The Work: Shooting With A Photographer

Through inexperience we have the opportunity to make choices with little to no knowledge of the outcome — these choices can result in mistakes, but they also leave room for sparks of genius. As we continue to practice a skill or craft, we refine our approach. We miscalculate less often. We continue to do what works and we discard what doesn’t.

Overtime, we develop rules that dictate our behavior and actions. If A, then B. These rules allow us to feel confident, knowing what to do even when the situation we’re encountering is new.

Even more significant than learning what someone knows, is to learn how and why they came to that conclusion. Here within “the work” we’ll discover the rules that experts in the fitness and wellness space have developed as they share how they arrived.

Shooting With A Photographer

The likelihood of you having to work with a photographer for personal or professional reasons is greater than ever. Professionalism has become synonymous with professional imagery — even when it comes to social media profiles. Working with a photographer for the first time can be an intimidating experience, but Matt has stepped in to provide guidance.

1. Collaborate on a Mood Board

You’ll have a better end-product if you communicate with your photographer effectively on the kind of imagery you’re after. The best way to do this is visually, through using mood boards. If you explain your idea to the photographer you can then both set out to create your own mood board separately then meet to bring your ideas together. Once you have done this you can then create a final mood board that you can use for reference leading into the shoot.

2. Working with the right models

Having a mood board sets the tone, but choosing to work with the right model(s) ensures proper execution of your concept.

Whenever I work with a model, I’ll sit with them and explain what I’m going for — showing them as much relevant imagery as possible, referencing the collaborative mood board. Once they see the imagery that we’re going for, they can take on the appropriate emotions and replicate poses or movements for your shoot.

Unsure on where to find the right model(s) for your shoot? Often photographers have connections with modeling agencies and can help you through this process.

3. Make yourself as clear as possible

When working with a photographer make sure you lay out clearly, everything you’re trying to achieve from the shoot.

This also includes discussing deliverables — how many final images you want to receive from the photographer and an agreement on the payment for the shoot. Potentially a contract if needed for your situation.

Have a list of shots you’re wanting to get so you can tick them off on the day. There's nothing worse than working with a client that gives no direction on the day and is then unhappy because they didn’t get the images they really wanted. Make sure you make yourself clear to the photographer on what you’re after — you and the photographer you’re working with will have a MUCH better experience.

I hope you all found these tips useful! Don’t hesitate to contact me on instagram if you have any questions!

Matt Pearson

@matt.pearsonn