Commercial photography might sound glamorous- think sleek studio lights, high-end products, and perfectly styled sets- but behind every polished image is a day (or several!) of careful planning, creative thinking, and technical precision.
At Route One Photography, no two days are ever the same, but here’s what a typical one might look like for a commercial photographer in Manchester…
Morning: Preparation is everything
Before the camera even comes out of its case, there’s plenty of groundwork to do. A commercial photography shoot starts long before the first click of the shutter- with a clear brief. Whether it’s a corporate headshot session, lifestyle imagery for a brand campaign, or product photography for a website, understanding the client’s goals is crucial.
In fact, here is what one of my clients recently said about me meeting client goals.
“Dave takes the time to fully understand our brief and provides thoughtful guidance and suggestions that are always helpful and greatly appreciated.” – Ashleigh Oliver, Myerson.
The day often begins with a review of the shoot plan: shot lists, lighting setups, and location notes. Equipment is checked and packed the night before – cameras, lenses, lighting, backup batteries, reflectors, and tripods. Whatever is needed. Commercial photography demands reliability, so attention to detail here saves headaches later.
If it’s a location shoot, the morning might also include travel to a client site, often arriving early to set up and assess the lighting conditions. Natural light changes quickly, so anticipating how it will move throughout the day helps plan the perfect shots.
Midday: The shoot
Once the setup is complete, it’s time to get creative. Commercial photography requires both technical precision and an eye for storytelling: every image needs to reflect the brand’s personality and communicate something meaningful, all in line with the clients needs, of course..
Lighting is adjusted meticulously, whether it’s to make a product shine, create flattering portraits, or bring texture to architectural shots. Direction plays a big part too – guiding models, staff, or even CEOs to look natural and confident in front of the camera.
During the shoot, there’s a constant balance between artistry and efficiency. Clients often need a variety of compositions for different uses: website banners, social posts, or printed brochures. For a commercial photographer, this means keeping the brand’s colour palette, tone, and target audience in mind with every shot.
Afternoon: Post-production and perfecting
Once the shoot wraps, it’s time to back up files and head into post-production. Editing is where a good commercial photo becomes a great one. Adjusting exposure, colour balance, contrast, and sharpness ensures every image looks polished and consistent with the brand’s identity.
Some clients want to choose the images that are to be edited themselves before we all leave the site. Others are happy for the photographer to chose them and deliver them within the following 7 days. As with many things in photography, each client is different and adapting to each of their needs is vital.
Depending on the project, retouching might be required to remove distractions, perfect product details, or ensure portraits look natural but refined. At Route One Photography, I aim for realism over artificiality- the goal is to enhance, not distort.
Evening: Delivery and reflection
Depending on the job, an edit can often roll over into a second day. Once edits are complete, images are uploaded to a secure online gallery for the client to review and download. Clear communication continues throughout, ensuring clients have everything they need in the right formats for print and digital use.
Finally, the day ends with a bit of reflection: what worked well, what could be improved, and how to bring something fresh to the next shoot. Commercial photography is an ever-evolving craft, combining creativity, technology, and business insight in equal measure.
Being a commercial photographer in Manchester
A commercial photographer’s day is a mix of artistry and precision- planning, lighting, directing, editing, and delivering visual stories that help businesses stand out.
I’ve been a professional commercial photographer in Manchester for over 20 years, and can honestly say that no two days are quite the same. But the thing that drives me every day is turning brand visions into striking, purposeful images- that’s what makes commercial photography such a satisfying job.
Commercial photography in Manchester
If you’re looking for a commercial photographer in Manchester, I’d love to know more about your plans. I work with brands and businesses across Manchester, Cheshire, and the rest of the North West, providing my clients with high quality images to meet their commercial and PR photography requirements.
