How To Plan A Styled Photoshoot: The Ultimate Guide
Transform your vision into visuals ♡
Remember that iconic line, "You had me at ‘hello’”, by Renee Zellweger?
Well, it couldn't be more relevant when it comes to your brands online footprint.
Your website's vibe and the story it tells through captivating (and brand consistent) imagery are what will catch and keep your audience’s attention. But just how long do you have to make a first impression?
It takes about .05 seconds for a viewer to form an opinion about your website or social media feed – half the time that it takes to blink.
That means that someone has already formed an opinion about your brand in less than a blink of an eye. Source: 8ways
And it takes just another 2.6 seconds for that viewer's eyes to concentrate in a way that reinforces that first impression (Source: Missouri University of Science and Technology). That said, your first impression matters. A lot.
In today's fast-paced digital world, where snap judgments are made in the blink of an eye, planning a killer styled photoshoot is your secret weapon to success to an unforgettable first impression.
So, let's dive into the art of planning a styled photoshoot that not only captures your brand's essence but also ensures you're making a killer first impression, darling!
What Is a “Lifestyle shoot”?
In most cases, a lifestyle shoot is all about storytelling.
When applied to your brand, this means capturing real-life moments. Instead of focusing specifically on your product, service, or experience, capturing the “lifestyle” elements of your product looks a little different.
It means showing a family using your product in the comfort of their home. Or perhaps, you grabbing a coffee with a client discussing your blueprints and strategies.
Essentially, a lifestyle shoot aims to capture all things candid and authentic.
And hey, in a world that values authenticity, styled photoshoots may just be your secret sauce.
How can a Lifestyle shoot impact my brand?
Let’s just address the elephant in the room – commercial architectural shots hardly tell a story, if at all. Not to say that they aren’t valuable, they definitely are! However, the balance of commercial vs. lifestyle content is what makes a strong and authentic brand.
Take a look at the photos below from Summer Fridays, a popular skincare brand. The commercial photo is beautiful sure, but it’s the second and third that really evoke emotion and tell a story. The first says “luxury product”. The second and third say “This product was made for women like me.”
See the difference?
Styled photoshoots bring your online footprint and marketing from “I love it” to “I need it” – and I’m here to give you the inside scoop on how to plan a lifestyle shoot for yourself.
How To Plan A Styled Photoshoot For Your Brand
A clear, consistent visual identity is key for any business, large or small. But your branding and logo are only part of it! Let’s dive in to how to plan a styled photoshoot for your brand!
Today, I’ll be using one of our favorite clients, Americana Motor Hotel, as an example.
Step #1: Establish Your Goals
Start off with a strong foundation and answer these questions:
Where will these photos be used?
Who do you want to see these photos?
How do you want your target audience to feel after seeing these photos?
Will these photos will be used as evergreen content, for a specific campaign, or for a holiday/season?
To accomplish the items above, how many unique photos and/or videos will you need?
Clearly defining your objectives sets the stage for a purposeful and impactful shoot. For Americana Motor Hotel, we set the following goals:
Goal #1: Create unique seasonal content to be used during the winter months
Goal #2: Show lifestyle through high-quality brand consistent photos (as opposed to only reposting UGC)
After answering the questions above, we decided on a 4-hour styled photoshoot to generate around “#” unique shots around the hotel.
Pssssst – Write these down for later to share with your entire crew. Getting everyone on the same page with your goals will lead to a better and more cohesive end product!
Step #2: Create Your Budget
Ah, the hard part — creating the budget. Creating your budget isn’t just about watching dollars and cents – it's about making your creative dreams a reality without the financial nightmare.
We’ve managed styled photoshoot budgets from $750 to $15,000. The world really is your oyster! See below for a breakdown of two different photoshoots. This will give you a better idea of what to expect within different budgets!
Pssssst – After finalizing your budget, add another 10-15% for those pesky last minute expenses. The unexpected costs will getcha!
Step #3: Mood Board
Finally, something fun. It’s time to bring your creative vision to life! Dive into the realm of inspiration with a mood board.
Pinterest is our go-to platform for crafting the visuals and visions. Once you find around 3-5 images that match your vision to a tee, I’d recommend clicking on your board, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking on “See Similar Pins”. This lets the algorithm do the hard work for you!
Add your Creative Director, the photographer, and other collaborators to diversify perspectives and bring your creative vision to life.
See below for part of the mood board we created for Americana Motor Hotel!
Pssssst – Not finding images that match your vision on Pinterest? Head over to ChatGPT’s image generator, DALLE, to create the mood board images from scratch. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to use this feature.
Step #4: Start The Photographer Search
Ready to book your first crew member for the shoot? Now that you have a clear creative vision, this shoot make finding your perfect photographer a bit simpler.
Search through Google + Instagram to find a local photographer whose style matches your mood board. Pay attention to styling, use of natural light vs. flash, and their editing style to ensure that it’s in alignment! I’d recommend reaching out to 3-5 photographers that fit your vision so that you can compare schedules, editing timelines, and pricing.
Don't forget to discuss any additional fees for editing, usage rights, equipment, or travel.
Pssssst – Higher end photographers tend to charge extra for the items above (especially editing) and will be more likely to charge for usage rights. If you find a smaller (but still high quality) photographer, you will get a better bang for your buck.
Step #5: Book Your Venue
The backdrop matters! Your venue should seamlessly integrate with your branding and mood board, creating a cohesive visual narrative.
If you’re looking for a setting that mimics life at home, my favorite options are PeerSpace for hourly rentals or Airbnb for daily rentals. If you use Airbnb, make sure the host has specified their property as photoshoot friendly!
Other options could be booking a hotel room, renting a studio, shooting around the city, or reaching out to a local small business.
Pssssst – Book at least one extra hour before and after the photoshoot to allow for set-up and tear down.
Step #6: Find Your Dream Team
Consider your target audience – what models will resonate with your brand? Choose models that embody the spirit of your brand!
The easiest option is contacting a local modeling agency – but you’ll certainly pay for the convenience with hourly rates around $150 to $300/hour.
My favorite way to find + book models is through Instagram! Search for #phoenixmodels (or similar) to find an infinite list of local models! Independent models rates range greatly, anywhere from $50/hour to $200/hour.
Your photographer may also have connections with independent or freelance models. Use your photographers community + connections to your advantage!
Pssssst – Make an intentional effort to book a diverse group of models to better represent your community. Your customers and clients will appreciate it!
Step #7: Glam Squad + Stylist
A makeup artist (MUA) and hairstylist can add that extra touch of magic. Their expertise enhances the overall aesthetic, elevating your photos to new heights.
To find your hair and makeup artists, the easiest option is to book through a local makeup or hair salon. However, similarly to booking models, I love to hire talent using Instagram. Try searching queries like #phoenixmakeupartist, #phoenixmua, #phoenixhair, and #phoenixhairstylist.
Pssssst – Your photographer likely has recommendations for makeup artists and hair stylists. Lean on them to find a few local gems!
Step #8: Create Your Shot List
Your roadmap for the day – a shot list. Walk through these steps:
Navigate over to your Pinterest mood board and save all of the images to your desktop
Organize the images into groups. Which photos can be shot with the same models, outfit, and backdrops?
Prioritize. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to shoot everything on your mood board. What are your top priorities? I find that it takes at least one hour to shoot each “set” depending on the amount of set up needed and the number of people in the shot.
Your shot list should include all of your “must have” shots. I’d also recommend making a short list of “would like to have” shots for if you have extra time at the end of the day!
To show you our process, this is what our sets looked like:
And this is what our shot list ended up looking like once we added times:
Pssssst – I love to use MilaNote to organize my finalized mood board, shot list, and call sheet. It’s beautifully visual.
Step #9: Let’s Go SHOPPING!
If anyone having White Chicks flashbacks?
If you love shopping, you’re going to love this. And if you don’t, well, best of luck to you.
Take your shot list and begin sourcing outfits for each section! Here are a few tips to help you along:
Consult a stylist or a fashion-obsessed friend
Purchase items from the same stores to save on shipping costs (and to help with returns)
Keep your target audience, the mood board, and the overall “vibe” in mind at all times. This helps to keep the final photos super brand consistent.
Request your models sizes ahead of time and purchase clothing specifically for them. Your models will be more confident – and confidence speaks volumes on camera!
Don’t forget accessories – bags, jewelry, hats, matching phone cases, and lots of layers
Pssssst – Purchase a few extra pieces! In every styled photoshoot I’ve planned, I always end up wishing I had extra pieces to throw in. Plus, you never know how some of the pieces will fit your models until the day of the shoot. Backups are important.
Step #10: Props
Reference your mood board and shot list to create a shot-by-shot list of the props needed. After that, group your props into four categories:
Things You Already Have
Things You Can Borrow
Things To Buy New
Things To Buy Used
Get creative! My absolute favorite place to source props is Facebook Marketplace. For Americana Motor Hotel, I purchased two retro snowsuits and a paid of vintage skis – I think we can all agree that it totally makes the photo. It wouldn’t have been quite the same with a new snow suit or new skis!
Pssssst – A suitcase and clothing rack make transportation and organization a breeze. If your shooting location doesn’t have a clothing rack, this is an essential.
Step #10: Emergency Essentials
Prepare an emergency box – a lifesaver on set. Spoiler alert, I’ve used many items from the emergency kit on every set!
Pack these items to ensure you're ready for any unexpected challenges:
Clothing rack to keep clothing wrinkle free
A steamer + iron
Lint roller
Safety pins + a basic sewing kit
Makeup touch-up kit
Hairspray + a brush
Hair ties + bobby pins
A small mirror
Clips for ill fitting garments
Tape
Scissors
Pain killer + bandaids
Curling iron + flat iron
Pssssst – Make sure that the entire crew knows where the emergency kit is. They’ll likely need something from it throughout the day!
Step #11: A Nourished Team Is A Creative Team
A well-fed team is a productive team.
Did you know? Many sets don’t provide snacks + meals for the crew. Sometimes, they don’t even provide water. Don’t be like them!
That said, it’s unlikely that anyone on the team will sit down to eat a full meal. I prefer setting up a “craft services table” which refers to a grab-and-go area with a variety of snacks.
Pssssst – Gather coffee orders and dietary restrictions for the crew beforehand. You can have your assistant pick up a round of coffee, plus a catering order if you go that route.
Step #12: Create Your Call Sheet
Communication is key.
Your call sheet should include venue details, crew and model contacts, emergency information, a day schedule, and hair/makeup details.
Distribute this well in advance so that your crew can plan accordingly! Here is what our Call Sheet for Americana Motor Hotel looked like:
Step #13: Full Steam Ahead
The details matter — steam your clothes, then steam them again!
It takes longer than you think, so don’t leave this task until the day of. Trust us — the time (or money) that you spend steaming your clothing will still be less than having your photographer edit them out post-shoot.
Psssst — Bring a steamer on set to get rid of those last minute wrinkles that arise throughout the day. This is a great task for your assistant!
Step #14: It’s Your Big Day!
It’s time! It’s your moment in the spotlight!
On the day of the shoot, your responsibility is to keep the team energized, provide creative direction, and ensure your goals are at the forefront of your mind.
This is your symphony – conduct it with passion and purpose. Remember to rely on your assistant to take care of the little tasks so you can keep your sights focused on the big picture.
Psssst — Have a few extra moments throughout the day? Take some BTS (behind-the-scenes) footage. If you don’t, you’ll wish you had~
And That’s How To Plan A styled Photoshoot
So, there you have it – the art and science of planning a styled photoshoot.
Use our guide and send us an update on how your shoot went. We can’t wait to see how your shots turned out!
A Little Overwhelmed?
At Scott Social, we believe in turning moments into memories and brands into stories.
We love planning, organization, and creative directing photoshoots right here in sunny Arizona!
Wanna outsource your shoot to us? Contact us here. Let's create magic together!
WRITTEN BY:
Chelsea Evans-Flower
Founder + Social Media Strategist