Photo Shoot Planning

The emotional impact I would like my photography to have on my reader, is to make them feel like they can relate to the model, but at the same time aspire to be like them as they will look powerful and attractive to the audience. I also want there to be a mysterious element to my image so the reader will be enticed into buying the magazine and finding out more.

I need young attractive people to look appealing on my front cover and be relevant to my target audience of 16-19 year olds. Because of this, I plan to photograph some of my friends who would fall into this target audience therefore making the magazine seem more personal and 'real' to the people I am aiming it at.



For my front cover I don't plan to use any props because I want the focus of the image on my models face, however for the images I take for my double page spread I would like to use lots of old LP records, as this will relate to music but look sophisticated and attractive. My model in the foreground will not look old fashioned however, may be dressed in quite a vintage style, so this will contrast and look unique.

To emphasise colour I will use clothing which is not too dominant in an image such as plain black, however will include subtle colours which are in-keeping with my house style of blues. For example on my front cover I will have dark clothing but will have dashes of colour, like dark red lips and visible blue nails which fit with the colour scheme. To emphasise colours more I will use plain backgrounds either on a blank background or in a studio so a busy background doesn't distract from the main image.

I have briefed my models on the photo shoot I have planned so that they are aware of the kind of poses I will want them to do, and can bring a selection of their own clothes which would be suitable for my images. They are also prepared for me to do their makeup and hair in a variety of ways.


The lighting I will need will ideally be natural day light if the photos are taken against a blank background not in the studio, such as a plain light coloured wall. The reason for this is because the natural lighting is essential in making my pictures crisp, clear and ensuring the colours show up correctly when the image is taken (no orange tone from light bulbs indoors). I will also avoid using the flash so the image isn't too harsh or washed out. If I take my images in a studio, the studio lighting will not be low it will be bright and sharp to make my pictures look as professional and dramatic as possible and highlight the model. I will use side and top lighting for this. On my double page spread I would like a shadow of my model to be cast in front of them if I choose to use a full length shot.

Photoshoot at home or in a studio set up

I will do my shoot against a blank wall at home for my main image as I don't want any mise-en-scene in the background and for my double page spread I will use a backdrop of old records to give the feature a mixed style of vintage and modern. If possible I will use a photographic studio to take my images instead and a backdrop will not be needed as the standard white setting will be suitable.



The make-up my model wears for the double page spread will be vintage 60's makeup in-keeping with the theme of the image however for my front cover it will be subtle every day makeup with dark lips and smokey eyes to give the image an element of mystery. The clothing my model will be wearing on the front cover will be dark such as plain black, so as not to draw attention away from her face, however nothing that will look too harsh and dramatic. For my double page spread I would like my model wearing fur as this will look elegant and attractive but will again fit in with the vintage style of the article. For both images I would like my model to have dark hair which is tousled and surrounding her face as this will add to the mystery and invitational look.