Anna, the founder of Greenwich agency, will explain this today.

1. If the photoshoot location is uncommon (for example, we once had a photoshoot in an abandoned apartment), take your time to go and inspect everything. This will allow you to think through the angles, viewpoints, lighting, and composition. Make some test photos — this will help you greatly.

2. Don't let the setting carry you away. We at the Agency have an unspoken rule — the more props you get, the better. However, everything should stay behind the scenes and just be at hand at the right time. In the process of building a frame, let the main star of the photoshoot shine first, because it is very easy to 'overdo' the visual setting.

3. Choose and book your location first. I have much experience in arranging photoshoots involving over 15 people, and that experience shows that participants are usually ready to adjust to the time frame, while the booking schedule in a photo studio heartlessly isn't.

4. Provide lunch for your team if a photo set takes more than 5 hours.

5. Keep model releases in mind, if there are people in the frame.

6. Don't make a photographer do an art director's job. If you think that you need a smart photographer for a commercial photoshoot, then you should know that a well thought-out plan and on-site work of an art director is key for a great photoshoot. We provide this option for most photoshoots.

On a more poetic note,

I love the photoshooting process and I attend almost all our photoshoots. Like in any business, it's essential to prepare for them thoroughly. Sometimes customers come with a certain vision, but more often than not, you need to be creative in order to understand their expectations through dialog. There is an important point to make here — customers may be worried about the result, and they may be worried that you won't understand each other. That's why we always draw up a detailed photoshoot plan, make storyboards, and discuss references or the plot line.

However, when on-site, we always come up with new thoughts and ways to make the idea 'complete' — which we do in our free time once we're ready with the main assignment. We had some amusing cases when a frame made 'just for fun', totally off the plan, became the central element of ad layouts for printed publications. So, last, but not least —

7. Always leave room for thought!