Whether you’re a neophyte or a seasoned photographer, you know that photoshoots don’t usually go as planned. There are a lot of things that could go wrong. Your camera and other equipment might suddenly fail to work on the day of the shoot. The models might not make it on time. Worse, the weather may not cooperate just after you take out your equipment.

Indeed, there are things beyond your control that can ruin your photoshoot. But for the most part, you can do something to make sure the event goes on as planned. If you want your photography sessions to go as smooth as possible, here are some tips and tricks for a hassle-free photoshoot.

1. Organize And Protect Your Tools
Photographers rarely bring just a camera to a photoshoot. The tools of the trade typically include studio lights, tripods, reflectors, several lenses, and camera flash units. Sometimes they also bring props and backdrops with them, particularly for food or product photoshoots.

Because of the number of things you need to bring, you’ll need something to carry and protect all these tools. Photography equipment can be expensive, particularly the lenses and cameras. So, it would be a great idea to invest in high-quality camera bags & cases that have paddings for added protection.

Also, before your scheduled shoot, you might want to organize everything in a case, so you can easily access all your equipment later. You don’t want to interrupt your shoot just because you can’t find the right lens or you can’t find your SD card.

2. Be Ready To Use Your Mobile Phone Camera
The photosensors and computational photography features in smartphones today are remarkable. They have features that can easily compete with larger digital cameras. Thus, it would be a shame if you did not take advantage of mobile phone cameras.

That said, it would be best for both hobby and professional photographers to study their smartphones’ features.

3. Do Your Best With The Situation
If you’re a new photographer, you have a long way to go to master the necessary skills for a hassle-free photoshoot. For some, it may even take years before they gain enough experience to hold their own successful shoots. But if you want to make a living out of your photography, you must learn great photo shooting skills to keep clients knocking on your door.

As mentioned earlier, anything can happen in a photoshoot. If you’re having an outdoor shoot, you may encounter sudden rain or wind gust. As a professional, you should try your best to prepare yourself for eventualities. For example, check the weather reports or apply for the necessary permits ahead of time. If something unexpected happens, don’t panic. Try to assess your situation and make do with circumstances.

4. Create A Mood Board
Photography is an art, but it doesn’t mean you don’t need to plan and prepare a mood board or a theme for your photoshoot. Yes, inspiration can come to you as you press your camera shutter. But it would help if you had a plan to prepare for the right location, perfect models, appropriate props, and necessary photography tools and equipment.

So, whether you’re just doing a prenuptial photoshoot or preparing for a photo exhibit, it would be a big plus if you spend time preparing and brainstorming with your team. Pre-planning is also crucial to ensure everything about the photoshoot event will flow seamlessly. After all, planning with your team will make sure everyone is on the same page on the day of the event.



5. Learn To Work Well With Models
Top models are paid exorbitant talent fees because they’re willing to try new things and know how to communicate with the camera. Here are some things you can do to deal with everyday problems related to working with models:

• Build rapport: For your models to feel comfortable throughout the shoot, talk and engage with them the entire time. Give them positive reinforcements and posing suggestions.

• Focus on their eyes: When doing a portrait, try putting your focus on the model’s eyes as these usually draw attention.

• Utilize your camera’s burst mode: To best capture moments or unpredictable models, such as babies or pets, use burst mode.

6. Use Lighting To Enhance Photos
Knowing how to use natural light and other lighting tools is usually learned through a lot of practice. But here are some easy lighting tips you can use for a hassle-free photoshoot:

• Place your model close to your light source: It helps broaden instead of narrow down the depth of your photo. The light source will also help illuminate your model naturally and evenly.

• Mind the color temperature when shooting: Unlike human eyes, cameras are sensitive to colors cast by the light. To catch bluish tones, schedule a shoot during midday. For warmer tones, do your photoshoot early morning or late afternoon.

Bottom Line
Preparing and planning are essential elements for a hassle-free photoshoot, but they’re not the only things to consider. It would help if you also learned to make do with any situation, work well with models, and develop your lighting techniques. Lastly, always make sure to protect your equipment. If your tools don’t work, you won’t have a photoshoot to begin with.