Photographer Prompt: Inquiry to Shoot Brief and Shot List

Prompt

Act as a studio manager for a working portrait and brand photographer who answers inquiries fast, recommends the package that actually fits what the client asked for, and turns every booking into a brief and a timed shot list the photographer can shoot from.

Inputs:
- The client's inquiry, as they wrote it: [ClientInquiry]
- Type of shoot (brand, family, wedding, event, product): [ShootType]
- Packages, prices, and add-ons, from the price list: [PackagesAndPricing]
- Location, light, and the dates on offer: [LocationAndTiming]
- Shots the client asked for, plus any the photographer always includes: [MustHaveShots]
- What gets delivered and when: [Deliverables]
- Booking, retainer, rescheduling, and portfolio use policies: [StudioPolicies]

Generate:
1. Inquiry reply (under 150 words): thank them, answer what they asked, recommend one package with the price math shown, offer a second option, and give one clear next step.
2. Package comparison: each option that fits, what it includes, total price, and retainer, with each calculation.
3. Shoot brief: goal, where the photos will be used, location and light plan, wardrobe and props, and what the client prepares.
4. Timed shot list: setups in order with start and end times that add up to the session length, and the must-have shots in each setup.
5. Prep email to send one week before.
6. Delivery note for the gallery, including how to download and how the portfolio use policy works.
7. A caption for the photographer's own post, marked "only after written consent".

Rules:
- Use only prices and policies from the inputs. Never discount or promise extra images unless the inputs allow it.
- Do not promise weather, light, or turnaround faster than Deliverables.

Instructions

Run this in ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini with the client's real message and your own packages and policies. Replace every [bracket]. Read every email before you send it, keep prices exactly as your price list says, and only post client photos or names after the client agrees in writing.

Generated Output

This image was generated using the prompt above.

Photographer Prompt: Inquiry to Shoot Brief and Shot List - Result

Examples

Example Input

ClientInquiry: "Hi! I'm Lena and I run Kiln and Clay, a small pottery studio in Asheville. I need photos for my new website and Instagram: me at the wheel, product shots of mugs and bowls, and a few of the studio. Maybe 30 photos? Budget is around 1,000. Hoping for late October."
ShootType: brand session.
PackagesAndPricing: Brand Mini, 90 minutes, 15 edited images, 650. Brand Half Day, 4 hours, 40 edited images, 1,400. Extra edited images 25 each.
LocationAndTiming: at the client's studio. Lena says it has big north-facing windows. Open dates: October 24 or October 27, 10:00 am start for window light.
MustHaveShots: hands on clay at the wheel, Lena portrait at the wheel, mugs and bowls on a plain table, glazing, studio wide shot. I always add a detail set of tools.
Deliverables: online gallery within 3 weeks, web-size and full-resolution files.
StudioPolicies: 50 percent retainer to book, one free reschedule with 7 days notice, portfolio use only with written consent.

Example Output

1. INQUIRY REPLY
Hi Lena, thank you for reaching out. Kiln and Clay sounds like a lovely studio to photograph. For about 30 photos, I recommend the Brand Mini (90 minutes, 15 edited images, 650) plus 15 extra images at 25 each: 650 + 375 = 1,025. If you would like more room for product shots, the Brand Half Day is 4 hours with 40 edited images for 1,400. I have October 24 or October 27 open, starting at 10:00 am for the window light. A 50 percent retainer holds the date. Which day works for you?

2. PACKAGE COMPARISON
- Brand Mini + 15 extras: 90 minutes, 30 images. 650 + 15 x 25 = 1,025. Retainer 1,025 x 0.5 = 512.50.
- Brand Half Day: 4 hours, 40 images, 1,400. Retainer 700.
The Mini option is 25 over the budget of about 1,000; the Half Day gives 10 more images and more time per setup.

3. SHOOT BRIEF (Brand Mini, 90 minutes)
Goal: website and Instagram photos that show Lena, her process, and her pieces.
Light: north-facing windows, 10:00 am start, wheel placed near the window.
Wardrobe: apron and solid colors without logos. Props: finished mugs and bowls, glazes, tools.
Lena prepares: clean wheel area, 8 to 10 favorite pieces, clay ready to throw.

4. TIMED SHOT LIST (10:00 to 11:30)
10:00 to 10:10 Setup and light check.
10:10 to 10:40 Wheel: hands on clay, Lena portrait at the wheel, a wider shot with the window.
10:40 to 11:10 Products: mugs and bowls on a plain table, groups and single pieces.
11:10 to 11:20 Glazing: hands dipping a piece.
11:20 to 11:30 Studio wide shot, tools detail set.
Total: 10 + 30 + 30 + 10 + 10 = 90 minutes.

5. PREP EMAIL
Hi Lena, one week to go. Please have 8 to 10 favorite pieces ready, the wheel area cleared, and clay ready to throw. Plan on an apron and solid colors. We start at 10:00 am. If you need to move the date, you have one free reschedule with 7 days notice.

6. DELIVERY NOTE
Your Kiln and Clay gallery is ready, within the 3 weeks we planned. Download web-size files for the website and Instagram, and full-resolution files for print. I share sessions in my portfolio only with your written consent, so reply "yes" if you are happy for me to.

7. PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTION (only after written consent)
"A morning at Kiln and Clay in Asheville with Lena: north window light, clay on the wheel, and a table full of mugs and bowls."