Catalogue Fashion Shoot - tips? your experience?

[oneronnalee]

Hello DPS,

So once again I come to you for tips regarding a job. Not too long ago I received an email for online catalogue fashion shoot shot in a nightclub setting. Quoted below.

Hi we are a clothing line set to launch in December and looking for a photographer based in London to work with us on a nightclub casting call involving 10 female models around early Nov.

The reason why we are looking to shoot in a club/bar/lounge setting is that our line is predominantly catered to the nightlife market as opposed to say streetwear, mainstream everyday fashion, smart/business wear (all of which are more suited to the typical studio/white backdrop set up)

Obviously shooting in a club brings with it challenges in terms of lighting, distance from subjects and as a result we are looking to outsource this work instead of using our in-house photographer.

Prior to confirming a date/time for the shoot we have to ensure beforehand a choice of venue that is suitable (in terms of lighting) with the photographer’s camera set up & capabilities.

If you are interested in doing a collaboration then feel free to get back to us and we can give you more info regarding the brand, forthcoming collection, rates, more info re models + examples of work we would like to emulate.

I have since been swapping emails with the client and also found out the following:

- they do not want to use lighting kit other than a flash unit with a diffuser as this will make it easier to negotiate with the venues
- they might want me to work with available light

They also said this:

Compared to actual nightclub photography this opportunity to shoot 10+ models for online fashion store is actually more impressive to have on one's resume and arguably alot easier: subjects are trained to be photographed, not having to finish at 2/3am after club closes, less crowded, fewer lighting issues etc This has to be factored into negotiating rates as well as our preference to spend more on sending out more pieces to get more models (13-15 optimistically!) rather than having fewer subjects at casting but then spending more on the photography itself.

I have asked about the number of images and size they will require, if they will be used anywhere except for the website, and if they will require any post-processing except for the basic adjustments (no).

The reply I received stated that after holding negotiations with the venues they will get back to me regarding the rest of the info.

The sample images they sent me are attached below.

So I suppose the question here is this: as this will be my first job of this type, what are some of the things I should keep in mind?

What documents should I prepare, and in regards to this job, what should they state?

Any tips on nightclub photography? At the moment I'm operating an entry level D3000 (which has served me well so far) along with an 18-55mm, 55-200mm and a 50mm f1.8 prime lens. I was thinking of bringing the recently-bought 50mm along with a tripod (if I can) and an 18-55mm 'just in case', as the prime lens doesn't have autofocus and I thought a back up plan would be a good idea. Thoughts on this?

I know these are pretty broad questions but I will be able to narrow them down/be more specific once I receive more info - just wanted some general information for now as you guys have always given me a good starting point.

I'm currently doing some research into the local market for this type of thing in regards to rates and services offered, but if you have done this type of work in the past (online catalogue fashion) and could tell me about that experience this will also be wildly helpful.

Thanks,

Ronna

[ChrisAdval]

I would use a flash, not only ambient lighting then it would be very grainy unless you had a camera that had very good ISO that wouldnt give much grain on higher ISO levels.

Do you know if they want to pay you for exclusive and full rights for the photos generated from the shoot or paying you licensing instead?

[Biomech]

From shooting in the dark with flash - you're going to get the people at the front exposed but the back will look awful so try and fill the frame as much as you can.


Wedding by C-17, on Flickr

I'm always impressed with those nightclub photos and not exactly sure how they do it (would love to take pics like that). But I would guess that they have a relatively low ceiling, point the flash up and have a bounce card stuffed in the flash head (I use an old business card :P)



If it were me, I'd try and go out into a few clubs before hand to practice.

Whatever you do, DONT look to these people for inspiration;


Example of Picture Pal's Work by C-17, on Flickr

[zona5101]

Warning Will Robinson!


I am seeing red flags a plenty - proceed with caution.

[BK553]

They want to shoot IN the club? This is something you would re-create in a studio with strobes, or shoot in a shut-down club with models and stobes, not in an open club with a speedlight. Run away.