This is a demo article prepared for the ROJ website. Editorial review is pending.
Give every image a job
A brand photoshoot is easier to plan when you start with where the pictures will live. A website banner needs a different composition from a portrait, and a product detail has a different purpose from an image about the people behind the business.
List the channels and placements you need to support. Then write the message each image should communicate. That turns a vague request for ‘content’ into a useful production brief and helps the team decide what to prioritise on the day.
Build a small, purposeful shot list
Group your shots by subject and setup. Photographing several variations while a scene is ready can be more efficient than repeatedly changing the room, wardrobe or lighting. Give the team a clear list of essential images, followed by ideas that would be useful if the schedule allows.
Think about crops before shooting. Leave room for a headline when an image is intended for a website. Discuss vertical and horizontal versions when the same subject needs to appear across different channels.
- Hero image for your website or campaign
- People and portraits that introduce the business
- Products, process and useful detail shots
- Flexible supporting images with room for copy
Use references to explain the feeling
A small moodboard can help explain tone, lighting and composition. Add a sentence about what you like in each reference, rather than expecting the photographer to guess. You may like the colour in one image and the sense of movement in another.
References are a conversation starter, not a request to copy another brand. Connect them to your own identity, audience and story. Existing brand colours, typography and campaign materials help the production team see the bigger picture.
Plan the practical details
Confirm who is bringing products, props and wardrobe, and who can approve creative decisions during the shoot. Allow time for preparation and changes between setups. For a Lagos shoot, confirm arrival arrangements and the exact studio location before setting out.
Discuss image selection, retouching and usage in advance. The number of final images, delivery formats, revision process and intended use should all be clear. A photograph used in a paid campaign may need different permissions from one used only on an internal presentation.
Make a plan for the finished library
Once the photographs arrive, organise them by subject and intended use. Keep approved versions separate from drafts, and make it easy for the person publishing content to find the correct crop. A simple naming system can save repeated questions later.
Bring your shot list and references to ROJ. We can discuss how to turn them into a scoped session, with a clear purpose for the images you take away.
