Planning a commercial photography shoot for your company or brand? One of the first questions you'll face is, "How long do I need to book the studio for?" The answer depends on the type of shoot your goals, and the level of detail involved. Below, we dive into the three popular shoot types - personal branding, e-commerce, and editorial - offering detailed insight into typical durations, key factors that impact timing, and practical tups to make the most of your studio time.
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Personal Branding Shoots

Personal branding shoots are all about showcasing who you are professionally. Whether it's a crisp headshot for LinkeIn or a set of lifestyle images for your website, these sessions focus on authenticity and polish.

Typical Duration

• 1-2 hours for a solo session with a handful of looks.
• 3-4 hours if you're adding vvariety (e.g. multiple locations withint he studio) or shooting a small team.

What Affects Time:

• Outfit Changes: Switching looks isn't just about the clothes - factor in 10-15 minutes per outfit for changing, adjusting, and quick tough-ups.
• Hair and Makeup: Professional styling can take 30-60 minutes upfront, depending on complexity (e.g., a simple refresh vs. a dramatic transformation).
• Posing and Variety: Want a mix of standing, seated, and candid shots? Each setup takes 5-10 minutes to nail, especially if you're aiming for 10-20 final images.
• Background Swaps: Changing backdrops or lighting setups adds 10-20 minutes per switch.

Tips for Planning: 

• Prep Your Wardrobe: Bring outfits ironed, hung, and accessorised - hang them out in order of use to avoid mid-shoot chaos.
• Define Your Vibe: Are you going for approachable, authoritative, or creative? Share mood boards or keywords with your photographer to streamline the process.
• Limit Distractions: If it's a team shoot, keep everyone on a schedule - stagger arrivals or assign a point person to wrangle the group.

Personal Branding shoots thrive on preparation. With a clear plan, you can walk away with a killer portfolio in just a couple of hours.

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Apparel Ecommerce Shoots

Apparel e-commerce photography is the backbone of online fashion sales - clean, consistent images that make your clothing pop. Timing here hinges on the number of outdits, styling needs, and model involvement.

Typical Duration: 

• 2-4 hours for a small collection(10-20 outfits with basic shots).
• 6-8 hours for larger collections (40-60 items) or shoots needing multiple angles and styling variations.

What Affects Time: 

• Outfit Volume: Simple garments (e.g., t-shirts or dresses) can move relatively quickly - think 8-10 outfits per hour with a single model and minimal styling. More complex pieces (e.g., layered looks or tailored suits) slow that to 4-6 per hour due to adjustments.
• Shot Variation: Need front, back, side, and detail shots? Multiply your base time per outfit by 2-3.
• Model Changes: This can either slow or speed up your workflow. If you are organised you can alternative models, photographing one whilst the other is getting ready. If poorly organised, the more people on set can add more time to your shoot.
• Styling and Fit: Steaming, pinning, or adjusting fit can add 5-10 minutes per outfit. For intricate styling (e.g., accessorising or tucking), budget extra time.

Tips For Planning: 

• Batch Your Outfits: Group similar items (e.g., all dresses, then all tops) to minimise lighting or background changes.
• Create a Details Shot List: Specify exactly what you need - e.g., "Front, back, and side for each outfit, plus one detail of fabric texture." Share it with the team ahead of time.
• Prep Your Garments: Ensure all clothing is steamed, tagged, and ready to wear. Have a stylist or assistant on hand for quick adjustments.
• Streamline Model transitions: If using multiple models, schedule overlapping time slots to keep the shoot moving.

Apparel e-commerce shoots reward efficiency. The more organised you are, the faster you'll capture your collection - leaving room for those inevitable last minute additions.
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Editorial Shoots

Editorial shoots are when creativity takes centre stage. Think magazine spreads, campaign visuals, or artistic look-books - these sessions prioritise storytelling over speed.

Typical Duration

• 2 Hours for a single concept with 1-2 looks
• 4-8 Hours for a multi-look shoot or a full editorial spread with complex setups.

What Affects Time?

• Styling and Prep: Hair, makeup, and wardrobe per look can take 1-2 hours - more if you're layering accessories or perfecting a bold aesthetic.
• Creative experimentation: Finding the right angle, mood, or lighting might mean 20-30 minutes per shot.
• Team coordination: Models, stylists, and art directors all need to sync up - add buffer time for brainstorming or mid-shoot adjustments.
• Reshoots: Chasing perfection? A single look might need 2-3 rounds to get "the one," adding an hour or more.

Tips for Planning

• Nail the Vision: Bring a details mood board - colours, textures, poses - to align the team from the start.
• Schedule the Day: Block time for prep (e.g. 9-11am for styling, 11-3pm for shooting) to keep things on track.
• Embrace flexibility: Build in an extra hour for happy accidents - sometime the best shots come from unplanned moments.
• Prioritise Shots: Rank your must-haves (e.g., hero images first) so time crunches don[t leave you empty-handed.

A Simple Way to Estimate Your Time (For Any Shoot)

Still unsure? Here's a quick DIY method to ballpark your studio needs: 

1. Gather Your Stuff: Round up outfits, products, or props you'll shoot.
2. Simulate The Process: Time how long it takes to change an outfit, style a product, orpose for a shot.
3. Do The Math: Multiply by your total items or looks, then add 30-60 minutes for setup and wrap-up.
4. Pad It: Tack on 15-20% extra for hiccups like lighting tweaks or coffee breaks (or spills).

For instance, if styling and shooting one product takes 15 minutes, 20 products = 300 minutes (5 hours). Add setup and buffer, and you're at 6-7 hours. we have an "all day" fee for 9 hours studio hire at a 7 hour rate to allow time for your lucnh and coffee breaks.

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Final Tips For Any Shoot: 

• Overestimate Slightly: Better to have extra tie than to rush the magic.
• Prep is King: A tight shot list and ready materials shave off stress and hours.
• Talk to Your Team: A quick chat with your photographer about goals and logistics can prevent surprises.

Whether you're building a personal brand, launching a product line, or crafting a bold editorial, studio time is yours to shape. Use this guide as a starting point, tweak it to your needs, and enjoy the process!

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