Why I Finally Caved and Started Using Shot Lists (And Why You Should Too) + Free PDF Download
Let’s be real: Who actually uses Shot Lists?
If you’ve been following my photography journey for a while, you know I’m not a huge fan of rigid rules. I like to flow with the day, find the light, and let the moments happen naturally. For the longest time, I thought carrying around a clipboard with a "shot list" was the quickest way to kill that creativity (I know that’s not how people actually do it these days, most would have it in the Notes app on their phone but it just sounds more dramatic the way I said it).
But let’s be honest—we’ve all had that moment.
It’s 11:30 PM. You’ve just wrapped a full day wedding shoot. Your feet are throbbing, your back is screaming, and you’re driving home with that cold spike of panic in your chest.
Did I actually get a portrait of the bride with her grandmother?
You’re pretty sure you did. You remember seeing them together. But did you actually click the shutter? Or were you distracted by the caterer asking about your meal preference?
That anxiety? It’s a creativity killer. And it took me way too long to realise that a shot list isn't a cage—it’s actually a safety net.
Turns out my memory isn’t that great
I knew my memory wasn’t the greatest in the world (I actually think my wife has the best memory out of anyone I know), but surely I was confident enough to remember the core moments like "don’t forget to shoot the rings."
But here’s the thing: when you’re relying on your brain to track 150 different deliverables while simultaneously managing lighting, posing settings, and difficult relatives, you aren't fully present. You’re stuck in a mental administrative loop.
Once I started using a simple, physical checklist (which moved to my notes app), it felt like a weight lifted. No joke, it was a total game changer for my workflow.
Suddenly, I wasn't worrying about what to shoot. I knew the "must-haves" were ticked off, which gave me the mental space to actually get creative with the "nice-to-haves.
The “boring” shots matter more than you think
Whether you're shooting weddings, real estate, or commercial work, there are always those shots that feel mundane to us but mean the world to the client.
Weddings: It’s the invitation suite flat-lay. It takes 10 minutes to set up, but it’s often the first thing a blog wants to see.
Real Estate: You might nail the epic twilight hero shot, but if you forget the inside of the walk-in robe? The agent is going to be emailing you before you’ve even exported the files.
Product: A cool angle is great for Instagram, but the client needs that boring, straight-on shot for their Amazon/E-commerce listing.
Missing these isn't an artistic choice… it's a headache waiting to happen.
So, I built the ultimate “safety net” pack
I realised there was a more efficient way to do this instead of trying to pre-plan a shot list before every shoot (because realistically, there are so many similarities and overlaps between what clients want in the same industries. So, true to form, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole and standardised everything.
I’ve put together a Free Shot List Templates Pack that covers the main genres I shoot (and a couple I don't, just to be thorough).
It includes:
💍 Wedding Day Master List (170+ shots – yes, it’s comprehensive)
🏠 Real Estate Property Checklist (70+ shots for full coverage)
📦 Product & E-Commerce Guide (Must-haves for brand work)
👤 Portrait Session Essentials (My go-to poses)
These are PDF ready. Print them out, load them on your iPad, or just keep them on your phone.
The Next Step: Culling Efficiently (My New Obsession)
Okay, so the shot list solves the "shooting" part of the problem. But what about when you get home?
You’ve got 3,000 photos. You know you captured the shot list, but now you have to find those 50 specific images in a sea of duplicates.
This is the next rabbit hole I’ve been diving into. I’ve been working on a project called Fovea.
It’s an AI-powered culling tool, but it’s not just about speed. I’m building it to actually integrate your shot list into the culling process.
Instead of checking a paper list, you can customise your shot list directly into Fovea. As you cull, you assign your keepers to specific buckets—like "First Dance" or "Family Formals"—so you can instantly see if you’ve actually nailed the brief.
Combine that with intelligent tools like instant close-up panels and omni-channel previews, and it makes "verifying your deliverables" a seamless part of the workflow, not a frantic afterthought.
It’s still in private beta, but the goal is to make "verifying your shot list" a 5-minute task, not a 2-hour slog.
If that sounds like something that would save your sanity (like it does mine), you should jump on the list. We’re doing something different with pricing too—letting the users determine the launch price because I want this to be accessible to everyone.
The verdict?
Look, you don't need to follow a shot list like a robot. But having one in your pocket? It’s the cheapest insurance policy you’ll ever buy.
Download the templates, give them a go on your next shoot, and let me know if it helps lower that stress level.