Ever wrapped up a shoot thinking everything went smoothly, only to realise later that a key shot is missing? Or that the product colour is off? Or that the lighting didn’t quite match the brand’s guidelines? Now you’re booking another studio session, rescheduling talent, and watching your budget take a hit.
Reshoots are one of those sneaky expenses that don’t show up in the initial budget, but they can drain time, money, and resources faster than you’d expect. Maybe it’s a missing sample, a last-minute creative change, or a simple miscommunication between teams—whatever the reason, going back to redo work that could have been right the first time is frustrating (and expensive).
Let’s break down what reshoots really cost and, more importantly, how you can avoid them altogether.
The true cost of reshoots
Reshoots aren’t just an extra line item on the budget—they throw off timelines, drain resources, and frustrate everyone involved.
Financial costs
Reshoots aren’t cheap. Even a seemingly small mistake can lead to unexpected expenses like:
- Studio rental fees (again).
- Photographer and videographer costs—because they’re not coming back for free.
- Stylist, makeup artist, and talent fees—especially if external models are involved.
- Equipment rentals—if you need specific cameras, lighting, or props.
- Shipping or sourcing costs—if missing products or samples need to be resent.
And if you’re working with external agencies or freelancers, the cost of revisions might not be included in the original contract. So, that “quick reshoot” isn’t so quick—or cheap.
Time costs
Time is money, and reshoots eat up a lot of it.
- Campaigns get delayed.
- Marketing and creative teams have to redo schedules.
- Teams waste hours fixing something that could’ve been done right the first time.
That product launch you were hyping up is now behind schedule, and the pressure to catch up is real.
Brand & operational impact
Beyond budgets and timelines, reshoots affect the entire creative process:
- Loss of creative momentum: Nothing kills a project’s energy faster than redoing work.
- Frustrated teams: No one likes scrambling to fix something avoidable.
- Brand inconsistency: If a reshoot doesn’t perfectly match previous visuals, it can throw off the entire campaign.
And here’s something to think about—according to a Smartsheet study, poor communication is responsible for over 30% of project failures.
Why do reshoots happen?
Reshoots don’t just magically happen—they’re usually the result of something that went wrong before the camera even started rolling. Most reshoots could have been avoided with better planning and organisation.
Lack of pre-production planning
A solid plan is the difference between a smooth shoot and a disaster waiting to happen. When teams go in without a clear shot list, creative direction, or production schedule, things get messy—fast.
- “Wait, we needed a close-up of that?”
- “No one mentioned we needed a different background.”
- “Didn’t we already shoot this?”
Without a clear roadmap, you’re left scrambling to fix things after the fact—which usually means a reshoot.
Poor sample & asset management
If your products, props, or wardrobe pieces aren’t where they need to be when they need to be, you’re in trouble.
- Samples get lost in the shuffle.
- The wrong product version shows up.
- Critical assets don’t arrive on time.
And suddenly, you’re rescheduling the shoot instead of wrapping it. Again.
Misalignment between teams
Marketing wants one thing, creative envisions another, and production executes something entirely different. Critical details get lost in translation when teams aren’t on the same page.
- Marketing expects lifestyle shots but only gets product cutouts.
- Creative assumes the campaign messaging is set, but it changes halfway through.
- Production follows an outdated brief.
By the time everyone realises the mistake, it’s too late—the shoot is done, and a reshoot is the only fix.
Inefficient approval processes
Ever had a stakeholder swoop in at the last minute with just one tiny change?
Feedback gets delayed.
- Decision-makers don’t review proofs until it’s too late.
- Last-minute revisions force a complete do-over.
A slow, chaotic approval process means changes happen when they shouldn’t—after the shoot is wrapped.
Reshoots are a symptom of something breaking down behind the scenes. But with the right systems in place, they’re 100% avoidable.
How to avoid reshoots with better workflow management
Reshoots are costly and time-consuming, but the right workflow can help you avoid them. Here’s how:
- Centralised planning – Keep shot lists, samples, and schedules in one place to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Real-time updates: Track shoot progress, review images instantly to keep teams aligned and prevent miscommunication.
- Smart sample tracking – Barcode and RFID tracking ensure every product is accounted for before shoot day.
- Shoot guidelines – Pre-set shoot guidelines for different channels reduce the risk of errors and inconsistencies.
- Faster reviews & approvals – Manage approvals effortlessly with centralised feedback tools
- Data & reporting: Identify bottlenecks, optimise workflows, and reduce inefficiencies that lead to reshoots.
A little organisation goes a long way. With Lets Flo, you can reduce errors and keep reshoots to a minimum.
Get it right the first time with Lets Flo
Reshoots drain budgets, delay campaigns, and frustrate teams—but they don’t have to. With Lets Flo, you can eliminate the chaos, streamline every step of content production, and ensure everything runs smoothly from pre-shoot planning to final approvals.
No missing samples. No last-minute surprises. No do-overs. Just a seamless, streamlined workflow that keeps your team focused on what really matters—creating high-quality content, faster.
Let’s make content production effortless.
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