In each of my photoshoot blog posts, I go over certain details I work out to determine how a specific photoshoot will work out. But beyond those finer details, I do actually have a pretty general process I use with all of my photoshoots. I gave a little bit of detail in my last post, but I thought the topic was deserving of its own post.

Because each photographer has their own method and process, this might look very different to your own. However, I always find learning about others’ creative processes never hurts, and you can often find good tips or ideas in that learning.

Before a photoshoot can even begin getting planned, I need ideas for my photoshoots. I try to keep my mind open to any kind of idea that might intrigue my photographer’s eye, and keep several different lists about various things that inspire me. I keep these lists handy on my phone, so if something jumps out at me– through TikTok, my Instagram feed, a song, a location– I can jot it down right away. Sometimes entire concepts come to me, sometimes just a snippet, like a pose or piece of clothing. Keeping your mind open allows creativity to blossom, and gives root to my photoshoots.

Upon choosing a photoshoot concept, whether it’s fully planned out or just a snippet, I get into my pre-photoshoot planning phase. Once I’m attached to an idea, I like to carry it out as soon as possible, and ideally plan the shoot within a week of getting into this planning phase. I create a folder in my computer files of visual inspiration (the mood boards I share in some posts) that help me to really see the photoshoot in a concrete way. I get most of these images through searching key words and phrases on Google Images, though I’ve used Pinterest and Instagram “Saved” folders in the past as well.

Once I have my mood board set and ready to go, I start bringing it to life. I determine the location I want, which sometimes involves having a few options to go to on the day of the shoot, or picking a location from my list of previously scouted options. I determine the model– whether it’s someone else, or I choose to do self-portraits– and confirm availability on the day of the shoot as well as at the location. Once I have these two things secured, I can get into the more fun aspects, like gathering any props I need. Sometimes I’ll make the props, other times I will go to thrift stores or the dollar store in order to find them. I also have a basket in my room dedicated to photoshoot props, either ones I’ve used in the past or things I’ve found that have inspired me that I’m saving for a future photoshoot. Sometimes I’ll take props from there as well. I determine the outfit, makeup, and hair look I want, adding more images to my photoshoot concept folder as needed.

Once this has all been planned and prepped, we can move forward to the day before the shoot. I prep all my camera gear, making sure my SD cards have free space and my camera batteries are charged. I pack my bag, as well as any other props or equipment I need. Even when I’m planning on doing a photoshoot in my own home, I still like to gather everything I will be using in the photoshoot and have it all in one area so that I can double check everything.

On the day of the shoot, I do any necessary at-home prep (usually consisting of wardrobe, hair, and makeup) and then travel to the determined location to start shooting. My style of photography is very much of the philosophy that if you take a hundred photos, one is bound to be good. I like to have options, and continual shooting allows me to capture small differences in posing or lighting that may greatly affect a photograph’s outcome.

Upon returning home from the photoshoot, I usually get to work right away on my computer, uploading the images from my SD card to three locations: my computer, my removable hard drive, and Google Photos. Backing up my photos in these three places ensures the photos won’t be lost as well as ensuring I have easy access to the pictures whenever I may want them. I’ll then usually go through the photos in a folder on Google Photos and “favorite” the images I like best, and then go through the “Favorites” folder in order to further narrow down which images I will spend time editing. I will either download the photos to my phone and edit them through VSCO, or upload them to Photoshop and Lightroom on my computer if I want a more detailed, exact edit.

I’ll edit the photos, and then share them in a number of ways. I have a few photography clubs I’m a part of, so if the photos were in response to a prompt from one of the clubs, I’ll share it on those platforms. If not, I’ll usually share my favorite photoshoot’s images to Instagram and VSCO. I’ll also be sure to send a copy of all the raw images to any models I work with, so that they can use the images as well if wanted.

And then, I do it all over again.

I hope this provided some insight into my entire photographic process, and was at least a bit interesting. What’s your photographic process like? Tell me in the comments below!

Until next time.