FIELD GUIDE
THE VERTICAL
SHOT LIST GUIDE
A prepares shot list is what seperates a great chuerch photoshoot from a regrettable one. Everything the team needs for a Sunday: the language of shot sizes, the plan for the morning, how many frames to take in each space, and how exposure works.
TRAINING VIDEOS
LIGHT AND EXPOSURE
Reading the light in your room, and how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO trade against each other. Pairs with the exposure triangle below.
FOCAL LENGTH AND COMPOSITION
Choosing a lens for the space you're in, and framing people once you're there. Pairs with shot sizes and variations.
WATCH IN ORDER
GAME PLAN AND ETIQUETTE
Working the morning in order, staying out of the way, and knowing when not to raise the camera. Pairs with the plan and the shot list.
SHOT SIZE
LANGUAGE
There are four shot sizes with specific names you'll hear used throughout: close, medium, cowboy, and full. How much of a person you include changes what the photo is about — so name the shot before you take it. Avoid cutting at a joint, and leave a person more room on the side they're facing.
CLOSE
Head and shoulders. All expression, no context.
MEDIUM
Waist up. The working shot for conversation and worship.
COWBOY
Cut at mid-thigh. Keeps posture and gesture, drops the floor.
FULL
Head to feet. Shows the whole person and the room they're in.
VARIATIONS
Every shot size can be varied by where you stand and where you hold the camera. Shoot each one, vertical and horizontal.
CENTER FLAT
Straight on, camera at the subject's eye height.
CENTER UP
Straight on, camera low and angled up.
SIDE FLAT
From the side, camera at subject height.
SIDE UP
From the side, camera low and angled up.
MAKING THE PLAN
1. Worship Practice
Start your morning here and capture shots during practice that would otherwise be disruptive during service.
4. Sanctuary
As service starts, head in the sanctuary to capture worship and the beginning of the pastor's message.
2. Greeters
As people begin arriving at church, stay close to the greeters and capture organic interactions.
5. Campus
After you've grabbed a few shots of pastor preaching, head out to the other areas on-site (kids min, outdoors, etc.).
RULE 01
THE 5X RULE
For every five photos you take, the objective is that one is usable. Expect to take underwhelming photos.
SIX SPACES, IN ORDER
3. Lobby
Move to the lobby as people mingle before service begins. The church is the people, so get some good shots here.
6. Detail
Finally, capture detail shots around the campus (kid's toys, signage, textures, etc.).
RULE 02
VERTICAL + HORIZONTAL
There's nothing more frustrating than needing the other orientation on a photo but not having it. Always shoot both.
THE SHOT LIST
340-440 FRAMES
1. WORSHIP | 100 SHOTS
All shots below should be done for each person on stage, with both vertical and horizontal options.
2. GREETERS | 50 SHOTS
FULL · CENTER FLAT
3. LOBBY | 50 SHOTS
FULL · CENTER FLAT
5. CAMPUS | 50 SHOTS
FULL · CENTER FLAT
6. DETAIL | 40 SHOTS
Kid's toys, signage, textures. These are the frames that fill out a design later.
FULL · CENTER FLAT
FULL · CENTER FLAT
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Center Flat
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Center Flat
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
FULL · CENTER FLAT
4. SANCTUARY | 50 SHOTS
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Center Flat
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Center Flat
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
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Center/Side · Flat/Up
THE EXPOSURE TRIANGLE
1. Worship Practice
Start your morning here and capture shots during practice that would otherwise be disruptive during service.
4. Sanctuary
As service starts, head in the sanctuary to capture worship and the beginning of the pastor's message.
2. Greeters
As people begin arriving at church, stay close to the greeters and capture organic interactions.
5. Campus
After you've grabbed a few shots of pastor preaching, head out to the other areas on-site (kids min, outdoors, etc.).
RULE 01
THE 5X RULE
For every five photos you take, the objective is that one is usable. Expect to take underwhelming photos.
CHEAT SHEET
3. Lobby
Move to the lobby as people mingle before service begins. The church is the people, so get some good shots here.
6. Detail
Finally, capture detail shots around the campus (kid's toys, signage, textures, etc.).
RULE 02
VERTICAL + HORIZONTAL
There's nothing more frustrating than needing the other orientation on a photo but not having it. Always shoot both.