How To Prepare for a Successful Photoshoot

After months of brainstorming design ideas, shopping for new fabrics and trims, and catching up on all of the latest market research, I am now ready and excited to unveil The Elite Collection! I am thrilled to share ALL of the details that went into showcasing my designs in my fall 2021 collection and preparing for a photoshoot.

I always have a story in mind when creating each corset. Photoshoots allow me to bring this vision to life. To prepare, I create a storyboard, moodboard, or vision board, with inspirational pictures that really help to identify the theme and mood for the day.

Planning a photoshoot requires coordinating a lot of professionals and booking a venue that best reflects the style and mood I’m trying to capture.

If possible, I visit the location before the shoot to check out the area, the possible shoot spots, the light situation, spaces to change, restrooms, etc.

It is important to put together a team of people who work well together and who are passionate about helping me create my vision. I hire a photographer whose style speaks to me and I host a model call whose measurements will fit my corsets.

Once the photographer and models are hired, I discuss my vision with them well in advance to share the concept I am imagining.

Hair and makeup artists are selected, nail colors are discussed with the models and the schedule is set for the day with everyone involved. Coordinating everyone together at the same time and date is probably the most difficult part by far.

I style each corset while also planning any props, jewelry, heels, and accessories that are needed for each look. The outfits are organized in bags with matching underwear, accessories, and shoes. I prep samples and iron or steam all of the garments. My troubleshoot kit includes scissors, needle and thread, safety pins, hair clips, and whatever else I might need to fix or adjust things on set.

Everything is prepared with the comfort of the team in mind. I make sure to have a selection of drinks, snacks, sun shields, umbrellas, towels, paper towels, blankets and cardigans to keep the models warm, and music that fits the theme of the shoot.

I am very hands-on during the shoot as I help dress each model and lace-up every corset. The models then do their thing, posing and walking around with the photographer.

The length of the photoshoot depends on how many looks each model is wearing. It is usually a minimum of two hours but can last up to eight.

After the photoshoot, the most difficult part is choosing which pictures to share. Sometimes there are several hundred photos to sort through which makes it very difficult to select the top few.

Seeing the results of the whole project come together is what is most exciting and rewarding for me.

If you are interested in finding out what goes on behind the scenes in designing and creating a custom corset, check out my blog, The Making of a Corset.