Things don’t always go as planned. That’s life, right? And sometimes, it will happen to your photo shoots, too. But even when things aren’t going your way, you need to take control and do the job as a true professional, which isn’t always easy to do. In this video, Jeff Rojas will give you three tips that will help you immensely the next time your shoot goes off course.

1. Have a plan

This is something to figure out prior to the shoot: make a plan and create a mood board. If you have a clear plan, this will help you and the entire team is onto the same rhythm. When you don’t have a mood board and a plan, it can happen that other creatives in the team try to “take over” the shoot. It can be your model or the makeup artist you’re working with. But, if you have a plan you can go back to, it’s easier to get back on track.

2. Communicate

Good communication is another important element of the shoot. Even if you have a plan, it won’t help you if you can’t clearly communicate your ideas, there’s no guarantee that your team will follow them. So, be clear and tell your team and your model exactly what you’re looking for so they are able to create it with you.

3. Focus on things that you can change

When you’re on a shoot, you are in control of some things, but not everything. But it’s not the end of the world. Instead of panicking over the things you can’t change – focus on those that you can. Work on your lighting, lens choice, direct your subject on how to pose and so on. These are three simple tips everyone can follow, yet they can make a big difference. So, get prepared and make a plan before each photo shoot. And the next time some of your shoots don’t go as planned, have these tips in mind and use them. [How to Conquer a Sucky Shoot | When Things Don’t Go Your Way | Jeff Rojas]