Vital Things to Consider Before Your Next Photoshoot

This will be a follow-up article to “how to choose a photographer”, this time we’ll look in detail at what you can do in advance from the client’s perspective to get excellent portraits at your shooting day.
What do I need the Pictures for
It may sound banal, but it’s essential: to get the best out of a photo shoot, you should be clear in advance about which images you need and what they are to be used for.
For example, I often offer my portrait clients the opportunity to take a few business pictures – and vice versa, I encourage business clients to try out more relaxed, private shots. When I work with actresses or models, we analyze the style of their agency together in order to match the photos to it.
For headshots in larger companies, I work with a list of questions that I coordinate in advance. More on this later.
Clear communication about the desired image effect and the intended use is just as important for me as a photographer as it is for my clients. Particularly helpful in this regard is a mood board that gets everyone on the same visual track.
The Importance of a proper Moodboard
Once you have a clear vision of the type of images you want and how they’ll ultimately be used, the next step is to select outfits and backgrounds or locations that complement the shoot. While creativity knows no bounds, experience has shown that certain combinations tend to be particularly effective.
For instance, when aiming for a business look, neutral tones, pastel shades, or accents that harmonize with the subject’s skin and hair color are generally safe and successful choices.
The context of the shoot is also crucial. For photos intended for actors, clothing can be used to express more personality and character. On the other hand, if the images are meant for a job application in a more social sector, an overly rigid business look may feel out of place.
Photographic decisions, too, have a significant impact on the final result. Whether opting for a wide-angle shot, a classic portrait headshot, a blurred background, or a fully in-focus composition, the more precise you are about the desired outcome, the more likely you are to achieve exactly what you envision. Below is an example of a mood board and its corresponding realization, featuring actress Gabrielle Scheibert, photographed by me:


At this point, it’s important to clarify that a mood board is not intended to replace a specific photographer. Many of the images in the mood board I’ve presented, for instance, are by Elena Zaucke, an exceptionally talented photographer in my view. However, I am not Elena Zaucke, and my goal is not to replicate her style precisely. If that would be the desired outcome, please go ahead and hire her instead.
A thoughtfully curated mood board, however, serves a much deeper purpose than simply outlining the aesthetic. It conveys the desired mood, atmosphere, and even finer details such as the time of day, editing style, and the emotions intended to be evoked. This makes it an invaluable tool, particularly when working with unique or specialized concepts.
If you’re unsure about the style of photography you envision or simply don’t have the time to dive into the details, there’s no need to worry. In such cases, looking for photographers whose style resonates with you is an excellent approach. A quick glance at their portfolio is often all it takes to identify the right match.
Creating the best Conditions
This is going to be a big one: We often choose photographers based on their portfolios. We’re drawn to the moods their photos convey, the emotions they capture, and how people appear in their portraits. However, this aura doesn’t just depend on the person in front of the camera but significantly on the relationship and interaction with the person behind it.
During a shoot, the photographer decides when to press the shutter and which moments to capture. It’s crucial to guide, encourage, and set the right mood for the person in front of the lens. Assistants often play a vital role here, providing extra motivation or keeping an eye on the finer details.
Especially with less experienced photographers, I often notice that they miss the perfect moment – that fleeting instant when someone shows their true self and relaxes for a few seconds. Clients can actively contribute here: by thinking in advance about the emotions or aura they want to convey, they make the process easier for everyone involved.
Should the photo feel warm and approachable? Open and friendly? Or professional, attentive, and precise? This clarity helps not only the photographer but also oneself, as it encourages conscious preparation for the desired impression.
Sometimes, shoots can also be planned so that the location aligns with the intended visual language. A mannequin store for a fashion designer, the plush red seats of a theater for an actor – such settings can elevate the final result to a whole new level.

And while we’re on the topic of the best conditions, let’s talk about something that gets forgotten way more often than it should.
Freshly Cut Hair and Other Confidence Boosters
There’s a good reason we dress up for a night out or thoroughly iron our shirts before a job interview: how we feel directly impacts how we come across to others.
When we step in front of a camera—unless we’re seasoned models—it’s likely that nerves and self-consciousness will sneak in. At almost every corporate shoot, there’s at least one person who’s convinced they’re utterly unphotogenic—usually because previous photos didn’t turn out as they’d hoped.
Convincing these clients otherwise is one of the small joys of my work. Why? Because:
I don’t believe in “photogenic” as an inherent trait. Instead, I believe some people are simply more practiced at appearing confident and relaxed in front of the camera. It’s a combination of experience, preparation, and self-assurance.
Of course, before a shoot, you’re not going to squeeze in a crash course in model poses or read a stack of self-love books to achieve unshakable confidence. But there are still ways to make yourself feel more comfortable in your own skin—and that makes a world of difference.
A trip to the hairdresser, a new outfit, a fresh shave, or the right makeup can go a long way. The better we feel about ourselves, the easier it is to work with a stranger pointing a camera at us. Plus, you’ll kick yourself later if you get your hair done after the shoot and realize the photos already look outdated.
The rest is in the hands of the photographer—and here, too, it helps to do a bit of homework to find someone who suits your style.
Finding Photographers You Feel Comfortable With
The chemistry with the person taking your portraits is key. Sure, professional photographers should have enough empathy and social skills to create a relaxed atmosphere during the shoot. But often, you can tell right from the first interaction how well you click—and that makes all the difference.
If the conversation feels easy, natural, and on equal footing, chances are the shoot will feel just as smooth. While this might not matter much for event photography at a trade fair, it’s a game-changer for family photos or professional portraits. Being on the same wavelength makes everything flow effortlessly.

When the chemistry is right, you’re more likely to voice your insecurities, ask questions, and come out of your shell. Not to mention, there’s often some back-and-forth after the shoot—and good communication can be worth its weight in gold. Or money, especially if there are disagreements about that ever-tricky subject of usage rights.
Knowing Which Usage Rights You Need
I’ve deliberately saved this dry topic for last, but don’t underestimate its importance—this might just be the most crucial point for many readers:
How the photos will be used can directly impact their price. Commercial or advertising usage rights are often calculated differently than those for private use. I’ve heard stories from colleagues who had to invoice additional usage rights after the fact because the images were used in ways that hadn’t been agreed upon.
Situations like this are unpleasant for everyone involved. If the client refuses to pay, the photographer feels cheated out of their income. On the other hand, if the photographer later demands payment for extended usage rights, it understandably leaves a bad taste for the client.
Thankfully, I’ve never encountered this issue myself—though I make it a point to double-check how and where the images will be used.
Avoid hussle by talking things through beforehand
Not all photographers do this, though. Some avoid asking about usage rights altogether, fearing the client might back out if additional fees are involved. And that fear isn’t entirely unfounded. Some clients may refuse and look for photographers who don’t charge for usage rights—or who don’t specify any rights in the contract at all.
But here’s the crux of the issue: avoiding this discussion is far from ideal. Even if the photoshoot is paid for as a service, the images remain the intellectual property of the photographer. Which is a potential legal dispute waiting to happen, if the images are later commercialized without proper permission.

It’s worth either checking the photographer’s terms and conditions or simply agreeing in advance on how the images will be used—and paying for the appropriate usage rights. This makes sense, too: there should be a clear difference in cost between photos created for a private family album and those intended for a large-scale advertising campaign.
Got any tips or details that can help ensure a smooth portrait shoot (I mean, aside from hireing me ;))? Feel free to share them in the comments! And if you’re curious about how a photo session with me works, you can find out more here.