Since the pandemic, it has become more common to run remote photo sessions where clients are not physically present. In this article, I will share my best tips on how to run a successful and efficient remote photography service.
On the one hand, remote photography has opened the door for us to work with any client, anywhere in the world, from the comfort of their own home, studio or local location. I. On the other hand, working remotely presents its own unique challenges, from communicating effectively to navigating time zone differences.
Contact
Communication is always important in any photo shoot, but even more so for a remote shoot where the client won’t be on site. Clarify their needs in as much detail as possible in pre-production. Write a detailed shooting list that includes what angles you need to shoot, the type of lighting they want, the aspect ratio needed, the pose and props they require.
For a remote photo session, make sure the client keeps an eye on the surface, backdrop, and props you plan to use to make sure they’ve signed up for everything. It’s better to talk too much during the planning process than at the end of the shoot, only to find out that they don’t like the surface you’ve chosen.
Determine from the outset whether the client needs supervision and sign it on the date of the shoot. This will help inform your approach.
Test Shoot Settings
For clients who don’t need to log in in real time, one of my favorite ways to do a remote shoot is to set up a test session the day before the actual shoot. In this test shoot, I’ll select one or two items from the shooting list, take pictures, edit them, and upload them to the gallery software I use. I will send clients test images and if they are happy with how everything looks, these will be part of their final selection.
If the client isn’t happy with the image at this point, it’s a great opportunity to make corrections, get feedback, and learn what they don’t like before you spend a full day (or more) on the shoot.
Once all the bumps have been flattened out in this little test shoot, you’re ready to continue shooting the whole thing with confidence. I find this type of setup to work well for repeat clients I’ve worked with for a long time, because there’s already a level of trust and familiarity there.
Contract photography
I have a special clause in my photography contract to protect me during remote photography sessions that says I will only take technically incorrect images, such as if taken by mistake. product or if accidentally taken at the wrong angle.
If the brief has been followed correctly, I will not accommodate reshoot requests based on subjective thoughts or style preferences, such as “I would like a different color of bed linen. “
Video call
If the client wants to monitor the creative direction in real time and they are not physically present, set up screen sharing of your connection editing software. In this way, customers can view the images transmitted to your computer in real time and can provide feedback, either through chat or audio.
Make it clear to the client in advance that you need to respond quickly if you are going to stick to your schedule and not overrun. One problem I’ve faced in the past is that clients disappear in other meetings and don’t provide a response for 30 minutes (or so). This is not possible, you will feel frustrated and lead to spinning too fast.
Inference
The key to successful remote photo sessions lies in the ability to communicate excessively. Dive into the details of your footage list, sign props and surfaces, and request a quick response to any video call photo sharing you may be working on. I’d love to know how you do your remote photography and any tips you have for a productive day.
