Spring and summer were busy for us, filled with photoshoots for several of our destination clients. We’re lucky to call places like Visit The Northshore, Visit Lake Oconee and Visit Eatonton partners, which means we spent a lot of time art directing out on the water. From sailing the wide expanses of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana to watching wakeboarders jump and flip across Georgia’s Lake Country, it was hard to complain about a bad day at the office.

While the day of a shoot gets all the hype, it’s typically the culmination of hours worth of preparation. Good photographers book up early, so we like to get on their calendars two to three months in advance, then embark on our tried and true process for being photo-ready on the day of the shoot. Here’s a look at our six-step prep list:

1. Audit your assets

We take a keen look at your existing photo library. It’s hard to know what you need if we don’t fully know what you’ve got. This is also a great chance to assess what’s working, as well as what’s not, within your current library.

2. Review your marketing plan

Are you a destination planning for your next seasonal visitor’s guide or a non-profit hoping to launch a new website? Do you have an ad campaign on the horizon that will require tailored images? Knowing where your images will be living helps you create your shot list and prioritize what to capture.

3. Pull inspiration

Next, we’ll start pulling inspirational photos. Dark and moody, crisp and professional, or bright and quirky, creating a mood board helps us pin down the look and feel we’re going for. Plus, we’ll be able to see the type of content that we want to capture during the shoot, from group close-ups to aerial views.

4. Create a shot list

A mood board is a great vibe check and resource for your photographer, but a buttoned-up shot list helps guarantee that in the chaos of a shoot, we don’t miss any important shots. Talking through the order of shots can also help define the flow of the shoot ahead of time.

5. Target talent

With a mood board and shot list in hand, it’s time to identify talent. This could be community members, employees or fraternal brothers and sisters. It can also be paid talent, which can be found through local talent agencies. Whether paid or volunteer, we always give clear instructions on apparel and vibe so your models can play the part and come prepared. We recommend they arrive dressed and ready but with 2-3 extra outfits as backup.

6. Scout a spot (or several)

Location, location, location. If we’re able to put boots on the ground, it’s great to see a space before the day of a shoot. If that’s out of the cards, online visual research can work in a pinch and help give us an idea of what to expect. If we’re shooting in several places, this is the time to start mapping out the logistics. Time of day, availability and proximity will all factor into the final schedule.

Photoshoots include a myriad of variables, but by following these six steps, we ensure a clear plan is in place. If your photo library needs a refresh, on the water or off, we’d love to help you prepare for your next shoot. Drop us a note!

Just getting inspired? Here are some of our favorite snaps from photoshoots we’ve recently art directed.