How I Plan And Prepare For My Photo Shoots

Picture from a recent photo shoot. 

Ever since I got into portrait photography, I have been consciously working on developing a repeatable process. My workflow has evolved quite a bit since I started out on this journey and continues to develop as I learn from new challenges. After every shoot, I jot down my notes in a little notebook and use it to refine my process.

I like to parse any photo shoot into three phases: Planning, Shooting and Post-Processing. Planning fills me with excitement and shooting gives me the most joy. However post-processing is a completely different story - it is my desire to get things done that gets me through this phase.

In this blog post, I would like to delve into the first phase. I follow a simple workflow to plan my shots:

1. I first look at the clients’ photos they have shared on social media and look for themes. They typically tend to share the ones they like a lot. This gives me an idea of what tends to make them happy and what personal features they are proud of 😊.
2. I then decide on the backdrops (indoors as well as outdoors) for the shoot. This involves physically visiting those spots and taking some test shots. Fortunately I am surrounded by very many picture perfect spots that serve as great backdrops.
3. I create a board on Pinterest for each shoot and start collecting ideas. I look for examples that are suitable for the client. For instance, I pin images that have similar hairstyle and facial features to that of my subject. If clients like to collaborate on this board, I share the board with them. If not, I keep it to myself. Some clients don't want to be bothered with all of this. They just want nice pictures and trust me to figure these things out. 
4. Next I make a list of shots I would like to take. This list includes the subject(s), orientation (landscape vs. portrait) and backdrop for each image. I end up taking a lot more photos (roughly 4x) than what I have down in my list. This list guides me well during the shoot. In case I get stuck, run out of ideas or the subjects start getting tired, I use this list to quickly change the scene or move on to other ideas.
5. Last but not least, I spend some time right before the shoot to charge the camera batteries, clear the memory cards and pack the bag.  I also review my list and the Pinterest board one last time before heading out.

For some reason every time as I head out for these sessions, I am completely petrified😨. I wonder what if I am not able to deliver? What if I ruin the relationship? What if I don't get a single decent picture? What if this and what if that ... It is nothing but my planning and preparation that helps me overcome my doubts. Eventually, I take that step forward with the fear still lingering...and roll with my plan! 

My First Writer/Illustrator Conference

Last weekend, I attended my first children's book writers and illustrators conference. The SCBWI (Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators) winter conference was held at the Grand Hyatt in New York. Well over a thousand authors, illustrators, editors, agents and bloggers congregated over two days to share, learn from and inspire one another.

#ny17scbwi

Here are my observations and takeaways from the conference:

My First Real Camera: Nikon D750

Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than spending big $$. But spend I did, splurge I did, on a full frame DSLR camera and a constant aperture mid-range zoom lens.

My new photography gear.
AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Lens mounted on a Nikon D750. 

Shopping for my camera was in and of itself an experience. A month long endeavor that included hours of online research, many conversations with friends, experts and multiple visits to the venerable New York institution - The B&H mega store. The B&H store is a gadget wonderland and a humongous one at that. Folks that work there are probably the most knowledgeable and the most helpful that you can find anywhere. The more specific you are, the more helpful they are. What I gleaned from my many conversations with them in person, online & on the phone could provide enough material for a full blown course in photography!