It’s an excellent idea to prepare a pre-shoot checklist. A list like this will consist of a few things to go over before each and every shoot. It’s important to leave enough time between going over the checklist and the actual time of the shoot. By giving yourself enough time, most problems that the list identifies can be solved before the model arrives. I usually go over my list a few hours before a shoot is to start. What follows are some actions you might want to include on your pre-shoot checklist. I discuss this topic in more detail in my ebook, “Money Shots: The Insider’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography” (available for purchase and immediate download at http://moneyshotsbook.com).

CONFIRM WITH THE MODEL
If you have any question in your mind regarding the reliability of the model, this is the time to take care of it. By this time, you will already have discussed the basics of the shoot with her and given her directions to the location. Still, it is often a good idea to give her a call on the day of the shoot to make sure everything is still on as planned. Also, make sure she has your phone number and tell her to call you if she has any questions or if she is going to be late. Fortunately, I can say that most models (whether professional or amateur) are responsible and will arrive within five minutes of the scheduled time.

STRAIGHTEN UP
I like to give my models a very clean environment where they can do their hair, makeup, and work with their wardrobe. It’s a fairly simple thing to do, and I guarantee that the models will appreciate it. Over the years, many models have told me that very few photographers take the time to do this, and how much they appreciate the photographers who do.

GET THE PAPERWORK IN ORDER
Getting the necessary paperwork taken care of at every shoot is of prime importance. Without a signed model release and two forms of ID from the model (at least one of them being a photo ID), you won’t be able to sell your work.

Along with the release and IDs, many photographers request that models complete a “personal profile” questionnaire (this simply consists of the model answering a few questions that might shed some light on her true personality). To make sure everything gets done, it’s a good idea to put the paperwork in a spot where it can’t be missed (along with a reminder note to make copies of the IDs).

CHECK BATTERIES
Most of the equipment you’ll use during a typical shoot will require batteries. All rechargeable batteries should be fully charged when you begin the shoot. In addition, I highly recommend that you have a fully charged spare battery for your camera. Other pieces of equipment – such as light meters, remote controls, and sync systems also require batteries. It’s also imperative that you also have extra batteries on hand if needed.

CHECK CAMERA SETTINGS
Make sure that your camera settings are appropriate for the specific shoot you’re preparing for. A few things you’ll want to check are white balance settings, ISO settings, and proper file format and size (JPEG, Raw, etc.). At this point, you should also check your memory cards to confirm you have enough memory for the upcoming shoot.

CLEAN LENSES
Modern lenses possess amazing optics and are capable of producing images with extreme sharpness and clarity. However, no matter how well they are designed, you are still responsible for keeping the outer glass clean and dust-free. If there are smudges, fingerprints, or dust particles present on the exposed glass at the time of an exposure, all the technology in the world won’t be able to correct it.

To give you the best chance of capturing the sharpest images possible, it’s a good idea to clean your lenses before each shoot. It’s a simple process and will only take a minute or two. All you’ll need is a cleaning cloth and cleaning fluid (make sure that they are both made specifically for this purpose). Put a drop or two of the fluid on the cloth and clean the lens using circular motions. When you are done cleaning, dry the lens with a different section of the cloth. It’s that easy.

TEST LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
An hour or two before the scheduled shoot is a good time to check that the lighting equipment you plan to use is working correctly. You’ll want to do this well before the shoot so you’ll have enough time to fix anything that isn’t working properly. Lighting equipment can be very temperamental and delicate.

Often, what may initially seem to be a major problem can be fixed simply by tinkering a bit with the cords or the connections. This is also a good time to check that all sync and remote systems are working correctly.

ARRANGE THE FIRST SET
It will save you a great deal of time if you prepare as much as possible for the first set of images before your model arrives. This includes arranging the set (furniture, etc.), placing props in easily reachable locations, and setting up the lighting layout for that particular set.

Author Bio: Michael Charles is a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of \”Money Shots: The Insider\’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography\” (this book is available for purchase and immediate download at http://www.moneyshotsbook.com). For over a decade, Michael has shot exclusively in the world of nude, erotic, and adult-oriented photography. His work has been featured in hundreds of national and international publications and appears on a wide variety of prominent websites. For a complete course on the techniques, styles, moneymaking secrets, and amazing fringe benefits of nude and erotic photography, visit http://www.moneyshotsbook.com.

Category: Arts and Crafts
Keywords: adult photography,nude models,nude photography,freelance photography,money photography, erotica