From Concept to Creation: A Day in the Life of an Oh My Photography Shoot
Ever wondered what actually happens during a professional photoshoot? Let's pull back the curtain and take you through a typical day with Oh My Photography, from the moment we arrive on location to the final shot that captures exactly what we envisioned together.
6:30 AM – Pre-Shoot Preparation
Great shoots start before anyone arrives on set. Our photographer reviews the creative brief one more time, double-checks equipment, and confirms all the details. Cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, backup batteries, memory cards, everything is packed and ready. For today's shoot, we're photographing a luxury hotel's new restaurant space, so we've also coordinated with the venue team about access, lighting conditions, and timing.
8:00 AM – Arrival and Setup
We arrive early to assess the space with fresh eyes. Natural light is beautiful at this hour, streaming through the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows. We scout angles, test lighting setups, and identify the hero shots we absolutely need to capture. The venue looks stunning, but we notice a few details - a crooked menu, some distracting reflections—that we'll address before shooting begins.
This is where experience matters. A trained eye catches the small things that make the difference between good photos and exceptional ones.
9:00 AM – Styling and Final Touches
The restaurant team brings out the dishes we'll be photographing. We work closely with the chef to ensure each plate looks its absolute best, adjusting garnishes, wiping plate edges, considering color balance and composition. For the wider shots of the dining space, we arrange tables, adjust lighting, and add small touches that create atmosphere without looking staged.
This collaborative process is essential. The chef knows their food; we know how to make it look irresistible on camera.
10:00 AM – The Main Shoot Begins
Now the magic happens. We start with the food photography, working quickly while dishes are at their freshest and most vibrant. Each plate is photographed from multiple angles, overhead shots for social media, close-ups that highlight texture and detail, and lifestyle shots that show the dining experience.
Between shots, we review images on a larger screen, checking focus, composition, and lighting. The client reviews previews on their phone, offering feedback in real-time. This collaborative approach ensures we're capturing exactly what they need.
12:00 PM – Capturing the Space
With food photography complete, we shift to architectural and ambiance shots. The restaurant's design deserves to shine-the elegant bar area, intimate booth seating, and that spectacular view. We photograph from various perspectives, considering how these images will be used: website hero images need drama and scale, while social media content benefits from interesting angles and details.
We also capture some behind-the-scenes moments, the chef plating a dish, servers preparing for service, the bartender crafting a signature cocktail. These authentic moments add personality and storytelling depth to the final collection.
2:00 PM – Lifestyle and Detail Shots
The final phase focuses on the experience. We bring in models, a couple enjoying dinner, friends laughing over cocktails—to show the restaurant in action. These lifestyle shots help potential guests envision themselves in the space, which is incredibly powerful for marketing.
We also capture detail shots: the texture of upholstery, the elegant table settings, the way afternoon light plays across the bar. These images provide versatile content for social media, print materials, and website galleries.
4:00 PM – Wrap and Review
As we pack up equipment, we do a final walkthrough with the client, reviewing the shot list to ensure we've captured everything. We've taken over 400 images today, which will be carefully curated down to the 50 best shots for editing and delivery.
Before leaving, we discuss timeline, edited images will be ready within two weeks, with previews available sooner if needed for an urgent campaign.
The Week After – Post-Production Magic
Back in the studio, the real artistry of post-production begins. We select the strongest images, then edit each one to enhance colors, adjust lighting, remove any distractions, and ensure consistency across the entire collection. The goal is to make each image look polished and professional while maintaining authenticity.
For this restaurant shoot, we also create short video reels from behind-the-scenes footage—perfect for Instagram and TikTok content that shows the energy and atmosphere of the space.
Two Weeks Later – Delivery and Delight
The final collection is delivered: 50 beautifully edited photos, 3 social media reels, and full usage rights. The client now has a comprehensive library of professional content to fuel their marketing for months to come, website refresh, social media campaigns, press materials, and more.
Why This Process Works
What makes an Oh My Photography shoot successful isn't just technical skill, it's preparation, collaboration, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to bringing your vision to life. Every shoot is different, but our process ensures consistently exceptional results.
Ready to experience the Oh My Photography difference? Whether you need food photography, fashion shoots, product images, or event coverage, we bring the same dedication and expertise to every project. Let's create something beautiful together.
