5 REASONS WHY PROVIDING A WRITTEN PHOTOGRAPHY BRIEF IS A MUST

Mandy — MNDY Photography
Aug 17, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Mar 26

You've reached a stage in your business where you are in the market for some super sweet images to sharpen up your digital spaces, BOOM, excitement hits! All you want to do is find out how much it will cost, find the soonest available date, shoot and get your hot little hands on your new photos. Sorry to burst the bubble, but here's where I want to hit the pause button for a minute and tell you why it is so very important to not only provide a brief for your photographer, but to put it in writing.

WHAT IS A PHOTOGRAPHY BRIEF?

A photography brief is a written document that outlines everything your photographer needs to know before the shoot. Your objectives, your brand style, the shots you need, how the images you need and any references or creative direction, like a Pinterest board or mood board. It can be as simple as a handful of dot points or as detailed as a full creative document. The format matters less than the fact that it exists in writing.

All photographers will work with briefs differently. Knowing small business owners are time poor, usually with an overwhelming list of priorities, I like to make the briefing process as easy as I can, so my briefing template comes in the form of a short digital questionnaire. At first it may seem unnecessary and just another thing to add to the to do list, but taking a little time upfront will protect you in the long run, and here's why...

1. IT FORCES YOU TO DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVES

Before briefing anyone else, a written brief makes you get clear on what you actually need. Why do you need new photos? Where will the images be used (website, paid ads, social, etc) What do you want a customer to feel when they see them? Answering these questions on paper often reveals priorities and gaps you hadn't consciously identified yet.

2. IT UNCOVERS WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT YET

A brief will prompt thoughts that you wouldn't have had previously. If your photographer provides a questionnaire brief, there may be questions about elements of the shoot you didn't realise were important or relevant, which in turn will help develop your photography strategy even further.

3. IT ALIGNS EXPECTATIONS FROM THE BEGINNING

Giving your photographer a brief is going to ensure both of your expectations are aligned. You're both working off the same document and there's no confusion that may come with a verbal brief that could get misconstrued or forgotten completely.

4. IT ELIMINATES BACK AND FORTH

A comprehensive brief gives your photographer everything they need upfront. That means less time spent chasing information, faster turnaround, and a smoother shoot day. For time-poor brand owners, reducing that back-and-forth is reason enough on its own.

5. IT CREATES ACCOUNTABILITY ON BOTH SIDES

When your images are delivered, the brief becomes the benchmark. Both you and your photographer can refer back to it to confirm that what was agreed has been delivered. It protects your investment and gives you a clear reference point if anything needs to be revisited.

And finally, some answers to frequently asked questions you have:

Do I need to provide a brief if my photographer doesn't have a questionnaire or ask for one?

Yes! Most good photographers will have some kind of document or questionnaire for you to fill out - mine looks like this - but if they don't, you should still provide all the information to them.

How do I write a photography brief?

A solid brief should cover your brand overview, shoot objectives, shot list, usage requirements, visual references, timeline and any practical shoot day details. You can send it in an email, or in a PDF.

Can a brief be too detailed?

Rarely. More information gives your photographer context and creative direction.

So the next time you are working with a photographer, whether they provide you with a brief template or not, protect yourself and help your photographer by putting it in writing. If you're planning photography for your brand and want to make sure you go into it prepared, get in touch with me and I can walk you through my process.