Shooting portraits in unknown places

[Ambrosia76]

Do you only do portrait sessions in places you have been before and know the lighting conditions etc.?

I am doing a shoot for a friend today, at the worst possible time of day, in a place I have never been and there is no opportunity for me to scout it out first. Maybe it is my OCD but it is driving me nuts. I believe I have prepared as much as I can for any circumstance and told friend that at this time of day if there isn't lots of open shade at this park we may be screwed.

[zona5101]

In those instances bring everything...and an assistant!

[RichardTaylor]

and bring something to diffuse the light, like a scrim or sun blocker.

[Ambrosia76]

Oh I have everything stuck in my bags and my pack mule,I mean hubby, to carry and hold.

[gturner]

Look for the shade (or bring some) and pack reflectors.
Not sure how much kit you have, but there are some things that are not worth bothering trying to achieve in midday sun, so don't waste you time on them.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

I am doing a shoot for a friend today, at the worst possible time of day, in a place I have never been and there is no opportunity for me to scout it out first.

Ummm, Why?

It's your job to make sure the session has the best chance to succeed.

[Ambrosia76]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

Ummm, Why?

It's your job to make sure the session has the best chance to succeed.

Because it was 2 hrs away in a place I have never been and there was no way for me to go check it out before we went. It was a free session but I still would like to do my best. It turned out well we actually had some nice cloud cover and lots of shade.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Ambrosia76

Because it was 2 hrs away in a place I have never been and there was no way for me to go check it out before we went. It was a free session but I still would like to do my best. It turned out well we actually had some nice cloud cover and lots of shade.

I'm glad it worked out, but the truth is that you got lucky.

I'm not sure why you couldn't have made a trip to the location. Really it's ONLY two hours, which is not that far at all. "There was no time" doesn't cut it either. Don't schedule so tight.

As I said, glad it worked out, but don't take those chances in the future or eventually you'll get bitten.

[Ambrosia76]

I am sorry but I have a job where I work 10 hrs a day and have been a little pre-occupied consoling my children because their mom committed suicide last week. So it didn't work out that I could go before hand. Friend knew the possibility that it might not work out and since I am not charging her she was fine with that.

[Jim Poor]

I'm sorry for all the turmoil in your life, but my advice still stands.

As I've said, I'm glad it went well, but had it not gone so swimmingly, then it would just be one more stressful event in an already tough time.