CEMA · Shoot Prep
Get the best out of your shoot.
A short prep guide for every CEMA Session — lighting, access, styling, and what to expect on the day.
Great shoots start before the camera is out. The space, the light, and a clear point of contact make the difference between a one-hour overrun and a calm, on-time delivery. 15 minutes of prep saves an hour of shoot time.
01 Before the shoot
24–48 hours before call time- Confirm the address. Send Mohamed a Google Maps pin via WhatsApp. Note the building name, floor, and unit number. Mention any landmark that helps.
- Sort parking. Reserve a visitor spot if your building requires it. Note any height restrictions for the equipment van.
- Name one point of contact. A single person on site who can open doors, answer access questions, and approve small decisions. Send their name + phone number to Mohamed beforehand.
- Identify the spaces. Confirm which rooms or areas are in scope. If anything has changed since the brief, tell us — we’ll adjust the shoot plan or quote the extras.
- Plan the lighting. Pull curtains and blinds open. Identify the brightest natural-light windows. We’ll add cinema lights, but daylight does most of the heavy lifting.
- Pre-styling pass. Clear surfaces of personal items (mail, keys, chargers, remotes). Fresh flowers, a tray of books, soft cushions — small touches read big on camera.
- Test all lights. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. Match colour temperature where possible (warm or cool, not mixed).
- Children & pets. Plan to have them in another room or out of the space during the shoot — for everyone’s sanity.
02 Prep by Session
Each Session has its own rhythm. Skim the one that matches yours.
Content · Photo
Up to 2 hrs · single location
- Plan 5–10 hero shots in your head. We’ll cover the rest, but knowing your top picks speeds everything up.
- If a specific room matters most, mention it first — we’ll shoot it while light is fresh.
- Decide if you want people in the frame (lifestyle) or empty interiors. Tell us during the brief.
Content · Video
Up to 2 hrs · 1 reel under 45s
- Think about pacing — reveal, detail, atmosphere. We’ll suggest a shot list once we see the space.
- Music preferences? Send Mohamed 1–2 reference reels you love. We match the vibe.
- Aspect ratio is 9:16 (vertical) by default. Need 16:9 for YouTube too? Mention it — we can shoot wider and crop.
Content · Bundle
Up to 3 hrs · photo + reel
- We start with photos (light is precious) then move to video. Plan to be ready 15 min early.
- If you have outdoor / exterior shots in mind, flag them early — we’ll plan around sun position.
- Bundle saves time on a single shoot day; rooms only need to be styled once.
Insight Session
3 hrs · 4 short videos + talking head
- Wardrobe: solid colours work better than busy prints. Avoid bright whites. Have 1–2 changes ready.
- Talking points: jot 4 short ideas — one per video. Don’t script word-for-word; bullet points and key phrases.
- Hair & makeup: bring touch-up kit. Bright lights show every detail.
- Water + lozenges: three hours of talking is a lot. We’ll take breaks, but bring what you need.
03 Shoot day
From call time onwards- Be on site 15 min before call time. Mohamed arrives early to scout angles and set up — we get the most out of the shoot when you’re there to greet us.
- One point of contact, please. Multiple voices on set slows decisions. One person empowered to approve angles, lighting, and small tweaks.
- Power outlets. Have a few accessible for lights and chargers. Bring an extension cord if outlets are sparse.
- Phones on silent. Notifications in audio capture for video and Insight sessions. Group chat can wait.
- Trust the process. If we suggest moving furniture, dimming lights, or shooting a different angle than you imagined — we’ve done this 2,500+ times. There’s usually a reason.
- Hydrate. Especially for the Insight Session. Water and lozenges keep the voice clear.
04 What we bring
CEMA brings
- Cinema camera · Sony FX series
- Aputure cinema lights with diffusers & modifiers
- Rode wireless audio kit (Insight + Video)
- Tripods, sliders, gimbals as needed
- Styling kit — magazines, drinkware, neutral props
- Mohamed — director, shooter, art director on Sessions
You provide
- The space — clean, lit, accessible
- Personal styling items — fresh flowers, your own books, branded materials
- Talent if the brief includes people (lifestyle or talking head)
- Wardrobe + touch-up kit for Insight Sessions
- Approval power — one person on site who can make decisions
- Power + parking access
05 After the shoot
- Watermarked previews land first. You review, leave notes, request 1 revision round (up to 2 included).
- Final 50% payment due before high-res files release.
- High-res delivery via secure download link, available for 30 days. Photo Session lands in 24 hours; Video and Insight follow the package timeline.
- Usage rights are yours outright on final payment. CEMA may feature the work in portfolio + social unless you opt out before the shoot.
A great shoot is part craft, part conversation. The more we talk early, the less we ask on the day — and the better the final cut.
Questions before the shoot?
Send Mohamed a WhatsApp or an email. Same-day replies most of the time.