Photography Direction: Option 1
Option No. 1
Focused Concepting, Planning + Preparing for your Photoshoot
STRATEGY | CREATIVE DIRECTION | SHOTLIST DEVELOPMENT | ART DIRECTION | STYLE DIRECTION
For standout, scroll-stopping, substantive brand photography, the key is a compelling direction paired with meticulous planning. With over 20 years of experience in directing and producing brand and commercial photoshoots, I know how thoughtful preparation makes all the difference.
Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming shoot or just starting to plan, I'll help you craft a unique concept and aesthetic that truly conveys your brand’s story. Our aim is to ensure your photos aren't just visually striking but also leave a memorable and lasting impression.
We'll start by developing a distinctive concept or narrative that serves as the foundation of your shoot, ensuring your imagery not only looks great but also tells a story that resonates with your brand’s identity. From there, I'll work with you to define your look, guide your poses, select props and settings, and create a detailed moodboard and shot list. This thorough planning ensures you'll be confident and ready on shoot day, capturing powerful imagery that truly represents your brand.
Here’s what this engagement includes:
Creative Concept Development: We’ll craft a unique, compelling narrative that forms the backbone of your shoot, ensuring your imagery not only dazzles but also communicates your true essence. This concept can also inspire broader branding efforts, from messaging to naming conventions.
Tone + Vibe: Together, we'll define the ideal tone and vibe for your shoot, covering the overall look, shoot type (lifestyle or studio), set and setting, and even your body language and expressions. We’ll create a comprehensive moodboard to capture this.
Details, Details: We’ll define your look, guide your poses, and select props and settings. From wardrobe and props to hair, makeup, and post-production effects, every detail will be meticulously planned to align perfectly with your brand and tell a compelling story.
Comprehensive Treatment & Shotlist: Receive a detailed photoshoot treatment, including a shoppable wardrobe and prop list, and a shotlist serving as your ‘north star.’ This guide will ensure you and your photographer capture your vision flawlessly, so you can show up confident and fully prepared.
6 Highly Collaborative Zoom Sessions: Work closely with me to refine every detail, ensuring a result you’ll be proud of.
Asynchronous Email Communication: Stay connected with me between sessions for any additional questions or adjustments.
Photoshoot Prep Guide: A thorough guide to help you prepare for your shoot day.
Complimentary Photographer Consultation: A 45-minute session with your chosen photographer to review the treatment and shotlist, addressing any questions they may have.
Here’s how it works:
This engagement is highly collaborative and co-creative. Most of our work takes place during a series of 60-90 minute live Zoom sessions, where we'll discuss and refine every detail of your photoshoot. Each session builds on the last, ensuring that the final result is something you’re not only proud of but can truly own.
01 – Strategic Discovery
Our journey begins with a deep dive into your brand. Before we meet, I’ll send you a comprehensive questionnaire to gather insights about who you are, your business vision, market, message, story, and aesthetic preferences. This information helps me understand the specific uses for your images, whether for web pages, social media, or other platforms, ensuring your photos meet targeted needs and create a cohesive "see and say" experience.
02 – Initial Debriefing + Brainstorming Session
Our first official session is a 90-minute exploration of your business, goals, and vision for the shoot. During this session, we’ll:
Discuss your initial thoughts, ideas, inspirations, and any plans you may already have in place.
Define the key hero shots needed and what each should communicate.
Explore the overall desired vibe of your shoot to determine the best approach and visual message to convey.
03 – Creative Concept Development Session
About a week later, we’ll reconvene for a session where I’ll present 1-3 high-level Creative Concepts, Themes, or Guiding Narratives. Together, we’ll review, select, and refine your chosen concept, which will serve as the backbone of your shoot. This concept will capture who you are, what you offer, and set the tone for your photoshoot. The finalized concept will be compiled into a Creative Treatment to share with your photographer, guiding all decisions moving forward.
04 – Shotlist Development & Planning
In the next two sessions, we’ll dive into the specifics of your photoshoot. Using your chosen Creative Concept as our guide, we’ll:
Map out your shotlist, discussing each shot in detail, including the set, setting, actions, wardrobe, and props.
Develop a comprehensive shotlist that will guide your shoot, ensuring you maximize your time and capture exactly what you need.
Your final shotlist will serve as the ‘North Star’ for your brand’s photoshoot.
05 – Wardrobe & Props
In our penultimate session, we’ll finalize the details around wardrobe, props, hair, and makeup to ensure you’re conveying the right vibe and message. As a trained wardrobe stylist, I can assist in creating shoppable wardrobe looks and props that align with your budget and are perfectly matched to your shotlist. This ensures you’re fully prepared and looking your best on the day of the shoot.
06 – Final Photoshoot Treatment & Shotlist
After our sessions, I’ll deliver a comprehensive Google Document that includes:
Photoshoot Treatment: This outlines your photoshoot’s overarching narrative and creative concept/theme, which can also inspire and inform your design and messaging efforts. This will contain both a moodboard that captures your photoshoot’s Look + Feel as well as a synopsis of your photoshoot’s overarching narrative and creative concept / theme (which can also be used to inspire and inform design, messaging should you be planning to elevate those in tandem with your photography). This is ideal to share with your photographer of choice to brief them on the vision.
Shotlist: A detailed shotlist mapping out 8-10 hero shots and primary scenarios, complete with all corresponding details and reference images to set the tone and stage. Each key scenario typically includes additional shots and variations. Here’s an overview of what is included for each shot:
Set + Setting: Environment/ location/ backdrop
Situation/backstory
Your actions and/or expressions to ensure you’re communicating the right message.
Suggested Wardrobe Looks as well as Props for each shot so it’s easy to know what to grab, what to wear – and when.
Recommendations for props that will help to further tell the “story” and send the right signals.
High-level post-production graphic or effect recommendations (if applicable).
(Shoppable) Wardrobe & Prop List: A curated list of 6-8 “looks” to ensure you’re giving off the right “vibe” along with props that can help you tell your story - all linked for easy purchase if desired.
This document will be your invaluable resource, guiding you through photoshoot preparation. It will serve as the North Star for your photoshoot, helping your photographer understand your vision upfront and guiding both of you throughout the shoot.
07 – Photoshoot Prep Guide
I will also provide a Photoshoot Prep Guide—an essential tool to help you prepare for your big day on set. This guide includes tips on everything from undergarments to beauty prep, to mindset and logistics, ensuring you’re ready to shine.
08 – Complimentary Handoff to Your Chosen Photographer
If desired, I can meet with you and your photographer to walk them through your photoshoot’s direction and shotlist. I’ll add any necessary details and answer any questions they may have, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready for a successful shoot.
Your final document will serve as an invaluable resource that will help you to properly prepare for your photoshoot so that you can walk into your big day feeling ready, radiating confidence knowing that you will be walking away with EXACTLY the right images that you will need that communicates EXACTLY the right messages to your audience.
The Investment
The Investment for Option 1 is
$5500*
*Pricing is based on ideation and direction for one core brand, focusing on 8-10 primary “hero” shots or scenarios.
The quoted price assumes one person as the primary subject of the shoot. If additional subjects are included, the cost will increase by approximately $500 per individual to cover extra wardrobe selection.
Please note that all pricing is subject to change.
Please ALSO note that I recommend completing this service a bare minimum of 6 weeks prior to the shoot itself to ensure that you have plenty of time to source wardrobe items, props etc.