Commercial photoshoots can be a laborious affair. Fun? Yes! Creatively stimulating? Absolutely! A little bit stressful? Certainly sometimes. 

 

There are so many moving parts to the production of a professional photo shoot that even experienced photographers can benefit from running through a quick checklist before heading off to set. Especially if the set is outdoors or in a unique location. Once you’ve arrived on set, you want to be able to hit the road running and get the shots you need before calling it a day, and that kind of situation calls for solid preparation. 

 

Commercial shoots require a lot of paraphernalia—cameras and technical equipment just being some of them. Props, snacks, and other random items can be just as important to the success of a commercial shoot at the end of the day. 

 

Here’s our must-have checklist for items, tools, and tasks that everyone that works in the commercial photography industry can benefit from the next time they head off to shoot their shot. 

Camera and Lenses 

First things first: always make sure you have your camera! Sounds obvious, but you might be surprised by how often the basics get forgotten. The kind of camera you use and the lenses you want to go along with it may vary depending on the shoot you’re preparing for, but for commercial shoots, the go-to options are generally: 

 

• Nikon D780
• Panasonic LUMIX G9 II 
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• Prime lenses in 50mm, 80mm, and 100mm 

 

But the type of camera and lens you use isn’t as important here as remembering to pack the one you have. Keep it charged at all times, and bring a microfiber cloth for dusting mid-shoot. 

Lighting

The right lighting set-up is crucial to any successful photo shoot, especially in a commercial shoot where great product representation is part of the brief. There are a few pieces of lighting equipment to add to your checklist for the ultimate lighting set up every time: 

 

• Studio lights 
• Diffuser lights 
• Light umbrellas
• Strobe lights 
• Reflectors 
• Soft boxes 

 

The details of which gear pieces you need will vary depending on the scale and budget of your shoot—that’s part of what makes this part of the checklist a little tricky. In some cases,  you may need to rent gear if you don’t own it. But as long as you have a reference list to fall back on, you’ll always know what you need. 

Props 

Very few commercial photo shoots require no props. And even if they don’t, having a few will always come in handy. Props can add drama, detail, and visual intrigue to photo shoots and help tell a more coherent story through your photos. Objects like chairs, vases, decor, accessories, and books all make great impromptu additions to a commercial shoot. 

 

It’s a good idea to keep a prop box on set or in your studio so that you can add and remove interesting items as you please. Invite your crew or assistants to add their own items, and you’ll never run out of props to elevate your commercial shoots. 

Backgrounds 

 

The right background is key to a successful commercial shoot. It’s always important to present your product or model in a way that matches the tone and environment of the brand you are working for, which is why having a variety of background options must be on your checklist. 

 

There are several ways to approach shooting backgrounds. If you’re not shooting outdoors or on a specific set that integrates itself into the shoot, you can use fabric, wooden boards, paper, MDF sheets, and even green screens to create the illusion of a new environment. The background you use can make or break the visual impact of a commercial shot, so make sure to keep this one at the forefront of your mind. 

A Crew Contact List

Having the right crew on set can make a huge difference to your shoot. You’ll know upfront whether your client will be sending stylists, hair and make-up artists, or any other industry professionals needed for the shoot. Ensure you have a contact list with everyone’s names and details so that you can get in touch if the need arises.

 

If you need to find your own crew, many stylists, models, and hair and MUAs create their own portfolios, so you can check these out upfront to find the right people for the brief. When you’ve chosen your crew, make a contact sheet that you circulate with everyone involved so that they can also contact each other if they need to discuss anything specific. 

Refreshment Station 

Commercial shoots can bring long hours that leave people cranky and exhausted. Photography sets are workplaces, after all, and the people who work within them need to be fed. Some of the best refreshments to have on hand during a photoshoot include: 

 

• Energy drinks 
• Coffee (essential!) and tea 
• Water 
• Grab-and-go snacks like crackers, energy bars, and trail mix
• Fresh fruit 
• Sandwiches or wraps that can be eaten quickly 
• Nothing too greasy that could leave fingerprints on equipment 
• Candy 

 

The refreshments you choose to serve are up to you, just make sure to include them. Keep your snacks as healthy as possible so that you can get those hours in without crashing. 

Miscellaneous Tools 

If you really want your commercial shoot to go flawlessly, over-preparing is best. Like many production processes, photoshoots can come with unpredictable factors, such as accidental breakages, poorly fitting clothing, and a million and one other things that you can’t be expected to anticipate beforehand. 

 

For this reason, bring along your tripod (even if you don’t think you need it), lens wipes, masking tape, duct tape, clamps, safety pins, a needle, and thread—just about anything you think may be useful one day. Chances are, that day will come, and when it does, you will be prepared for it!

Chargers and Backups 

Last but absolutely not least, always bring chargers and backup devices just in case something goes wrong. This is a great habit for every type of photographer to adopt so that you’re never left without the most important tools of the job. 

Make Every Shoot A Success

 

Commercial photography requires a wide range of technical and creative equipment to bring a client’s vision to life. This checklist can serve as a guide for ensuring that your shoots are consistently flawless and successful.