How to guide for an editorial photoshoot
What is an editorial photoshoot? According to the Adobe website “traditionally, editorial photography means the images that accompany an article in a publication. But editorial images can also exist on their own and imply a narrative or outline a creative concept.”
For me an editorial photoshoot is about telling a story. When I plan a photoshoot I ask myself these following questions. What am I trying to say with my imagery? Is my imagery conveying my message? Some editorial photoshoots may have a product they are trying to sell so I also keep that in mind while prepping for the shoot. Many fashion shoots are also editorial photoshoots. Below Ill show the steps I took for a recent editorial photoshoot.
For this editorial photoshoot I was placed in a group of 3 with other creatives, Kayla Abrams and Magali Ortega. We were tasked with selling a Lauren Conrad Scalloped Straw Floppy Sun Hat. It was decided that in order to advertise this hat it would be done in an editorial way. We then got to mood-boarding. Before any editorial photoshoot I make sure to make a mood-board. It helps inform the client, makeup artist, and model of the direction of the shoot. It helps get everyone on the same page. Below is a image of the Pinterest mood board we made.
Pinterest Board
For this board it was decided to have cottage-core vibes with neutral colors. The model was going to be a woman and it would be outside in the grass while having a picnic.
Mood Board
After putting the mood-board together a storyboard was put together that was then distributed to the model and makeup artist. Location and props were also chosen.
We wanted this editorial photoshoot to be fun and playful. We also wanted it to feel romanticized. Maybe it’s the long winter talking but we wanted this to have all the feels of summer. We wanted the customer to dream of summer and by buying this hat would bring you closer to these feelings. When planning an editorial photoshoot you want to make sure that comes across in your photos.
The following weekend I shoot this editorial photoshoot and it went great! I made sure the location, styling and makeup followed the story we wanted to tell. Also choosing a right model is a huge factor while planning an editorial photoshoot. The right model can me so expressive with face and body movements that can make your ideas/story come to life!
While I was shooting I had to deal with it being an overcast day. We wanted a sunny day to set the mood but after some post editing work I achieved the final results!
Just remember when shooting an editorial photoshoot ask yourself these 2 questions through start to finish. What am I trying to say with my imagery? Is my imagery conveying my message?
Final Images from the Photoshoot
To see more editorial photoshoots and work follow along below
