Photography Shot Planner

A comprehensive photo shoot planning skill that handles location scouting, golden hour calculations, gear checklists, shot lists, and composition guidance. Integrates with multi-platform tools including Google Maps, weather services, Adobe Lightroom catalogs, and calendar apps to produce shoot-ready plans.

Supported Platforms & Integrations

Platform	Integration Type	Features
Google Maps	Location Data	GPS coordinates, terrain preview, parking and access info
SunCalc	API Reference	Golden hour, blue hour, sunrise/sunset timing by location
Adobe Lightroom	Catalog Export	Shot list metadata, keyword presets, collection structure
Weather.com	Data Reference	10-day forecasts, cloud cover, wind speed for outdoor shoots
Google Calendar	Export	Shoot schedule blocks with location and gear reminders
Notion	Markdown Export	Full shoot plans as database entries with checklists

When to Use This Skill

• Use this when planning a portrait session and need to coordinate location, lighting, and wardrobe

• Use this when scouting locations for landscape photography and need golden hour timing

• Use this when organizing a commercial product shoot with multiple setups and gear requirements

• Use this when planning travel photography and need day-by-day shot lists for each destination

• Use this when preparing for event photography and need a timeline-based shot checklist

• Use this when learning composition and want specific technique suggestions for a location

• Consider alternatives when you need real-time camera remote control or tethering software

• Consider alternatives when you need post-processing workflows or editing presets

• Consider alternatives when you need model release forms or commercial licensing guidance

Quick Start

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# .claude/skills/photography-shot-planner.yml
name: Photography Shot Planner
trigger: "plan shoot"
context:
  photography_level: intermediate
  primary_genre: portrait
  camera_system: sony-alpha
  location_region: "Austin, TX"

First Run Example:

User: Plan a golden hour portrait shoot at Zilker Park, Austin 
for this Saturday with one model.

Expected Output:

## Portrait Shoot Plan — Zilker Park, Austin
Date: Saturday, March 22, 2026

**Golden Hour Window:** 6:42 PM - 7:18 PM CST
**Blue Hour:** 7:18 PM - 7:48 PM CST
**Arrive By:** 5:30 PM (setup + test shots)
**Sun Direction:** Setting WSW at 258 degrees

### Shot List (12 shots)
1. Wide environmental — model walking path, 
   backlit, f/2.8, 35mm
2. Medium portrait — oak tree backdrop, 
   open shade, f/1.8, 85mm
3. Close-up — golden rim light from camera 
   left, f/2.0, 85mm
[...continues with 12 detailed shots]

### Gear Checklist
- [ ] Sony A7IV + charged batteries (x3)
- [ ] 85mm f/1.4 GM (primary portrait lens)
- [ ] 35mm f/1.4 GM (environmental shots)
- [ ] Reflector — 5-in-1, 42-inch
- [ ] Memory cards: 2x 128GB V60

Advanced Configuration

Platform-Specific Setup:

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# SunCalc golden hour timing
suncalc:
  coordinates: [30.2672, -97.7431]
  timezone: "America/Chicago"
  include_blue_hour: true
  twilight_types: [civil, nautical]

# Lightroom catalog integration
lightroom:
  catalog_path: ~/Pictures/Lightroom/catalog.lrcat
  keyword_hierarchy: true
  collection_prefix: "Shoots/"
  rating_presets: true

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
photography_level	string	intermediate	beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional
primary_genre	string	portrait	portrait, landscape, street, product, event, wildlife
camera_system	string	generic	sony-alpha, canon-rf, nikon-z, fujifilm-x, micro-43
lens_kit	array	[]	Available lenses for gear recommendations
shoot_style	string	natural-light	natural-light, flash, mixed, studio
model_count	int	1	Number of subjects for portrait planning
location_region	string	""	City/region for sun calculations and weather
weather_check	bool	true	Include weather forecast in plan
backup_plan	bool	true	Generate indoor/weather backup locations
composition_tips	bool	true	Include composition guidance per shot
output_format	string	markdown	markdown, notion-blocks, calendar-ics, lightroom-xml

Core Concepts

Concept	Description
Golden Hour Mapping	Calculates precise golden/blue hour windows with sun angle and direction
Shot Sequencing	Orders shots by lighting window priority so critical shots happen first
Gear Optimization	Recommends minimum gear based on shot list, reducing unnecessary weight
Composition Framework	Suggests rule-of-thirds, leading lines, framing for each specific location
Contingency Planning	Provides weather backup locations and alternative shooting schedules

+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
|  Shoot Brief     |---->|  Location Engine |---->|  Light Calculator |
|  (genre, style,  |     |  (GPS, terrain,  |     |  (golden hour,   |
|   subject)       |     |   access points) |     |   sun angle/dir) |
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
                                                          |
                                                          v
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+
|  Calendar Export |<----|  Gear Checklist  |<----|  Shot List       |
|  (ICS, reminders)|     |  (camera, lens,  |     |  (sequenced by   |
|                  |     |   accessories)   |     |   light window)  |
+------------------+     +------------------+     +------------------+

Workflow Examples

Scenario 1: Landscape Trip Planning

Input: "Planning 3-day landscape trip to Yosemite Valley, 
October. Sunrise and sunset shoots, Sony A7RV."

Output:
## Yosemite 3-Day Shoot Plan

**Day 1 — Valley Floor Icons**
Sunrise (6:58 AM): Tunnel View — El Capitan and 
Half Dome, 24-70mm, f/11, tripod mandatory
Sunset (6:12 PM): Valley View — Merced River 
reflections, 16-35mm, f/8, polarizer

**Day 2 — Waterfalls and Details**
[Full itinerary with exact times and locations]

**Day 3 — High Country**
[Glacier Point and Tioga Road schedule]

Scenario 2: Product Photography Setup

Input: "Product shoot for handmade jewelry, 15 pieces, 
white background, for Etsy listings"

Output:
## Product Shoot — Jewelry (15 pieces)

**Setup:** White seamless paper, two softbox lights 
at 45 degrees, tripod with overhead arm
**Camera Settings:** f/8, ISO 100, 1/125s, 90mm macro
**Shot Per Piece:** Hero angle, detail close-up, 
scale shot with hand model, lifestyle on marble
**Total Shots:** 60 (4 per piece)
[Includes lighting diagram and post-processing notes]

Scenario 3: Wedding Day Coverage

Input: "Second shooter at outdoor wedding, ceremony at 4 PM, 
reception until 10 PM, Canon R6 II"

Output:
## Wedding Day Shot List — Second Shooter

**2:30-3:30 PM:** Getting ready details — rings, dress, 
shoes, invitations. 35mm f/1.4, natural window light.
**3:30-4:00 PM:** Guest arrivals, venue wide shots. 
24-70mm f/2.8.
**4:00-4:30 PM:** Ceremony — shoot from back-left 
aisle for alternate angles to primary.
[Complete timeline through reception exit]

Best Practices

• Arrive 60-90 minutes before golden hour. This gives time for location walkthrough, test exposures, and finding the exact positions marked in your shot list. Rushed setup means missed light.

• Sequence shots by light dependency. Put the most light-critical shots first in your list. Golden hour is fleeting and you cannot recover missed backlit portraits once the sun drops below the horizon.

• Pack one lens fewer than you think you need. The planner recommends minimum gear for a reason. Carrying excessive equipment slows transitions between shots and causes fatigue during long sessions.

• Always generate a backup plan. Weather changes, locations close unexpectedly, and models cancel. The contingency planning feature ensures you always have a productive alternative ready.

• Review shot lists with your subject beforehand. Share the plan with models or clients so everyone knows the sequence. This reduces on-location confusion and maximizes productive shooting time within your light window.

Common Issues

• Golden hour times seem inaccurate. Verify your coordinates and timezone settings match your actual shoot location. Mountain terrain and tall buildings can shift effective golden hour by 15-30 minutes from calculated times. Scout in person when possible.

• Gear recommendations do not match your kit. Update the lens_kit array with your actual lenses. The planner defaults to common lenses for your camera system but works best when it knows exactly what glass you own.

• Shot lists are too ambitious for the time window. Reduce shots_per_setup or extend your session time. A common mistake is planning 20 shots in a 45-minute golden hour window. The planner warns when shot count exceeds realistic timing.

Privacy & Data Handling

• Local Processing: All shoot plans are generated locally. GPS coordinates, client names, and location details are never transmitted to external servers or third parties.
• Data Retention: Plans exist in your current session and exported files only. No shoot details are stored between sessions unless explicitly saved to your filesystem.
• Export Options: Export as Markdown, Notion pages, ICS calendar events, or Lightroom XML metadata. All files are written to your local storage before any optional sync.
• No Location Tracking: The skill references location data you provide but does not track your position, movement, or shooting patterns. All GPS data remains in your local configuration.