Photography Side Hustle
Photography Side Hustle
Your First Paid Shoot Checklist
Episode 180 - Things you need to do or put in place before your first paid shoot.
The Transcript page - https://photographysidehustle.com/180
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Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones, and this is episode 180 of the Photography Side Hustle podcast.
This week, I am pleased to say that the podcast has passed 250,000 downloads. That number just blows me away. So, if you have listened to all 180 episodes or this is your first time listening to me waffle on, thank you.
Okay, let’s get on with this week's episode …
Your First Paid Shoot Checklist
These are things you will need to do or have before your first paid shoot.
So let’s get started with …
Example Compositions
Now, I mentioned this two episodes ago. When I was new to all this, I didn’t know any poses, so I printed out examples of poses other photographers had taken and kept printed copies in my bag so that I could check them out when I needed a new pose. Well, this week, I found a better way to do this.
Taylor Jackson mentioned it in one of his videos, and I think he got it from another photographer whose name I can’t remember.
So, instead of printing the examples of poses you want to copy, you take a photo of them with your camera. You do this after you have formatted the memory card, so they are the first few. When you want to check them out, you look at the camera's LCD display instead of rifling through your bag. Your customer won’t know anything about it. Absolute genius!
Okay, next is …
Contracts
So, I covered the things that should be in a contract seven episodes ago.
Make sure you use one for every session that you book.
You need to use a contract to protect yourself. It lets you list what you will do for the customer and how long the shoot and editing will take. You can also state what you and the customer are responsible for, which will reduce any misunderstandings.
A contract makes you look more trustworthy and professional in the customer's eyes. If anything goes wrong, you both know what will happen next.
It also gives a detailed breakdown of what the customer is paying for, showing your rates and any extra fees. This cuts any surprises when it’s time for them to pay.
So start using them straight away.
I set up a gallery this week on Pixieset. I noticed they offer contracts in their packages, so I think that is another great reason to use a company like Pixieset for your business.
Next …
Consultation
You need to chat with your customer sometime before the session. Everything needs to be discussed, like pricing, when payment is due, the shoot location, what they want from the session, how long before they get the prints or files, what they are responsible for, and lots of other stuff.
If you don’t know what your customer wants, making them happy is a guess.
The session is for capturing photos, not discussing everything else. Have a list of questions for your clients and give them what they want.
One way you can make them happy is by using a …
Shot List
It doesn’t matter if the photoshoot is for headshots, family portraits, or a wedding. You need to make sure you get everything they want.
A shot list for family portraits can be quite long, but a wedding shot list is something else. I used to get the couple to give me a list of all the photos they would like. So the couple with both sets of parents, or the bride with all her cousins, that kind of thing.
Not only does it tell you how many posed photos you will need to take, but it also gives you an idea of how long it will take. If they give you a list of 50 combinations, and you only have 90 minutes to get everything done, including the wedding party photos, they will have to reduce the list a little.
Shot lists are great to have, and they will make your life so much easier.
Management Software
The best time to start using management software is when you are starting out. Using one will help you with everything from invoicing, scheduling, contracts, websites, galleries, and sales.
Again, companies like Pixieset and Smug Mug offer all-in-one packages.
It’s way easier than using separate software for each step in the process. It’ll make not only your life easier but also your customer’s too. The simpler the process is for the customer, the more professional you’ll look.
Scout the Location
When you get your first bookings at locations you haven’t worked at, you need to scout them before the day of the shoot.
If the session is booked for 4 pm on a Saturday, check out the location two or three days before at 4 pm. It’s no good turning up at 10 am because the light will be totally different. The sun will be low in the sky to the East at 10 am and low to the West at 4 pm.
Being able to see what the location is like allows you to plan the shoot. Even if it’s sunny one day and overcast the next, it’ll still give you a chance to think about compositions instead of winging it on the day.
Shoot in RAW
I know capturing your photos as JPEGs is easier, but you must shoot in RAW.
When you shoot JPEG files, you allow the camera to edit the image for you. However, if the photo is over or underexposed, it is not always possible to correct it during editing.
RAW files have all the data that the camera captured and can be edited in any way you can imagine.
Editing a RAW file doesn’t take long once you get the hang of it. When the edit is finished, you export it as a JPEG that is ready for printing or sending to your client. If, weeks later, the customer asks for a black-and-white version of an image, you can open up the RAW file in Lightroom or whatever program you use and make another JPEG copy in black-and-white.
Trust me, you need to shoot in RAW.
Next is …
Batteries and Memory Cards
The same rule applies to batteries and memory cards. If you think you need two, take four. You can never have too many of them.
Imagine shooting a wedding and telling the couple you must leave early because all your cards are full or a card failed and you don’t have a replacement.
You are a professional photographer, so you cover every eventuality.
Okay, last but not least …
Take Some Photos Before the Event
This is a simple one. Take a few photos and make sure everything works as it should. The bodies, lenses, and batteries are good to go. Also, make sure there is a memory card in the body. Do you have batteries for your flash?
I had done this before and realized I didn’t have a memory card in the camera. Then I checked my bag and remembered they were still in my office.
A simple run-through will stop a major screw-up.
Someone is paying you to get it right on the day, so don’t disappoint them.
Okay, that is your checklist for your first paid shoot or any shoot really.
Like I always say, if you need help with anything, you can find me in the Facebook group, Messenger, Instagram, and Threads. I am more than willing to help.
Right, I’ll be back next week. Don’t forget, always shoot in RAW.