How to Plan a Video Shoot: A Beginner's Guide
Creating visual content that authentically represents you, resonates with your audience, and ultimately drives sales is the dream. When your visual content matches the quality of your services or products, it sends a powerful message. It tells your audience that you're someone who can be trusted.
Whether you're an established business or just starting out, a polished visual presence can significantly boost your credibility, attract ideal clients, and drive sales. However, coordinating a photo or video shoot can be daunting, even for seasoned professionals!
What I've Learned
After two decades of planning shoots for diverse clients - from weddings to large-scale commercial projects - I've discovered that thoughtful preparation is key to a successful shoot. A structured approach allows you to arrive ready to be creative, rather than feeling overwhelmed by details.
Whether you're DIY-ing with a smartphone or working with professionals, the principles of good planning remain the same. The scale might differ, but the core approach is consistent.
As a creative, my natural tendency is to go with the flow. While that's how you want to feel on shoot day, it often doesn't happen without significant pre-planning.
Before diving into content planning, be clear on your brand, message, and audience. This clarity makes using planning guides or templates straightforward. If these foundational aspects of your business aren't clear, creating content may not be the best use of your time and effort.
Pre-planning Equals Freedom
Knowing what to pre-plan can be challenging if you're new to video production. Here are the steps I follow when preparing for my own or a client's shoot:
Create a Pinterest board for visual inspiration. Save liberally, then refine. Notice patterns in what you like, keeping your existing brand vibe in mind.
Braindump ideas around your video topic. For talking head pieces, create rough talking points. For visual-only videos, write a brief overall story.
From steps 1 and 2, create your final shot list and shoot day timeline. Allow time for setup between shots.
Familiarise yourself with the content. For talking head videos, review your points several times to feel confident.
Test your equipment, especially new gear. Check mics, tripods, and ensure your phone has enough battery and storage.
Consider location and styling. Think about what you're wearing and how it looks in the scene.
On shoot day, remember to capture a photo for video covers (Instagram Reels, YouTube, HTML email, etc.).
Post-shoot, allocate time for creating captions and covers to maximise exposure across platforms.
There’s always room to grow
Even after 20 years, I still get nervous before a photoshoot, especially for myself. There's a lot to manage when working solo. But with proper planning and acknowledging your nerves, you can push through and create great content. The only way to improve is through practice.
As you prepare for your next shoot, remember that this process can be more than just capturing content. It's an opportunity for self-expression and, with time, something you might enjoy.
Thanks for reading, Honey x
You can check out my bio here.
