Social media makes blogger and influencer photoshoots look like a piece of cake, but that can’t be further from the truth. Lots of planning, logistics, and seamless execution goes into effect to capture the perfect photo. Throughout my blogging career, I’ve always outsourced local Atlanta photographers' help to photograph style photos for my blog and social media channels. Since I always receive a lot of questions about the photography on my blog, I thought it was the perfect time to give you a glimpse behind the scenes of a recent photoshoot.

The Planning

The planning for the photoshoot all starts weeks in advance when I’m planning out my editorial calendar for my blog. I work with my photographer to schedule a time and date that works best for both of our schedules. We usually try to book a time during the golden hours, which is right when the sun rises or right before it sets.

Once we’ve determined a time and date, we start discussing the concept. I start going through my Pinterest and Instagram favorites for inspiration. I also select the 4-5 outfits that I’m planning to wear for the photoshoot to influence the inspiration for each concept.

The Location

After we’ve come up with the concept for each look, we discuss the location where we are going to have the photoshoot. We consider a few things when looking at different locations, parking, foot traffic in the area, rules, and regulations for each property. We try to find places that have free or lost cost parking. We also try to aim for early shooting time to limit the amount of foot traffic from the public in the area. Some properties have rules and regulations about photography and require a permit.

The Execution

It’s shoot day! The planning and logistics portion of the photoshoot have all been sorted out by now. Now it’s showtime and ready to get your best shot in front of the camera. If you are working with a new photographer, it might take a little while to get comfortable working with them and posing in front of the camera. Having an introductory meeting in advance of working with a photographer might ease those first-time jitters. But you’ll eventually get comfortable being photographed in public and learn your photographers’ style.

I always arrive in my first outfit prepared to have my picture taken in the first concept. We shoot about 100 frames per outfit and at the end of the shoot, I select my favorites using a rating system on the camera.

You’re probably asking the question in your head, “Where does she change”. If the venue doesn’t have a free public restroom, I’m usually changing in the back seat of my SUV. If you were a former dancer or gymnast like I was, you might have memories of changing your car to practice. It’s the same concept for changing outfits for a photoshoot. Each photoshoot typically lasts an hour and we try to photograph 4-5 outfits each time.

These photoshoots take place in all seasons. We’ve taken photos before in all seasons. One time we shot a holiday campaign in 20-degree temperatures and had to warm up in our cars in between each look.

What questions do you have about being a lifestyle blogger or working with a photographer?