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Preparing your Spaces for 360° Content Capture

Preparation tips for capturing 360° panorama photos with full-service, equipment kit rental, or DIY production packages.

Andrew Klotz avatar
Written by Andrew Klotz
Updated over 10 months ago

In a 360° shoot, nearly everything is visible to the camera, from floor to ceiling. This means taking a fresh look at your surroundings and buttoning down a few details to stage your space for photography. In this post, you'll get tips to ensure your venue is ready for the cameras to roll, in order to achieve the best possible photos at the end.

An office conference room with chairs swiveled in the same direction, the screen on, and refreshments on the table make this shot more appealing.

Tip #1: Make a comprehensive shot list.

Preparation starts with a well thought out shot list. List the areas that you would like to include in your virtual tour, and consult with others for their input. In order to make the most efficient use of time, it’s best to schedule nearby locations around the same time slot. Use your customized shot list template to plan out your schedule or contact our team at support@madewithcircuit.com to request a shot list template.

Tip #2: Do "location scouting" to see the spaces on your virtual tour before the film date.

With your shot list in hand, walk around and make notes on any concerns or questions you have. This is a great way to meet people who will assist with staging before the shoot. You might also find new spaces to include, or others to hold off from capturing.

A shot of an admin area with a clean desk. It's okay to catch people in the space too, and adds some life to the photos.

Tip #3: Send a quick email ahead of time that a virtual tour will be photographed on X date.

Regardless of the size of your organization, you'll be collaborating with co-workers on-site and need their help to stage spaces to be in peak form for photography. This might be something along the lines of the email below.

Howdy partner (or however you prefer to begin your emails),

I'm the lead working on an exciting virtual tour project that will let us capture and share our spaces digitally with current and future customers, just like this one {paste example link}.

We have identified your location as an important feature to include in the tour, and are planning to capture 360° photos on {date}. I'm reaching out in advance to enlist your help in order to get the best results.

You can help by staging your space(s) to look their best. This generally entails:

  1. De-cluttering and tidying up

  2. Tucking away paperwork, cables, sanitizer bottles, and other unnecessary items

  3. Removing posters, personal photos, and signage you don't want visible

  4. Moving relevant artwork, equipment, or objects into view

  5. Arranging movable furniture into a neat and tidy layout

If you have any questions about the process, please get in touch.

Thanks,

{Your name}

Tip #4: Align with security to get access to the entire venue on the shoot day(s).

This will ensure you are able to complete the full shoot.

A photo of an office with just a few people working inside livens up the shot and helps it feel more authentic.

Tip #5 (optional): Recruit a few background extras to pose in shots.

Certain spaces will look better with people in them. A small group of extras who appear in various shots will give your photos an element of human presence. It's also okay to shoot spaces totally empty, and have a mix of scenes with and without people in your tour.

If you do choose to have background extras, make sure that you have either media consent forms ready for them to sign, or signage near at the entrance of the space that informs people that the space is a filming zone.

These 5 tips will help you ace your shoot day, and capture stunning views of your venue. Lights, camera, action!

Cleaning Checklist

Below is a more exhaustive list of things you can do to prepare for the shoot.

  • Declutter and rearrange to make rooms appear larger

  • Tuck away paperwork, cables, sanitizer bottles, and other unnecessary items

  • Remove any posters, personal photos, or signage you don't want visible because it's date specific or promotional in nature

  • Move relevant artwork, equipment, or objects into view

  • Arrange movable furniture into a neat and tidy layout

  • Sweep or vacuum floors, carpets, and staircases

  • Replace any burnt out light bulbs

  • Tidy up front reception/checkout areas (hide paperwork, cords, sign-in books, and clutter)

  • Ensure electrical, telephone, and cable wires are hidden or barely visible

  • Store away unnecessary electronics and appliances unless they are important to include

  • Clean reflective surfaces like windows and glass partition walls

  • Set up TV/computer screens with your business logo or website, by displaying your website or featuring photos from a USB key

  • On the exterior of the property ensure all clutter is removed or hidden away, including garbage cans, bins, and other less sightly distractions

  • Rooms and suites: for all bedrooms, use crisp linens and pillow cases, and keep end tables free of clutter

  • Offices/workspaces: ensure desks are cleared of all sensitive documents and kept neat and clutter-free

💡 Need more help?

Send us a message and we will be happy to assist you.

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