Should you use a shot list for a portrait session, or work more spontaneously?

A hybrid approach is usually the safest and most practical.

A simple shot list gives you structure, helps you think through the session beforehand, and gives you a fallback if ideas dry up. For portraits, that list might include core client-friendly images such as head-and-shoulders, three-quarter, full-length, sitting/standing, and a few candid or action-style frames.

At the same time, portraits often allow enough flexibility to respond to the subject, location, and mood in the moment. Many photographers keep the plan loose and leave room for spontaneous ideas, new lighting setups, or compositions that arise during the session.

Some photographers prefer an “inspiration list” instead of a strict checklist—reference images, poses, or location ideas rather than a rigid sequence of required shots.

So the best answer is: go in with a plan, but don’t be ruled by it. Use a shot list for key images you must deliver, then stay open to creative opportunities as they happen. For highly structured events like weddings, a more formal shot list is especially useful because there are expected moments you may not be able to repeat.