Planning is the key to any successful photo shoot. And while spontaneous shoots may work in your favor as well, it’s best to make a concrete plan and stick to it if you don’t want to take any chances. Also, as an Instagram travel blogger, you can’t always rely on these impulsive decisions.

Thus, before going on a shoot, it’s best that you make a plan, and prepare yourself accordingly. And to help you do so, here’s a step-by-step guide on planning the perfect photoshoot for your Instagram travel blog.

#1 Determining the purpose of the shoot

Given that it’s a travel blog, the purpose of the shoot should be pretty clear; to take pictures that vividly portray the location’s beauty. Apart from that, the shoot should also cover other aspects of the travel, including the commute, the stay, the cuisine, and so on.

If you’re promoting anything specific about that place, like a hotel or resort, you should maintain proper communication with your client and take their requirements regarding the shoot into consideration.

#2 Thinking of aesthetics

With the rising number of Instagram bloggers and influencers, it’s getting more and more difficult to make your feed look unique and aesthetic. Hence, you need to start thinking creatively if you want your Insta-feed to stand out from the rest. And to do so, you need to start rethinking your photoshoots.

While you can always edit and use filters on your pictures to make them look more appealing or fit a certain aesthetic, you should try to maintain the natural beauty of your pictures for most cases. Since you’re a travel blogger, people would appreciate it if you stick to a strict no-filter policy for your photos. Besides, the framing of your pictures also matters here. Stick to the 4:3 ratio if you want, but try to incorporate different angles and views in them.

#3 Selecting a location

As an influencer, you’ll probably have no control over the place you’re having to conduct the shoot. Unlike an independent blogger, you’ll have to stick to whatever your client wants you to capture. Even so, you can still decide on certain aspects of the location that you, as a photographer, think is best for the shoot. These aspects include adequate natural lighting, a proper view of the location, key objects, buildings or monuments that are special to that area, and so on.

#4 Checking the weather forecasts

Sunny weather is probably the best condition to conduct a photoshoot. However, if you’re aiming to capture some rain or snowfall in your shoot, you’re welcomed to that as well. The type of weather will also influence the choice of gear you take with you. So before you decide or head over to the shooting location, be sure to check on the type of weather that’s prevalent over there. To do so, you can use Tomorrow’s forecast tool to get an accurate overview of how the weather of your desired location is going to be like for the next week or so.

#5 Picking a convenient time

Different times of the day will lead to different types of lighting. In between early morning to noon, the lighting is likely to be at its best. Towards the evening, the light will start to fade away. It’ll not completely disappear though, and will make for some fine aesthetic shots of an open landscape. Night photography is by far the hardest. It’s almost impossible to get some quality night shots without professional gear.

Pick a time according to your convenience and get as creative as you can with the lighting. Try to schedule your shoot according to your preferred time of the day. If you’re taking pictures of things other than the landscapes (like different products or building interiors), you should try to carry some lighting equipment with you, just to be safe.

#6 Picking the right gear

Even with the right skills, you’ll still not be able to capture the true beauty of a place or landscape if you don’t have the right gear. Different types of photoshoots require different types of gear. If you want to take some amazing high-definition shots, professional photography gear is the way to go. In case you’re going for something simpler, your regular Android or iPhone will do just fine.