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Here’s what most people think it’s like for food and product photographers to run successful photoshoots:

 

1. Wake up around noon and have a leisurely cup of coffee in the studio
2. Set up your shoot with only inspiration and a dash of natural talent to guide you
3. Snap! Snap! Snap!
4. Stretch, have another cuppa, boost the brightness and contrast in Lightroom
5. Send your images off to the client with a staggering invoice, while the photoshoot mess magically melts away in the background

 

But you and I know differently, don’t we?

 

In reality, successful photoshoots require a lot of prep, sometimes hours of setup and shooting, an insane amount of cleanup, and thoughtful editing. {The coffee part is accurate, though. There is a lot of coffee involved.}

 

Over time, though, I’ve found that there are many ways to make photoshoots run more smoothly and therefore, a lot more enjoyably. And guess what? Some of those tips have nothing to do with the shoot, itself. Let’s talk about some of these, shall we?

 

1. Ask the right questions

 

Successful photoshoots are mainly the result of good planning. If you’re prepared, you spend less time agonizing over each step. So, go in knowing as much as you can so that there’s room to process the unexpected. And let’s be real — in most photoshoots, you will encounter the unexpected at some point.

 

For starters, I send out a client questionnaire to find out as much as possible about the project, right away. I also try to set up a discovery call with each client {this is very easy to do with Calendly} to get a feel for their needs and style.

 

On the call, make sure to ask all the questions that will allow you to run a successful shoot: how many images do they need, what are the images going to be used for, are you in charge of the cooking and styling, will the shoot happen on location, etc.

 

2. Set expectations

 

Clients are easier to work with when they know what to expect. And when your client has reasonable expectations, the photoshoot is a lot less stressful for YOU. This is something you start laying the groundwork for the second you receive their inquiry.

 

I recommend starting with a welcome guide that lays out your process. It helps your clients understand what they can reasonably expect from you, right off the bat. I sometimes use an onboarding packet instead, just depending on how the first touchpoint happens.

 

Your contract will play a big role in this, as well. {And yes, you should absolutely be using a contract!} The contract should state all the details they need to know about working with you. I recommend using an attorney who is familiar with photography rights, but many start with a contract template and that’s fine for the short term.

 

If you are going to use a template, definitely go to The Contract Shop, which is run by a former lawyer who really knows her stuff. These contracts come with a mini-course that walks you through all the clauses and how to customize your contract.

 

3. Communicate throughout the project

 

Don’t leave your client in the dark! Customers who are confused or unsure become dissatisfied very quickly. Make sure you communicate with clients as you go, even if there’s really not much to report. It’s a way of holding yourself accountable while continuing to offer your client an elevated experience.

 

Part of this is answering their questions before they even know they have them. Your welcome guide and contract are the first steps, and you’ll follow that up by sending invoices at the right times {Never wait for them to ask for it — you’ll be waiting a long time!} and emailing their preliminary photos for approval, etc.

 

 

4. Use tools to streamline your workflow

 

The main thing on your mind should always be your photography. Yet, we spend so much time stressing over the details and admin of our businesses!

 

Tools allow you to concentrate on the creative side without sacrificing professionalism. Here are just a few I like to use:

 

• Canva – I use this to put together beautiful mood boards and shot lists. I also designed my price sheet, welcome guide, and onboarding packet with it. Most of the cohesive branding in my business is thanks to this super-helpful tool.
• Pixieset – Image delivery is SO. MUCH. EASIER. now that I am using Pixieset. My clients can view previews and select images straight from a stylish, designed email. It only takes me a few seconds to put my images into Pixieset via the Lightroom plugin and send them out. I used to spend forever organizing file names and emailing links!
• Trello – Trello helps me stay organized and also helps me keep track of resources for my business. I have a board to store my branding kit, boards to help me keep track of my editorial calendar, and a mind dump board for raw ideas.
• Asana –  I recently moved my team projects to Asana and I can’t tell you how much I love it. I can keep all my projects organized while assigning tasks to team members with a due date, so nothing falls in the cracks anymore!
• HoneyBook – My CRM is a life-saver when it comes to keeping up with admin. It keeps track of client communications, sends out info when I need it to, and shows me where I’m at in my pipeline for every project.

 

Thanks to these tools, my head is clear when I’m preparing for successful photoshoots. I’m able to do my best work without stopping to run and answer an email I just realized I completely forgot about!

 

5. Follow up after your successful photoshoot

 

Don’t be a love-em-and-leave-em photographer. Cultivate relationships with your clients. Referrals and repeat work are your ultimate goals here, because they come with less admin.

 

When you have a strong, repeat client base, you’re not learning a new client every time. You’re also not TEACHING a client how your process works every time. But clients are busy, just like you and I are. To stay in their mind, you have to be proactive.

 

Once your project is over, reach out a couple of weeks later to make sure they have all they need. Ask for feedback and keep in touch! Encourage your clients to follow your business page on social media so that you pop up in their feed every now and then.

 

{Oh, and make sure to engage with their page, as well! Show encouragement when they hit a big milestone or make an exciting announcement.}

 

Running a successful photoshoot doesn’t always mean planning out your shots and setting up the right equipment. A lot of the prep happens when you least expect it! But laying the groundwork through smart client communication and systems will absolutely result in more successful photoshoots, every time. These are a few of the things we work on inside my group coaching program, the EDIT Framework. Make sure to get on the waitlist to get more information and to be notified next time I run the program!