Photo Session Checklist

1. Preparing the scene

1.1

Spend extra time making everything perfect, paying attention to even the smallest details.

Though you may not notice the details while walking through a house, as soon as you take a photo, you will notice the wrinkles in the pillows, the crooked lampshade, the out-of-place chair, the uneven bedspread, etc.

1.2
Turn on all the lights in the room.

2. Camera Setup

Check the camera is set as follows:

2.1
Flash off
2.2
ISO set to 400 (or other value that is neither too high nor very low)
2.3

Shooting mode either Manual (M) or Aperture Priority (A or Av)

This will keep the aperture fixed so that the depth of field remains the same for all shots.

2.4
Automatic Exposure Bracketing turned on
2.5
EV spacing set to +/- 2 EV if your camera supports it, otherwise to the highest EV spacing it supports
2.6
Continuous Shooting mode

3. Preparing to shoot

3.1

Use a tripod if at all possible.

Using a tripod has many benefits. For example, it keeps you from getting blurry photos when you take the long exposures needed indoors. It also forces you to put thought into framing the photo (you will quickly see things that are out of place and make sure that the image is the way you want it).

3.2

Keep your camera level and at, or just below, eye level.

If your camera is pointed slightly up or down, vertical lines will appear to be at odd angles in the photo.