I'll never forget how nervous I was to shoot my first paid shoot. It was an engagement session for a sweet couple who also booked me for their wedding (yes, it would also prove to be the first wedding I shot on my own as well). They were incredibly nice and though I explained I was a new photographer, I worried I'd mess things up. To avoid any snafus, I arrived early to scope the location…but I worried I was forgetting a myriad of other components.

And I was.

Yes, I showed up with my batteries charged and my CF cards reformatted, but there was more I could have done to prepare for an engagement session. Today I'll be showing what I do to prepare for a photo shoot and ensure a successful outcome and a great experience.

To review the video content and the behind-the-scenes look at a recent engagement session…
1. Arrive early to scope location for the best light and ambiance.
2. Choose the best location and save it for the end of the shoot.
3. Check the weather in advance.
4. Ask clients if they're bringing a change of clothes or props to properly allocate time during the photo shoot.
5. Don't merely see the location, but understand the location…figure out why it's special.

If you'd like to check out more video tutorials, feel free to drop by JasmineStarStore.com for downloads and other resources.

Happy Shooting!