Your Guided Checklist Before Planning Your Next Photo Shoot

When it comes to visuals, of course you want everything to look perfect—but the real goal is helping your team execute at the highest level. That starts before shoot day, not on it.

This is where preparation makes all the difference.

By the time you’re planning a photo shoot, you should already be aligned on your strategy. You know your message. You’re clear on what you’re trying to communicate. Now the job is to translate that clarity into visuals—and that’s where most people drop the ball.

Step 1: Build the Mood Board

Mood boards are non-negotiable.

They take what’s in your head and put it on paper. They help you define tone, lighting, poses, energy, and overall direction. A strong mood board allows everyone on your team to see the vision clearly—and execute it properly.

This is also how you avoid wasted time, confusion, and missed shots.

Step 2: Don’t Leave Direction to the Photographer

This is the number one mistake I see.

You book a photographer for their aesthetic, their eye, and their editing style. You do not book a photographer to determine your brand direction.

That’s not their job—and it shouldn’t be. Photographers study lenses, lighting, and composition. They are not studying how to translate your brand message into a visual strategy. That responsibility belongs to you (or your creative lead).

Your job is to curate the direction.

Step 3: Create a Shot List

Once the mood board is done, create a clear shot list.

This allows the photographer to focus on execution while you show up fully as the talent. Instead of directing on the fly, you’re present, confident, and intentional—because the plan is already set.

When everyone knows their role, the shoot flows.

Step 4: Lock in Agreements Early

Always, always, always have agreements in place.

Turnaround time.Number of edits.Usage rights.Expectations on both sides.

This protects your time and theirs, and it sets the tone for a professional working relationship from the start.

If you use this checklist as your foundation, you’re already setting yourself up for a successful shoot.

And something I’ve been thinking about… I may curate a guided shoot experience where I help you build your mood board and shot list based on your brand and messaging—so your visuals truly align with your strategy.

xo Ant