Blog
How to prepare a good brief for taking photos?
How to prepare a good brief for taking photos?
Preparing a good brief for a photo assignment is the key to achieving the expected end result. Brief is the basis of successful cooperation
with the photographer and allows You to clearly define expectations and ensure that both parties are striving for the same. The post contains a step-by-step guide to help You create a comprehensive description for Your photo shoot.
Determine the purpose of the photo shoot
The first step is to determine what the main purpose of the photo shoot is. Will the files be used in an advertising campaign, website, social media or print materials? Understanding the goal will help You and the photographer focus on the right aspects and create photos that best meet Your expectations.
Next, You should briefly describe Your brand, its mission, vision and most important values. This gives the photographer a better idea of what elements should be in the photos to consistently represent the brand. It can also be useful to know the target group – who are Your customers, what their interests and needs are.
Inspiration and style - sharing examples
Providing inspiration, role models is an important part of preparing a brief. You can collect examples from platforms like Pinterest or Instagram. Add sample images to Your presentation that reflect Your vision and pay attention to aspects such as composition, lighting, colors and mood. Thanks to this, the photographer has a clear vision of what You would ultimately like to receive after completing the assignment.
List of shots and photo guidelines
The next step is to create a detailed list of shots You want to take during the session. This may include specific products, genre scenes or portraits. It’s also a good idea to create scenarios for individual shots that describe exactly what should be on them, what people or objects should look like, and what the mood of the photo should look like. When browsing industry benchmarks, it’s good to select the items You care about. Add a few examples of the same product. Each shot can be presented differently. This will allow the photographer to make a choice about what might be more valuable to the target customer. Describe in detail the features of the product - what is important to capture in the photo.
Here are some examples and information worth including:
- Logo
- Features - details
- Perspectives - from above, from the side, from the angle
- Product features
Session location and additional props
Choosing the right location and accessories is very important. In the introduction, describe where You would like the session to take place – whether it will be a photo studio, outdoor, or maybe a specific interior. Also, list all the extras needed for the session. In the case of culinary photos, provide information on which foods are to be used during the arrangement. Pay attention to the substrates, backgrounds and additional decorative elements. Make sure everything is well coordinated to avoid unnecessary delays and problems during the session.
Below are examples of photos taken with add-ons:
Schedule and deadlines
Providing a detailed session schedule will help You organize Your work better. Prioritize the photos that will be delivered to You once You complete Your order. Enter the dates and the expected deadline by which You would like the files to be transferred. Also provide deadlines for sending final photos and corrections. Clear deadlines allow to avoid misunderstandings and ensure timely implementation of the project.
Budget
An open discussion about the budget is crucial so that both sides have clear financial expectations. When ordering, indicate the available budget for the session, taking into account all the costs associated with props, models and post-production and the form of file storage. By setting a budget, You can be sure that the photographer will be able to tailor his services to Your financial capabilities.
Postproduction
Describing expectations for retouching photos is equally important. Do You expect basic processing such as color correction and retouching, or maybe more advanced effects?
Select in the letter whether the product photos are to be taken with shadow, mirrored reflection or without additives. Describe exactly the photo formats that will be needed and the fields of their exploitation - websites, sales channels, e.g. Amazon, Ebay. Identifying these requirements will help the photographer better understand how much work will be required to process photos and what techniques to use.
Copyright and use
Finally, it is important to clearly define the issues related to copyright and the use of photos. Determine the terms under which the photos will be used – whether they are for a one-off campaign, whether they will be used for a longer period of time, and whether a license will be required. Also discuss who will own the copyright for the photos and whether You plan to give the photographer permission to use them in Your portfolio.
Creating a good presentation for a photo assignment is a process that requires careful consideration and careful consideration of all aspects of the session. A clear definition of goals, style, location, schedule and budget will allow for the smooth implementation of the project and the achievement of satisfactory results. Remember, the more detailed and clear Your brief is, the more likely it is that the photographer will understand Your expectations and provide photos that perfectly match Your vision.
We cordially invite You to use our contact form, before the execution of the order where You can describe all the guidelines related to the execution of the photo session.
#brief#współpraca#zlecenie#realizacja zdjęć#fotografia produktowa#fotografia#lista ujęć
Rafał
Specjalista ds. marketingowo-handlowych