Pointers needed for photoshoot

[rokkstar]

I've got a photoshoot this weekend, Saturday morning and if it was me taking pictures of someone I know I would be fine about it, no worries.

BUT, because it's someone I don't know who wants the shots for promotion, I've started to get major butterflys!!
What if I completely fuck it up?
What if my exposure is off?
What if I lose the ability to compose a pleasing shot?
What if the client thinks the shots are hopeless?

These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind.

I would be very grateful if a few seasoned veterans of this could giuve me some pointers.

The client wants an "urban" feel to the shots, so I've lined up a gritty location. I was going to take my reflector, 2flash units and some stands and umbrellas, but perhaps I'm over-complicating things???

I can do gritty PP, but I want a to achieve a certain amount of grittyness in camera. So maybe diffused light is out and hard shadows are the go? I don't know, as I say, would appreciate any thoughts on this as I am very nervous.

Cheers

[xerubus]

Is the model (?) experienced? if so, he/she should/will lead the way to the most part.

go to the location a day or so before and take some test shots.. work out the light... work out reflections... etc etc

>>What if I completely fuck it up?

You won't. You've got a great handle on taking shots.

>> What if my exposure is off?

Test out location before hand. Shoot RAW if you are seriously worried.

>>What if I lose the ability to compose a pleasing shot?

Go crazy looking through Oyster, Cream, etc magazines. Get it all in your head.

>>What if the client thinks the shots are hopeless?

Apologise. Shoot again.

Regarding your gear, take it all. Even gritty shots have good lighting. You'll be guaranteed that if you don't take something you will need it.

And regarding the PP.. yeh... you have great PP skills, but try and get what you want out of the camera. More rewarding

All in all, stop the worrying.... enjoy yourself. If you are having fun it will rub off onto the model.

cheers

[Alpha_7]

Matt,

Sit down have a glass of water and calm your nervous. You've shown time and time again you can produce excellent shots, particular this sort of style, so do what you always do.. *own it!*

Good luck dude I have every confidence in your style, your work and you delivering a kick arse product to your customers!

[byrt_001]

belive in yourself and your work


the client aproched you and saw your work, that means he likes your work and your style of photography.

have a cup of coffe with the model, art director, before the shoot discuss the location, poses, lighting, intruced the poeple who is going to help you.

take care

christian

[wendellt]

wouldn't worry too much
if he is paying you a decent amount of money there is pressure to nail it but in most cases the client is jut happy to get what they get.

are you in some kind of contract with this client?

exposure you can fix always underexpose eather than overexpose, don't try anything fancy just do what the client wants the more experimenting you do the more chance you will fuck up

or you can experiment after you know you got the shot they would most likely use

urban gritty all you need really is a dark alley way, when you involve sun in the shots exposure is more complicated especially when backlit
also the sun can change the coour of the clothes depending on what light

if you use your flash in a darkened alleyway with more controlled it's easier to nail exposure

usually if you had a chance you would scope out your location first do lighting tests but i assume here it's one of those last minute jobs

anyway it's hard to comment till you tell us more about what the client wants exactly moody lifestyle shots or just standard reference shots of the garment

woudl this shoot be for the brand Extra Tasty?

[rokkstar]

He he,

many thanks for your reassuring words people.

I'm nervous I guess because I can't get to the location before the shoot otherwise I would be there for a few weeks before hand test shooting.
I'm going to get there at least an hour early and have my assistant pose for me whilst i get some lighting tests. That is about all the prep I can squeeze in between now and Saturday morning.

Thank you very much for your input everyone.

[rokkstar]

anyway it's hard to comment till you tell us more about what the client wants exactly moody lifestyle shots or just standard reference shots of the garment

woudl this shoot be for the brand Extra Tasty?

Extra Tasty it is Wendell.

I havent really got that much in depth info from the client but it seems that he is just concerned with making the shots "urban". The model has worked with him before and is modelling about 20 garments.

I've got an idea of what I want the shots to look like, and am banking on the sun being out for it but going to work on a plan B too.

[Marty]

Mate, I have seen and like your work.
I don’t think you will have any problems.
I have a few suggestions, based on the clients I work with
Get a clear plan of what they want, and what they expect from you well before the shoot if possible.
If their request is vague, get them to clarify, this is often where difficulties can arrive when you deliver the images.
Obvious things, check all your equipment the day before, and get a backup of everything if possible (body, flash, batteries,cards,etc).
Have a third set of batteries for your flash (the first two are your normal re-chargeable, and a third standard battery pack from any store).
Ensure everything is spotlessly clean, lenses, sensor.
If you can, drop by your shoot location the day before the shoot, but at the time your shoot is planned. It’s easy to find a 'suitable' location in the afternoon, but it could be un-suitable if the mornings.
Have a backup location, if the weather changes for the worse your original location may be unsuitable.
Get there very early, much earlier than you need too.
Do lots of test shots, analyse your tests and decide if you are getting the results you expected, if not you may have to change the shooting set-up (model position, camera position, etc).
Always leave time for the un-expected.
And relax..... If you are nervous it will show, a client will not be happy to pay if they do not think you are in charge of the shoot. As its not a personal subject, be more controlling, give many clear instructions.
If the client is with you at the shoot, after you have taken a few shots, show the client and ask for their opinion, explain its just a basic concept and you will further work on the images before delivery. If the client is not happy, ask why and try to resolve the situation, eg change location, lighting, etc.
Do not let the model direct you, it will create an un-professional look to the client.
And good first impressions are vital with new clients.

These are just thoughts of the top of my head, if I have any more helpful suggestions I will let you know.
Last of all, but most importantly, you are the photographer, be confident in what you do and your ability, the client and the model need you to take leadership (even if you are a bit nervous inside)...
Good luck mate
Marty

[RICPIC]

just bluff it and try to stay calm, that's what works for me.

try to pace yourself, work out how much time and memory space you have to work with and what you have to capture. i try to fill all my CF cards with a couple of frames to spare by the end of the shoot.

my clients are usually more satisfied with final product than i am. remember, it's a job and you have the equipment and expertise to get it done.

[Dug]

I've got a photoshoot this weekend, Saturday morning and if it was me taking pictures of someone I know I would be fine about it, no worries.

BUT, because it's someone I don't know who wants the shots for promotion, I've started to get major butterflys!!
What if I completely fuck it up?
What if my exposure is off?
What if I lose the ability to compose a pleasing shot?
What if the client thinks the shots are hopeless?

These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind.

I would be very grateful if a few seasoned veterans of this could giuve me some pointers.

I guess you could call me a seasoned Veteran I have been doing this stuff for money for over 30 years, I still think this EVERY TIME I WALK OUT TO DO A SHOOT! Once you take the first shot you will get in the grove and have no worries,

Untill you see the photos then you will go


"Heck Feck $&^%$$%#$&^*&^%^%*$&^%$&^%$^$#**&^)(*&&*)
I should have done this better I could have done that better god this is crap they will hate that one I am doomed why did I ever do this"

The clients will then rave over the photos and your style and talent and you will go " thank goodness they don't have a clue next time I will do better" next shoot you will think "What if I completely fuck it up?
What if my exposure is off?
What if I lose the ability to compose a pleasing shot?
What if the client thinks the shots are hopeless?" and the cycle begins again. I used to think this was just me doing this untill I talked to some major photographers at a conference some years ago. In the smaller discussion group meetings they all fessed up to still having butterflies before a shoot.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

[Oneputt]

I can relate to this

""Heck Feck $&^%$$%#$&^*&^%^%*$&^%$&^%$^$#**&^)(*&&*)
I should have done this better I could have done that better god this is crap they will hate that one I am doomed why did I ever do this""

[Alpha_7]

So how did it go Matt ? I'm sure you nailed it, looking forward to some shots if you can share any ?

[rokkstar]

Hey Craig,

It actually went really well.
When I turned up, the location I had been to a few months before had been bulldozed!!! So I frantically went looking for somewhere else with Taro and we came across this cool alleyway that had 4 different types of textured walls - corrugated iron, rust stained concrete. It was just urban utopia. Client loved it.

Anyway, 300 shots and 2 hours later we got all his t-shirt range shot and I'm going through them now. i've sent him some contact sheets and think he's happy with them.

I'll post some up as soon as I've PP'd them.

I tell you what, I was nervous even up until the end of the shoot, there was always something that could have gone wrong.

Thank you everyone for you advice. It really really came in handy.