There is a process for a commercial photography session. Once you have clarified your vision and set a date, it’s time to create your shot list. Why, you ask? Can’t we just kind of wing it that day? We can, but having some structure means we all stay focused, organized, and efficient. That means you get more of the specific images you want.
Making a shot list can be overwhelming for some of our corporate clients. We want to demystify the process. The first step to help you organize your day is answer the following questions….
WHAT
- What is the overall feel or mood you want to create for your shoot? (light and modern, moody, lots of pops of color, and so on)
- Will you be using props for the shoot? (in an office: plants, paperwork, books, sticky notes, pens, mugs, branded items; in an industrial setting: specific products, drawings/plans. etc.)
- What will people be doing in the shots?
- What other actions will take place in the shots? (machinery running, people speaking, people collaborating, etc.)
- Are there specific kinds of background or environment you’re looking for? When are these spaces available?
WHO?
- Will there be people in your images? If so, who? Will you use employees, models, or other volunteers?
- How will you schedule the models? Will you group shots by the models in them or will you group shots by location?
- Will there be a company liaison during the shoot?
- Are there additional professionals involved: art director, set stylist, graphic designer, etc.?
WHERE?
- Where will the session take place? Will it be at your location, in our studio, or at an offsite location?
- If in your facility, where exactly will you set up shots?
WHEN?
- When will the shoot take place (time of day)? This can affect lighting and scheduling.
- What time of year will you schedule your shoot? Living in the Dayton/Cincinnati area means working around very changeable weather.
HOW?
- How would you prefer to schedule the shoot (by location, by models, etc)?
- How will you accommodate work schedules and people using meeting spaces?
We have faced a lot of challenges as a commercial photography studio and we can help you strategize as you work through the schedule for your photo shoot.
Pulling together a Pinterest board or tear sheet can help you get started. When you find images that speak to you it will assist you in conveying your vision to us.
Don’t be afraid to spend some time getting organized. We are happy to help you get started. After all, we want your day to be much more than a shot in the dark!
SAMPLE SHOT LIST
| Time | Location | People | Activities | Props |
| 9:30 | Drill press | Sam, Mike | Discussing plans; Sam operating the press; Mike using the computer screen | Hard hats and safety glasses; plans |
| 10:30 | Sanding station | Joe | Sanding (both from above and at the level of the sander); prepping the item to be sanded | Hard hats and safety glasses |
| 11:00 | Outside by the sign (weather permitting) | All employees | Group shot of all | None |
| 11:30 | Lunch break | |||
| 12:30 | Lobby and outside (weather permitting) | Executives (2) | Headshots (formal and casual) | Suits and ties |
| 1:00 | Conference room | Jess, Lisa, DJ | Meeting with plans in hand | Plans, mugs, pencils, highlighters |
| 1:30 | Conference room | Jess, Lisa, DJ, “client” | Client meeting; 3 on 1; 1 on 1; showing plans on TV screen | Plans, mugs, pencils, tablets, laptops, plans for TV screen |
| 2:00-4:00 | Light-
dependent |
All employees based on schedule to be supplied 2 days prior | Headshots – casual | None |
