How to Pivot When Your Shoot Doesn’t Go as Planned
In a perfect world, every photoshoot would go exactly as scheduled—your model arrives early, the styling is flawless, and the light hits just right. But in reality? Things happen.
Recently, I had a studio shoot booked at the Ruby Manor, only to find out the original model had to cancel last minute. Instead of scrapping the session, I pivoted. The makeup artist called a friend who stepped in, we used what we had, and we ended up creating some fun portraits.
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time when plans change, especially when you're already committed to a studio space:
1. Use Who You Have
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Ask if someone on set—or even someone you know—might be willing to step in. Friends, stylists, assistants, or even makeup artists themselves can make great models in a pinch. You might end up capturing something even more unique than originally planned.
