Photoshoot Prep 101: Using Pinterest to Plan For Your Photoshoot
Pinterest: it’s just like cutting and pasting pictures from a magazine back in elementary school art class!
(Anyone else missing the good ol’ days?)
Full disclaimer: we’ve been HUGE fans of Pinterest for years, but when we started using it with our clients to help them plan their shoot… oh my!
PINTEREST IS A POWERFUL TOOL THAT CAN HELP YOU VISUALLY COMMUNICATE YOUR UNIQUE PERSONALITY - AND ULTIMATELY - THE STORY OF HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.
Odds are, you already have a vision in mind about how you want to present yourself in these photos. But sometimes, that vision can be hard to describe when it’s not sitting right there in front of you.
Creating a vision board on Pinterest will not only help you slow down and identify the tiny details that represent you and your story, but it may also help you discover even more powerful ways to tell your story than you originally envisioned.
Now – we’re obviously not going to take one look at your inspiration photos and recreate them piece by piece, but it does help us understand your vibe and the bigger story you’re trying to tell.
So, how can you use Pinterest to refine that story?
1. Start By Identifying Your Aesthetic
For those who don’t yet have a clear idea in their mind of their photoshoot visions, we always recommend hopping onto Pinterest and starting with something simple.
You could, for example, search a general term like “brand photoshoot” just so that you can start seeing what others have done and start pinpointing the details that really stick out to you. You know – the photos that make you giddy and get ideas flowing.
Your goal here is to identify the “vibe” you’re going for. Polished and professional? Fun and friendly? Bright and bubbly? It’s up to you! The details in your photos help convey that vibe, so try to keep it in mind throughout your Pinterest planning.
While you browse, think about what draws you to a certain photo. What is it that you do (and don’t) like about it?
You can save these “general” aesthetic photos into a new Pinterest board, and if you’re really eager to do so, you can even comment on a saved Pin to make note of the details in that image that really speak to you. This might even help us understand your vision on a deeper level!
2. Discover Your Ideal Location
Now that you have some ideas swirling around in your head, it’s time to start considering the specifics.
First up, the location.
Before you get to Pinning, think about where in the world you feel most comfortable. Is it a bustling coffee shop or a quiet and cozy hole in the wall? Do you prefer an outdoor garden or a high-end office space? Maybe a modern studio space or a downtown workspace?
Whenever you’re ready to start pinning, we recommend saving these detail-oriented Pins to their own sub-boards within your general aesthetic board. This helps you easily identify what your vision is for each aspect of your photoshoot, and it will help you find the PERFECT location for your shoot when it’s time to reserve a space!
3. Let’s Talk About Clothing (and Accessories!)
Clothes and accessories are the easiest and clearest way to illustrate your personality and tell your story.
They tell others – strangers even – who you are, what you do, where you come from, and to some degree, what you are like as a person. It sounds like a lot of pressure on your clothing choices when you think about it that way, but it’s not!
The outfits that you feel most comfortable and authentic in – those are the ones that tell your story! So don’t overthink this when you are searching for inspiration. You are just searching for the things that make you, you!
Don’t be afraid to try new things! It can still be your style even if it’s outside of your comfort zone!
You can also use your business’s brand to help refine your outfits and accessories. With some brands, you may have specific guidelines you need to follow when it comes to color. In other words – if your brand colors are orange, it wouldn’t make sense if you showed up in a bright purple suit! That said – a little pop of complementary color never hurt nobody!
Last but not least – don’t forget to search for some accessories to go with your outfit! We’re talking watches, earrings, rings, cuffs, and even shoes!
4. Don’t Forget About the Props!
By this point, a lot of your story has been told.
But the true magic lies in the details. In this case, those details are the props or extras in each shot. Think coffee mugs, books, and especially the tools you use for your craft. For us, it’s a camera!
These small, almost insignificant details actually tell a HUGE part of your story. They also help you feel more relaxed when you first start shooting, because not all of the attention is on you and you get to be doing something, rather than just staring straight into a camera lens.
After you take some time to ponder the details that are important in your story, you can browse Pinterest for some additional ideas. We’ll also be there to help you brainstorm if you need it!
5.The Big One: How Are You Going to Pose?
If you are feeling a bit nervous about your session because you’re one of “those awkward people when you get in front of a camera”, stop worrying!
You are not alone! In fact, most of our clients bring this up at some point!
Take a minute to think about all of the INCREDIBLE things you have done with your life. That’s right. Power pose it. YOU GOT THIS!
Now, back to Pinterest.
Pinterest is such a great place to find inspiration for poses!
Start by thinking about your personality and the story you’re trying to tell. Are you a candid kind of person? Or is a calculated pose more your style? Do you have a default pose that always works well for you when someone snaps a photo? Do you want to sit or stand? What do you want to be doing in some of the shots?
If we were to redo our brand photos, we’d probably be doing a lot of photographer action poses – because we’re photographers!
This “poses” sub-board can help us further refine our understanding of the vision you’re going for, and even identify your “must-have” shots.
Must-have shots are the photos you can’t leave the shoot without. That’s another thing to think about! What are the specific shots you need out of this photoshoot?
To help identify those must-haves, think about where you’re going to be using the photos. On your site? Social media? A resume even? These mediums can dictate the type of look you are going for and even what orientation the photos need to be taken in!
You may even come across a photo or two on Pinterest that you just NEED to capture in your session. Add them to your must-have list!
Don’t worry if you’re not totally sure what you want. If you work with us, we’ll cover little details like this in your planning session.
It's our job to help you bring it all together. To make it happen. To make your vision come to life! If you're still not sure what your vision is for your photoshoot, we can help with that! Book a session with us to get started!
STILL NOT SURE WHAT YOUR VISION IS?
WE CAN HELP WITH THAT!
If you liked this post, Pin it to Pinterest! 👇🏽
