How to Prepare for Your Individual Session
The preparation process ensures we make the most of your session and your investment. The goal is always to build a content library you can draw from for at least a year or two, and that only happens when the groundwork is done before we arrive on set.
When clients prepare intentionally, the day reaches a flow state. There's space for creative decisions in the moment, and we have fun. When the prep hasn't happened, the session tends to produce content that doesn't serve the brand as well as it could.
This guide covers everything you need to know to plan your session with confidence. We'll walk through each step of the process, and you'll hear from past clients about what preparation made possible for them.
Why clients made the choice to book:
"There's a limit to what can be done without professional help and I think I was at that limit."
"The quality of the content reflects the quality of the service, and it helps build trust from the first impression."
The Mood Board
The mood board is how we get on the same page aesthetically before the session. It influences everything — the location we choose, the setup we need, the lighting we're working toward. On the day, it also gives us something to return to when we need a reference point or a creative reset.
It's not a rigid brief. Think of it as a shared visual language between us.
There's no fixed way to build one. Some clients create a Pinterest board and add us directly (my preferred), some start a collaborative DM on Instagram, some send references over WhatsApp. However it comes together naturally for you works for us. Everything gets compiled into a shared Notion vision board ahead of the session so we have it on hand on the day.
Include anything that captures how you want people to feel when they see your content. Images, colours, textures, references. If something catches your eye and you're not sure why, add it anyway and tell us what drew you to it. Past clients have arrived with words like calm, grounded, alive, earthy, classical, empowering. Starting with a handful of words and then finding visuals to match is a good way in if you're not sure where to begin.
What past clients said about visualizing ahead of time:
"Des was also very flexible in how the creative process could work (which for me, meant hand-drawn mind maps that I could take photos of and upload to the platform) rather than having to do everything digitally, which I would have found quite stymying."
"We worked together to create a detailed mood board and shoot schedule to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day."
The Shot List
The shot list is your opportunity to tell us exactly what you need to walk away with. The structure comes from us, but every item on it comes from you.
Being specific here matters for two reasons. First, it means we capture what's most important to you. Second, it gives us the chance to advise if any expectations need adjusting before we're on set.
Think in categories: headshots, action shots, detail shots, prop-led work, 1-2-1 sessions, BTS. Then think further ahead — what are you going to need content for over the next six months to a year? A workshop launch, a new offering, a seasonal campaign? If you can anticipate it now, we can plan for it.
Each item on your shot list will map to a block in the run of show. The clearer your list, the more purposefully we can sequence the day.
What past clients said about creating a shot list:
"It's great to have a good bank of images I can use for my newsletter, and all the themes I'd ever teach for a month are well covered by the bank of pics I now have."
The ROS (Run of Show)
The run of show is a breakdown of the session divided into time blocks — usually 15, 30 or 60 minute increments depending on what we're working toward. We build the structure together, but the details come from you.
Each block is typically organised around a theme or a styling choice. During our prep call, we'll talk through how to approach it, but the day is ultimately guided by your goals. I'll advise and interject where it's useful, but the run of show is yours to shape.
Before the session, fill it out as fully as you can. Think about what you want to capture in each block and what you plan to wear. I'll keep a copy and refer to it on the day. However you need to organise your thoughts and share them with us works.
Read it before the day. The more familiar you are with it, the more efficiently we use our time on set.
What past clients said about creating the ROS:
"Des guided me through the creative process from day one, and it evolved into something inspiring, enjoyable and even helped me drill down on the aspects of my teaching that are most important to me."
The Location
Location is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the planning process. It is the backdrop, the atmosphere and the visual foundation for everything we create together.
The space needs to work on camera, not just feel right in person. We'll be thinking about light and whether we need natural window light, artificial options, or both. We'll be thinking about what the walls, floors and textures are doing in the background.
We almost always recommend investing in a rental space. Whether that's a fitness or wellness studio, a photography studio with colourama options, or an Airbnb with the right aesthetic, finding a base that serves your brand visually is worth the cost. Clients who have made that investment consistently say it was one of the best decisions they made for the shoot, and many have found the imagery influenced their broader brand direction long after the session.
Once we have a shoot date confirmed, the location should be locked in as soon as possible. It affects everything else: the run of show, the shot list, the kit we bring. We have a location guide to help if you're not sure where to start.
What past clients said about investing in location hire:
"Following Des's advice to hire a studio space for the shoot was definitely worth the investment, as the backdrop for the pics is clean, bright and certainly played a big role in creating the feel I wanted."
"People definitely take me more seriously. Had more bookings for the treatments."
The Styling
Styling has a direct impact on how long your content stays usable. The goal is to build a wardrobe for the session that gives us variety without dating the imagery.
Start with a full black outfit. It is the most neutral and timeless option we have, and it will make your content work harder for longer. From there, think about the vibe you're after. Airy neutrals sit at one end, punchy colours at the other. Your mood board and brand direction should guide this.
Bring at least two to three options so we have room to move between looks across the day. Patterns and logos are almost always a distraction on camera and tend to date quickly. We'd steer away from both, but ultimately it's your content and your call.
Keep hair and makeup consistent with how you present your brand in real life. If you're planning an active session, bring what you need for touch-ups. One piece of feedback we hear regularly is that portrait and headshot work is best scheduled at the start of the session while everything is still fresh. We'll factor that into the run of show.
What past clients said about creating my styling recommendations:
"The images — particularly based on the outfits I chose based on Des's advice — have helped me form a colour palette that I'll be able to use when building my website. The work of picking colours has already been done!"
Bringing People In
Some sessions include other people — clients, models, collaborators, or members of your community. If you know you want to bring someone in, that decision should be made well before shoot day.
The people you bring are your responsibility to brief. Share this guide with them if it's helpful! The more they understand about the session, the smoother the day runs. Make sure the people you bring reflect your brand and your community. They are part of the story we're telling.
One thing to note: models will not have access to the final content unless that has been specifically agreed in advance. If there are any arrangements to be made around image usage, that needs to be confirmed before the session date.
We've worked with a range of setups — 1-2-1 practitioner work, community groups, treatment sessions, collaborative shoots. The principles are the same regardless of format. Know who is coming, when they're arriving, and what you need from them during their time on set.
What past clients said about having models on set:
"She made my models and myself feel very comfortable as she photographed us in motion, during meditation, breath work and community practice."
On the Day
Arrive at your session time, or up to 15 minutes before. If we've hired a rental space, early access isn't always possible so there's no benefit to arriving much earlier than that.
Come having read your run of show and shot list. The session is not the time to be meeting your brief for the first time!
On the day, we lead. Your job is to show up, be present and trust the process. We'll direct, make creative decisions in the moment and keep things moving. The more you've prepared in advance, the more enjoyable the day feels and the more creative space we have to work with.
Camera nerves are completely normal and come up before every session we do. The preparation work you do in advance goes a long way toward settling that on the day. Knowing your brief, your outfits and your shot list means there are fewer unknowns to manage when you arrive.
Think about what you need to feel comfortable and at your best. Bring snacks, put together a playlist, wear something you feel good in. We want you to enjoy this. It's fun, we promise!
What past clients said about on set vibes:
"Though I entered the process with Des based on a personal recommendation, I was still incredibly daunted by the prospect of having my photo taken — especially for four hours straight (I'm normally quite a camera shy person), but she made me feel comfortable and relaxed from the start."
"Des was brilliant to work with, she brought structure to the process and made the day of shooting fun and relaxing."
"Des guided me really well through what to expect, how to pose, and helped me feel relaxed throughout the session."
"As well as following the various details I'd mapped out in advance, she came up with creative ideas in the moment about variations and angles that would look good based on which outfit I was wearing or where the light was falling, for instance."
"Gave me confidence and took stress out of needing to find/use old imagery or imagery from phone."
Don't just take our word for it:
"Des was brilliant to work with, she brought structure to the process and made the day of shooting fun and relaxing. I appreciated her guidance through the shoot and I'm extremely happy with what we created together."
"Des created beautiful visuals for something that is really quite difficult to describe, or put into words. I'm so grateful to now be able to show people what my work entails in a way that fully represents me and my vision."
"Ugh, Des is just the best. I had such high expectations for the session, because I know how talented she is. The images came through and I was blown away, they were even better than I could have expected. Her vision and gorgeous personal taste really shone through. Des you truly are the best."
"Des was amazing to work with - she understood my vision for ALIVE from the start and was incredibly encouraging. We worked together to create a detailed mood board and shoot schedule to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. She made my models and myself feel very comfortable as she photographed us in motion, during meditation, breath work and community practice. She had great ideas and suggestions for additional camera shots in line with my brand vision, and delivered all photos on time."
"Des guided me really well through what to expect, how to pose, and helped me feel relaxed throughout the session. As it was my first time having professional photos taken for business use, her experience and knowledge made the whole process feel comfortable and easy."
Overall, from start to finish, it was a great day and I'm beyond thrilled with the resulting pics. If I was ever looking to do another shoot, it'd definitely be Des I reach out to."
"I loved working with Des. It's a really nerve-wracking experience to have photos taken, but empowering when you see the finished results! People take you more seriously when they see your confidence and self-belief. Would 100% work with Des again, such a fun day!"
What if I'm not comfortable in front of a camera?
(01)
This is the most common thing we hear, and it never gets old. A decade of working with movement practitioners means we know how to guide you through both the imagery and the body. Direction on set covers everything from how to position yourself in a shot to alignment and physical cues where they're useful.
How much direction will I receive on the day?
(02)
As much as you need. At the start of a session we'll typically give you a few minutes to move and get grounded while we work on angles and confirm the lighting. That settling in period also tells us how much direction will be useful as the day progresses. In our experience, by half an hour in the nerves have usually melted away and things find their own rhythm.
Does my shot list and prep work have to be done digitally?
(03)
Not at all. However you need to organise and share your thoughts with us works. We've received hand-drawn mind maps, voice notes, WhatsApp messages and everything in between. The format doesn't matter, the content does.
How does location hire work and who arranges it?
(04)
In most cases we advise on location and you handle the booking. Based on your mood board and what we need from the space, we'll point you toward our list of recommended places and guide you on what would work best for your vision. The final decision and the booking is yours. Location hire is an additional cost worth factoring into your budget early. In ten years we have never had a client who regretted spending a little more on the right space.
How do I decide which add-ons are right for my session?
(05)
The most popular add-ons for individual bookings are an iPhone clips library and film photography. As with everything else, we'll advise based on the aesthetic direction you've established and what we think will serve your brand best. If you're unsure, bring it to the prep call and we'll work through it together.
I've never done this before, where do I start?
(06)
You're already in the right place. This guide covers everything you need to know to start planning your session. If you still have questions or want to talk anything through, fill out the form below and we'll book a consult call.
How long after the session will I receive my content?
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Standard turnaround is four weeks from the session date. Rush turnaround is available for an additional fee, subject to availability. If you need your content by a specific date, flag that before we confirm your booking.
Can I bring someone with me on the day?
(08)
Yes. If you're bringing models or clients into your shoot, see the section above. If you'd like to bring someone along for support, that's absolutely fine too. Whatever you need to feel comfortable on the day, we're happy to talk it through beforehand.
What happens if I need to reschedule?
(09)
Rescheduling requests need to be made in writing no later than 7 days before your session date. One reschedule is permitted per booking, subject to availability. Anything outside of these terms is covered in your contract.
Good preparation is what separates a content library that works for years from one that sits unused. Everything in this guide exists to make sure that when we arrive on set, we're spending our time creating — not figuring out what we're there to do.
If you have questions at any point during your planning process or you're ready to work together, fill out the form and we'll take it from there.
