How to Prepare for a Location Shoot
Preparing for a photo shoot is a key part of the job of a model, and preparation is always best done in advance and not at the last minute. I recommend packing the night before a shoot whether the shoot may be in doors or on location. One must always prepare sufficiently to the clients needs, and with thought and care, in order to maintain a professionalism and help the shoot go smoothly.
Model: Maria Eriksson
Here I will discuss more on preparing for an outdoor, or location shoot, such as a site away from a studio, as they can often be more of a battle due to the elements and lack of facilities.
Everyday Essentials
For any type of shoot (studio or location) models should take the following items with them unless expressed as unnecessary by the client/photographer:
- Identification
- Their phone, charger and contact details for the art director or person in charge of the photo shoot
- Some cash
- Bottle of water
- Snacks
- Their makeup kit in case there is an issue with the MUA
- Makeup removing wipes
- Moisturizer
- Hair brush
- Heels (dependent upon the shoot – a lot of the time these can be useful)
- Nude seamless underwear is always useful (dependent upon the shoot again – usually agencies ask you to take such items for catalog shoots)
- And any specific items requested by the agency/client/art director
Pre-shoot Preparation
The night before a shoot models should make sure they are organized with the above, their nails done, hair washed and that they get to bed early. Drinking plenty of water the day before a shoot also helps the shoot by starting off the day by already being hydrated. De-fuzzing the body and moisturizing before bed also help the skin look its best for the shoot.
It may also sound ridiculous but make sure the alarm is on for the correct time with the volume on high! Even a second or third alarm if you are not a morning person or have difficulty getting up early. This is particularly important if you have a sunrise shoot or early start..
Planning your route and knowing how long it will take to get to the studio or shoot location is also a professional approach, including asking questions the day before if necessary to prevent any errors. I recommend always leaving extra time in case of emergencies, road works or accidents, and even filling the car with gas the day before to prevent any tardiness on the day.
Model: Maria Eriksson
On Location Preparation
As I mentioned above, location shooting can often be more challenging than shooting in a studio. Therefore as well as the aforementioned one must gather info on parking at the location, potentially a plan B, especially if you are meeting in a remote spot where cell service could be spotty at best, and a few other essentials as I will go into more detail on now.
Location shoots often mean no facilities such as changing rooms, toilets, wash basins, stores for food and beverages or sunscreen! The opposite can also be true in terms of the location which could be freezing cold with little to no cover other than perhaps the car if it is accessible to where you will be shooting. Yes, I am talking here from experience after having shot in the heat of deserts in over 100 degrees Fahrenheit through to freezing snows on tops of mountains in the middle of winter both in Europe and the USA. Such extreme temperatures mean one needs to pack essentials dependent upon your shoot location.
Sunscreen is a huge necessity as well as sun hats and bug spray if you are shooting in a hot climate. Even if you do not think you may burn or there will be bugs my recommendation is to take it anyway – you just never know! If you are shooting in a cold climate you will more likely need clothing and attire such as gloves, hats and maybe a thermos of a warm drink with you. From my experience even though carrying a lot of items can be heavy if you can manage to take more I would – you never know what you may need and there is nothing worse than getting bitten, sun burnt or being freezing cold because you did not carry something with you. There are many stores selling travel size toiletries so I suggest picking up those to keep the weight down on what you need to carry.
Model: Maria Eriksson
A rucksack to put all your stuff in is also very useful rather than a purse or shoulder bag, as are sensible shoes! I have heard many stories from photographers of models turning up to location shoots with a mile to walk in rough terrain wearing inappropriate footwear such as stilettos! So please do your homework – understand where you will actually be shooting, if there will be walking involved, and also check the weather to further prepare yourself with the correct items.
With locations shoots I always suggest finding out about food and water and if there will be some on set. However, even if it is provided I do still recommend always taking plenty of snacks and water with you, leaving some in the car for upon your shoot completion.
Kleenex and wet wipes are both useful for cleaning hands, feet and, well, as I mentioned above there may be no toilets for miles and miles!
If you are shooting in water you may want to check if towels are provided. Pop up changing rooms or large towels for changing in/with are also useful if it is a public place in which you will be changing outfits.
Summary
So there you have it. Work for a shoot starts way before the actual call time of a shoot and location shooting probably even more so. I hope these hints and tips have helped you pack for your on location, or even, studio shoot and that it all goes smoothly! Here is a little check list of items to bring along to your location shoots both in warm or cold climates.
Model: Maria Eriksson
Warm weather
- Ruck sack
- Appropriate footwear
- Water
- Snacks
- Sun hat
- Sun screen
- Bug spray
As well as the things mentioned in the previous list.
Cold Weather
- Ruck sack
- Appropriate footwear
- Water
- Snacks
- Warm drink thermos
- Gloves
- Hat
- Winter clothing
As well as the things mentioned in the first list.
Happy Shooting!
Maria
March 27, 2017 at 8:46 am, Alessandro Pelosi said:
As Photographer with some hundreds of shooting in any deperate conditions, but also nice ones, I’d add to the suggestions:
– Always take a a pair of flip flops with you, they are useful for everything, on a hot sand beach, in the improvsed changing room (e.g the MacDonald’d bathroom), to smash flies etc… And will allow you to walk and rest your feet during intervals and location changes
– Another useful item is a robe, or, at least a kimono syle cover up, it is another jolly item that will allow you to undress completely during the makeup while you let that pressure signs to disappear, and will cover you up in any situation, including the improvised street corner dress changes. It is always very useful to wear in a matter of seconds in case of woyeurs around while the photographer machine guns them down.
– I would say that the lingerie changes should be, at least 3: Nude, white and black, always try to find the tynies ones on the market, especially in the rear.
– The heels you should need to take are platformless sandals: platforms weight and do not always marry correctly with all clothing styles. The simple sole, two straps ans stiletto heel sandals are good at any time, and they weight practically like a feather.
– A little bottle of baby oil togther with your cosmetics, you know your oil and your skin, try be in control of what it goes on you, this will reduce the risk of allergic reactions. Same with basic other makeup stuff, we all know that MUAs are always real professionist, but I have seen many times girls to deleop allergies to some specific product, and, unfortunateley there is no time to run an allergy test 3 days before each shooting.
May 12, 2016 at 5:56 am, JT-D said:
I would say a smart thing to have in your bag is a portable charger. Those things saved me countless times, I could charge my phone in my purse while on the run.
May 11, 2016 at 2:22 pm, Roxygurl said:
What advice would you give to a female model who will be modeling fully nude on location? In your article, you talk about clothing. What if you won’t be wearing any clothes at all?
May 12, 2016 at 5:54 am, JT-D said:
sunscreen!
March 27, 2017 at 8:47 am, Alessandro Pelosi said:
Take a minidress with you, the best is a kimono sleveless one that can be worn in a matter of milliseconds when someone is coming to peek….. or worse, when Police is arriving …
May 11, 2016 at 12:47 pm, JazzTivity said:
Great advice preparing for a shoot definitely takes time to prepare for in advance
May 04, 2016 at 2:35 pm, DKProPhotography said:
Great read for both photographers and models. These are things that both should be thinking of/aware of especially for remote location shoots. It’s far better to have something and not need it then to need something and not have it.
May 04, 2016 at 3:28 am, John Raphel said:
Great article! Informative, well written and a useful tool for photographers to pass along to the models they hire.
May 03, 2016 at 8:55 pm, Thomas Grimes said:
Your article contains lots of practical advice and reminders for both the experienced and novice model and photographer. As a photographer, I appreciate that you have mentioned things I should be sharing with models but which I tend to forget to mention unless specifically asked. The article has great lists which can easily be printed out and as used as checklists to make sure important items aren’t forgotten.
May 03, 2016 at 7:06 pm, Scotty said:
Great article. Good reminders for folks, model and photographer.