Crafting the shot list, aka making the most of an architectural photo shoot

Today we're diving into a topic that's crucial for ensuring the success of your commercial interior photography shoot: crafting a shot list. Whether you're a seasoned documentarian of architectural work, or are simply embarking on your first commercial photography project, understanding how to optimize your shot list can make a world of difference in the outcome of your photoshoot. Let's explore how to create a shot list that maximizes content and efficiency, helping you get the most out of your investment.

Define Your Objectives: Before we dive into the specifics of your shot list, it's essential to clarify your objectives for the photoshoot. What message do you want your photos to convey? Are there specific features or aspects of your space that you want to highlight? What's the story of the design, engineering, construction, and end use? What came before this space was designed, and what hurdles were overcome? By defining your objectives upfront, we can tailor the shot list to align with your goals and ensure that every photo serves a beneficial purpose.

Identify Key Shots and Perspectives: Every commercial space has its unique selling points, whether it's the sleek design of an office lobby, a high-tech and efficient manufacturing or maintenance facility, or the cozy atmosphere of a restaurant's dining area. Together, we'll identify the key shots and perspectives that best showcase the essence of your space. This may include wide-angle shots to capture the overall layout, close-up shots of unique design elements, or panoramic shots to highlight the scale of the space. Oftentimes, walking through the space together in advance of the photoshoot makes all of this come together, allowing more time for photography and spontaneous creativity on the day of the photo shoot.

Prioritize Must-Have Shots: In the fast-paced environment of a photoshoot, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and overlook essential shots. That's why it's crucial to prioritize must-have shots in your shot list. These are the shots that are non-negotiable, representing the core features and characteristics of your space. By giving these shots top priority, we can ensure that we capture the essence of your space effectively. This is also why having a checklist and/or marked up site/floor plans is essential to avoid missing anything.

Consider Lighting and Timing: Lighting plays a crucial role in photography, especially when it comes to interior spaces. Before the shoot, we'll assess the natural light sources in your space and plan our shots accordingly. We'll also consider the optimal time of day for capturing certain shots to make the most of available light. Additionally, we'll bring in professional lighting equipment as needed to enhance and control the lighting conditions for each shot.

People, or no people: Some firms want every shot to include people in the spaces to help the viewer visualize scale, flow, and usefulness. Other firms want the spaces free of people to emphasize construction materials and design. Including people can make photos more dynamic, and the tradeoff is that each shot takes more time to complete because of the need for properly posing and coaching those models; we can help sort out that cost-benefit process based on your objectives, stylistic preferences, and budget.

Stay Flexible and Open to Creativity: While a shot list provides a roadmap for the photoshoot, it's essential to remain flexible and open to creativity. Sometimes, the best shots are the ones that happen spontaneously. Throughout the shoot, we'll remain responsive to the environment, exploring different angles, perspectives, and compositions to capture unique and compelling images that tell the story of your space.

Review and Revise: Once the shot list is finalized, we'll review it together to ensure that it accurately reflects your vision and objectives. We'll welcome your input and feedback, making any necessary adjustments to ensure that we're fully aligned. As we move through the shoot, we'll keep you updated on our progress, making sure that we're capturing everything you envisioned and more.

By collaborating closely and creating a tailored shot list, we can ensure that your commercial interior photography shoot is a proper success, both visually and for meeting your marketing objectives.

Stay tuned for more tips and insights from the zeraphoto blog! If you have any questions or would like to schedule a photoshoot, don't hesitate to get in touch.