Creating A Reliable Content Checklist For Shoot Day
So it happened again. Your last shoot was amazing. The light was right, the model was slaying, the energy was just right. But as you sit down to edit the roll, it hits you…
You forgot to take some videos to use for content. And I know, I know, it can be tricky and kind of annoying to have to worry about making content… But stay with me. When you have an easy checklist to reference and begin to work it into your shoot day flow, the results are so rewarding!
Besides having content to help bolster your business’s online presence, how often have you gone back to watch old videos you’ve taken from years ago? At its minimum, posting your work online provides a time capsule for this moment in your career.
Okay, enough waxing poetic about content! 😅 Let’s get to the nitty-gritty. As you capture content, be sure to keep the following tips in mind:
Steady and slow camera work
Long takes- it’s better to leave more on the cutting room floor than to not have enough!
Clean lens and avoid backlighting
Play around with “Cinematic Mode” on your phone camera if available
If you’re fresh at making content (or struggle to be consistent with posting), try starting with this checklist!
LOCATION
Examples might be exterior shots of the building, slow pans of the studio, set, or landscape. Bonus points if you’re in a few of them! If you’re shooting at a location that has an online presence, be sure to tag the location or social media handle.
2. DETAILS
Think of it similarly to how you’d think of a wedding shoot- you’d be sure to include detail shots of the rings, the bouquet, the veil, etc. So why not do the same with your shoots? These details serve as great B-roll footage to be mixed in with other content or recycled. Examples might be props and set dressings, costuming/model clothing details, accessories, etc.
3. Equipment
What camera are you using today? Are you using a different lens than usual? Or are you utilizing studio lighting or flash? Camera settings? We’re curious, and so is your audience! Show us how you make the magic happen.
4. ACTION
Clients understand that a shoot or session isn’t a one way street. So when they’re investigating photographers, it’s a bonus to be able to see a bit of your personality shine through your social media presence! Give them a taste of what a shoot day is like with you. Ultimate hack: Set up your phone on a tripod at 2-3 different points during the shoot and let the camera roll. Be sure to include yourself in some framings and the model in others.
5. BEHIND THE LENS
Everybody likes to peer behind the curtain! Don’t be afraid to capture life behind the lens or the realities of shoot day i.e. hauling gear and props, shuffling furniture and gear around, grabbing a quick coffee, getting a flat tire and having to postpone. In today’s AI-era, it’s refreshing to see real people be real people. Once again, bonus points for selfies! People love to see the artist behind the lens.
Let this list inspire you to handcraft your own checklist that’s tailored to you and your brand!
We’ll be back soon with tips and ideas for how to transform your batched content into a week’s worth of posts! Wanna be notified when the next post is live? Hop on our newsletter list and we’ll let you know <3
Happy shooting and batching!