I kept thinking to myself what I could be forgetting.  Turns out I had everything on hand for the shoot I had due to adding to my photography bag way more than I needed: A camera cover, paper towels, I could go on with things I never touched. I definitely over thought it. If we are being honest with ourselves, we all know we all get a little like that sometimes wondering what the hell is missing and our photography bag and stress out so why don't we go over some of the essential things you want to bring to your first photoshoot

 

 

I don't know about you but when I first started photography I didn't know a single thing about posing or felt awkward telling someone how to stand or fake laughing on command.  Having a shot list on hand is a nice and easy way to refer to poses without trying to think on the spot and your mind is blank or awkward lulls because you don't know how to direct the subject and they are waiting on instructions. My first shoot, I had ideas, but I wouldn't say I wasn't a victim of what I described above.

 

I think we can all agree this is something that is important to have on a photoshoot.  Coming from experience it is embarrassing showing up to take photos and and then telling someone how there is a delay with the schedule because you need to hookup your battery and charge it.   Or bring a second battery (if you have one), that never hurts too!

 

Another thing that you will want is water.  Talking to a couple or a family and telling them how to stand and what to do to get the pictures posed perfectly will make you thirsty for sure and your environment can really affect this as well especially if you're outdoors and it's really hot and humid you will want to stay hydrated.

 

Of course if you are a newbie this may not be something you have yet but it is always good to keep in mind if you do.  Having an extra lense is smart in case something happens to the one you are currently using or (depending on the lense) you may suddenly think of an awesome shot or angle you want to get and lucky you you had your spare telephoto lense (or whatever it is) on hand.

 

This is something I favor more towards an outdoor shoot vs indoor shoot. When your outside there's grass, leaves, the ground is dirty, so many things.  It is nice having a towel on hand to lay on the ground so you aren't sitting on, the mucky or uncomfortable ground, especially if you get down to get a certain angle.  Another reason is say the person you are photographing has something on their face and you want to help get it off.  Doing a lot of shoots with color powder I definitely find this handy in case they have the powder on there face in a way that isn't the asthetic I want.

 

This doesn't apply to everyone but say you are doing a Christmas mini and have a wreath you planned on using in a shoot that the clients you have were expecting and you forgot it.  Tht would not exactly be the best look. My first photoshoot I was so nervous I was going to forget my color powder I triple checked it was in my bag. Some may call it paranoid, I call it being prepared.

 

And there you go. These are all things you will want to have going to your first photoshoot.