Getting it right on a photo shoot means keeping it Brief

There are many things to consider when getting it right, particularly for a photo shoot.

In this instance, the Brief: getting all the required shots and meeting the deadline may sound like a straightforward task, but with countless intangibles usually popping in to disrupt a photo shoot, sticking to a Brief can become a tricky task.

A lot of pressure is on the photographer to deliver, and not just the shots. They have to have a creative edge to them, as well as being correctly composed, exposed, and delivered ‘ready to eat’ by the client’s audience (as in ready to see/experience) in record time too. On time, on budget and most importantly, on Brief.

It’s a real pat on the back when a client praises me for keeping my cool, and not letting the pressure of a deadline, or getting the right look for the shot, get to me. It’s crucially important to keep calm, and not lose your head whilst on a shoot. An effective Brief will assist a professional photographer in achieving this end goal.

The photographer has to come up with the goods, no matter what is going on - erupting volcano, stroppy model, inconsistent British weather. The motto ‘Keep Calm & Carry On’ is a useful one to bear in mind at times, and it’s carried me through in the past.

One useful way to prepare for such a potential calamity is to have a crystal-clear client Brief: a list of shots needed and a template or layout into which the images will go. Also, schedule - this is essential, because you need to know what to shoot, when, and where.

Clients – ensure you get the very best from your photographers by Briefing them well.