One of the most important things that sets a professional photographer apart is the ability to visualize their images before they create them. I know that before I do a shoot, I work hard to see the images the shoot will produce. This is extra important when the photo we’re creating is a composite that requires extra thought and planning. There’s a couple ways I do that.
Location Scouting
I do location scouting obsessively. I do two kinds of location scouting. I do preemptive locations scouting in which I just look for interesting locations and settings for their own sake. I keep almost a mental database of places – especially in and around San Angelo – where I could do interesting shoots.
More importantly, I do location scouting for each shoot. I visit the location of the shoot multiple times before the shoot to get a sense of the best angles and timing and of what obsticles I’ll have to work around. I try to familiarize myself with a location well enough to be able to see it clearly in my mind’s eye.
I’ve written before about how I do location scouting. Check it out if you’d like to know more about location scouting.
Meeting
When shooting wildlife or landscapes, I learn what I can about the location and/or animals I plan to shoot because they are the subject. When I do a portrait shoot, the subject is a person. (Maybe you?) The beautiful thing about taking pictures of a person is that instead of having to research and read about you, I can just ask you what you’re like and look at you myself.
One of the biggest reasons why I insist on meeting with portrait clients in person as part of planning the shoot is precisely for the purpose of being able to look at the subject and visualize what the photographs we create together will look like.
Wardrobe
After I meet with a subject, I like to get snapshots of the subject wearing the outfit(s) we’ll shoot in. Here’s some examples of the shots Keeley sent and of the images we produced finally. Seeing the subject wearing the wardrobe is one of the best ways to visualize that shot.
Putting It All Together
Once the shot is visualized, the shoot can be planned. Once the shoot is planned, we can just enjoy making art together! And that’s fun!
How much fun? Well just watch this.