Photoshoot Plan Template

The photoshoot plan template is the central hub for your project. It includes the key parts of every great photoshoot plan: The brief, moodboard, shot list, call sheet and contact sheet. There are also checklists for your workflow and gear so you have everything in one easy to access place.

The first part of a photoshoot plan is the brief. A clear, inspiring and informative brief provides the structure and direction for photographers to their best work. It typically includes background information, goals, deliverables, references imagery, creative direction and a style guide.

Fill in the placeholder cards in the Brief template. Start by adding some background on your client and the project. Then, list the goals, deliverables and important dates. Finally, describe the target audience—the people you hope to impact with your images.

Once you’ve made any final tweaks, it’s time to share the completed brief with the your team so everyone's is on the same page.

A photography moodboard is a great way to explore and communicate the direction for an upcoming shoot. It ensures you and your client are aligned on the type and style of images you want to capture.

Drag in images from your computer and drop them onto the image placeholders on your moodboard. Then, use the built-in image library to add inspirational references. Finally, move and crop your images to communicate how you want to frame your shots.

Coordinating a photoshoot can be costly if that critical shot is missed on the day. But a clearly defined shot list will make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

A shot list is a simple checklist of every photo you (and your client) want to capture on the day of a shoot. It usually contains a list of specific shots, some visual references and extra details like camera angles or lighting set-up so you don't forget a thing.

Start by adding references images or sketches for the subjects you’re planning to shoot. This will make your shot list easy to scan. Next fill in the checklists for each individual shot you want to take on the day. Finally, add any specific details about the shots you plan to capture on the day. These might be reminders about the tone, mood or composition you're aiming for.

A call sheet is used to share information with your crew and make sure everyone is prepared and on schedule. This template helps you easily communicate the shoot location, key contacts, arrival time and schedule. Share it with your team ahead of your shoot so everyone can come prepared.

The call sheet is primarily content for other people, so start by providing a little background on the shoot. Add the location of the shoot and any details that will help people arrive safely and on time. List your talent and crew along with their contact details.

Finally, fill in the schedule—specifically the general crew call time. The general crew call time is when everyone needs to arrive on location. Under this, add the key events for the day so everyone can clearly see what's on and when. Don't forget lunch!

After your photoshoot, it's time to organize the best shots and share them with your client. The easiest way to do this is with a contact sheet (sometimes called a proof sheet).

A contact sheet is an online gallery of the best images from your shoot. It's a simple way for you and your client to review the shortlist and select the final images for the project. It's a huge time saver for everyone involved. The client doesn't have to sift through every photo taken on the day and the photographer only needs to retouch the ones their client likes.

You might have captured 200 images from your photoshoot but your client only needs 5 final images. It's time to reduce your list and upload a group of unedited images you want your client to choose from.

Drag images from your computer onto the Contact Sheet board. Milanote will automatically create a beautiful grid. When you’re finished, share the board with your client so they can comment and choose the final images to retouch.