How to know you’re prepared for your shoot as a photographer

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 1. Create a shot-list for the day.  Hopefully you’ve done your due diligence with consultations, pre planning, pre vis, and any other “pre” work that makes sure that you and the client are on the same page in terms of style, expectations, and deliverables for the shoot.  With that done you can make a shot-list for the day.  You don’t necessarily have to check the shot list while on the shoot, but just making it will give you a solid game plan that can realign you if you ever get off course with the chaos that can erupt on any given shoot. 

2. Check your equipment…then check it again, and one more time just for safety!   Lay out every piece of equipment that you will need for your shoot.  Take SD cards out of your cameras, format the SD cards, clean your lenses, look at all attachments for your gear, and then do it again.  The greatest anxiety you can have as a photographer is the feeling that you have forgotten an essential piece of equipment.  Doing your check’s to make sure this doesn’t happen will keep your heart rate down and give you a solid chance at performing well.

3. Arrive early.  I think this is the advice I give on almost every blog, lol, but it definitely bears repeating.  There is nothing that has helped me be successful on shoot after shoot like arriving early, and I mean very early most of the time.  It is a fail safe that alleviates most problems.  If you forgot step 2 and didn’t check your equipment then you might have time to go back or purchase what you need.  If you didn’t scout your location then you have time to adjust where you’re going to shoot.  If you have a spark of inspiration then you’ll have time to plan out your changes.  Plus you’ll always get off on the right foot with your client.  Arrive early and often you’ll have success.

4. Scout your location beforehand.  This piece of advice can take your photography from mid to great.  When you go to a location beforehand you’re able to make educated decisions about lighting based on the elevation of your area and surrounding objects.  You’re able to move quickly between parts of your session because you know exactly where you want to position your subjects.   It also will greatly impress your clients and that’s never a bad thing.

5. Be kind and open to suggestions.  Never forget that your job as a photographer above all else is to ensure that your client’s enjoy themselves and feel comfortable on camera and working with you.  Be kind when making suggestions about posing or where to stand.  Adding a little “Would you mind” or “Could you possibly” might seem awkward to you, but it can ensure you don’t come off as a drill sergeant.  Listen to them if they have ideas.  You don’t always have to follow them if they conflict with the schedule drastically and will steer the day off course, but you can be kind enough to give weight to their words. 

Thank you, kindly. 

-Tarver Petersen