Don’t Just Prepare for a Shoot. Design It.
A free strategic brief designed to help restaurants, hotels and drinks brands create imagery that actually works, before the camera comes out.
great photography
isn’t just taken,
it’s designed
Most hospitality shoots don’t fall short on the day. They fall short because the thinking wasn’t clear enough before the camera arrived. This guide changes that.
This guide walks you through the same pre-shoot process I use with my clients – helping you clarify what your imagery is really for, how it should feel and what you want it to achieve.
why this matters
Photography is often treated as decoration. Something to “get done.” Something to “refresh.” But imagery influences decisions long before someone reads your menu, your reviews or your pricing.
The difference between “nice photos” and commercially effective imagery is rarely technical. It’s strategic.
This guide helps you approach your next shoot with intention – whether you work with me or someone else.
what’s inside
Inside the guide, you’ll work through:
- The three questions that define your creative direction
- A brand-in-three-words exercise to anchor every decision
- A practical shot list framework
- Space preparation guidance for restaurants, drinks brands and hotels
- The brief questions every photographer actually needs answered
- A post-shoot usage strategy so your images continue working long after the shoot ends
It’s practical. It’s thoughtful. It’s designed to help you think clearly.
who it’s for
This guide is for food and drink, and hospitality brands who:
- Care how their space feels as much as how it looks
- Want imagery aligned to commercial goals
- Value clarity before creativity
- Are investing in photography as part of a bigger brand story
If you’re simply looking for someone to “take a few photos,” this probably isn’t necessary.
If you want imagery that holds tone, builds trust and moves people to act – this will help.
Download THE
Shoot Prep Guide
Approach your next shoot with clarity
A note
from Lou
I spent years as a learning and experience designer before becoming a photographer, helping organisations shape experiences that change how people think and act.
That background shapes everything about how I approach a shoot. Because a shoot is an experience. And the quality of any experience depends almost entirely on the clarity of thinking that happens before it begins.
I created this guide after seeing talented hospitality brands invest in photography without investing in the brief. The images you receive are never just about styling or lighting, they’re a reflection of the decisions made beforehand. This is the same thinking process I use with every client.
If you value this kind of clarity behind your imagery, we’ll work very well together. And if this guide simply helps you approach your next shoot more thoughtfully – it’s done its job.