The shoot process from start to finish

A majority of people haven’t ever had a professional photoshoot, so the process with all it’s ins and outs is quite a mystery, and that mystery can make the idea of booking a shoot a bit daunting. I’m definitely the type of person who likes to know roughly how something will go before I commit to it, so for this month’s blog, I’m taking you through each step of the shoot process, from taking the leap and sending that first enquiry, to final image and wall art delivery.

Step 1: Booking

The first step is always the most daunting, it’s the moment when you finally say “fuck it, let’s do it!” and take a deep breath before sending that first message. And there’s a handful of different ways you can reach out to make that initial enquiry, depending on you preferred method of communication:

• Drop me a message on Instagram
• Email me at pursuitimages@gmail.com
• Give me a call on 07949 306 857
• Or fill out the contact form with all your details here

Whichever way you decide to reach me, you’ll need to remember to include the following information to make it easier for me to get you booked in as quickly as possible, with all the important bits of information I need:

• What type of shoot you want to book in for: Have a look over the photoshoots section on my website and decide which package you’re after, if you’re not quite sure, let me know! I’ll be able to help advise what would be the best for you.

• Shoot location: The address for where you want to shoot so I can give you an accurate mileage quote, giving you full understanding of what you’ll be spending on your shoot. If you don’t know where you’d like to shoot, let me know roughly where you’re located, if there’s a specific type of gym you want to shoot in (Modern, old school, strongman, etc.) and I’ll be able to help with some suggestions.

• Preferred dates/month: If you’ve got an idea of rough dates you’d like to shoot, or a particular month, and if weekends or weekdays work better (Or if there’s no preference). This means I can get some dates sent over in that first enquiry email, speeding along the booking process.

• Any other information you think I might need to know: If there’s any specifics, if you have any questions, want to add something extra into your shoot, or want to try a specific type of shot, let me know!

All of this means I’ll have the best chance of getting you booked in as quickly as possible, with all the relevant information for your shoot booking.

Step 2: Deposit and payment

For every single shoot, I charge a £75 deposit to secure your shoot date. No deposit, no booking. It might seem harsh, but this is a strict company policy that means bookings are taken seriously.
Once your deposit is paid, we can talk about how you’d like to pay the final balance, and for that, you have 2 options:

1. Lump sum: You pay the remaining balance as one lump sum, meaning it’s all paid for in one hit and you don’t have to think about it again.

2. Instalments: This is the more popular option for a majority of my clients, paying off your shoot in multiple instalment payments. We’ll create a plan that works for you and splits the payments over a set period of time, making paying for your shoot much more doable.

Step 3: Shoot Preparation

Now you’re all booked in and paid up, you’re waiting for your shoot date to arrive, and you’re both nervous and excited. What to do?

This is your time to prepare, decide on any outfits you want to shoot in, make enough time (if you’re buying anything to wear) to send anything back and replace it if it doesn’t fit. You’ll also want to decide if you’re doing makeup yourself or booking in with an MUA, the same going for hair and tan. This is your time for organising and decision making.

But don’t feel like you’re alone in this time, should you have any questions or concerns, my inbox is always open and I’m always happy to help!

Step 4: Shoot day!

It’s shoot day at last! You’ll be what I like to call “exciterrified”, both excited, and a little bit terrified! This is totally normal, everyone gets nervous before they step in front of the camera, but don’t worry, those nerves will melt away as soon as we get going. Every single client has said that they were nervous before and quickly relaxed and enjoyed as soon as we started shooting. This is going to be a good day!

Make sure you leave plenty of time to get ready and arrive on time, the last thing you want to be doing is stressing because you haven’t got enough time. Leave more time than you think you’ll need.

I’ll meet you at our chosen shoot location at the time we decided on, and we’ll have a little chat about particular shots I’ve planned out, getting your input on what you want to do to ensure you get everything you want out of your shoot.

Once my equipment is set up, we’ll start shooting, creating a series of amazing images that you’ll absolutely love. Shoot days are always ridiculously good fun, there’s always plenty of laughter and excitement (It’s usually me getting excited because I get waaaay to enthusiastic about what we’re creating - I can’t help it!).

Step 5: Processing times and your viewing

Once we’ve wrapped up with your shoot, the wait begins! I have a minimum 2 week waiting time on images being ready (But this can be up to 6 weeks during the exceptionally busy times of year). During the week following your shoot, I’ll send you an online gallery with your unretouched images on so you can choose which images you want in your final selection.
The number of final images will depend on which package you chose, but if you’re struggling to narrow it down, you do have the option to purchase more digital files.

Once your images have received the star treatment and are all ready, I’ll contact you to arrange your viewing session, where you’ll be invited into the office to see your images up on the big screen in all their glory. Here you’ll receive your USB with all the final images on as social media files, as well as having the opportunity to purchase any wall art of your images too. During this process I’ll be able to give you expert guidance to help you make the choice that’s right for you.

Step 6: Wall art delivery

If you opted for any wall art during your viewing session, then I’ll put your order through to the lab within 2 working days of your purchase. Fronm there it will be expertly hand crafted by my suppliers in Coventry.
Because this is a totally bespoke process, it can take 10-14 days from initial order to final delivery, but the wait will totally be worth when you have a professionally finished image of you looking your absolute best hanging in your home, brining you a sense of pride and achievement every time you see it.

So that’s it! The shoot process from start to finish. If you’d like to finally take that leap and book in for an incredible shoot experience to capture your hard work, then get in touch with me via any of the options lined out in step one - I’d love to work with you!