Glamour Shot-ish Photo Shoot...

[jblackwell]

----------

Umm... you have NO equipment AND no clue about posing but your doing a private photo shoot?

.... and how exactly do you plan on accomplishing this minor miracle?

[cherrygirl]

No offense but I hope that you are not charging for this shoot. It would be wrong to let your subject think you are a professional when you have very little experience. It takes more than an expensive camera to make a good photographer who produces quality images. Sounds like you should use it as a chance to learn and then let the model have some of the images....for free.

[johassler]

Sometimes you just have to dive in! When I was laid off, a friend set up a photoshoot for my daughter (a budding make-up artist) even though she'd never done such a thing before. While the results weren't as professional as a pro, post-processing they were enough to fill out her portfolio - and get begin her on her way to her career.

I think asking here is one of the steps you can take to be prepared for your photo shoot. For our shoot, the photographer used lights purchased at Lowe's (silver work lights) with sheets of poster board to help reflect light. We hung three different backgounds in a corner in our home which has great natural light. We used an adjustable, swivel-y stool for the models to sit on, and added liberal props (and of course my daughter's super make-up artistry).

So consider googling cheap photo studio props and set-up materials if you don't get enough ideas from just poking around this forum (a *great* resource).

But be realistic about your expectations for the outcome here. Do test runs (with family/friends) so you know what you're still lacking in terms of skills and supplies - and work on improving those.

Best of luck,
Jenny

[jblackwell]

----------

[jblackwell]

Originally Posted by johassler

Sometimes you just have to dive in! When I was laid off, a friend set up a photoshoot for my daughter (a budding make-up artist) even though she'd never done such a thing before. While the results weren't as professional as a pro, post-processing they were enough to fill out her portfolio - and get begin her on her way to her career.

I think asking here is one of the steps you can take to be prepared for your photo shoot. For our shoot, the photographer used lights purchased at Lowe's (silver work lights) with sheets of poster board to help reflect light. We hung three different backgounds in a corner in our home which has great natural light. We used an adjustable, swivel-y stool for the models to sit on, and added liberal props (and of course my daughter's super make-up artistry).

So consider googling cheap photo studio props and set-up materials if you don't get enough ideas from just poking around this forum (a *great* resource).

But be realistic about your expectations for the outcome here. Do test runs (with family/friends) so you know what you're still lacking in terms of skills and supplies - and work on improving those.

Best of luck,
Jenny

Thanks so much for your kind input and great advice. I will definitely do that.

[jblackwell]

Originally Posted by cherrygirl

No offense but I hope that you are not charging for this shoot. It would be wrong to let your subject think you are a professional when you have very little experience. It takes more than an expensive camera to make a good photographer who produces quality images. Sounds like you should use it as a chance to learn and then let the model have some of the images....for free.

Acutally it is a paying gig. I've had some experience and I've done some shoots. This is just a different setting shoot for me. I would never charge someone if I felt my work wasn't worth it. I am however, charging fairly, to what I think my work is worth. I am very aware it takes more than an expensive camera. I'm not new to the photography world, just to this type of shoot. But thanks for your input anyway.

[cherrygirl]

Originally Posted by jblackwell

Acutally it is a paying gig. I've had some experience and I've done some shoots. This is just a different setting shoot for me. I would never charge someone if I felt my work wasn't worth it. I am however, charging fairly, to what I think my work is worth. I am very aware it takes more than an expensive camera. I'm not new to the photography world, just to this type of shoot. But thanks for your input anyway.

I wasn't trying to be mean at all...just honest! I agree you have to start somewhere but I think it is important to know your capabilities when you are charging people for photos. With experience, you can up your prices.

Originally Posted by jblackwell

WOW...didn't expect not-so-nice feedback. I have ideas and I believe I do decent work. I guess I just wanted some input on ideas from others. Thanks anyway.

What exactly did you expect? For us to just jump on the bandwagon and say that you could go all Leibowitz with a "Coolpix" camera and a car dome light?

[jblackwell]

----------