How to plan a photoshoot in the wild

It’s official, “authentic” content is in this year and I think I speak for all of us creatives out there in saying that we’re scrambling to engage with our clients and audiences in this new way. Curated and highly polished content and deliverables have been in for so long (asides from that those blur and “orange-pocalypse” phases that are still stubbornly dogging our heels) that the idea of “authenticity” has all but lost it’s meaning. Is it “authentic” to film BTS of yourself filming someone else? Or is it “authentic” to post only B-rolls (which are trending on social media currently) with a beautiful mini-score? Or is it “authentic” to rebel and go horizontal instead of vertical for your formatting (jury is still out on this one)? Is it “authentic” to spin luxury brands in a casual way that makes them seem approachable to a wider demographic?

Honestly, it may be all or none of those things, depending on which lens and interpretation you’re looking at. Personally, I think that the most “authentic” approach to content creation is by “authentically” staying true to your vision and brand. For instance, I wanted my storytelling, services and products to match my brand values and reflect my commitment to sustainability and community-service. One way in which I express this brand identity is by producing photoshoots in rugged and wild locations. This approach allows my to be “authentic” to the creative and physical spaces that I have a deep passion for, while also producing deliverables that align with both the values of my clients and my brand values, “authentically.”

If you found your way to this website there is a high chance that you too care about sustainable media and outdoor photoshoot production strategies. To help you likeminded folks with your next nature-based media venture, I’ve written a series of guides to help you plan your next “authentically you” project - starting with:

“How to Plan a Photoshoot in the Wild”

Brainstorm ways to sync the client/brand values with an outdoor space.
Every good photoshoot begins with a good brainstorming session. Whether you prefer moodboards, storyboards, brainmaps, or late-night, incoherent iPhone Notes, develop a brainstorming strategy that works for you. Keep in mind that different types of projects may require different styles of brainstorming techniques as well. For example, moodboards work really well for photography concepts and inspiration and can draw together style, mood, shapes, colors and framing ideas better than written notes. However, storyboards and brainmaps come in super handy for videography shoots, where you often need to have some sort of narrative (even if it’s non-verbal) to drive the footage forward.

Once you’ve developed your preferred brainstorming methods, and gotten a client (hooray!), it’s time to put the pen to paper (or fingers to screen) and spill out all of your ideas for the shoot out into the universe. I like to have at least three brainstorm sessions - one solo/with my team prior to pitching to the client, one session after a client confirms they want to work with us, and one formal session/presentation with the client prior to work beginning. The last two sessions will often repeat as the initial ideas grow and develop and the creative vision comes to life.

For outdoor shoot that require hiking or trekking to a location, it’s vital to integrate specific location details and suggestions throughout the brainstorming and pitching process.

A complimentary color scheme is used in this shoot concept. The model feels part of the scenery instead of contrasted within it.

2. Choose colors that either contrast or compliment the natural color schemes around you.

During your brainstorming/pitch deck creation process, start to think of the shoot in terms of themes and color schemes. Every photographer and creative director is different, but for myself I prefer to think of photoshoot themes in terms of colors, shading and aesthetic combinations with the scenery instead of just in conceptual theme terms. For example, if you’re planning on hiking up in the mountains think of what hues you’re likely to see - purples, blues and greens generally work well in mountain spaces to help feel a part of the environment vs beautifully contrasting reds, yellows or pinks in the same environment.

The beauty of this step is that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Work with the client and the specific location to determine if you’re going for a symbiotic or contrasting look, and then plan the outfits and styling accordingly.

In this example, the same outfit is used in the the same location but with a different lighting set-up. This creates a much more contrasting image than the previous one.

Lighting, time of day and angles of shooting are all imperative factors to consider when planning location/outdoor shoots, as they can drastically alter the type of imagery being created.

3. Plan the outfit(s) to be easy to carry and change into .

Much like the previous point, this consideration needs to enter the conversation during the early pitching process. Although it might seem like an “obvious” choice to pitch to outdoor brands exclusively for ease of outfit use, there’s something to be said about the gorgeous artistry of having elevated and couture clothing showcased against stunning landscapes. Either way, the clothing needs to be presentable and photo-ready when you reach your destination, meaning that some creative packing decisions need to happen before you head out.

One of my favorite tricks when traveling and shooting is to steam the clothing the night before using a good old-fashioned shower. Although portable steamers and irons are lovely to have on you, sometimes remote locations or baggage limitations may find you wanting of those useful gadgets. This is where the shower comes in handy. Before you head off on your trek, simply hang the clothing inside the hotel/”basecamp” house bathroom while you take your nightly shower and let the steam de-wrinkle the clothing for you. Note, this will not work for all fabrics and styles, so always make sure you read the garment directions for care instructions if you’re working with couture or unique items.

Once you’ve planned/prepped your items it’s important to fully sketch out the concept art/styling BEFORE you get out into the field. By knowing the exact count and order of primary items, accessories and footwear, you’ll make field-changes as easy as possible. After all, between finding a private space to change, weather considerations, and pesky bugs, you want the outfit switch to be as quick and painless as possible - especially if shooting with models other than yourself.

Pro-tip: if you have the space in your pack, or your assistant’s pack, bring a lightweight surf-poncho-towel for changing privacy.

This outfit and styling combination was well suited and comfortable for this hiking shoot. The brand wanted a classic look that felt integrated with the outdoors. Changing into it on the trail was easy, and the clothing was compact and easy to carry during the remainder of the hike.

This shot was a lot more difficult to execute, in terms of styling and wardrobe, and played with more contrasting elements. The color and dramatic layering of the scenery was chosen to compliment the colors and style of the dress. However, keeping the dress in presentable condition, changing into it and keeping the model comfortable and sandfly-bite free proved to be a lot more challenging than the previous outfit.

4. Make sure to check the weather conditions and plan accordingly.

Now that you and your client have planned our your concepts, the outfits, the shot list and the themes/color inspo, it’s vital to note that the “perfect shot” isn’t worth risking your life, your teams’ lives, nor the lives of first responders that may have to come and assist you. Be aware of your surroundings and of any changing weather patterns you observe, and PLAN PLAN PLAN before you head out into the field. There are numerous weather forecasting apps out there, but a couple of my favorites are surfline for ocean conditions and Windy for hourly wind, rain, cloud-cover and ocean conditions. The National Weather Service is always a good place to check for US based shoots, while international shoots should reference the local weather service agencies of the location country for precision.

It is of the utmost importance to have a "float plan” in place and make sure that you have folks at “basecamp” who know how long you’ll be gone on the shoot, how many people are with you, and where exactly you will be shooting. You should also always bring rough-weather gear for each team member, regardless of forecast, and more water, snacks and electrolytes than you think you’ll need in case the shoot/trek runs longer than anticipated. Make sure everyone stays on the trails, and respect any signs indicating unsafe conditions or protected areas. A lot of “unknowns” can be avoided with a scouting day or two prior to the shoot - just make sure you’re scouting in similar conditions and time of year so as to avoid seasonal changes to the scenery and topography.

Assuming you are the executive producer on the shoot, make sure you also bring a proper wilderness first-aid kit and are competent in giving wilderness first aid as needed. Regardless of your existing outdoor experience, I highly recommend that anyone looking to shoot or produce “in the wild”, should get wilderness first aid certified through the American Red Cross or through NOLS. Not only will this knowledge be imperative for your own personal safety, but it could also help safeguard your team members during more remote shoots*.

*On that note, you should make sure that your production company/photography insurance covers you in remote or international places - not all insurances do, so it’s important to have that conversation and shop around if you need to BEFORE you head out into the outdoors on business.

This shoot involved an incredibly arduous hike and required a lot of planning and preparation. Despite picking the most favorable forecast day to execute the shoot, we still had some clouds that rolled in unexpectedly, covering part of the distant mountain range, but luckily keeping us dry until the very end of the shoot day.

5. Practice a “no trace” mentality to your outdoor photography adventures and productions.

Remember, the inspiration you may draw from nature for your photos or videos wouldn’t be possible without conserving said nature. Take your trash with you, stay on trails, respect caution signs, and give wildlife their space. Show your love for the outdoors not just through your art and work but through your actions as well.

I like to implement a guide and set a standard for the other team members on a given shoot by:

A) Selecting like-minded individuals to be on my team.

Working with folks you know are experienced and comfortable in outdoor spaces, as well as folks who are respectful in outdoor spaces is a HUGE first step in planning a successful shoot “in the wild”. It takes a lot of stress and uncertainty out of already complicated shoots to select crew and talent you know will not be a liability outdoors. In addition, choosing folks who are just as passionate about the outdoors as you are will create a positive and cohesive environment when you’re all on the remote shoot together.

B) Being individually prepared to take on responsibility.

Don’t assume that someone else will bring a trash bag or know how to perform wilderness first aid. On a small or individual shoot, you should be 100% prepared for all situations, but on a larger shoot ensure that the proper roles are delegated out - i.e. having a park ranger present, assigning PAs to deal with waste removal and sustainability practices etc.

C) Setting up your production as sustainably as possible.

If you’re not sure where to begin on this front, check out this blog post as a reference guide.