Setting Up Your Own Stock Photo Shoot

While setting up a stock photography shoot with models is not a complicated task, it does require planning and a good sense of organization on your part. I recently organized a small stock photography shoot with a few other exclusive iStockphoto.com photographers: we where able to plan and organize the photo shoot in a week and half. However, I recommend that planning begin several months in advance if you’re going to be working with many models or if you have never organized such a shoot.

Below, I’ve outlined some key points when it comes to organizing a stock photo shoot.

• Establish a theme for your shoot: What will you be photographing? In our case, we had access to a business with a manufacturing facility. Our theme was both business and industrial manufacturing. We were able to create shots for two themes rather than one in a single day. But keep in mind, the more themes you have in a single shoot, the more props and time you may need. For starters, it’s best to stick with a single theme or two at best.

• Select a location: After you have a theme for your shoot, you will need to find a location where the photo shoot will take place. Most of your photos will be tight shots, so you probably won’t even need a real office space if you where doing business themed stock photo shoot; you could use a studio or even your living room if you set it up with a few props. However, if you are seeking a location for your shoot, take into consideration that you may need to pay a fee and a property release may be required.

• Things to consider when selecting a location: Parking for you, models, and anyone else involved in the shoot. Restroom facilities to change in as well as use. Places to store your lighting and extra equipment, break area if you will be doing an all day shoot, power outlets if you will not be using portable battery power for your lights, and a place for the models to hang their wardrobes; small, portable cloths racks work well in these situations and can be purchased for around $30-$50.

• Date and time: Establish a shooting date and time frame for your shoot. Depending on your schedule and amount of models you will be using, I recommend a 4-6 hour window is good for taking the photos you want. You may be able to get away with less time or may need more, but a good starting point is about 6 hours. Again, this depends on the amount of models and photographers you will be working with. I have worked on shoot much longer, but you begin to experience burn out by the models and yourself.

• Models: Now that you have a theme and location, you will need models. You can use family and friends, they are Free, or I should say typically free. On the other hand, you can always hire professional models or models just starting out. The fees can range from free to $500 per model per day. One way to get around the fees is to locate models on modeling websites such as Modelmayhem.com. You’ll find models on Modelmayhem.com are willing give their time in exchange for a CD of the images or prints for their portfolio, also known as TFCD (Time for CD) or TFP (Time for Print).

• Shot Plan: Plan your photos. Weather you write down a list of shots you would like to capture or draw them out as sketches, have a plan for the day of your shoot. You can modify this as your shoot progresses, but begin with a plan. The shoot will go smoothly and you will be able to maximize your time, especially if you’re paying your models.When writing out your shot plan, make sure to include plenty of group shots as well as individual images.

• Props: Props enhance your shots as well as bring realism to the photos. If you’re doing an industrial photo shoot, you may want to include hardhats, work gloves, safety goggles, etc. If you’re shooting a beach lifestyle scene, then beach ball, towels, picnic basket may enhance your images. Regardless of the shoot, consider using props that match your theme.You can purchase props from a number of sources, but I prefer eBay.com. I can always find an array of what I’m looking for on the website and at a reasonable rate.

• Meals/Beverages: If your shoot lasts 4 hours or more, it’s a good idea to have at least snacks and water/beverages available for your models and crew. Typically when I do a shoot, it will last through lunch and I like to give my models a meal break. In addition, I have an ice chest filled with bottled water and soft drinks.

• Releases: You should make it standard operating procedure to gather model releases from your models prior to shooting. I would recommend before any shooting take place, you get the releases signed first. The last thing you want to do is a photo shoot and not get your releases signed. There have been instances where models have refused to sign after the shoot, thus rendering your entire day of photography, worthless.

Creating a successful stock photo shoot will take some time and organization. It’s a good idea to get a team to help you. It could be another photographer, a friend, or your photo assistant. But the key is to be well organized and plan the shoot. Also, keep in mind the follow-up. Provide your models with a copy of the images you promised if you they are working TFCD or TFP. You want to stay on good terms with your models so they will work with you again.

One Response to “Setting Up Your Own Stock Photo Shoot”

1. Gerald Ponte says:

   December 8, 2010 at 1:04 pm

   You’re Blog on setting up a stock shoot is a very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Yahoo and I’m really glad about the information you provide here. I’m thinking about getting into stock photography myself. Thank You for sharing this very informative article… Regards

   Reply