Imagine it: You arrive at a photoshoot and enter the changing room. Clothes are flying everywhere, models are fighting for space in the mirror, and somebody forgot their pack shoes. Everyone is rushing around trying to change quickly to not waste any of that precious shoot time. This chaos can all be avoided with one simple preparation. ORGANIZED PACKING! Yes, I know... its not super exciting. BUT, you know what is exciting? Getting that sweet, sweet content! These tips and tricks will help you become a packing pro and absolute slay the changing room at your next big shoot!
1. Preplanning!
First of all, you have to figure out what you are going to wear! Think about the theme of the event, the venue/location, the weather (if its outdoors), and the amount of time you'll be shooting for. When it comes to theme, it is always up to interpretation in the AZPM world! Show your creativity and personal style by adapting the theme to fit your vibes. As for locations, indoor shoots will typically have more accommodations than outdoor shoots, like restrooms or changing areas. Time is also a super important factor in planning, but we will touch on that a little bit later.
2. Get Organized!
Now that you have all the outfits picked out, it's time to get organized! Lay out all of your outfits with the coordinating shoes, accessories, and props.
Try using zip lock bags to sort accessories, jewelry, or even whole outfits! Each bag can be easily labeled to make those outfit changes a breeze. Pro tip- LABELS AND NOTES. Stick a small paper/sticky note inside of your ziplock bag that lists out the contents of the bag- and any props/shoes that may not fit inside of the bag. That way- when you are ready to swap outfits, its a no brainer on everything you should be wearing for that look. Here's an extra tip: zip lock bags can be reused over and over again or you can find affordable, reusable silicone bags online for extra environmental bonus points.
Check out there reusable gallon ziplock bags on AMAZON
Invest in a garment bag for long dresses, skirts, or pants! Depending on the clothing, multiple outfits can fit in one bag and will make transporting your outfits easy!
Check out these translucent garment bags on AMAZON to leave he guess work out of what outfit is in what bag!
Suitcases and duffle bags are your friend! If you plan out wearing your outfits in a certain order, pack your last outfit first and work your way up! No need to unpack your whole bag to find that missing top!
When it comes to duffle bags there are alot of options, you can go with a standard duffle bag, or a more premium option, some even include pop-up racks!
Check out this standard duffle bag on AMAZON this item is budget friendly!
Check our this premium duffle bag on AMAZON
Bringing wigs for versatile looks? no problem! Check out this awesome WIG storage bag option we found on AMAZON to keep your wig safe from the elements!
Prop to large to pack in your bag? That's okay! We have a solution for that too. The night before an event, put everything you need in a central location. And by everything, I mean everything! Think about things you can't leave without. Car keys, wallet, suitcase. Things like that. And anything that is not packed in your bag, will be right next to it and ready to go! Go the extra mile and make a checklist! Make sure everything is checked off before you get in the car and you'll be good to go!
3. Timing is Everything!
Be careful not to overpack (or under pack) for an event! How much you pack for a shoot should correspond with how long you will be at the shoot. We can break this down with some simple math. If you allow for a minimum of 30 minutes per outfit, and you are attending an event for 2 hours, 4 outfits would be perfect! Obviously, this doesn't account for changing time, or down time in-between outfits so plan your time accordingly! Also, consider what sets or backdrops the venue offers when determining how much to pack. If you have an outfit that compliments multiple areas within the venue, you may want to spend more time wearing it.
4. Don't Forget the Essentials!
Essentials look different for everyone, but here's somethings to consider:
- Makeup for touch ups
- Hairbrushes or Combs
- Hairspray or Dry Shampoo
- Pasties
- Tights or Socks
- Snacks and Water (especially for long days or outdoor shoots)
- Sunscreen (for outdoor shoots)
- Makeup Wipes
- Eyelash Glue
- Gum or Mints
- Ring Lights or Tripods (for self-made content)
- Phone Chargers (portable battery packs are best for most venues)
Okay, now that you are all packed, its time to go make some magic! See you at the next AZPM event!