The work of a model (don't be intimidated by the word; a model is anyone in front of the photographer's lens, not necessarily a professional) begins even before meeting the photographer, initiating a creative process.
 

The preparatory stage is the foundation that sets optimal conditions for the subsequent creation of good shots. Yes, you can come to a photoshoot 'as is' and even, perhaps, get decent photos in the end.

However, you might... or might not. Or you may get something, but it's not what you wanted. That's why it's worth dedicating time to preparation. In the end, it will be more comfortable not only for the photographer but also for you, making the whole experience much smoother. And, the chances of getting fantastic photos will significantly increase.

I have prepared a short guide for you. This instruction will be helpful for both those who are about to experience their first professional photoshoot and those who love and know how to pose but understand that there is no limit to perfection.

1. Answering the question: Why do you need a photoshoot?

Be honest with yourself. There are no wrong goals. Do you need photos for likes? Do you want to enhance your business portfolio? A photographer will help you achieve the desired result if they know what is expected from them.

2. Collect the right references.

References are examples of photos that you want to replicate or use as inspiration. It's not necessary to replicate everything down to the smallest detail; in some cases, references are needed for inspiration and to capture the atmosphere in the frame.

Create a mood board in advance— a digital board with ideas that will help you define the style and mood of the upcoming shoot. An ideal option for working with this format is Pinterest.

In the following posts, I will share my mood board ideas with you.

3. Discussing organizational details and shooting nuances with the photographer.
 

Discussing all the conditions beforehand is crucial: whether the photographer provides raw files, how long they work on the photos, and whether editing is included in the cost. It's great if the specialist clearly and succinctly outlines the terms of interaction.

 

For example, my working format with clients looks like this:

1. After the shoot, I allocate up to 2 weeks to work on the photos, WITH A DEADLINE FOR UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. Usually, I deliver the photos earlier.
2. I select the photos within one to three days after the shoot. I send the client a selection of all the photos from the shoot with a link to their gallery and a password.
3. The client chooses their favorite photos by liking ❤️. Once the selection is complete, I immediately receive a notification and begin the editing process. Typically, this involves 25-30 photos. In the off-season, editing takes 2-3 days, while in the high season, it may take longer.
4. I inform the client when the photos are ready. Additionally, in the gallery, the client can download all the original photos. The photos in the client's personal gallery will be available for one month.

4. Choosing a location.

You can have a bright and memorable photoshoot, either outdoors or in a studio, or even at your home. In the first case, the choice of locations is incredibly vast, but it's essential to determine in advance whether it will be an urban or natural setting.

If you've chosen an outdoor photoshoot, check the weather forecast in advance for the selected date and consider backup options in case of weather changes or other unforeseen circumstances. You can either relocate the shoot to a different location (for example, indoors) or reschedule it for another day.
 

6. Choose a suitable date and time for the photoshoot.
 

Choose a date when you have free time for the photoshoot, or even better, a free day – a time when you won't be in a rush, thinking about anything else, or getting distracted. If planning a photoshoot with friends, consider a day and time that is convenient for everyone to meet. When photographing a young child, the little one needs to be alert and cheerful, so it's best to avoid scheduling the shoot close to naptime or in the evening.
 

For outdoor shoots, consider the strength and brightness of natural light. Optimal times for outdoor shoots are the morning or evening when the light is soft and gentle. Additionally, take into account the duration of daylight at different times of the year. In fall and winter, the days are shorter, so outdoor shots are best taken in the morning and before noon.

7. Choose your outfits and clothing.
 

For this point, a whole set of tips can be provided:
 

- follow to selected references.
- If your goal is not to capture street style or a vibrant fashion look, choose clothing without colorful prints, as they may distract attention.
- Aim to combine no more than three different colors in your outfit for a restrained and elegant look.
- Bring several outfits to the photoshoot—the more choices, the better.
- Plan footwear for each outfit.
- Ensure that the photo studio has a steamer. Wrinkled clothing doesn't look very appealing in photos. Although these details can be fixed in retouching, it may incur additional costs.
- Choose clothing that fits you well. In Photoshop, you cannot adjust the size of clothing if it's too big or too small without incurring additional costs.
- A good option is to ask the photographer if there's an option to work with a stylist for the shoot. They can help with wardrobe selection and create one or several looks for the shoot.
- For group photoshoots, the overall impression of the picture will be much stronger if you use a simple but powerful technique: coordinate clothing in one style and color.