How to Plan a Portrait Photo Shoot
- A DSLR or mirrorless camera body (at least two, if possible)
- Multiple lenses (35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses are among the best for portraiture)
- A set of backdrops so you can create different looks
- A few floors to help create the mood in the shot (and hide the floor in your workspace!)
- Lighting - even if it's just a single speedlight
- Extra memory cards and batteries
Image Credit: Kat Armendariz
So, you have a new camera, a few portrait photography accessories, maybe even a beautiful new portrait backdrop that you can't wait to test out.
The question is, what now? How do you put it all together into an awesome photo shoot?
If you're a beginner portrait photographer, this quick tutorial will give you some pointers to get you headed in the right direction.
Let's get to it!
Step 1: Get to Know Your Portrait Client
Image Credit: Kat Armendariz
Hopefully you have a clear idea of who you are as a photographer and what your aesthetic is.
But that's only part of the equation...
You need to know who your client is, apart from someone that wants their portrait made, that way you have a better understanding of how to proceed with the shoot.
I think my friend Kat Armendariz from HushXpose put it best:
Get to know your clients! Spend at least one hour with them just chatting about THEIR life weeks before the shoot.
That's sage advice because you'll likely find that the people you photograph have no idea what they want.
It's your job to figure that out, to interview them, to learn about their likes and dislikes, and what their personality is like, that way the photo shoot you create fits in with who they are and what they want. Really, it's all about planning and preparation to build a foundation for success!
Learn More:
Step 2: Devise a Concept
Image Credit: Kat Armendariz
Once you've got your client figured out, it's time to devise a concept for the shoot.
Portrait concepts are as varied as our personalities, so this step requires a little ingenuity and creativity on your part.
On the one hand, you want the shoot to have a discernible theme, but on the other hand, you don't want the photos to be kitschy.
The basis of the shoot can be just about anything - a color, an outfit, or something about the model's life or personality that's unique.
For example, the photo above by Kat has a gritty, sexy, grungy look, which was based on the client's wishes for a sexy photo shoot to celebrate her 40s.
The theme came out of the planning stage - Kat got to know the model, Emilia, beforehand - which allowed Kat to develop this dark, sensual back alley shoot.
The look was created in part with the model's wardrobe, but also by using elements that lend to the back alley theme - a grungy plaster and brick backdrop, a metal factory floor, and some well-placed crates.
And while outdoor portraits can certainly be beautiful, you can exert more control over the look and theme of the shot if you work indoors.
That is, you can tailor the set to a very specific aesthetic by using backdrops, floors, lighting, and other accessories to give your client the precise look they want in their photos.
Step 3: Be Prepared for Anything
Image Credit: Kat Armendariz.
The advice to "be prepared for anything" is admittedly quite vague, but you really do need to be sure you're ready to fix problems or change course without notice.
For starters, have all the gear you need for the photo shoot to go off without a hitch.
Though every shoot will be different, and every photographer has a different workflow, there are a few items that are really must-haves for any portrait photographer:
And that's just the start. As you progress in your career, you'll find that your kit grows to include additional cameras, more lenses, light stands, more lighting equipment, computers, fog machines...you name it!
Image Credit: Kat Armendariz.
You also need to be prepared for all your plans to be thrown out the window as well.
Though it's essential to plan and prepare for each shoot, you also need to be able to think on your feet, to recognize when a change of course is needed, and to be flexible so you can meet your client's needs.
That includes giving yourself more than enough time for the shoot. Sometimes a one-hour shoot can turn into a four-hour marathon - and that's okay! You just need to be prepared for those kind of eventualities.
Planning a portrait shoot is a lot like planning a road trip. There's tons of details to be accounted for, but sometimes once you get started, a different route becomes more exciting.
But if you take the time to get to know the model, develop a rockin' concept, get the right gear, and leave yourself open to change, you'll be in a good spot for your portrait shoot to go off without a hitch!
