Some of you guys know this little secret about fashion blogging, some of you don’t: a lot of us shoot multiple outfits in one day. You know, because we don’t have a professional photographer following us around 24/7!
Because I have a full-time job 9-5, I don’t really have much of an opportunity to shoot any photos before or after work (with the exception of summer: I was able to sneak some in then since the sun set at 8:30pm!). I typically shoot every other weekend, and I aim to shoot 3-6 outfits in one session. In addition to blogging and a full-time job, your girl also has a social life (believe it or not?), and also the weather is crazy unpredictable, so this is why I can’t shoot every single weekend!
I’ve somewhat got my strategy down for prepping for multiple photoshoots over the years. Here are some of my tips and tricks on how to successfully shoot multiple outfits in one day:
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Prep, Prep, Prep
Goodness, guys: packing/prepping for photoshoot day takes me a solid 45-minutes. You’re hauling multiple, complete outfits: tops, bottoms, dresses, hats, shoes, jewelry, it’s absolutely insane. In order to speed up the process, if I’ve worn the outfit before and like it enough to shoot it, I snap a photo when I first wore the outfit and save it in a folder on my phone, so this helps me remember the shoes and accessories I paired with the look.
I normally carry a few tote bags and garment bags along with me: One tote for clothes, one for shoes, one for bags, and a small bag that has lipsticks (I’ll change out my lipstick accordingly with every look). I also highly recommend traveling with a jewelry organizer if you’re bringing along a significant amount of bling: I can’t tell you how many pieces of jewelry I’ve accidentally broken in transpot to photoshoots by not packing it properly! -
Press Your Clothes in Advance
If there’s any chance one of your garments could get wrinkled in transport, make sure to give them a good pressing before the shoot and always, always carry those items in a garment bag! The folks over at Rowenta sent over their new Steamcare Iron for me to try and guys, this is a lot better than the steamer I was previously using!
It has Tri-Plate technology that makes it safe to use on even the most delicate fabrics, and it has a vertical steam function that helps get some of the hard-to-reach technology. It also has a feature called One Smart Temperature, which automatically adjusts the iron’s heat settings to remove wrinkles from any fabric, with no manual adjustment necessary. Best part of this iron is that it automatically shuts off after being on for 8 minutes if left vertically, 30 seconds if left horizontally. And when I’m running around on photoshoot day, trust me: this feature is a life saver (literally!)
You can pick up the new Rowenta Steamcare Iron at Macy’s; and it will be available at other retailers later on this year. -
Know Your Location Ahead of Time
If you’re shooting somewhere new, it might be worth it for either you or your photographer to peak around the location and look for cool spots to shoot before you even get started. If you have a backdrop preference, let your photographer know in advance. For me, I either love a colorful backdrop if I’m wearing a more neutral ensemble, or a typical street style, simple backdrop if I’m wearing a super colorful or printed ensemble.
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Pack a Photoshoot Emergency Kit
In my kit, I have makeup remover wipes (for when I want to change lipsticks), a small comb, double stick tape, safety pins and a small pair of scissors for when I accidentally forget to remove a tag. Trust me, this little “emrgency kit” will help your shoot run so much smoother!
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Choose Your Transportation Wisely
Speaking from experience here: while I prefer to just hop in my car for photoshoots, sometimes I shoot in areas of D.C. that have miserable parking situations. I either need to suck it up and prepare to pay for garage parking in these areas, get to the shoot location 30 minutes early to find street parking, or Uber to the shoot and lug around several bags. Not going to lie, this is why most of my photoshoots are in the suburbs, hah! Take these things into consideration when transporting yourself to a shoot.
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Shoot Dresses/Skirts First, Pants Second
If you’re shooting a dress/skirt/bare legs at any point during the shoot, do not travel to the shoot in jeans/pants. Jeans tend to leave weird creases on your legs, so avoid traveling in them at all to shoots. Socks also leave a weird mark on your legs as well, so I would ditch those as well. Also, don’t travel in an outfit that has a tendency to get wrinkled: after sitting down in a car/Uber/Metro, it’s not gonna look so hot when you get to the shoot.
Sometimes I even travel to shoots in sweatpants or leggings. Seriously, y’all. Not really a fashion statement, but it ensures that I don’t have weird indents from jeans or wrinkle one of my outfits that I need to shoot! -
Carefully Put Your Shoot Items Away After the Shoot
This is a bad habit I really need to break: being lazy after the shoot and leaving your items in bags for several days after the shoot. Put it away immediately! I can’t tell you how many bags or pieces of jewelry I’ve accidentally left in my car for weeks after a shoot. Make sure you put everything away right when you’re done!
I probably scared some of you with this post haha, but I promise: photoshoot day is fun! There are just a lot of ways you can make your experience run smoothly on shoot day and avoid problems.
What are your blog photo shoot tips and tricks?
Thank you to Rowenta for partnering with me on today’s post! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Such a great idea about the emergency kit! I shoot about 12 in a day so it can get tough. This looks like a great iron. All about the prepping!
Love this post! So helpful! I agree, love the idea about the emergency kit. I need to start getting better organized!
xoxo
Kristen
http://www.everychicway.com
These are super helpful! Right now my fiance is my photographer, and I’m hoping to move on from our apartment building and into the city!
xoxo
Ashley | http://ablondeandabriefcase.com/
Such good tips! I’m going on location this weekend and I’m nervous about having to squish myself into my car to change outfits and flash people lol. Definitely going to bring an emergency kit now.
I love this post!!! Just had a photoshoot day yesterday with 4-5 outfits and tried to be as organized as possible but I always tend to forget something! I’ve started writing out a checklist for every single outfit down to the details and its helped a lot. Thanks for sharing this!!
xo, Shelby
http://www.prettyinthepines.com
This is something that I definitely need to start doing . Thank you for the tips
X,abril
The color palette
Great post!!! I always try and do 5 at a time and it definitely takes prep work!!
xx – anna
fleurdille.com
Love this post! Prepping and ironing take the longest for me!
Pink Champagne Problems
These are great tips! I tend to post more lifestyle content and recipes, but its the same. Prep is everything!
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
Love all of these tips! Living in NYC, I’m always shooting tons of looks at once and traveling around isn’t easy! Shooting skirts and dresses first is something I’ve never thought about, but it totally makes sense! Thanks for sharing!
xx
Mollie
http://www.astylishsideproject.com
Great tips! I’m going to start packing an emergency kit. Love that one!
Karen
http://LadyinViolet.com
Just did a 5 outfit shoot on Saturday. Definitely not my favorite but it’s nice to knock looks out to have for later!
http://adoredbyalex.com
I once did 24 in one day phew! I will never do that again haha. Love your tips!
xoxo
Sarah Lindner
http://www.thehouseofsequins.com
The struggle is real! Haha I love this!
I do this!! These tips are so helpful! Any tips for not making your car a total tornado during/after shooting? haha!
You’re literally the cutest human. And I am loving your tips! I definitely steam all my looks beforehand, but I love the idea of shooting dresses/skirts first!
xox E
http://thestylehuntblog.com
Great tips! I need to be much more organized on my shoot days!
I definitely do this!! These are great tips for staying organized on a crazy shoot day!
I can totally relate to the unpacking post-shoot mess! I completely loathe taking all of my shoot shite out of my car and back into the closet!
Isn’t putting it all away THE WORST? Haha. These are great tips and tricks! I actually shot at least 2-3 looks at once, but on a good day 5-6. It’s crazy in the winter because we try and cram everything in a rain-free day!! Thanks for your lovely post.
So where do you change outfits? Usually if I’m shooting multiple looks I’ll pick a location less than five minutes from home so I can go back and change, or I’ll change quickly in the back seat of my car if I don’t think there will be too many people around. I’m definitely not dedicated enough to change my makeup in-between looks!
http://www.iamchiconthecheap.com/
I usually either change in my car, or in a restroom at a cafe/coffee shop if I’m shooting in the middle of D.C.!
Thanks for the tips! Nothing beats a good iron, so i must give this one a try. Beautiful photos too – love this post.
OMG fantastic post – might recreate a similar one down the road #inspired <3
This is great advice…and that yellow dress is GORGEOUS on you!
Love these outfits!
I read the funniest thing once about a fashion blogger who took multiple outfit shots in the same day but when she was changing in the car her dress got tucked into her underwear so she flashed a couple peeps downtown. I thought it was the funniest thing I’d ever heard. #bloggerprobs !! xx adaatude.com
There is so much yes in the post! I shoot like 4-5 outfits a day (1 time a week) and I do all of these. The only thing I’m bad at doing is prepping. I kinda just wing it sometimes and need to get better at it!
xx
Lauren
The Fashionista’s Diary
What amazing pictures!! also wow what a mac daddy iron. Thanks for sharing the tips!
Lindsay | sell eat love
Seriously live by these rules! I would go insane without them!
I do a lot of shoots at home just because it’s so much easier in our neighborhood, back yard or front porch!
These are all great tips! I agree that ironing things and making sure everything is ready to go ahead of time is key.
Style by Joules
SUCH a smart post. Working ahead is absolutely clutch…if I’m shooting with my mama, sometimes she’ll iron for me as I style the looks to save time!
Coming Up Roses
I do these things as well. It makes for a relatively smooth day to shoot outfits.
Perfect post & I can soooo relate! I’m so good about steaming my outfits before but SO bad about putting them up after!
Ugh. girl the struggle is real – add in a sassy toddler running around and trying to capture that 😉 hahaha
xo,
L
Living in Color
@livingincolorstyle