The Importance of a 'Shot List' for Clients and Photographers
Social Photography, Documentary Photography, Lifestyle & Branding
A 'Shot list' is an essential ingredient for all branding and profile shoots that I produce these days, they help clarify all the critical steps for all my photoshoots. My clients spend a considerable amount of time thinking, organising and some even spending good money on making sure they have everything ready for their photo sessions.
We both need to know that we are making good use of our time together and capturing every element of your brand during the shoot. This could include the finding the correct venue space or other essential factors such as a make-up artist, or other connected variances that might have a bearing or involvement in your shoot.
President of Island Records Darcus Beese
Mandy photographed in a friend kitchen as part of her promotional and marketing campaign.
A shot list is also a great way to tell your story, it's then my job to interpret this shot list or story onto an exciting and coherent' stage' in which you are the' star', I want to make you shine and look you're very best for the world to see.
A good shot list also helps in speeding up the action and allows for alternative ideas that will invariably come from a well-prepared list of photo ideas. Sometimes a small change can make for a whole new look or even alter the perspective of the original message for the better.
So things to consider for your shoot list.
Location: Make sure at least one of the sites matches your professional profile (work office or business). Also getting permission or access to these locations is essential. One of my clients had the use of her friends beautiful home just outside London, so we used this for her profile styled shoot.
Having varied locations helps with your story, it gives your prospective clients a more rounded representation of what it is that you do professionally, allowing for a more engaged and informative photo session.
Being a visual person, I will invariably see other interesting backgrounds and eye-catching alternatives that you might not be aware of, for instance, coloured or textured backdrops that fit comfortably with your the colour schemes for your clothes or outfits. This will give ultimately us a broader range of images for the final collection.
Antonia Harman - Personal Branding Photo Shoot.
What to wear.
I always advise my customers to bring at least three different outfits to wear for their shoots, so for men three different coloured shirts, trousers, jacket and jeans, a cross between casual and smart. For women, they usually have this in had already. It's then down to how the colours work and look with the scene we're in at the time. I also give them the option of having a hair & make-up stylist on hand, if it's in their budget.
Subsidiary Images.
Whilst shooting from a shoot list, we also gain other images that can be used for all your other social media platforms and blog posts, so we're aiming to build up a record or library of photographs that can be used for probably up to 3 months worth of posts, all which represent your brand and the message your aiming to tell.
Another critical aspect of these shoots, is that the images don't always have include pictures of yourself in the pictures; having a mixture of images that tell your own particular story makes for a stronger narrative; from locations to backgrounds, to food, leisure activities, favourite reading materials, office environment, exercise equipment to maybe you pet dog or cat etc., all these extra images will help to enhance your story.
Getting the right feel for your pictures.
Tv Chef and nutritionist Hala El-Shafie - Personal Branding Photo Session
We want the images that inspire and enthuse your personality, so think about the best' actions' or verbs that sum up your particular character. Are you the sort of person who laughs a lot, do you like to sing, are you a busy person, do you love to clothe shop, are you always jumping about with loads of fun and energy?
Water Farm Equestrian Centre rebranding Photo-Shoot.
These actions can come over really well in your photographs, there are ways in which we can incorporate them into your story. On the flip slide to this, you might be someone whose reflective, quiet with a tranquil nature, are you someone who mediates during the day? This also works well in photographs, we could bring out your sereneness, calm or peaceful side, giving a more thought-provoking or gentle reflection about yourself.
There are many ways to accomplish all these types of shots, so including them as part of your shot list will help to determine the feel and style of your shoot, leaving nothing to chance, but allowing for different variations on your list than can work wonders towards ultimately telling the story or brand.
How would you like your photographs to represent yourself and your your brand? Get in touch and together we can help devise a plan of action for your personal branding session.
Tags: Branding, Business photography
