Back to Situations

Pre-Shoot Planning & Logistics

Leading up to the photo shoot, the photographer and client finalize details such as exact times, meeting points, shot lists, prop requirements, and contingency plans for weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Photographer (Male)
Hi Sarah, thanks for touching base. Just want to confirm the final details for our shoot next Saturday. Are we still on for 9 AM at the botanical gardens?
2
Client (Female)
Yes, definitely! 9 AM works perfectly for us. We're really excited. For the meeting point, should we just meet right at the main entrance?
3
Photographer (Male)
The main entrance sounds good. It'll be easy to spot each other there. Have you had a chance to finalize your shot list? That helps me plan our route through the gardens.
4
Client (Female)
Yes, I've got it mostly done. I'll email it over to you this evening. Just a quick question about props – we're thinking of bringing a picnic basket and a blanket. Is that okay?
5
Photographer (Male)
Absolutely, those sound like great additions! They'll add a nice touch to the photos. And just in case, have you thought about a backup plan if the weather isn't cooperative? We might need to reschedule or find an indoor location.
6
Client (Female)
Good point. I was hoping for sunshine, but it's always good to be prepared. We're pretty flexible, so rescheduling to Sunday morning would work, or we're open to your suggestions for an indoor spot if it's really bad.
7
Photographer (Male)
Perfect. I'll keep an eye on the forecast and we can make a call 24 hours beforehand if needed. Otherwise, everything seems locked in. Looking forward to it!
8
Client (Female)
Sounds great, Andrew! Thanks for confirming all these details. See you next Saturday!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

touching base

An idiom meaning to make brief contact to check on something or update progress, often used in professional or casual planning situations.

confirm

To verify or make sure that something is correct or agreed upon, commonly used when finalizing plans like times or locations.

finalize

To complete or make final decisions on details, useful in planning events to ensure everything is set.

shot list

A list of specific photos or scenes to take during a photoshoot, helpful for organizing photography sessions.

props

Short for properties, meaning objects used to enhance a scene in photos or videos, like baskets or blankets in themed shoots.

backup plan

An alternative plan in case the original one fails, such as for bad weather, important for preparing for uncertainties.

reschedule

To change the time or date of an event to a new one, often used when adjusting plans due to issues like weather.

locked in

An informal phrase meaning something is firmly decided and won't change, used to confirm plans are final.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Just want to confirm the final details for our shoot next Saturday.

This sentence uses 'want to' for polite requests and 'confirm' to verify plans; it's useful for checking details in professional communications like event planning, showing a clear, direct structure with time references.

Yes, definitely! 9 AM works perfectly for us.

A enthusiastic agreement using 'definitely' for emphasis and 'works perfectly' to express suitability; great for confirming availability in conversations, highlighting positive and flexible responses.

Have you had a chance to finalize your shot list?

This is a polite question using present perfect 'have you had a chance' to inquire about progress; useful for following up on tasks in planning, teaching indirect questioning to avoid pressure.

Just a quick question about props – we're thinking of bringing a picnic basket and a blanket. Is that okay?

Introduces a question softly with 'just a quick question' and uses present continuous 'we're thinking of' for suggestions; practical for asking permissions in collaborative planning, showing how to propose ideas politely.

And just in case, have you thought about a backup plan if the weather isn't cooperative?

Uses 'just in case' for precaution and conditional 'if' for hypotheticals; essential for discussing contingencies like weather, demonstrating how to prepare for potential problems in real-life scenarios.

Otherwise, everything seems locked in. Looking forward to it!

'Otherwise' connects to alternatives, and 'locked in' confirms finality, ending with 'looking forward to it' for positive closure; useful for wrapping up discussions, teaching idiomatic expressions for excitement.