How to Get Photo Shoot Contingency Planning Right
Planning for the things that go wrong on shoot days: weather, illness, equipment failure and late deliveries.
Imogen Clarke
Why does it matter?
Shoot days are expensive and often unrepeatable, and contingency is cheaper than rescheduling.
What are the numbers?
- Weather outdoor shoots need alternative dates or locations
- Samples products arrive late more often than expected
- Equipment failures happen at the worst moment
- People talent and crew fall ill
What should I do?
- Agree backup dates for weather-dependent work
- Confirm sample delivery well in advance
- Carry backup camera and lighting equipment
- Have a standby plan for talent and crew
- Prioritize the shot list so essentials happen first
What should I avoid?
Avoid:
- Single-date outdoor shoots with no alternative
- Samples arriving on the shoot morning
- No equipment backup
- Shot lists with no priority order
When should I get help?
Short answer Bring in help when shoots carry campaign deadlines.
Where this comes from
- Capture One — Learning resources
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Business insurance
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Photography & Product Visuals work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
