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Shot List Template
Plan any photoshoot in 10 minutes
How to Use This Template
A shot list is a simple plan of every photo you need before you start shooting. It saves time, keeps you calm, and makes sure you don't get home and realise you forgot the most important angle.
Your 10-minute planning routine:
Minutes 0–2: fill in the Shoot Basics. What's the goal and where will the photos be used?
Minutes 2–4: check light and location. When is the best light? (Window light, golden hour, open shade.)
Minutes 4–8: list your shots in the Shot List table. Use the "Quick-add" ideas for your shoot type.
Minutes 8–10: fill in the Gear & Props checklist and mark your must-have shots with ★.
On the day: shoot the ★ must-haves first, tick each shot as you go, and take a few variations of every shot (different angles, distances, orientations).
1. Shoot Basics
Shoot name | |
Date & time | |
Location | |
Goal (e.g. new product listing, menu, portrait, event) | |
Where photos will be used (shop, social, website, print) | |
Formats needed ☐ Vertical 4:5 ☐ Stories 9:16 ☐ Square 1:1 ☐ Horizontal 3:2 / 16:9 | |
Look / editing style | |
People involved (model, client, helper) | |
Permissions needed (people in photos, location) | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
2. Light Plan
Light source | ☐ Window ☐ Outdoor shade ☐ Golden hour ☐ Lamp ☐ Other: ______ |
Best time for light | |
Direction | ☐ Side ☐ Front ☐ Back |
Backup plan if light changes |
3. Shot List
# | ★ Must-have | Subject / scene | Angle (overhead / 45° / eye level / low) | Lens (0.5x / 1x / 2x+) | Orientation (V/H) | Props / styling | Notes | ✓ Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
2 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
3 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
4 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
5 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
6 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
7 | ☐ | ☐ | ||||||
8 | ☐ |
4. Quick-Add Shot Ideas
Copy the ones you need into your shot list.
Product:
Front, back, and side views
Close-up of texture, material, or detail
Scale shot (in a hand or next to a familiar object)
In use / lifestyle shot
Packaging / unboxing
Group shot of a collection
Food & drink:
Overhead of the full spread
45° hero shot of the main dish
Straight-on for tall items (cakes, drinks, burgers)
Close-up of texture (crumb, sauce, steam)
Action: pouring, cutting, a hand reaching in
Ingredients laid out before cooking
Portrait / personal brand:
Head and shoulders, smiling and natural
Half-body with hands visible
Working at desk or in workspace
Walking or candid movement
Detail shots: hands, tools, notebook
Space for text (negative space for social graphics)
Event:
Venue wide shot before people arrive
Signage and decorations
Speaker or host in action
Guests interacting (with consent)
Food and details
Group photo
Travel / place:
Wide establishing shot
Leading lines (streets, paths)
Local details (signs, doors, textures)
People in the scene for scale
Golden hour version of a key view
5. Gear & Props Checklist
Item | Packed ✓ |
|---|---|
Phone charged | ☐ |
Storage space cleared | ☐ |
Lens cloth | ☐ |
Tripod or phone stand | ☐ |
Power bank | ☐ |
White card / reflector | ☐ |
Backgrounds (card, fabric, boards) | ☐ |
Props: ______________ | ☐ |
Props: ______________ | ☐ |
Cleaning cloth for products | ☐ |
Tape, clips, blu-tack | ☐ |
6. After the Shoot
[ ] Back up photos
[ ] Delete obvious duds (blurry, eyes closed)
[ ] Mark favorites
[ ] Edit with a consistent preset
[ ] Export in needed formats and sizes
[ ] Note what to do differently next time: ______________________________
Sample product from a Fora-made demo creator page.
What you get
- 4-page printable template
- Shoot Basics
- Light Plan
- Shot List