A Photographer’s Guide to Virtual Photoshoot

Post author: Jen Ongkit, Photo by: Photo by Liza Summer

Photographers have always been at the forefront of creating content for their clients. They have used their skills to do everything from taking photos to creating ads. But when the world stopped due to the outbreak of pandemics, the demand for virtual photoshoots increased. The need to capture memories and preserve them for future generations is essential.

Online photoshoots are similar to traditional photo shoots, but they are done via the internet instead of in person. You use a webcam or smartphone to take pictures of your clients. A virtual photo shoot is a smart way to make sure your business is still looking pristine in the event of a pandemic or other disaster. The following tips will help you make the most realistic photos:

1. Have a Solid Internet Connection

Be aware that there may be a short delay between what your client says and what appears on the screen. This will depend on how quickly your internet connections are and whether either of you is simultaneously using another software or device (like video conferencing or games). It's hard enough to get high-quality photos when you're in front of the camera, but if there's any lag or freezing, it will be impossible to get better shots. 

2. Prepare the Right Equipment 

The most efficient way to do this is by using a tripod and a remote shutter release. This will ensure that there are no vibrations or movement when you press the shutter button. The photographs will be clean and sharp as a result. You can also use the flash on the camera for added light if needed.

Make sure that you have a reliable camera on your end. The better the quality of the image, the easier it will be for you to work with the client. If you don't have an iPhone camera or an Android phone, consider borrowing one from a friend who does. Try to test your webcam to guarantee that you can get high-quality images.

3. Choose the Right Background

Explore captivating backdrops. Look around the home of your client or office for interesting backgrounds that can add depth and texture to the photos. If possible, try to find a spot with natural light that's not too bright or too dark. If it doesn't work out as well as you'd hoped, try taking a photo with just one light source or even no lights at all.

Additionally, ensure a plain, tidy background. Keep in mind that a cluttered environment will draw attention away from your focus, so make sure to get rid of it. As a result, the subject will be the sole thing that stands out in the picture.

4. Make Sure Your Client Has Good Lighting

Before you begin shooting, make sure your client has adequate lighting. If they don’t, or if you can’t find any suitable light sources in their home/office/studio/wherever use a ring light or softbox for your main light source. This will help create the illusion of natural light coming from the front of the subject’s face instead of a flat on-camera flash that will make them look washed out in pictures.

5. Get Creative with Angles

When you shoot over FaceTime, you don’t have access to traditional lighting setups or fancy equipment like reflectors or diffusers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with their angles. Start with an overview shot showing your subject's entire body from head to toe so you can see how they look together as a whole person (this will also give you an idea of what kinds of poses look best on them). Then take close-up shots showing details like eyes, lips, ears, or hands. Finally, finish off by retaking full-body shots so you can compare how each outfit looks on them overall.

6. Take Lots of Pictures

Taking lots of pictures will help you get better results. This is because it allows you to pick out the most valuable ones later on when editing them together into one image. It also gives you more options if one particular shot doesn't look right when cropped down or edited together with other images in a collage or montage set.

Best Apps to Use for Virtual Photo Shoots

1. Shutter

The Shutter App is a photography app that allows you to create your own virtual photoshoot. It's great for photographers who want to show off their work but don't have an actual studio or the time or money to do so.

Shutter offers several different ways to enhance your photos, including filters, stickers, masks, and more. You can even add text and write on your images with the built-in text editor. There are also many different lenses available for you to use with your phone’s camera lens, as well as other fun features like stickers and backgrounds. To use the app, follow these steps:

1st Step: To participate in their virtual photo shoot, clients or models download the Shutter app to their smartphones.

2nd Step: The photographer logs into the Shutter App Portal on their computer using their Facebook or Google credentials.

3rd Step: Shutter generates a secure ID through the app, which is then shared with a photographer via the app. The virtual photo shoot begins once the photographer enters the client's ID into the Shutter App Portal.

4th Step: The photographer downloads their high-resolution images from the Shutter App Portal after the virtual photo shoot. Shutter App Portal enables image retouching and sends images back to clients.

2. CLOS

The CLOS app allows you to take photos remotely and then save them on your phone or tablet. This can be very useful if you are trying to take photos of a subject that is far away from where you are standing. It also works well if you want to get multiple angles from one shot by using different camera angles in order to capture the best image possible.

1st Step: When using the app, users can choose from three roles. Depending on the user's needs, they can be photographers, models, or viewers.

2nd Step: An invitation to a virtual room will be sent by the photographer to the model or viewer. In the role of a photographer, the model should allow the photographer access to their smartphone camera. 

3rd Step: Photographers can use the model's smartphone camera to take photos once they have access to the model's camera. Afterward, the viewer can see the whole photoshoot.

4th Step: After the photo shoot, the photographers' original files will be available in their CLOS cloud storage account. The model can view the photos after the shoot or when the photographer shares them with her.

Virtual Photoshoots are the Next Big Thing

The last several years have seen a remarkable evolution in the photographic industry. Advancements in photography and cinematography have been astounding and mind-blowing.

A virtual photo shoot is one such innovation that has taken the world by storm. It is a technique used by photographers and models to create stunning images without actually meeting each other face to face.

Virtual photo shoots are helpful for many reasons, especially when you are a professional photographer or model. It saves you time and money. If you are a professional photographer, then you understand how critical time is. You cannot afford to waste any minute of your day attending physical sessions with clients. You will be able to use all your time to work on different projects rather than wasting it on traveling around town to attend physical sessions with models or clients. 

This will also save you money because you don't have to pay for travel expenses for yourself or the model/client. With virtual photography, you can work from anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection.