Interesting
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
Hello all,
I have been shooting commercial photography (products: toys, strollers, furniture, etc.) as a hobbyist and used to do real estate type of commercial photography (office spaces, construction sites, cell phone tower prospects, etc).
Coming up in a few days I have my first photoshoot with a live model. It kind of took me by surprise since the booking was way earlier than I had first expected. Who the hell shoots summer stuff in the middle of winter?! Apparently everyone .
Needless to say I'm extremely nervous. My initial plan was to get a model and do a run through before I got booked to get familiar with the whole process, but again, they took me by surprise. To add to the panic, this is going to be a paid shoot where images will actually be put on a catalog (so I'm doubly nervous about screwing up), it's a location shoot, and to top it all off it's an undergament shoot (6 styles of bras in various colors and 12 styles of panties/thongs).
So obviously my concerns are getting at least 2 good looks per style. Photoshop can take care of at least 3 of the styles and their color variations, but the more intricate designs are way too hard.
Next, it's going to be outdoors. Please don't ask why. I begged to have it in a studio (which I would rent) but the client has something in mind that they have to have. So with the snow on the ground I'm very concerned about how everything will turn out. Some of it will be on a boat and some others on a dock.
Finally, having a near naked model sitting outdoors (Boston area = freezing with knee high snow at the moment) while I'm chimping like an amateur. I've already spoken to her and she was very nice and voiced her own concerns about how she would perform in the cold conditions.
They have booked me for 2 days on location in Cape Cod, and want me to sign on for another shoot for maternity undergarments.
I am inclined to say no thanks but I was recommended to this new client by two others with whom I've done a lot of work for and continue to do so. If I do sign this new one it could be 6 very well paid shoots a year that I can count on. I'm not a full time photographer but with this dismal economy, any paying work is good work.
This is the first time this client is doing any sort of advertising or having a web presence so they're not sure at all what to expect. And to quote one of my other clients who referred me "Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfect. You'll learn and so will they. Maybe their concept won't even work."
Long story short, how would other pros out there advise a noob to proceed? Decline? Accept?
If you were to accept, how do you approach a client about the concepts they want to capture? How many meetings do you have with a client like this prior to a shoot? Any pointers on shooting a subject on location with minimal equipment? What are the must haves for this type of shoot? Can you shoot a whole figure with a 35mm prime (Sony Alpha series dslr)? Don't have the budget for lighting so what to do? How many looks should I shoot for per item? How many shots do you typically burn through per look (40? 100?) Does shooting on a boat make the tripod useless? I'm scared...hold me :hug::
Any help would be very very much appreciated.
I have been shooting commercial photography (products: toys, strollers, furniture, etc.) as a hobbyist and used to do real estate type of commercial photography (office spaces, construction sites, cell phone tower prospects, etc).
Coming up in a few days I have my first photoshoot with a live model. It kind of took me by surprise since the booking was way earlier than I had first expected. Who the hell shoots summer stuff in the middle of winter?! Apparently everyone .
Needless to say I'm extremely nervous. My initial plan was to get a model and do a run through before I got booked to get familiar with the whole process, but again, they took me by surprise. To add to the panic, this is going to be a paid shoot where images will actually be put on a catalog (so I'm doubly nervous about screwing up), it's a location shoot, and to top it all off it's an undergament shoot (6 styles of bras in various colors and 12 styles of panties/thongs).
So obviously my concerns are getting at least 2 good looks per style. Photoshop can take care of at least 3 of the styles and their color variations, but the more intricate designs are way too hard.
Next, it's going to be outdoors. Please don't ask why. I begged to have it in a studio (which I would rent) but the client has something in mind that they have to have. So with the snow on the ground I'm very concerned about how everything will turn out. Some of it will be on a boat and some others on a dock.
Finally, having a near naked model sitting outdoors (Boston area = freezing with knee high snow at the moment) while I'm chimping like an amateur. I've already spoken to her and she was very nice and voiced her own concerns about how she would perform in the cold conditions.
They have booked me for 2 days on location in Cape Cod, and want me to sign on for another shoot for maternity undergarments.
I am inclined to say no thanks but I was recommended to this new client by two others with whom I've done a lot of work for and continue to do so. If I do sign this new one it could be 6 very well paid shoots a year that I can count on. I'm not a full time photographer but with this dismal economy, any paying work is good work.
This is the first time this client is doing any sort of advertising or having a web presence so they're not sure at all what to expect. And to quote one of my other clients who referred me "Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfect. You'll learn and so will they. Maybe their concept won't even work."
Long story short, how would other pros out there advise a noob to proceed? Decline? Accept?
If you were to accept, how do you approach a client about the concepts they want to capture? How many meetings do you have with a client like this prior to a shoot? Any pointers on shooting a subject on location with minimal equipment? What are the must haves for this type of shoot? Can you shoot a whole figure with a 35mm prime (Sony Alpha series dslr)? Don't have the budget for lighting so what to do? How many looks should I shoot for per item? How many shots do you typically burn through per look (40? 100?) Does shooting on a boat make the tripod useless? I'm scared...hold me :hug::
Any help would be very very much appreciated.