3 Steps to Plan Brand Photo Shoots + Creative Content in 2020

Is anyone else ready for a haircut?

I sure am, so much so that I’ve placed my bet on a future date with a tentative booking in the chance it can happen by then. While none of us know exactly when things will open, we do know that when salons get the green light: those spots are going to book up quickly and if you don’t plan ahead, you may be in line for a while. After chatting with clients and photographer friends, I’ve realized that photo shoots will likely book up as fast as fresh highlights.

Whether you’ve already tentatively booked a shoot with a photographer, or just know you’ll have brand photo needs within the next three months, I want to be sure that YOU are first in line, prepared for what’s ahead and equipped to keep content cruising in the mean time.

Smitten Ice Cream SF Product Shot

1. Find the right photographer and book that shoot (Tentatively, or remotely)

My clients who have already committed to shoots will get priority (we’re talking March/April/May shoots and new bookings), and other photog friends have said the same. So if you inquire after it’s already safe to shoot under your local regulations, you’ll likely face much longer wait times for a shoot date. 

Take the time right now to have conversations with photographers, find someone who’s a great fit for your brand goals and determine the right package for your content needs. (Product brands think roughly three months, personal brands plan for roughly six).

And if you’re a product brand? Book a remote product shoot with a photographer to cover urgent needs.

2. Knock out creative strategy and production prep work

Most of my shoots involve at least three weeks of prep work, either on my end and/or my client’s.

If you can get ahead by doing all of the preparation now, when that shoot date can happen it will require much less time and effort to bring it to life. And, as with any great shoot planning: the photos will be higher quality and more strategic, too).

A few things that you and your photographer can plan for immediately:

  • Make a style guide and shoot mood board

  • Create or update your visual brand content plan (from web to social, email to blog)

  • Develop a creative brief for each shoot

  • Build out a detailed shot list

  • Source on-brand props

  • Scout locations digitally (my 5 favorite resources for shoot locations)

  • Coordinate the right team (from assistant to stylist to talent)

3. Continue to prepare content like it’s going to be a while (and cross your fingers that it won’t)

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best right? 

While I sure hope we can start small group or 1:1 shoots together within the next month, let’s not let your entire content plan revolve around the wait on IRL shoots because ultimately, it’s not something we can control. 

Figure out a way you can take control of your content right now, and out build beautiful photos and creative content for the next 8 weeks. Okay but, HOW? Check out my free 10-page guide here: Six Ways to Keep Brand Photos & Content Moving Forward (while IRL productions are on pause).

If you do to get fresh photos before then: YAAAAS! If not, you’re still covered and moving your brand forward. Also: YAAAAAS!

Not sure where to start?

I offer a few free 15-minute brand photography and content consulting calls every week, snag a spot here and we can brainstorm for a few together!

photo tipsTory PutnamComment