How Long Does A Photoshoot Take?

There are various factors that affect the duration of a photoshoot and knowing them will help you not only be more informed about the time you’ll spend, but also to be less intimidated in front of the camera.

Time is one of our most precious resources, so much so that for many, it is as valuable as money itself. It is no wonder that one of the first questions when it comes to talking about photoshoots - besides how much it will cost - is usually: “How long will it take?”

A photoshoot is more than just looking pretty in front of the lens or clicking a button for the photographer. At least it is if you want to have more than a bunch of snaps. Depending on the type of photoshoot you do, there are various factors that play a role in its length.

Types of photoshoots & their timelines

As previously mentioned, depending on the type of photoshoot, you can expect different timelines for each one. From simple headshots, to a more time involving portraits or groups shots, all the way to complex and lengthy commercial or event photography.

Headshots

Headshots are by far the simplest and the least time consuming. These types of photoshoots are usually done in less than an hour. Posing for a headshot is very simple, and emphasis is put on capturing the best expression of the person being photographed. The framing and equipment involved are fairly simple, so professional photographers are usually very efficient during these shots.

An example of a simple business headshot.

Often done for a company’s employee gallery, but can be more creative as well.

Portrait photography

Portrait photography typically involves a bit more work than headshots do, but still nothing too daunting. Portrait photoshoots usually last from one to two hours. The length of the session is usually determined by the number of different outfits or backgrounds/setups used, as well as the willingness of the subject to try different poses to capture the best look possible.

Portrait photography encompasses different sub-categories, ranging from business portraits, family portraits, pregnancy photoshoots, senior sessions to more personal shoots like glamour or boudoir photography.

Couples portrait session.

It usually takes the same amount of time and costs the same as for one person, unless retouching is needed.

Fashion photography

Continuing on with people photography, in order of higher complexity and longevity, fashion shoots often require the most time out of all the posed people photoshoots. They include staging and background setups, hair stylists and makeup artists, as well as wardrobe changes. Fashion photoshoots usually last from couple of hours to an entire day, depending on the before mentioned factors and the number of required photographs. These photoshoots are rarely done by a sole photographer and involve entire teams from planning to execution of the process.

Fashion photoshoot done on location.

Featuring a combination of ambient and purposeful studio lighting.

Commercial & product photography

Commercial and product photography starts to get into a bit more complex and time consuming side of the craft. As businesses want to showcase their products and services in the best possible light, these sessions require fine tuning of the lighting, product positioning and precise arrangement of all the “supporting cast” in terms of the props used. Clients expect only the images of the highest quality, so meticulous attention to detail is paramount. Commercial shoots can last anywhere from two hours, up to a full day, depending on the number and complexity of the items being photographed.

Studio product shot.

Even though it seems natural, the whole setup, including the light and shadows, are done artificially in a studio with careful preparation.

Event photography

Like with commercial photoshoots, event photography can last anywhere from a few hours to a whole day. This type of photography covers everything from business meetings, promotions, baptisms, birthdays, and all the way to weddings. The latter are usually the longest types of events that - as we all know - can last up to 12 hours or more.

Wedding photography is by far the longest (and most expensive) types of event photography. The photographer needs to be able to capture every important detail - from meet & greet, the reception, the exchange of wows and rings, to all the important interactions during the day - while never being in the way of the event itself, or its guests. Event photographers need to always be alert of their surroundings and ready to capture those precious moments.

Wedding photoshoot.

A good type of “chaos”, but nevertheless, a lot is happening during a long period of time.

Group and family photoshoots

In terms of the time they require, group and family photoshoots sit somewhere between classic portrait and event photography. Usually these types of photoshoots last up to 2 or maximum 3 hours, depending on the number of subjects, their age, wardrobe changes, or simply the number of images required.

Group photoshoots can be posed and executed in a similar way to headshots and portraits, or done as a part of an event - or at least make it seem like one. The photographer usually needs to coordinate more people, matching their poses, expressions and position in the frame. With small children, additional time might be needed for wardrobe changes, as they often find ways to stain their clothes.

A group memory.

Requires the same attention to detail as wedding photography, but in a more controlled environment.

What influences the duration of a photoshoot?

The duration of a photoshoot depends on several factors, but mostly on what type of photoshoot it is. It can also vary depending on how particular the client’s needs are, which can include the time for planning and preparation, location scouting, outfit changes, or even the travel time itself as locations can sometimes be hours away.

Preparation and setup

Time spent on preparation can vary greatly. Studio shoots usually require less preparation making them shorter. However, outdoor photoshoots can be a lengthy process as all the lighting equipment, modifiers, or additional props have to be taken to the location, and set up there. Outdoor photoshoots also often involve obtaining permits for the location or location scouting, which adds additional time and sometimes money.

Number of people

As one can guess, the more people in front of the camera, the more time it will take. Photoshoots like business or team shots, family portraits, wedding or bridal parties, all require coordinating multiple people to make sure all involved look their best in every single image. There are a dozen people in the photo, everyone looks great, but there is (always) that one person that blinked - let’s go again. Someone moved and covered another person’s face? Let’s go again. The wind blew and lifted somebody’s skirt? You get the idea…

Outfit changes

Changing wardrobe is more time consuming than it might initially seem. Most people see the obvious, the time taken to actually change but what you might not know is that each new outfit might - and often does - require a new lighting setup. Lighter wardrobes bounces off more light so the exposure needs to be reduced. In contrast, darker wardrobes absorb light, requiring more light to achieve the desired effect. Different textures might require different light modifiers altogether.

And then there is the time spent after the photoshoot for editing images. Each new wardrobe change is a different look that requires slightly different polishing. Seasoned photographers account for all of this in their planning (and pricing) to ensure the client gets varied and high quality images.

Makeup touchup.

Just one of the things that have to be planned in advance, and can influence the duration of the shoot.

Location changes

As already mentioned, besides the obvious time required for travel, each location change means additional dismantling and reassembling of photography equipment, increasing the total time of the photoshoot. While commercial clients are generally aware of this, it's worth noting for private shoots that multiple locations can provide diverse looks and justify the time and effort involved.

Other client requirements

Each client has specific needs and requirements for their photoshoot. Therefore, it is important that they communicate with their photographer beforehand on what those requirements may be, to save some time on the actual shoot. Needless to say that artistic, fashion or personal branding shoots will clearly take longer than simpler shoots like headshots.

Preparing for a photoshoot

The preparation of a photoshoot is a two-way street that involves both the photographer and the client. For the best possible experience and results, there are some key steps to think about before the actual shoot. Here are some tips on how to successfully prepare.

Planning your vision

Take some time to envision what you would like from the photoshoot. Think about the tone, theme or style you would like to achieve with your photos. Think about what inspired you to do the photoshoot in the first place, maybe even prepare some visuals for your photographer to convey your vision. This process will help in both shortening the time of the shoot itself by explaining your vision beforehand, and also help in achieving your desired outcome more precisely.

Detailed planning before the photoshoot is crucial for any type of shoot - be it a personal portrait session, highlighting a product, or an editorial shoot for a famous magazine. Your photographers can use their creativity in elevating your vision, but they need to have the baseline idea to work with.

Finding the perfect spot

I think we can all agree that a good backdrop is one of the most crucial elements of a good photograph. Just think of how you always look for nice scenery to have your photo taken when you travel. You don’t want snaps in front of power plants or next to dumpsters - unless that’s the look you’re aiming for. Having said that, even locations seemingly uninteresting or ugly at first, can be the right choice for someone. Mostly for some artistic or commercial projects, but still, anything can be a good location.

The aim is to choose a setting that matches your vision. Your photographer can find the right spot for you, but location scouting takes more time and will raise the price. So, if you want to save some money, take some time to think if you can find something yourself.

Preparation is key.

Finding the perfect spot, at the best time of day, with the best possible weather, is as important as executing the photoshoot itself.

Choosing what to wear

Location and wardrobe selection go hand in hand when creating great images! Again, think about your mood or theme and try finding something that matches the location of the photoshoot, as well as your idea. You can ask your photographer for advice, but as a general rule of thumb, you want colors that are complete opposites on the color wheel, or analogous to the location colors. That goes for all the models in the case of a group shot.

Also, think about the possible weather conditions and temperature on the location of the shoot. If it is a studio, it is a much more controlled environment, however, keep in mind that studios are usually on the cooler side - mostly to keep all the lighting and imaging equipment from overheating - so consider wearing something warmer.

What to expect on the day of the photoshoot

Having some insight before the photoshoot itself can boost your confidence level, and possibly help you relax. Below are the steps and elements you can expect on the day of the photoshoot.

Arrival and setup

Each photoshoot starts with the photographer arriving at the location and setting up their equipment. That process can last up to 30 minutes, or more on complicated sets such as for fashion shoots, or for large products like vehicles. Experienced photographers will have the majority of their gear set up before the client arrives, however, fine tuning lighting, modifiers and props might have to be done once the subject arrives.

Hair and makeup

Allocating time to hair and makeup is important for most types of photoshoots, with some exceptions - like when doing automotive photography without models involved. On smaller personal shoots, the model might arrive with both hair and makeup done However, many factors come into play when taking into consideration how much time might need to be allocated for hair and makeup. These generally include the comfort of the model or travel time, so it might have to be done on-site.

If a professional stylist is involved, the time needed to perfect the look might be anywhere between an hour or two. It might sound like a long time, but it includes hair styling, detailed makeup application, and any other necessary touch ups. Additionally, the more complex the makeup or hair style is, the longer it will take.

Lighting setup

All the lighting equipment is usually set up in advance based on earlier communication with the photographer and the desired look. However, once the subject arrives, the exposure and the power of the lights need to be adjusted to account for natural light conditions in that given moment at that specific location, and how it interacts with the colors or patterns of the outfit/subjects. This fine tuning process usually takes another 15 minutes or more, depending on the number of subjects being photographed, wardrobe changes, and any other specific factors.

Being creative.

On the day of the shoot, good setup, lighting and posing are crucial for great results.

Posing and directing

When it comes to posing and directing, the most obvious factor that affects it is how familiar is the model with - well, modelling. Are you shy and rarely stand in front of the camera? Or are you a seasoned professional that has maybe been on some magazine covers? Both will require different approach and direction.

Even with professional models, who may adjust poses naturally and swiftly, they often still require direction from the photographer. This guidance ensures they achieve the desired look, style, and optimal positioning relative to the lighting for the best possible results.

What to expect after the photoshoot

Once the photoshoot is done, clients basically expects to get the photos - now. However, before getting them, there are a couple more steps that need to be done to deliver the best possible results. They are a part of the photography process called post-production.

Review and selection of photos

Depending on the arrangement with your photographer, there are several ways how the review and selection of photos can be done. Some people prefer that the photographer chooses the best possible images, and some photographers like that approach too. However, generally professional photographers and those that are confident in their work, will always be open for clients having some say in this process. The review can be done immediately after the shoot or later, either by meeting up, or sometimes by sending smaller preview files to the client so they can choose.

What I like to do is, if the client has time, let them go through the photos on the camera immediately after the photoshoot. The camera has a dedicated button set up for marking favourite photographs which allows the client to marks their best looking photos on the spot, making my selection easier. However, I still offer them the option to check the images in a manner described above. This way we at least we have some type of baseline, so in case they can’t go through all the photos, or trust me to do it, I get an idea of what the client prefers.

Those images then go to the next step, which is…

Review and selection.

There can be hundreds or even thousands of images from one photoshoot, that have to be narrowed down to a select dozen, if not even less.

Editing and retouching

After the final selection of the images, the photographer starts working on them. These days - and for quite some time now actually - that process is done through editing software that allows for fine tuning each photo to the desired tone and quality. This is when the overall exposure, white balance, color and/or sharpness are adjusted.

If retouching is involved, it can include correcting skin imperfections, removing blemishes or unnecessary distractions from photos. The extent of this process can vary greatly, depending on the level of retouching required and how many images there are to be retouched. Unlike editing, where some adjustments can be carried over from one image to another, retouching is done individually for each photo. It is usually agreed upon before the photoshoot though as it can greatly increase the price as it can be very time consuming.

Delivery of final images

After all the chosen images have been edited and retouched, they are then delivered to the client. The usual method is digitally as high resolution JPEGs via a file sharing service or an online gallery. Again, this is the usual method, they can also be printed individually, or even be made into a physical photo album. That’s why it is important to agree upon the delivery method beforehand with the photographer, as well as to discuss the timeline for the end product to be delivered.

Photographers or photo studios can usually offer a wide range of delivery methods or final products, so it’s important to be aware of those when booking.

How long different session types take

Photoshoot sessions can range from half an hour to a full day of work depending on various factors, but we can classify all these types of shoots into approximately 3 types, depending on their length.

Mini photoshoot sessions

Estimated time: 15 - 30 minutes

Mini sessions aim to capture a key pose or expression in a short timeframe. They can be headshots for documents or job applications, or even beauty shots with just one or several images to capture a moment in time or update a family album. And while they are a very economic option, it doesn’t mean that those photos will turn out worse than longer sessions. A professional photographer will devote the same attention to detail and expertise to a mini session as if it was a wedding shoot. They are ideal for busy people or those not requiring a lot of images.

Standard photoshoot sessions

Estimated time: 1 - 2 hours

Standard sessions usually expand on the mini session idea and some clients actually decide at the last moment that they would like a longer session - if photographer’s schedule permits, of course. Extra time is great for experimenting with a variety of poses, outfits, or even a location change.

The end result is a wide variety of images where a client can then pick only the very best, or decide to purchase the whole gallery. Ample time of these sessions usually allows clients to relax more in front of the camera, as well as experiment with their ideas.

Extended photoshoot sessions

Estimated time: 2+ hours

Extended sessions are usually booked by clients that require complex projects, such as commercial campaigns, fashion editorials, corporate photoshoots, or weddings. The additional time allows for more creative freedom and experimentation with setups, wardrobes or poses, lighting, props etc., resulting in a wide variety of final images.

These types of sessions often include a lot of planning and two-way communication with the photographer before, during, and after the shoot itself, as they pay a lot of money and expect a highly polished and personalized end result.

Tips for a quick and efficient photoshoot

As you have seen so far, there is more that goes into a photoshoot than meets the eye. Here’s some quick tips how to make the whole process more efficient - and the end result more satisfying.

Communicate with the photographer

Communication is key for - well, everything in life really. I doubt there is a photographer out there that would mind if any client wanted to communicate their vision as clearly as possible. It is important to share your ideas, what you want, as well as what you don’t want.

Feel free to show the photographer other people’s work, an Instagram page you liked, or even a movie that has the tone your after - anything really that can help convey your vision. The more information the photographer gets from you before the shoot, the smoother and more relaxed the session itself will be, and the better the end results you’ll get.

Make sure to also discuss all the possible variations, like outfits or locations, that you would like to include. Having these details in mind will make it easier to plan the necessary duration of the photoshoot.

Be prepared and punctual

It might sound like “it’s just a photoshoot” if it’s not a commercial shoot or a wedding, which tends to make people a bit more relaxed about it. But being punctual is important even on more casual shoots for several reasons.

Firstly, a specific time might have been planned to capture lighting and colors specific for that time of the day, or to account for certain weather conditions (hot, cold, rainy, sunny). If the shoot is delayed, a certain look could be missed and the end result might not be as satisfying as initially envisioned.

The second thing is, because of that weather for example, the shoot might be delayed or extended, or might even need to be done on a different day altogether. Any of these scenarios mean more - you guessed it… money!

Plan your outfit, makeup and accessories in advance. (Re)confirm all the details about the photoshoot the day before to account for any possible misunderstandings. If you arrive late, you are late, if you arrive early - you are on time!

Be flexible and patient

Flexibility and patience are key - not just to make your photographer happy, but to make yourself happy with the end results too. During the shoot, plans might change due to weather conditions. However, don’t be discouraged if it happens. I have experienced this many many times, and the change might bring exciting opportunities and result in amazing images - even better than what we initially planned.

Also remember, for great photos, a lot of different poses might be changed and it might seem like the photographer is torturing you by taking 10 pictures of seemingly the same thing. However, tiny variations in a facial expression can make or break the image. The photographer is just trying to utilize the time that you paid for so that they can to get a wide selection of photos to choose from for the top picks.

Needless to say, patience goes both ways, and photographers will have understanding if something happened on your side that affected the timing of the shoot, as long as it wasn’t caused by you being irresponsible.

Wrapping up

From snappy headshots that take less time than brewing the perfect cup of coffee to elaborate fashion and commercial shoots that rival a Lord of the Rings marathon, the duration of a photoshoot is as varied as its complexity, number of participants, wardrobe changes, and the art of finding the perfect lighting. It all depends on whether you're aiming for a quick snapshot or orchestrating a full-blown production with makeup artists, stylists, and maybe even a wind machine (for that perfect hair flow).

Whether you're striking a pose solo or herding a group of family members who can't agree on where to look, preparation, communication, and a bit of patience are key ingredients. Ultimately, it's all about capturing that perfect moment that makes you say "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted...” and maybe a little more!

That’s it!

The moment of happiness when everything goes as planned.

FAQs

How long should I expect a portrait session to take?

A portrait session can last from 30 minutes to about 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the shots, number of outfits and/or location changes, as well as the number of desired images. It is essential to discuss all of that, and anything else with your photographer when booking the photoshoot.

What should I bring to a photoshoot to ensure it goes smoothly?

For ladies, definitely a make up set for touch ups (unless there is a professional stylist that will have their own set), hairbrushes, mirrors, and any other accessories that could be used for achieving the desired look.

For gents, mostly the latter.

Think of the location of the shoot - if it is hot, maybe a change of clothes, or a jumper/jacket if the shoot is in a colder place. Maybe some water and/or snacks in case of a longer shoot, even though some photographers will take care of that. At least i do :) And lastly but most importantly for the best photos - a positive attitude!

How can I reduce the time spent on a photoshoot?

By discussing with your photographer anything and everything that comes to your mind before the shoot. Starting with explaining your vision to asking about everything that you might not know. As one of my college professors used to say - there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers! And make sure to arrive on time, with hair and makeup already taken care of if possible.