Claude Prompts for Photo Briefs, Direction, and Analysis

Write a photo brief from this concept: [paste rough idea]. Output as XML with tags <objective>, <audience>, <mood>, <visual-references>, <shot-list>, <wardrobe>, <location>, <props>, <crew>, <deliverables>, <timeline>, <budget-notes>. Each section 2-4 specific lines. Brief should be production-ready for a photographer to quote.

Build a shot list for [shoot type: product/portrait/event/lifestyle]. Project: [describe]. Constraints: [time, locations, talent]. Output table with columns: shot #, scene, framing (wide/medium/close), lens, lighting setup, talent action, must-capture variations. Group by location to minimize moves.

Write mood board direction for [project]. Reference aesthetics: [list 3-5 photographers/films/movements]. Output: tone description (3 sentences), color palette (5 hex codes with descriptors), lighting style (1 paragraph), composition rules (5 bullet points), texture + grain notes, what to AVOID (5 items). Brief enough to fit on 1 page.

Write a location scout brief. Shoot: [describe]. Aesthetic: [describe]. Output: 5-7 location archetypes with: visual qualities needed, light direction at shoot time, access requirements (permits/private/public), backup options, deal-breakers (no-go conditions). Include questions for the location scout.

Pre-production timeline for [shoot]. Shoot date: [date]. Output backwards-planned schedule: 6 weeks out (concept lock), 4 weeks (talent + location), 2 weeks (wardrobe + props), 1 week (shot list lock + tech scout), 3 days (gear + crew confirm), shoot day (call sheet), post (selects → retouch → delivery).

[Attach image]. Analyze this reference photo for shoot replication. Break down: lighting (key/fill/rim direction + softness + color temp), camera angle + estimated lens, composition rules used, color grading style, post-processing tells (grain, vignette, contrast curves), what makes this image work emotionally. Be specific enough that a photographer could replicate.

[Attach photo]. Critique this image as if you were a creative director. Cover: technical execution (focus, exposure, color), composition strength + weakness, emotional impact, brand fit (context: [describe brand/use]), 3 specific improvements ranked by impact. Honest — not encouraging.

[Attach contact sheet or 10-30 images]. Triage these selects for a [project type]. For each: pick A (hero candidate), B (alt/safe), or C (cut). Group A picks by which deliverable they fit. Flag any technical issues (focus miss, light blown, expression off). Output as table.

[Attach 2 photos]. Compare these images for [purpose: campaign hero / website hero / social]. Cover: composition strength, emotional read, brand alignment, technical quality, scalability across formats (square/vertical/wide crops). Recommend one with rationale; mention when the other would win.

[Attach photo]. Write 3 alt text variations: short (under 125 chars, screen-reader-friendly), descriptive (under 250, captures mood + context), SEO-optimized (includes primary keyword: [keyword]). Avoid "image of" / "photo of" prefixes. Describe what matters, not every detail.

Write a Lightroom edit recipe for [aesthetic: e.g., warm filmic / cool editorial / clean commercial]. Output: white balance start point, exposure adjustments, tone curve description, HSL targets per color (orange skin, blue sky, etc.), texture/clarity/dehaze values, grain settings. Recipe should be replicable across a series.

Brief a retoucher on [project]. Per image, specify: skin retouching level (natural / commercial / beauty), color grade direction, removals (logos, blemishes, sensor dust), composites needed, output specs (color profile, dimensions, format), 2 rounds revision included. Total: [N] images, deadline [date], rate [$X].

Color grade direction for [series/campaign]. Reference: [describe or attach]. Output: shadow tint, midtone tint, highlight tint (each as warm/cool/neutral + specific tone), contrast level, saturation handling per color, skin tone protection notes, examples of where to break the rule.

Adapt photo direction for video. Source: [photo concept]. Output: how stills translate to motion (camera moves, talent action, length), what works in photo but breaks in video (and how to solve), audio considerations, edit pace, deliverable specs across platforms (vertical 9:16, square 1:1, horizontal 16:9).

Write an email pitching [photographer name] on [project]. Tone: respectful peer, not fan. Include: 1-line context on us, why them specifically (cite their work), project summary (3 sentences), budget range, timeline window, what we need (call to discuss). Under 200 words. No flattery padding.