How to plan a studio shoot like a pro

There’s a lot more to making a photograph than just clicking a button or setting up lights. Whether you’re working professionally or it’s just a hobby, there are still some important steps to take to make sure that the images you end up with are the ones you actually want.

In this video, Scott from Tin House Studio walks us through his process of planning out a shoot. He uses this method for both his personal work and with clients, and it’s pretty foolproof!

Generating ideas

In photography, the initial concept is everything. It’s the foundation upon which the entire shoot is built. Scott emphasizes that anyone can take a technically good photograph, but it’s the strength of the idea behind the image that makes it truly stand out.

The creative process begins away from the camera. Scott uses an “ideas spot”, a sofa where he sits for inspiration to take shape. This is where he spends time reflecting, watching films, looking through photography books, and allowing ideas to form. Creativity doesn’t always strike on its own, so it’s important to actively seek inspiration. Of course, this can happen anywhere – out for a walk, visiting museums, in the shower – so it’s important to be able to record your ideas in a notebook or on voice memos to access them later.

Developing a mood board

Once a strong idea emerges, the next step is to flesh it out and begin formal planning. This is where Scott moves from the sofa to the office, making the concept more concrete. Scott stresses the importance of planning before any photos are taken, using tools like a mood board to bring clarity to the shoot.

A mood board serves as a visual guide for the entire project. It captures the overall feel and style of the shoot and provides essential references for everyone involved. It can include inspiration for poses, color schemes, backgrounds, and even proofs of concept that show what the final result might look like. By pulling together key elements like reference photos, casting notes, and test shots, the mood board helps to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Balancing structure with flexibility

A well-thought-out plan is essential, but there is a delicate balance to strike between structure and flexibility. Scott explains that having a detailed plan provides boundaries and prevents chaos, especially when working on large-scale projects with lots of people on set. However, being too rigid can stifle spontaneity and creativity during the shoot.

In his own work, Scott emphasizes leaving room for adjustments, especially when working with a tight schedule. For example, he often works with high-volume shoots where he needs to create an entire body of work in just 48 hours. In these situations, careful planning is crucial, but so is the ability to pivot and adapt to new ideas or unexpected developments on the day.

On-Set

Once the mood board and plan are in place, it’s time to execute the shoot. During the shoot, the mood board is not just a pre-production tool—it’s an active reference that guides the entire team. Whether it’s the photographer, models, or set designers, everyone uses the mood board to ensure the shoot stays on track and aligns with the original vision.

Scott mentions how having the mood board accessible on set helps them to check in and ask, “Are we still on track, or have we veered off course?” This tool helps maintain focus and ensures that the final images are true to the concept while leaving room for creative freedom.

How the mood board becomes the final work

After all the brainstorming and mood boarding, the final work should resemble the original plans, at least to some degree. Scott shares how his carefully crafted mood board translated into a successful series of images that fitted well with his style.

In the end, Scott created a series of both still and moving images, which wasn’t the original part of the plan. However, it does show how ideas can develop whilst still sticking to the overall concept and not veering too far away from the original plan.

It’s always a great idea to spend longer on the planning stage than you think is necessary, particularly when collaborating with other people and clients. This way, everyone can refer back to the original concept, and less time is wasted on set during the actual shoot. This time is usually valuable and not the moment for experimentation. At least, get the safe planned shots in the bag first, and then have time to try different ideas out.

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