Guide for Successful Photo Shoots
Hi there! I'm Daria Fedorova, a portrait photographer, professional retoucher and content creator based in Vancouver, Canada.
I specialize in creating uncluttered, complimentary portraits of women.
Photography is some kind a creative hobby for me because my main competences lie in the filed of project management, business development and client service. But I am convinced that every photo shoot should be considered as a project in order to be successful, whether you are a photographer, or a client.
I prepared this guide to help you organize your photo session in a best possible way to increase chances for great result and exciting experience.
Follow these key steps, and I can guarantee that the process will be very clear, smooth and pleasant for the whole team involved in the photoshoot.
Concept
Understand what you want.
References are everything to us. Decide why you are taking photographs and what result you want to get. Use Pinterest, Instagram or even print magazines and movies for inspiration.
If I do creative shooting, I always prepare moodboards so that I understand what kind of picture I want to get as a result and what I need for this.
2. Making a choice
Then find photographers whose work is similar to the desired result.
It’s a big mistake to think that any photographer can bring your ideas to life.
To avoid disappointment, start browsing photographers, make a shortlist, and then make a choice based on important related factors (availability on the desired dates, cost, reviews, range of services, photo turnaround time, personal chemistry).
Be sure to discuss your expectations and all the important nuances, including the idea, with the photographer.
3. Communication
A photo shoot is co-creation, and to get a high-quality result, you need to communicate.
Discuss again all the points related to shooting and post-processing. For example, if you don't want to retouch your mustache or armpits because you think they add to your charm.
Share your ideas and doubts. An experienced and competent photographer will be able to suggest valuable points about shooting and offer additional ideas.
It is also useful to discuss the deadlines for the preparation of photographs, if this is important to you.
4. Makeup and hairstyle
I am convinced that one of the key points that will help increase the chances of a beautiful final result is no, not makeup, but hairstyle! Remember your weddings, corporate events and holidays, where your hair was muffled or, on the contrary, slicked down. A cool hairstyle will look great on camera. And it is not necessary to hire a stylist if you need to save money, and you already have golden hands.
Makeup: I don’t recommend doing bright, flashy makeup, especially if you don’t wear much makeup in your life. It will look unnatural. Only if you haven’t planned something creative and stylized with the photographer, where such makeup will be justified. But then it’s better to invite a makeup artist who will do everything at a high level. If you are planning several looks, start with basic makeup, and then add red lipstick and black eyeliner if you still want to experiment.
I do not recommend using cosmetics with highlights, especially when it comes to lipstick. Matte shades look expensive, plus they are easier to work with in post-production.
5. Outfit
Similarly with makeup, if you have in mind some kind of image that is not typical for you, I recommend contacting a stylist who will help you create a harmonious image. Wearing a mini that you've never worn will feel weird and may be more of a constraint at a photo shoot.
Choose something in which you will feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. Basic nude shades, white, beige, gray, as a rule, always look organic in the lens. If you are not sure about your choice, take all the things you have prepared for the shoot.
6. Mood
Mood is one of the most important part of any photo session. We go to a photographer not only for photographs, but also for a positive experience. These rare moments when you are a star and all attention is on you.
Select music, watch some films or videos that will allow you to get into the right state and feel like a real model.
Remove unnecessary importance, imagine yourself as an actress or professional model.
You can go to YouTube and watch behind-the-scenes footage of professional filming, see the posing and how the models move in the frame. Now you are one of them.
7. Check-list
Collect all your staff in advance and make a list, which will allow you to check whether you took everything with you before leaving.
This is an important nuance, because those 5 outfits that I wrote about earlier, were left at home while I was on my way to the shoot in a taxi. My husband helped me, so...
8. Assistant
Invite an assistant: he/ she will double check that you are bringing everything to the studio, will maintain the right mood, will help tidy up a stray curl and will also do the backstage. Alexa won't help here.
A few more tips:
I do not recommend attending parties with alcohol before a photo shoot. Aperol will add swelling under the eyes, but it will not add energy and good mood.
I also don’t recommend doing any procedures with your skin immediately before shooting: you will never know how your skin will behave after the procedure.
Arrive at the shooting location early. A taxi may get stuck in a traffic jam, your navigator may break down under the influence of Mercury Retrograde... don't take risks and plan your route in advance.
