"I try my best to avoid last-minute chaos because I genuinely believe that thoughtful content has more impact and a longer shelf life," fashion content creator Kanishk Anand.
Over the years of being a fashion content creator, I’ve realised that shoot days can easily become overwhelming, mentally, physically, and of course financially. From styling looks and booking a location to getting everything edited and live, the entire process demands a lot of effort. Which is why learning how to maximise each shoot is not just smart but necessary.
For me, it all begins with a mindset that balances structure and spontaneity. I naturally lean toward order and love the process of putting together a solid plan, whether it’s building mood boards, creating outfit breakdowns, or pulling reference images for poses and lighting. But I’ve also had days where everything, from ideation to editing, has happened within 24 hours. It’s intense, and I definitely don’t recommend that as a regular workflow, but those moments taught me to stay flexible. That said, I try my best to avoid last-minute chaos because I genuinely believe that thoughtful content has more impact and a longer shelf life.
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My shoot prep always starts early, especially since a lot of my looks are built from scratch. I spend days, sometimes weeks, putting together pieces which include everything from speaking with tailors, sourcing fabrics, and figuring out exactly how I want each detail to look and feel on camera. I always prep mood boards, pick out colour palettes, and collect references that help set the tone.
If the concept allows, I even experiment with props or scout locations that add something extra to the narrative I’m building.
When I’m planning a shoot, I rarely think about just one post. I always try to make the most of the setup and capture content in different formats like reels, carousels, stories, thumbnails, maybe even some stills that can be reused later. I usually begin by asking myself what mood or message I’m trying to convey, and then I break it down into smaller content pieces. 'What will work best as a Reel?' 'What can be told better in still images?' 'Which raw, in-between moments are perfect for stories?' I’ve learned that even the shots that don’t make it to the final cut often find their purpose later. Sometimes as a thumbnail or even as a teaser for something bigger.
Lately, I’ve also started vlogging again! Not in a highly produced way, but talking about behind-the-scenes moments, voice notes, and little snippets that reflect how I’m thinking or feeling on set. I’ve realised that while polished visuals are great, something is amazing about showing people the process. It not only makes the content feel more personal but also helps me reflect on how far I’ve come with each project.
The mistake of doing too much
That said, I think one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in the past, that I see other creators are making too, is trying to cram too much into a single shoot day without thinking it through. When you do that, you risk losing the original vision, and the final result can feel all over the place. Sometimes, trying to “do more” ends up working against the content, making it feel chaotic or overproduced.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to leave a little room for the idea to breathe. Every concept doesn’t need to be overengineered.
My golden rule for efficient shoots
If there’s one golden rule I now live by, it’s this: plan ahead. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Even if I leave space for detours or spontaneous moments, having a solid plan gives me a sense of direction. It saves me from decision fatigue, allows me to stay focused, and makes the whole process more enjoyable. When I’m not scrambling on set, I’m actually able to be present and tell the story the way I imagined it.
In the end, what makes a shoot day successful for me isn’t just how many posts I get out of it but about whether or not I stayed true to the idea, whether the content feels authentic, and whether I’ve left enough space to create, rather than just capture.
How do you, as a content creator, look at your shoot days? Let us know.
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