Planning a Photo Shoot Part II: Shot Lists
Welcome to the second installment of a new series on planning a product photo shoot! If you missed the first post, which was all about the importance of discovery calls, you can read it here. When I onboard my clients, I often start by taking them through the process step by step. I love this part of my job—educating clients about the way we’re going to work together create amazing assets just for them and their brand is incredibly rewarding for me.
What is a shot list?
A shot list is a document that lists every shot you’re aiming to capture during the course of the photo shoot. It can include many intricate details or be as simple as a list of shots you’d like to walk away from your photo shoot with depending on your photographer and creative director.
Why make a shot list?
Great question! Shot lists, just like any sort of preparation or organizational document, help ensure that you’re getting your best value from a big investment. For me, shot lists are the key to ensuring my clients and I share a vision for our photo shoot. The goal is that nobody will be surprised or disappointed when they see final photos—instead, they’ll be excited and be able to put the photos to use as soon as they get it!
What do you put in a shot list?
I have a template that I use for every client, and, at a minimum, it includes:
What products/menu items are featured in each shot
What props we’re pulling to use
What backdrops and surfaces will be featured
The angle of the shot
The crop of the shot
Whether or not the shot needs negative space
Depending on the context of the shoot, the number of columns can grow or shrink, but I find that these details help me envision photos step-by-step when I’m on set.
When should you make a shot list?
As soon as you’re done with your discovery process, get started on your shot list. Whether you’re taking this on or your photographer is managing the process, it’s important to get to work on this document sooner rather than later. That will give you plenty of time to source props, hire models, and anticipate any other needs you’ll have for the shoot. If I’m shooting in a studio environment, I require shot lists to be finalized three weeks ahead of the shoot date. If I’m shooting at home, I can be more flexible, and in those cases, I lock shot lists a week in advance.
How do you organize a shot list?
There’s no right answer here. Some photographers I know prefer to have a shot list made in order of priority—as in, which shots will get the most airtime. Some prefer shot lists to be arranged chronologically in order of which shots will be done when. Others still prefer to have them organized by product. For me, the organization of a shot list isn’t as important as the shoot plan, which we’ll talk more about next week.
What should I do after I make a shot list?
Once your shot list is finalized, it’s time to start making your official shoot plan! Tune in next week to learn more about this logistics-heavy process and how to prepare a shoot plan that will give you a great foundation for an amazing product photo shoot.