Ever wonder how to style your very own photo shoot? Here are my tips and tricks that anyone can tackle (and ideas for shots and poses too). Start here…
No.1 Find the right photographer
Finding the right photographer for you and your shoot is so important! You will definitely want to see their sample work and what kind of “feeling” they capture in their shoots. Also equally important is the subject: you want a product photographer for product shoots, a portrait photographer for photos of you, and an interiors photography for decor shots. If she can do all three, fantastic! This will also determine if you need a photographer who works with natural light or someone who has a lighting setup (I prefer natural lighting for people and decor, and artificial lighting for product shots that need to be crystal clear.)
Last tip on the photographer: ask them how much direction they need. Do you they prefer to be directed? Or do they prefer creative freedom? Depending on what you want, you may need one or the other. For myself because I am a stylist, I prefer a photographer who can take direction but who also comes to the shoot with ideas of her own.
No.2 Create your call sheet
Once you set your day, time, locations, and parties involved you’ll want to create a Call Sheet that has everybody’s info on it so everyone is on the same page. Also determine props needed ahead of time (who’s bringing what) and wardrobe.
No.3 Figure out your shot list and timeline
You’ll want to plan out what shots you’d like to get. And one you get a list finalized, you’ll want to plan out a timeline to keep the team on track. Types of questions to ask yourself:
How will you be using these photos?
Website? Social media? All of the above?
Website? Social media? All of the above?
Are you doing shots of yourself?
Get both looking at the camera that could be used as profile pics, and a few “lifestyle” type shots of you in action without looking at the camera. Try a variety of poses and smiles (slight smile vs. big happy smile vs. closed mouth smile).
Product or food shots?
Be sure to specify the types of angles you’d like, such as from above or from the front, top angle, etc.
Decor shots?
First determine the areas and perhaps the pieces that you specifically need. As you go through the following steps you’ll add to and refine this list.
No.4 Make inspiration board(s)
It’s really important for you and the photographer to know ahead of time the style of shots you are hoping to get. It makes them feel more at ease that they can make you happy, and helps you get crystal clear about what you want, so you don’t regret not getting a shot later. I prefer to create a board for each type of shot, like these examples below. Although I use Pinterest a lot for these, I have also found decent stock inspo photos on Adobe Stock and Unsplash.
Also you can follow a sample photo shoot Pinterest board I used for one of my own shoots to get your own board started. Pin away!
No.5 Style vignettes ahead of time
I like to style a few areas of the space ahead of time so that the photographer can have fun using her eye to take a bunch of shots as she sees fit. I’ll even take some test shots ahead of time with my phone or camera to see if they’re working for me.
No.6 Plan a variety of outfits for different locations
Once I have an idea of what the backdrops are going to be, I can also plan outfits that will go with that particular scene or vignette. In this recent shoot of mine, I had two outfits for interior shots, and one for exterior shots, each a slightly different look and style. The photographer and I tried them out in different settings to see which I would like best. And always have backups! You never know when a blouse you thought would be perfect just isn’t working the way you thought. Pro tip: during wardrobe changes, I let my photographer take any photos she might be inspired to take without me in the scenes.
No.7 Get horizontal and vertical shots, closeup and wide
You never know how you might want to use the shots, so be sure to clarify with your photographer that you are expecting both horizontal and vertical shots (wide horizontals are great for websites, social cover photos, and banner ads). Also get a mix of closeup and wide shots for variety.
No.8 Get some video if you can, too
My photographer also does video so we were able to capture some B-roll shots to edit into a little 15-second video for my homepage. I was also able to use it as my Facebook cover photo video. I used it to give a feeling of my branding and style, but you could also use it as a behind-the-scenes video to use later.
No.9 Play some music!
I always try to make photo shoots fun! Pop a bottle of Champagne to loosen you up a little, and turn on your fave upbeat tunes to get you in the mood to relax. You will be so much happier with your end shots if you are able to let loose and get some silly or unexpected shots that you may feel are not typically like you. Why not, this is your chance to try something new!
I hope this helps!
Photos of my recent shoot by the very talented Jennifer Daigle of Capturing Heart
