Planning a West Virginia Tourism Photo Shoot

A good tourism photo shoot starts with a clear idea of where the images will go. A visitor guide needs different photos than a vertical social campaign, and a regional website needs more variety than a single hero image.

If you’re hiring a West Virginia tourism photographer, start with the places, people, and activities your organization wants to feature. Then work backward from the final uses to build a realistic shot list, schedule, and budget.

I’m Kurt Schachner, the photographer behind Wildhare Media in Pocahontas County. I work with tourism organizations and destination partners across West Virginia, including the Mon Forest Towns Partnership. Here’s how I’d approach a shoot that gives your team a useful library of images.

Start with how your team will use the photos

Before you pick locations, make a list of the places where your team needs imagery. That might include:

• Website headers and destination pages

• Visitor guides, brochures, and maps

• Organic social posts and paid campaigns

• Press kits and media requests

• Partner presentations and grant reports

Each use has different needs. A website header may need a wide composition with room for text. A visitor guide may need a mix of vertical images, details, and wider scenes. If a photo needs to fit a specific ad or print layout, share those dimensions before the shoot.

It also helps to flag images that need to work for more than one purpose. We can plan horizontal and vertical compositions where the location and schedule allow.

Build a shot list around the visitor experience

A useful shot list includes more than a list of scenic overlooks. Think about what someone can do when they arrive, who they might meet, and what makes each community distinct.

For a West Virginia tourism shoot, that might mean a mix of:

• Landscapes and aerials: Mountains, rivers, trail systems, and the relationship between a town and the land around it.

• Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fishing, or other recreation that fits the project.

• Local businesses: A restaurant, outfitter, shop, or lodging partner, with their permission.

• People and community: Guides at work, visitors on a trail, or residents involved in an activity.

• Details: Trail signs, gear, food, storefronts, and the smaller scenes that help fill out a guide or web page.

You don’t need to fit every category into one day. Pick the highest-priority images first, then identify a few secondary options if time and conditions cooperate.

Leave room for mountain roads and changing weather

West Virginia shoot days can involve more travel than a map suggests. Winding roads, trail access, parking, and time on foot all affect how much we can cover.

When I plan a route, I look at travel time alongside the best conditions for each location. A trail scene may need time for people to get into position, while a business interior may depend on when the space is open and ready. Aerials also depend on weather, airspace, and any applicable site restrictions.

If a location is essential to the campaign, we can discuss a weather backup or an alternate date before the shoot. That gives everyone a clearer plan if rain, wind, or low visibility changes the day.

Coordinate people, permissions, and partners early

If your shot list includes guides, business owners, visitors, or athletes, identify who will take part and who can help coordinate them. It’s useful to confirm:

• Who is the point of contact at each location

• When people and spaces will be available

• Whether location permission is needed

• Whether model releases are appropriate for the planned use

• Who will handle any required releases or approvals

The details depend on the project. We can talk through them before the shoot and put responsibilities in writing so there’s time to address any questions.

Ask about licensing before you book

A photography license spells out how your organization can use the images. Before you approve a project, tell your photographer whether the photos will appear on your website, social channels, paid ads, printed materials, or in press resources.

Also ask about partner use. A tourism organization may want to share images with local businesses, member communities, an agency, or media outlets. Those uses should be discussed and included in the agreement where needed, rather than assumed after delivery.

For Wildhare tourism projects, I discuss the intended uses with the client and put the agreed license in the project terms.

Decide whether the shoot needs aerials or video

Commercial drone photos can show how a town, trail, river, or recreation area fits into the surrounding landscape. Ground-level images can then show what the experience looks like up close.

I’m FAA Part 107 certified for commercial drone work. Before a flight, I check the conditions and applicable airspace and site restrictions. Some locations or weather conditions may prevent a planned flight, so aerial coverage should be treated as part of the plan rather than a guarantee at every stop.

If your team also needs video, bring that up early. A photo-and-video day needs enough time for both, and a request for short clips is different from a request for a fully edited film.

What does a West Virginia tourism photo shoot cost?

Wildhare Media’s tourism projects generally start in these ranges:

• One-day shoot: $1,200–$1,500

• Two-day feature: $2,200–$2,800

The final quote depends on the scope, locations, deliverables, and intended use. If you need video, a larger geographic area, or additional coordination, share those details when you reach out so I can put together an accurate quote.

Questions to ask before hiring a tourism photographer

What experience do you have with destination projects?
Ask to see work that reflects the type of places, activities, and people you want to feature. My work includes a regional image library for the Mon Forest Towns Partnership, with coverage across dozens of locations in eight counties.

Can you provide both ground and aerial imagery?
I offer ground photography and commercial drone coverage. We’ll discuss whether aerials fit the location, conditions, and project scope.

How many locations can we cover in a day?
That depends on travel, access, the type of coverage, and how much time each scene needs. I’d rather build a workable route around your priorities than promise a long list of stops we can’t cover well.

How soon will we receive the photos?
Delivery timing depends on the project scope and schedule. If you have a publication date or campaign launch, share it up front so we can agree on a timeline before booking.

Can our partners use the photos?
Partner use can be discussed as part of the license. Let me know which organizations or businesses need access and how they plan to use the images.

Plan your next West Virginia tourism shoot

If your CVB, tourism commission, or destination organization needs fresh photography, I can help plan coverage around the places and stories you want to feature.

Take a look at Wildhare Media’s commercial services, or get in touch with your locations, timeline, and how you plan to use the images.