share the shot list you’ve created with your photographer and get everyone on the same page. It’s also important to communicate this list to your photographer well in advance of your brand session to ensure there is enough time allotted to accomplish all of your goals. Keep in mind that lots of props, clothing changes, and travel between locations will increase the time needed for your brand session.
There you go! You’ve created a shot list and are on your way to a successful brand session!
Haven’t booked your session yet? Reach out to schedule a consultation or to dive deeper into session planning! Contact me today.