How to Prepare for a Photo Shoot (So You Get the Best Possible Results)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from photographing tourism operators, hospitality venues, wineries, councils, markets and destinations… it’s this:
The best shoots are never “winged.”
They’re prepared. Thoughtfully. Simply. Intentionally.
Planning upfront makes a massive difference to the quality of your photos and videos, and ultimately, how well they inspire people to make a booking or decision.
Whether you’re refreshing your visuals, telling a new story about your experience, or capturing content ahead of a busy season, here’s how to prepare so your brand shines.
1. Get Clear on Your Story (and the vibe you want to share)
Client: Walk Sublime
Great imagery doesn’t just show what you offer — it communicates how it feels to be there.
Before the shoot, take a moment to define:
What emotions do you want people to feel?
Relaxed, excited, connected, adventurous, inspired…?What story are you trying to tell right now?
Seasonal experiences, fresh menus, new rooms, nature moments…?Who are you talking to?
Families, couples, foodies, hikers, corporates, locals…?
When you know the “vibe,” it shapes everything — the lighting, the talent, the props, even the pace of the shoot.
This is exactly the type of direction I help clients refine before I ever pull out the camera.
2. Decide which spaces, experiences, and people to highlight
Client: The Vineyard McLaren Vale
Think of a photo shoot as curating a visual itinerary of your brand.
Ask yourself:
Which areas look their absolute best?
What are your hero experiences - the things people book you for?
Do you need talent? (staff, guests, models, friends, couples)
What practical details matter?
Steaming bedding, polishing glassware, removing clutter, lighting candles, grooming gardens, washing windows…
When you know what we’re shooting, I can guide you on how to make it look its best.
The small details elevate the entire shoot.
3. Choose the best time for light
Light changes everything.
It affects colour, texture, mood, and how your property or experience is perceived.
A few things to consider:
Morning light is crisp, clean and flattering.
Afternoon light is warm, rich and inviting.
Harsh midday sun is your least helpful friend — unless we’re shooting indoors.
Season matters too, especially for outdoor tourism and hospitality venues.
When we plan your shoot, I help map the best light for each location so we’re not fighting shadows or missing golden moments.
Client: Immerse KI
4. Create a simple, clear shot list
This doesn’t need to be complicated — just a guide that ensures nothing gets forgotten.
A good shot list includes:
Your must-have shots
Nice-to-have extras
Orientation requirements (portrait for reels, landscape for website banners, etc.)
Any specific uses (ads, print, socials, website hero images, editorial, signage)
Any ideas you want to convey through photos, but not sure how
I create a refined version of this with you, so you’re not guessing what’s achievable or realistic within the time.
5. First impressions count
Photos and videos are often the first interaction someone has with your destination or venue, and first impressions matter.
So treat your shoot like:
✨ A chance to showcase who you really are
✨ An opportunity to elevate the guest experience before they arrive
✨ A moment to position your brand exactly where you want it
When you prepare intentionally, your visuals don’t just look good…
They work harder for you. They convert. They attract the right guests. They increase bookings.
And that’s what I want for you.
Client: Tourism Australia
Ready to plan your next shoot?
If you’re in tourism, hospitality, local government, or the experiences sector, I can help you plan, prepare, and capture visuals that genuinely move people.
Just reach out, and we can discuss timing, ideas, or a content refresh before the busy season begins.
Prepping for your shoot…
How do you prepare for a photo shoot?
Your photo shoot can make or break your visual marketing - are you ready?
Preparation is key. Before a photographer arrives, consider:
Your story: What experience or vibe would you like to talk about? Develop a mood board and shot list.
Spaces and experiences: Which areas or activities best showcase your property or destination? Make sure they are prepped and looking their best with any required props.
Guests and staff: Who will be in the photos and video, and how should they be presented?
Timing and lighting: Natural light is your friend, plan shoots at optimal times.
Taking the time to plan ensures that we capture visuals not only that look amazing but also convert interest into bookings.
Tip: A little prep goes a long way, think of it as setting the stage for your brand to shine.
📷 Merilli 1885, Currency Creek
Now’s the perfect time to capture fresh photos
There’s this magical little window that happens every year. Right about now, the grass is green, the skies are blue, and the light has that crisp, clear glow before the heat haze of summer really settles in.
It’s the calm before the Christmas chaos.
For anyone in tourism, hospitality, or local business, this is the perfect moment to capture new photography and video content. Everything looks fresh, vibrant, and full of life, yet the summer rush hasn’t quite arrived.
We all know how quickly things change once the silly season hits. Staff are run off their feet, guests are everywhere, and there’s barely time to check emails, let alone plan a photo shoot. Then suddenly it’s January, the grass is dry, and the light has that mid-summer glare that is tricky to shoot in.
That’s why now, this very moment, is the sweet spot.
A fresh set of photos or short videos can give you so much mileage going into summer. You can update your website, refresh your booking platforms, or finally replace that outdated hero image that has been hanging around for years. It is also the perfect time to build a bank of content for your social media over the busy months ahead.
If you have been meaning to refresh your visuals, consider this your friendly nudge. Grab this gorgeous light and those lush colours while they are here.
Before long, it will be 40 degrees, you will be knee-deep in Christmas bookings, and you will wish you had done it now.
Finding quiet in the chaos: Beauty in the unlikely corners of Kuta, Bali
Kuta isn’t the kind of place you come to for peace. It’s hot. It’s loud. It smells like a cocktail of things I don’t want to identify. Everywhere you walk, scooters hum past inches from your toes, and someone’s calling out, “Taxi? Massage? Bike bike? Come look!”
It’s vibrant, gritty, chaotic, and unapologetically alive. And yet… sometimes, in between it all, there are these fleeting, unexpected moments of quiet.
The trick is to pause. To breathe through the smells, the noise, the constant motion, and look a little closer. Because somewhere between the honking horns and the hawkers, you’ll find a quiet moment that’s entirely yours.
Finding Inspiration in the Quiet Moments of the Côte d’Azur
Visiting the Côte d’Azur, the French Riviera, in peak summer is an experience of contrasts. The energy of the coast is palpable, from bustling streets to crowded beaches, yet it was the quiet, fleeting moments that truly captured my imagination.
As a photographer and visual storyteller, I am drawn to the subtleties that others might overlook. Watching a man walk his dog down a quiet street, or seeing empty café tables bathed in late-afternoon light, I realised how much richness lies in these understated scenes. Even a lone figure pausing for lunch in a monastery revealed layers of story that the crowds could not provide.
For creatives and marketing professionals, this is a powerful reminder: inspiration often comes from the small, overlooked details. It is in the shadows, in the reflections, in the calm between chaos, where authentic stories emerge. Observing, slowing down, and really noticing can transform how we approach storytelling, branding, and design, helping ideas resonate in ways that flashy visuals or high-energy moments alone cannot.
Travel is not just about capturing the highlights; it is about seeing the world with a thoughtful eye. Whether in a busy city, a crowded beach, or a lively marketplace, the quiet moments are where creativity finds its strongest spark.
Kangaroo Island 2025 Tour
So, here’s the thing about photos—they’re always worth it, even when we’re not quite ready. Whether it’s timing, finishing a project, or just feeling like now isn’t the right moment, we all have reasons to hesitate. But honestly, sometimes you have to say yes and let the details work out later.
I’ve put together some special packages for my upcoming trip to Kangaroo Island, and I’d love for you to take advantage of them. They’re only available while I’m on the road, so if you’ve been thinking about getting some photos done, now’s a great time to go for it!
You can check the packages out here.
Let’s make some time to meet up and capture those moments. If you’re interested or just want to chat about what you’re thinking, reach out! I’d love to hear from you.
Dates have not been ‘set in stone’ yet; however, I will be over there from late August to early September. Please get in touch ASAP.
2025 Regional Tours
Big News for 2025!
After the amazing success of my 2024 tours, I'm hitting the road again in 2025!
So, what made last year such a hit? It was all about teamwork! Tourism boards, councils and government bodies came together to create something bigger—a shared vision that promotes regions and gives visitors a reason to stay longer and explore more.
How? They funded, or partially funded, day shoots in their area for their operators.
The result? A gorgeous library of photos that really tell the story of each place. Not just pretty pictures but images that connect, inspire, and attract more visitors.
And the best part? We’re keeping it simple:
✅ Minimal travel fees (because who loves extra costs? No one.)
✅ FREE photo edits (yep, free!)
✅ Images that are 100% your brand and vibe
If your region could use a fresh set of on-brand storytelling photos, now’s the time to make it happen. Send me a message, and I’ll send you all the details!
Check out more details here - www.heidiwho.com/regionaltourism
(Photo - Client: Copper Coast Council)
Sip and Snap
I’m doing a thing. Come find out how to get better photos while sipping Samson Tall grenache (or a cocktail made from it) and nibbling on yummy delights from Red Poles. It’s next weekend, and there are a couple of spots still available.
I’ll be teaching you the three most important considerations when taking photos - light, composition and story. It doesn’t matter what camera, or phone, you use!
The Thing About Photos... We Always Need Them
So, here’s the thing about photos—they’re always worth it, even when we’re not quite ready. Whether it’s timing, finishing a project, or just feeling like now isn’t the right moment, we all have reasons to hesitate. But honestly, sometimes you just have to say yes and let the details work out later.
I’ve put together some special packages for my upcoming trips through South Australia, and I’d love for you to take advantage of them. They’re only available while I’m on the road, so if you’ve been thinking about getting some photos done, now’s a great time to go for it!
You can check the packages out here.
Here’s where I’ll be over the next few months:
6th - 10th September: Yorke Peninsula
20th - 26th September: Flinders and Outback
1st - 8th November: Limestone Coast
15th - 22nd November: Eyre Peninsula
1st - 6th December: Yorke Peninsula
13th - 20th December: Kangaroo Island
Let’s make some time to meet up and capture those moments. If you’re interested or just want to chat about what you’re thinking, reach out! I’d love to hear from you.
Statewide (Love Your) Super campaign with Mono Design
Going through old hard drives of photos can have it’s benefits. Finding lil’ pearlers from great shoots is one of those.
This series of images was taken for a Statewide Super campaign. The images were used on a lot of different promotional products including the sides of trams, backs of buses and big poster promos.
