Excellent photography is an important piece of the puzzle for almost any brand. What better way to showcase your new creation than a well-lit, immaculately styled photo for use on your website, trade show posters, and in printed collateral? We deal with all kinds of photo shoots for clients, from location shoots with models to individual products silhouetted on seamless backgrounds. The photo shoot can be a critical component of your brand’s campaign, and getting the best possible results has a big impact on its success.
We like to walk into the photographer’s studio or location well prepared, since the clock usually has been ticking since before we showed up. Have you ever felt a bit unprepared and it seemed like you’re missing the mark? It’s important to know the right questions to ask in advance of your next photo shoot to maximize the valuable time you have behind the camera lens. This is not a suburban mall photo studio open for business any afternoon of the year; it’s a skilled professional studio that charges accordingly. There has to be careful forethought and planning to get all the pieces together at the right time and to stay on budget. Here’s a checklist to ensure you get the most out of your photo shoot.
1. The Shooter
Who will be your photographer? We work with a number of highly experienced photographers, but depending on what’s being shot and the context that it will be captured in, we may select one shooter over another. Some are good with static shots and have a great seamless studio set for capturing well-lit images that make featured aspects pop. Other photographers specialize in location shoots with talent, and still others are experts at complex compositions. It’s important to know who has the precise skill set and aptitude to help your brand shine.
2. The Location
Next you need to consider what location best suits your needs. Is the shoot for an online retailer requiring only a small studio to feature the product on a white silhouette? Would shooting on location in a mechanic’s garage help convey the legitimacy and quality of a hand tool? Perhaps a location in a metropolitan loft space is needed to convey the brand’s aspirational lifestyle. Ultimately there are myriad options and choosing the correct one can be the difference between a lackluster brand representation and one that romances your brand.
3. The Season
The time of year can play into your decision as well if an outdoor scene would benefit the brand attributes. Do you need the bright blues and greens of spring and summer as your backdrop, or are fall leaves or muted winter hues more appropriate? Would it be worth an extra day of scouting to find the ideal location so you don’t need to spend countless hours editing what you captured during post-production?
4. The Product
Finally, be absolutely sure that your product is ready to be photographed. Do you need to shoot it right now, in time to be included in a big holiday sale, or would it be more prudent to get the prototype right first, and save time spent retouching all the imperfections in post-production? Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
The weather is notoriously unpredictable, locations aren’t always available, and products can get damaged in shipping. You can’t always control all variables and possible outcomes. But if you start by asking these questions, you can make sure that you are prepared to get the right shot before the camera shutter clicks for the first time.