How I prep for a shoot:
6 MONTHS PRIOR:
Ok, by now you should be booked with me if it is a big event (wedding, sporting event, etc). We have worked out the date, I’ve calendared it, you’ve maybe paid some/all of the deposit by now and hopefully we’ve met for coffee and flushed out some ideas/discussed what look you’re going for.
2 MONTHS PRIOR:
I like to check in with clients about once a month to see how they’re feeling and find out if they have any changes, new ideas or fresh inspirations. Anything can happen in a month’s time, so I like to be prepared. Is your cousin from Thailand attending? Maybe you haven’t seen her in several years and you want to make sure I get plenty of photos of you with her. Maybe you’ve updated your photo list for formal pictures after your wedding, due to a recent divorce within your family and there’s a little tension I need to be aware of so that I can make sure to keep certain people separate during photos. Maybe your 4-year old niece is your flower girl and she doesn't like photos so I'll need to bring my lens buddy Elmer (a squeaky elephant that wraps around my lens and elicits many smiles from little ones). Maybe you’ve decided your ceremony time is too late and you will miss the opportunity for Golden Hour photos if you don’t adjust the timeline of events. Maybe you just want to shoot me a link to your Pinterest board, where you have found some super cute ideas for engagement/senior photos. I like to be IN the KNOW.
A month or two prior to our scheduled shoot I will be doing MAJOR homework. I love, love, LOVE Pinterest, and I have created many boards for both scheduled and potential clients. I will share a few of these with you at the end of this post. I like to share my boards with clients who may be struggling for ideas, whether it's for outfits, makeup, accessories (jewelry, scarves, etc.) locations, poses, props...Pinterest also keeps me inspired, especially when I shoot at the same locations often. I'll check out other photographers and venues and gather some sweet new lighting ideas or discover new angles for capturing jewelry or bouquets.
A week or two away? Now we're getting down to the nitty gritty. I'll check in with you and make sure you are excited as I am about your upcoming date! Any changes? Be sure to let me know. If we're shooting at a location or venue I haven't shot at before, this is when I'll go visit and do a “BSW,” or my “Brain Storm Walkabout.” I'll scout out the area and get an idea of what kind of surroundings I'll have, what kind of shots would look amazing, and what lenses I'll need for those amazing shots. If it's a wedding, I'll check for power outlets so I know whether or not to bring portable chargers. I also try to think about coverage in terms of location in case it rains. We all know Texas weather can sometimes be a little unpredictable, so I like to have a backup plan in case you are unable to reschedule the shoot. Did I mention I like to be prepared?
The day before? Oh my gosh, remember when school would be about to start and you would be sleepless the night before? Yeah, that's totally me. I spend the day before readying my equipment. Batteries? Check. Lenses cleaned? Check. Flashes and camera body functioning? Check. Holster straps secure? Check. List of photos requested by you? Check. Timeline? Check. Extra batteries, lenses, etc.? Check. Plenty of memory cards to capture those awesome shots? Check. Then I double- and triple-check the starting time. This is also about the time I hope and wish and pray to the fair-weather gods to keep the skies beautiful for us the next day. Sometimes they are listening...sometimes they aren't! So much goes into my preparations to capture forever for you...in a photograph.
Pinterest Boards:
https://www.pinterest.com/IvyTendrils/bridal-party/