Planning makes or breaks a photo shoot. The difference between an average shot and a great one often comes down to preparation, not gear. If you show up without a plan, you’re gambling with time, money, and results.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this no-nonsense video breaks down the real work behind a successful shoot. Test shoots are essential, but they aren’t just about taking pictures. They require the same level of organization as commercial jobs. Choucino emphasizes that commercial shoots don’t necessarily lead to more commercial work—test shoots do. Art directors and creative leads want to see personal work that reflects your vision, not just polished ad campaigns. That means every test shoot needs a clear goal, not just a “let’s see what happens” approach.
Execution starts with a detailed plan. Choucino shows how pre-production eliminates on-set guesswork. This includes everything from color references to lighting diagrams, equipment lists, and even crew responsibilities. Assistants receive a breakdown of what to set up before anyone walks through the door. Knowing exactly how a glass of beer should look—its color, the density of its head, the timing of carbonation settling—removes unnecessary debates when shooting. Every minute spent preparing saves time on set, ensuring that creativity isn’t lost in logistics.
On a shoot, distractions are everywhere. Clients, assistants, stylists, and creative directors all need attention. If you’re thinking about camera settings, lighting placement, or backup storage, you’re not fully focused on the image. Choucino stresses that professionals delegate tasks. Let the assistant handle lighting adjustments. Let the digital tech manage exposure and file backups. Your job is to assess whether the shot works and make creative decisions in the moment. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
