Photo Shoot Checklist: Before & After Your Shoot
Nothing ruins a photo shoot faster than realizing the one thing you need is sitting at home.
You've driven miles to a location, the light is perfect, your client is ready, and somehow you've forgotten an essential piece of equipment.
Or worse, your camera batteries are dead.
I've been there. That's why I put together two simple photo shoot checklists: one for the night before your shoot, and another for when you get home.
A little preparation can save you a lot of frustration.
Whether you're photographing a portrait, a commercial campaign, or a personal project, having a repeatable routine means you can spend less time worrying about your equipment and more time making photographs.
Both checklists are included below. You can open either graphic at full size and save or print a copy for your camera bag.
The Night Before
I won't lie. I have a terrible habit of forgetting to charge my camera batteries the night before a shoot.
That's why I always keep an extra charged battery in my bag, along with a spare charger in case I need it.
Take a few minutes the night before your next assignment to check your cameras, batteries, lenses, memory cards, and any other equipment the shoot requires.
After You Get Home
What happens after a shoot matters just as much as what happens before it.
Your first priority should be protecting the photographs you just created. Transfer your files, create backups, and make sure everything is safely stored.
Never format a memory card until your files have been transferred and your backups have been verified.
Once your files are protected, take care of your equipment, organize the work, and prepare for the next assignment.
Protect the Work.
You can replace a battery, a lens cap, or even a camera. You can't always recreate the moments you photographed.
Pack carefully, prepare thoroughly, and back up your work. Your future self will thank you.