Why You Need a Behind the Scenes Photographer on Your Shoot
Behind the scenes for Dolce & Gabbana in Paris
Added Value with BTS
Most fashion and beauty brands know that great Behind the Scenes photographs are fantastic for social media. In an age where we are constantly bombarded with marketing messages, it can be hard to cut through the noise.
Shareable BTS content that brands post on social media is a great opportunity to connect with fans in a really personal way. Images that feel intimate and immediate help brands show off their personality, share their values, and create an emotional connection with their audience.
A photographer who has experience working on set is perfect for capturing the ‘making of’ a campaign shoot, giving your followers a sneak peek at the hard work that goes into creating the beautiful campaign images they see. BTS shots make customers feel like they are part of the action, by giving a glimpse of what goes into making the products they love.
Behind the scenes for Shiseido in London
BTS Photographer on Set
The best BTS photographers are almost invisible, moving around the set without drawing attention to themselves or distracting the talent or crew. They know how to capture the action and create compelling content that gives your followers a glimpse into your brand's world.
Being a behind the scenes photographer is a particular skill that comes with experience. Whether it's understanding how shoots work, how to handle celebrity egos or finding the perfect angle for a shot, it's all about capturing those candid moments that give followers a peep into the making of a project. With so many moving parts, it takes a confident and knowledgeable photographer to be able to capture the perfect decisive moment.
If you're looking to create content from your next shoot that will engage your social media followers, be sure to hire an experienced BTS photographer. The best behind the scenes photographers approach each project with a documentary eye. They are trying to capture unique moments that tell the real story of the shoot. It is different to being just a fashion photographer, a still life photographer or even a portrait photographer. The BTS photographer is all of those but also a reportage photographer who hunts for the perfect shot.
Flexibility
Being a great behind the scenes photographer is also about considering how the pictures reflect on the brand and being able to capture content that will resonate with social media audiences.
In addition to capturing all the action on set, a behind the scenes photographer is often tasked with shooting portraits, product shots and other images for PR and social media. Every brand has a different story they want to tell, and a different way to tell it. As a result, BTS photographers need to be adaptable and have a wide range of skills in order to create the perfect images for each brand. Flexibility and experience across a range of photo disciplines are vital to be able to really leverage having a BTS photographer on set, making sure they can deliver all the required images.
Behind the scenes for Tommy Hilfiger in Los Angeles
Behind the scenes for Vanity Fair in New York
Working with agencies & brands
In addition to their technical skills, BTS photographers also need to be able to collaborate with creative teams and have an understanding of the stories that brands want to tell. Understanding how the client wants to use the pictures is essential to making a successful shoot. The photographer should have a clear set of deliverables from the brand or advertising agency. It is the BTS photographer's job on the day to make sure that everything on the list is ticked off. With a clear understanding of the goals for the shoot, a BTS photographer can capture stunning images that tell the brand’s particular story from the shoot. BTS photography is more than just pretty pictures; it's a powerful tool for building brand equity.
Behind the scenes for Lui Jo in New York
Being Fast and prepared
A BTS photographer has to be quick on their feet and always prepared. Oftentimes, you only have a few minutes with a celebrity between takes to grab a portrait. Once you’ve got that window of opportunity, it's so important to make the most of it. It is essential to be completely prepared and ready at a moment’s notice.
Relax the subject and build trust quickly. The photographer is much more likely to get a great shot if the talent feels comfortable. At the same time, the photographer needs to be able to read the shoot. We all know that things set don’t always go to plan. When time is tight or tensions high, the experienced BTS photographer slides into the shadows and waits. It is about reading the set and getting a sense of when would be a good time to hustle for that 2 or 3 minutes you need to get a specific shot.
When the BTS photographer is shooting behind the scenes, they should stay out of the way of the director and the talent. It is important not to interfere with the dynamic of the shoot. It is a great role for photographers who don’t need to be the centre of attention.
It's all about working around the schedule, identifying those windows of opportunity and using the time wisely. When it all comes together, it's when the magic happens.
Don’t forget moving image
Social content is not of course just limited to still images. Some of the most engaging posts use video. It is an added bonus if the behind the scenes photographer can also create video content on set too. Many brands and agencies find it easier to work with a single behind the scenes team that generates both the photo and video content from a shot. It minimises the number of people on set. But more importantly, it allows all the BTS assets created on a specific day to have an overarching look or feel and work cohesively together.
Specialists in All things Behind the Scenes
Sam Faulkner, the founder of Fashion Films, has been specialising in behind the scenes for fashion and beauty brands for over twenty years. He has worked with many of the world’s leading brands.
Check out our behind the scenes work