Professional salon photography is a significant investment in your business. A well-planned salon photoshoot delivers stunning before-and-after transformations, engaging team photos, and scroll-stopping social media content.
But without proper planning, even the best salon photographer can’t deliver the marketing photos you need.
Play the short…
…and watch the full episode 49 of Marketing 100 with salon business expert Kayle and veteran photographer Ian Hitory as they discuss how to plan and execute a successful salon photoshoot.
Continue reading below for our step-by-step walkthrough on planning a salon photo session, from choosing what to photograph to working with professionals and getting the paperwork right.
👉 Download our free salon photoshoot planning checklist to ensure nothing gets missed on your big day. We also a have salon-specific model release template you can download.
Planning Your Salon Photoshoot
Successful salon photography starts with clear goals. As veteran photographer Ian Hitory emphasizes:
Shoots that fail are due to lack of planning. You gotta understand what you want. You gotta define your deliverables.
Think about your immediate and long-term marketing needs:
Must-Have Content:
- Team photos and individual headshots
- Salon space and atmosphere shots
- Service demonstration videos
- Client testimonials
Nice-to-Have Elements:
- Product photography
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Seasonal promotion materials
- Staff interviews
Once you’ve identified your priorities, break them into manageable chunks. A full brand photoshoot might sound exciting, but trying to capture everything in one day usually leads to rushed, compromised results.
Instead, consider spacing out your content creation. For example, dedicate one session to team photos and salon spaces, and another to video testimonials and service demonstrations.
Pro Tip: Create a shot list for each type of content you want. Share this with your creative team before the shoot. It’ll help them plan their time and equipment needs effectively.
Essential Salon Photography Types
Your photoshoot should capture various aspects of your salon experience:
Space and Atmosphere: Consider HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography for your salon interior. The same professional look you see in real estate listings. This style perfectly captures your salon’s ambiance and lighting.
Service Documentation
- Signature service demonstrations
- Before-and-after transformations
- Styling technique sequences
- Product application methods
Team and Culture
- Individual staff headshots
- Action shots of stylists working
- Team group photos
- Client consultation moments
For more detailed guidance on capturing the perfect shots, check out our comprehensive salon photography tips.
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Scheduling Your Salon Photoshoot
One of the biggest mistakes salons make is trying to cram too much into a single day. From setting up lighting for headshots to capturing video interviews, each task requires time.
A salon photoshoot typically requires more time than you might expect. Here’s a realistic breakdown:
Professional Headshots: 2-3 Hours
- Equipment setup and lighting tests
- Individual sessions with each team member
- Different angles and expressions
- Reviewing and adjusting as needed
Salon Tour Footage: 2-3 Hours
- Capturing all areas of your space
- Different lighting setups for each zone
- Multiple angles and walking shots
- Detail shots of special features
Staff Interviews: 30-45 Minutes Each
- Setting up audio equipment
- Getting comfortable on camera
- Multiple takes if needed
- B-roll to accompany interviews
If you’re working with limited time, Ian advises:
If you have only one day that you can afford to do, then you may need to pull back on some of these things. Maybe you only interview the business owners. Maybe you only do headshots and exteriors of the shop that day. Work with your videographer or photographer to figure out what they can offer in the time frame allotted for the budget that you have.
Salon Photography: Technical Tips
Your salon’s unique environment creates specific challenges for photography and video. Understanding these helps you prepare your space effectively.
Lighting and Reflections: Mirrors, windows, and overhead lights can complicate your shoot. Schedule your creative team for a pre-shoot visit to plan lighting setups that work with your space. For best results, plan photo sessions during times when natural light is strongest in your salon.
Sound Control: If you’re recording interviews or client testimonials, background noise becomes your biggest challenge. Schedule these recordings during quieter periods, and consider using a private area away from dryers and music. Your video team will handle the technical aspects, but choosing the right time and location is crucial.
Space Management: Plan your shoot to move efficiently through different areas of your salon. Keep each space camera-ready, and have a backup plan if certain areas become unavailable. If you’re operating during the shoot, designate specific areas for photography to avoid disrupting client services.
A pre-shoot walkthrough with your creative team will help identify and solve these challenges before the big day.
Professional Salon Video Content
Video content for your salon falls into two categories: A roll and B roll.
A Roll: Your core content—interviews and testimonials. Skip scripts and use conversation guides to keep responses natural.
For successful A roll content:
- Plan for 30-45 minutes per interview
- Include a mix of voices (owners, staff, loyal clients)
- Prepare questions that encourage natural responses
- Let conversations flow—don’t cut off golden moments
B Roll: B roll is your styling magic—those gorgeous, flowing shots that bring your salon’s energy to life. This might be slow-motion footage of a stylist perfecting a blowout, natural moments of client consultations, or artistic shots of your retail displays.
Popular B roll styles include:
- Documentary-style day-in-the-life footage
- Signature service demonstrations
- Space and atmosphere shots
- Product and retail displays
- Client-stylist interactions
Learn more about how to leverage your video content in our guide to effective salon video marketing.
Hiring Photographers and Videographers for Your Salon
Just as you wouldn’t expect a color specialist to excel at cutting without proper training, photographers and videographers each bring unique expertise to the table.
Key Differences:
- Photographers excel at capturing perfect single moments and directing subtle poses
- Videographers specialize in motion, sound, and telling a flowing story
- Hybrid shooters should demonstrate strong portfolios in both skills
Preparing Your Salon Space for a Professional Photoshoot
Shoot day requires careful orchestration of your salon space. Consider scheduling your shoot on a closure day when the salon is quiet and you have full control of the environment.
Essential planning considerations:
- Schedule during closure or slow periods
- Coordinate between photo and video teams to avoid interference
- Ensure the space is camera-ready and spotless
- Plan different setups for various areas of your salon
- Consider sound and lighting needs for each shot
Creating a Long-Term Content Strategy
A professional photoshoot isn’t just an expense. It’s an investment in your salon’s marketing future. The key is using your content across multiple channels over time. As Ian points out:
You can take those sound bites and post them on your social media for weeks to come. Quality content has staying power.
Website and Core Marketing: Your website needs fresh, professional content that showcases your salon’s expertise and atmosphere. Use your best shots for:
- Homepage hero images and video banners
- Service pages featuring before-and-after transformations
- Team biography sections with professional headshots
- Virtual salon tours that welcome potential clients
Social Media Success: Break your content into smaller, engaging pieces:
- Transform long client testimonials into 30-second Instagram Stories
- Create before-and-after transformation reels
- Share “meet the stylist” features using staff interviews
- Post technique videos showing your expertise in action
Pro Tip: Save some content for seasonal promotions and special events. Those beauty shots you captured can be perfect for holiday marketing or special promotion announcements months after your shoot.
While trends come and go, professional photos and videos that capture your salon’s expertise and atmosphere will serve your marketing needs for months to come. Combine your new photos with our proven salon social media marketing strategies for maximum impact.
Protecting Your Content with Model Release Forms
While it might seem like an extra step, model release forms are crucial for protecting your salon’s marketing assets. As Ian explains,
When you’re outside, street photography is legal because anyone who is in public is reasonably expected that other people in public can see and hear them. Anything that’s inside of a private residence is up for legal ramifications.
Who Needs to Sign?
- All clients featured in photos or videos
- Staff members (if not already covered in employment agreements)
- Models or talent brought in for the shoot
- Anyone whose face is clearly visible in your content
Even if someone verbally agrees to be photographed or filmed, having written permission protects your right to use the content in your marketing. Without it, someone could later demand you remove content featuring them—or worse, pursue legal action.
👉 We’ve created a salon-specific model release template you can download. It’s straightforward and ready for you to customize and fill with your salon’s information.
Using Your Salon Photos and Videos
Your salon photography session will provide months of professional marketing content. Now it’s time to share it with the world. Here’s how successful salons make the most of their professional photos and videos:
Social Media Spotlight: Transform your social feeds into a client magnet by sharing:
- Eye-catching before-and-after transformations
- Quick styling tips featuring your team
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses of your salon culture
- Client success stories and testimonials
Quality always beats quantity. It’s better to share one stunning transformation photo than multiple mediocre shots. Let your professional content set you apart from salons using smartphone snapshots.
For more creative ways to showcase your salon, explore our guide to team-driven salon social media.
Ready to Plan Your Salon Photoshoot?
Take time to plan your shoot carefully—it’s an investment that will serve your salon for months to come.
👉 Download Your Free Salon Photoshoot Planning Checklist
- Complete planning timeline
- Essential shot list template
- Model release forms
- Day-of scheduling guide
- Equipment preparation list
Start planning your successful salon photoshoot today.
P.S. For even more proven salon marketing tips, don’t forget to check out the rest of our Marketing 100 series.
