Any successful photography session requires a great deal of planning and experience to create a productive, efficient and successful result. From a simple group of products on a white background to a wedding to a portrait to an advertising session in a store. I’ve found it’s so important to be prepared for potential problems and to make certain my client and their staff are on board fully understanding what we need in order to accomplish the best end result possible with as little interference with their business as possible.
Planning creates ideas in advance and during the session
I have planned full photography shoots in stores from contacting store managers and asking them to involve their staff to hiring the necessary support to get the job done. Imagine if I’m taking a portrait of a staff member and they don’t know about it in advance. Obviously, the company wants to put their best foot forward. You know what, the staff want to look their best too! Have their hair done, wear clean pressed clothing. People enjoy having their picture taken with me especially when they’ve been prepped in advance.
I recently took a family portrait. The mother and I discussed a detailed approach in advance. She took it upon herself to take care of everyone’s clothing. She even bought her grandchildren new coordinated outfits. She was amazing! The end result ended up proudly framed in their living room.
I watched a National Geographic video years ago where a photographer said the actual photography was 10 – 20 % of the job. SO true! A great photographer has to invest that time and effort (and enjoy it) towards the creation of the final image(s). It’s that complexity, the relationships, the details, the teamwork that makes this job so incredibly fun and interesting.
Planning a photography session builds opportunities
What I have always experienced is that planning a photography session actually builds unexpected opportunities during the session. Planning and preparation equals freedom to create. Early in my career I was photographing a cover for a brochure with an art director (AD). He showed me 2 versions of a scientist. One was of a very conservative scientist seated attentively with a beaker and a bunsen burner. It was the version the client wanted. Once we had done it successfully the AD moved on to the one he knew was more powerful but was not the one the client had chosen.
This version was of a mad scientist. Hair and tie all askew . White lab coat buttoned unevenly working madly beside the same bunsen burner and beaker. The AD was confident the client would go for the second one while fully understanding the need to show both. He was right our client loved the mad scientist version he simply couln’t see it until he saw the result laid out on the page.
They even made mugs for clients using our mad scientist image
Planning led to the best possible outcome for the client. It doesn’t get any better than seeing my clients beam from ear to ear excited to share their baby (using my photograph) to the world!