How to Prepare for a Photoshoot When You Don’t Know the Set
The Control Freak’s Guide to Stepping Into the Unknown
I’ll admit it—I like control. Usually, I’m the one choosing the venue, setting up the lights, and inviting the models. If there’s another photographer at my shoot, it’s because I allowed them to be there.
So when Jessica French (@jessrfrench) invited me to a Valentine’s Day-themed shoot at The House of Valkova (@house_of_valkova), I hesitated. I wasn’t in charge. There would be multiple photographers, models I hadn’t worked with before, and limited space. It was out of my comfort zone. But… I don’t back down from a challenge.
I had three goals for this shoot:
✅ Create good art.
✅ Impress the other models so they’d want to work with me again.
✅ Minimize my stress—both during the shoot and later when editing.
Here’s how I pulled it off.
Packing Light Without Sacrificing Quality
Normally, I show up to a shoot like I’m moving into a new house—multiple lights, stands, accent lighting, an entire vehicle of equipment, and a team to help me set up. This time, I needed a minimal setup that wouldn’t take up too much space, but would still deliver high-quality shots.
Jessica French didn’t realize the cord in the bag was meant for the top of the corset, the camera didn’t mind.
🔦 What I Brought:
Amaran 300c RGB light with a beauty dish (key light)
Aputure MC RGBWW small light (for fill, held by Snappy - @gingermortician)
Sony A7R5 (@sonyalpha) with a 35mm FE f/1.8 lens
💡 Why This Setup?
I knew the rooms would be tight and other photographers would need space.
I also knew that working with only one key light could be tricky—it’s easy to end up with blown-out highlights or shadows that kill the mood. The solution?
✔️ Position the light carefully to balance with background light.
✔️ Lower the power to 50% to avoid overexposure.
✔️ Use a handheld fill light for precision where I needed it.
Yes, I had to bump the ISO up a bit, but AI denoise in Lightroom makes that a non-issue.
Setting the Mood: Barroom Romance Meets Boudoir
I wanted this shot to feel like it belonged in a dimly lit bar—the kind of place where time slows down and everything feels a little more intense. The red pool table, the scattered roses, the soft glow of the light… all of it works together to create a moody, intimate aesthetic.
Here’s what I did in post-production to enhance the vibe:
🎨 Color Grading: Pulled the reds away from Jessica’s skin tones to make her pop against the table.
📐 Composition: Used the angle to emphasize her tattoos while keeping the pose soft and inviting.
🌑 Shadow Play: Let shadows fall naturally, giving the image that classic boudoir “hinting without revealing” style.
Adapting in a Shared Photoshoot
One of the biggest surprises? Another photographer ended up using my lighting setup. I didn’t mind—it was fun to see how different people approached the same space. But it also reinforced a lesson: when you prepare well, you make things easier for everyone.
Would I do a shared shoot again? Maybe. But next time, I’d bring a little more gear—just enough to keep pushing my creative limits.
One thing I’ll definitely keep using? The Amaran app. It connects instantly, finds the lights fast, and lets me dial in my colors with precision. Honestly, it’s become an essential tool for shoots like this.
Final Thoughts
Prepping for a shoot in an unfamiliar space doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s the key:
✅ Bring only what you need but make sure it’s versatile.
✅ Use smart lighting choices to balance the scene.
✅ Think about the mood you want to create before you even set up.
✅ If you nail it in-camera, editing becomes fun instead of frustrating.
💬 What’s your go-to trick when working in a new space? Drop a comment below!
TL;DR: How to Prepare for a Photoshoot in an Unfamiliar Space
📸 Minimal gear, maximum impact.
🎨 Pre-plan the mood & lighting.
💡 Adapt to what’s available.
🎭 Tell a story, not just take a picture.
Until next time, shoot smart, shoot bold, and let the shadows tell the story. 🖤
