THE ART OF THE PHOTOSHOOT PART 1

By Ryan Poole

The 2024 Australian Modern Barber Awards topped record submissions for the photographic categories. With creative momentum at an alltime high, we as barbers are showcasing just how far men’s hair has come as a staple in fashion.

While there’s an endless display of incredible work, some might be thinking, ‘Yeah, that’s great—but where would I even start?’ That’s where this fourpart series comes in, breaking down the art of undertaking a photoshoot.

Part 1: Conceptualisation.

Every great shoot starts with a spark of inspiration. But where do you find it? The answer: everywhere. Inspiration doesn’t have to be complicated—it often comes from the world around you. My past collections have been inspired by music, film and my feelings towards the world we live in.

My ‘Sound of Silver’ collection was inspired by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy discussing his album of the same name in an interview. He talked about adding silver trinkets and cloth in their recording studio to encapsulate a glistening silver atmosphere and My ‘Local Gods” collection was an homage to Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 classic ‘Romeo + Juliet”

Firstly, start off with a broad idea. Are you drawn to the sharp, structured looks of classic men’s hair? The raw energy of street culture? The effortless cool of high-fashion editorials? Maybe you watched Lost Boys and thought ‘man Kiefer Sutherland looks iconic with his blonde mohawk!’ The possibilities are endless when it comes to shooting an idea, it comes down to what has an impact on you!

Now you have your general idea, lets narrow it down.. If you like vintage styles, are you leaning towards a James Dean ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ of the 50’s or a 70’s Mick Jagger rockstar look? If you like something more modern, is it avant-garde? Like the fashion week runway trends, or is it more what celebrities are rocking on the red carpet?

Honing in on these details will help with the cohesion of the concept. With your theme in mind, it’s time to bring your vision to life—starting with mood-boarding. Mood-boarding will help with defining the details of your shoot and is one of my favourite aspects of the process. To help me fully flesh out my concept, I typically break my mood board into categories:

Hair – the trims I want to showcase. Do I want to show off period accurate hair or do I want to focus on a particular aesthetic like wet looks or texture?

Photography – the style of photography I want used. Do I want close ups, wide angle/fisheye or long exposure shots from my photographer.

Posing – What emotion do I want to capture from the model? Do I want gritty scumbag, or something more vulnerable from my models?

Lighting – the use of different lighting to help create an atmosphere. Do I want bold and dynamic and focus on a specific colour or do I keep it subtle and focus on more natural lighting?

Makeup - is it subtle grooming or is it a complex look to help tie in the other factors of the concept?

Styling – the clothing inspiration to help bring the concept together. Should I go for something casual and relatable, or do I want abstract pieces to lean into the avant-garde idea?

Once you have your sections broken down, find your references. Pinterest and Instagram are my go-to platforms, offering endless inspiration.. Follow photographers and fashion accounts that align with your style. Even TikTok and editorial magazines can offer fresh ideas on lighting, composition, and styling.

A well-structured mood board ensures that everyone involved, from photographers to models, understand the vision. Keep it concise—your mood board should instantly communicate the essence of your shoot at a glance. You can create your boards digitally using apps like Canva or, my personal favourite, create a physical display to bring on shoot day. Having this visual reference will keep your shoot focused and cohesive.

A strong concept is the foundation of any great photoshoot. By taking the time to find inspiration, gather references, and build a clear mood board, you’re setting yourself up for a well-executed and visually striking shoot. Whether you’re showcasing classic barbering techniques or pushing creative boundaries, having a solid plan ensures your vision translates seamlessly into the final images. With your concept in place, the next step is bringing it to life— and that starts with assembling the right creative team. In Part 2, we’ll break down how to find and collaborate with photographers, models, and stylists to ensure your shoot runs smoothly and deliver the best results. Stay tuned!

@ryanpoole_hair