How to Brief a Photographer in Ten Minutes

A good brief is the cheapest way to get better photos. It doesn't need to be long or formal. Ten minutes and a short message is usually enough.

These are the seven things I'd love every client to tell me before a shoot.

1. What is this for?

Tell me where the photos will be used. A donor report, your website, social media, a press release, a printed banner. This changes how I shoot. Website banners need space for text. Social media needs vertical images. Reports need clear, honest photos that explain what happened.

2. Who must be in the photos?

Give me a short list of the people who matter: the guest of honour, your director, a partner, the person who led the training. If possible, send me their names and a photo, or have someone point them out on the day. Nothing is worse than a beautiful set of photos that misses the one person your boss wanted.

3. Which moments can't be missed?

Every event has a few: the handover, the ribbon, the group photo, the award, the moment a product is revealed. Tell me which ones and roughly when they happen. I'll plan to be in the right place.

4. What should the photos feel like?

One or two words help: formal, warm, energetic, calm, celebratory. If you have photos you love, from your own past events or anywhere else, send a few. Examples say more than any description.

5. Are there people we shouldn't photograph?

This matters, especially for NGOs and community work. Are there children, patients, survivors or anyone who hasn't given consent? Are there areas that are off limits? Tell me in advance and I'll work around it respectfully.

6. Who is my contact on the day?

One name and one phone number. Someone who knows the programme and can introduce me to the right people. This single thing makes a huge difference.

7. When and how do you need the photos?

Do you need a few images the same evening for social media? The full set within a week? Specific sizes? A shared folder or a download link? Tell me up front so I can plan the edit.

That's it

You can send me answers to these seven questions in a WhatsApp message. You don't need a formal document.

A clear brief doesn't box the photographer in. It frees them up. When I know the essentials are covered, I can spend the rest of the day looking for the moments nobody planned: a laugh, a look, a quiet gesture. Those are often the photos people remember.

Planning a shoot? Send me your answers and we'll take it from there.