Photoshoot Planning & Production

1. Shoot Categories 
2. On-set Roles & Responsibilities 
3. Team Hierarchy 
4. Creative Direction 
5. Still Image Production 
6. Styling Workflow 
7. Tips & Advice

Shoot Categories 
Many different categories of photoshoots. Often a project will span multiple categories. The following types of shoot are separated by their technical, practical and creative requirements; 
>Fashion 
>Beauty (make-up, hair)
>Still Life (objects)
>Portrait/Celebrity (focus more on the model and their personality)
>Commercial (working with a client, lot of prep)
>Location (consider weather, have back up plans, places to change) RECCI- Check the area, take test shots beforehand


On Set Roles & Responsibilities 
On any given photoshoot their are a number of essential roles required to craft an image. In regards to fashion and communication shoots, time is the most valuable asset. On more demanding, high stake projects a huge number of people are involved in image production. The following list outlines the job titles you might find on the set of a high-end still image editorial or campaign shoot;
>Model/Talent
>Photographer
>Photographic Assistant 
>Digi Tech/Digi Op (checking focus, fixing things, colour...)
>Stylist (fix things that are out of place)
>Styling Assistant
>Art Director/Creative Director (plans shots down to the smallest detail, layouts...)
>Set Designer (props, set dressing...)
>Set Design Assistant 
>Movement Director (model poses, dynamics, fashion shows)
>Hair Stylist (checking/fixing hair during shoots)
>Hair Assistant
>Make-Up Artist 
>Manicurist/Nail Technician 
>Seamstress (adjust clothing on set)
>Chaperone (children under 18)
>Director 
>DOP: Director Of Photography
>Camera Assistant 
>Sound Technician (video/interviews/live/BTS)
>Producer (co-ordinating everything/planning/getting people on and off set/runway/schedule)
>Production Assistant 


Team Hierarchy 
Chain of Command: Every team, client or industry sector has their own way or working and emphasis/focus. An editorial shoot for Vogue will have a very different approach to a campaign with Clarkes. Regardless of the category of shoot, it is always very important that there is clear communication and decision making on set. 


Creative Direction 
An essential component of any professional photoshoot. A creative document pre-shoot and serves various functions;
>Provide sign off for client/publication/agency (cover your own back)
>Ensure the creative team are all on the same page (moodboards/plans)
>Keep on set decision making efficient 

>Concept/Creative Brief (moodboard notes)
>Location/Set/Props
>Casting (models)
>Departmental Direction (props)
>Shot Lists (story boards)
>Layout/Dimensions (banner/bleed/crops) BLOWOUT&GO


Still Image Production 
Essentially the organisation of all of the logistical elements of a photoshoot. In some cases this is entirely non-creative, but at it's most effective, a producer or production company works as a harmonious partner with the creative team to realise their vision. On smaller projects the responsibilities of producing the shoot is often shared between the leading creatives. 

>Interpreting Creative 
>Location Scouting 
>Casting (meet models/headshots/concepts)
>Equipment Rental
>Travel & Accommodation 
>Catering (full day shoots)
>Scheduling (commercial)
>Call Sheets (planning/production, times, address, important numbers)


Styling Workflow 
Vision, Hustle, Punctuation 
Fashion styling (as with many jobs in the industry) involves a fair amount of 'ego management'. Once you've made friends with the gatekeeper, PR teams, your first responsibility is to manage the logistics of your look requests. You will work closely with the client/publication and the photographer as well as the talent/model. As with production, styling requires careful planning and organisation in addition to creative intuition in order for it to be delivered effectively. 

>Styling ABC (Creative >Look Request >Collection >Fitting > On set> Packing> Credits> Returns)


Tips & Advice
-Communicate clearly during pre-production.
-Time is your most valuable asset.
-Over plan, have backups but be flexible on the day 
-Solve problems, don't make them.
-Negative energy can kill a shoot, keep it positive.
-Look after the model, and your fellow team.
-Respect the hierarchy, be polite to everyone. 
-Food, drink and music is essential.
-Collaboration is the key to strong creative.
-Take responsibility for your fashion communication.