Tips for Photographers Planning a Commercial Shoot
Planning a commercial shoot an be a daunting task. Below you’ll find a step by step walkthrough of what you should expect to focus on as you plan your commercial photo shoot.
1) Find a Producer
Find someone who knows the ins and outs of making commercials. They should help you achieve your best artistic capabilities while managing all logistics. If you don’t have a producer, your ad agency likely has one they can recommend. The producer/photographer relationship is crucial. If you’ve worked with a producer you liked in the past, maintain that relationship.
2) Spend Time on Your Estimate
Often a commercial shoot will have multiple photographers bidding for the work. You want to show the agency that you have the strongest artistic vision and that you’re the most professional candidate. Understand the budgetary elements involved in your shoot. Be realistic about each of them. For example, if you need to travel, inform the agency whether you’ll be charging for travel costs.
3) Gather Your Crew
While creating your estimate and bidding, consider who you want on your team if you get the gig. Contact your most trusted professionals and ask them to hold the date pending your approval on the job. That way, when the agency approves you as the photographer, your crew will mostly already be in place. Be aware that you may need to get agency approval on personnel and that the pay scale may change from what you estimate to what’s actually approved. Be transparent about this with your crew. Always let them know you’re in the process of gathering approval but would love if they could work with you once you know more.
4) Know Which Crew Members You Need
Every shoot is different. You may need a wardrobe stylist, or a props stylist, or a food stylist. For that reason, You need to know what this specific project is going to ask for before you can turn to your web of trusted professionals.
5) Find Locations
Every shoot requires a different aesthetic, and location scouting is one of the more important things you’ll do in preparation for the shoot. Always, Pay attention to the overall layout of the space, the lighting it offers, and any issues you see it might cause. Also, consider whether those issues are things you can overcome or whether, due to them, the space may not work for this particular shoot. Also be aware of any requirements of the owner of the space, such as permitting and insurance.
6) Find Transportation and Amenities
For shoots in New York City, you may find that the perfect location is not close enough to public transportation to expect your crew and talent to find their own way there. In these instances, it’s important that you coordinate transpiration through a professional transportation company. There are several companies within the New York area who specialize in commercial and show business shoots.