First portrait/fashion shoot soon - tips please!

[Big Aaron]

Hey guys and gals,

Been reading DPS for about a year or so but now I've decided to delve into the murky world of the forums!

My photography story breaks down quite simply: I started SLR photography in college in 2001 as part of a Media Studies course and was exclusively 35mm film only, with my own processing in a dark room. My assignments were essentially mess around with the camera, present your results and try and convince people there's a theme. After my studies finished, I moved into graphic and print design but always messed with photography but kept to still life, landscapes, architectural etc. A year ago, I bought a Nikon D40, my first DSLR, and started to take it a bit more seriously again. Recently, I was made unemployed and have a lot of time on my hands so I'm exploring photography a bit more intensely than ever before and want to begin fashion/portrait photography, as I know a good few people who have worked on both sides of the camera in varying capacities and keep asking me to get shooting.

So I bit the bullet and offered my services on Facebook and, eventually, I was put in touch with a girl in my locale who has done some minor modelling and has a small, but good portfolio, but was looking for someone cheap (or free) to do some shoots with her for her portfolio. I jumped at the chance and met her last night for a few drinks and a chat about what she direction she was looking at. It was then I thought "Hmmm, I've said I'll do this, and we've got some ideas, but I've got no clue as to what I'm doing once we actually shoot" and I'm having a bit of a panic.

We haven't set a date for a shoot yet but she wants to do a kind of ethereal, innocent-looking, natural-type shoot as she's already done the heavily made-up studio shoots but never really anything outdoors. Given it's now Autumn (just about), this may be a struggle due to unpredictable weather etc.

My kit I've got for that is suitable for this kind of shoot is as follows:

My D40
18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses
external speedlite flash (not a known-brand as I can't afford one just yet, but it's decent enough)
Couple of the usual filters (circular polarising, UV, warming and, for some reason, a plain blue filter)
Tripod
Silver/Gold 22" reflector
Remote control


Basically, I was looking for any tips or any methods that have worked in the past for you in terms of your first model shoot or something that's been completely out of your comfort zone?

Any help would be massively appreciated as I really want to go ahead with this project for this girl as she's really sweet and looks great in front of the camera. Just some doubts and anxieties in my head is the only major issue here.

Cheers!

[ricklumpas]

It sounds like you are getting into professional photography. I am not a professional photographer, so I enrolled in basic digital photography course. But if I were to take this serioulsly or consider it as part-time/full-time job, I would enroll in an advanced photography course.
I see you have invested well for your gear. It is also worth investing in one's professional training.

But if you don't have time and money for such training, there are many threads here at DPS for tutorials in taking good portraits.

Tip: Getting your subject(s) to relax?

Welcome to DPS!

Good luck!
Rick

[Big Aaron]

Originally Posted by ricklumpas

It sounds like you are getting into professional photography. I am not a professional photographer, so I enrolled in basic digital photography course. But if I were to take this serioulsly or consider it as part-time/full-time job, I would enroll in an advanced photography course.
I see you have invested well for your gear. It is also worth investing in one's professional training.

But if you don't have time and money for such training, there are many threads here at DPS for tutorials in taking good portraits.

Tip: Getting your subject(s) to relax?

Welcome to DPS!

Good luck!
Rick

Thanks for the reply.

I'm trying to keep to a strictly casual basis really, but, obviously, if the work was there and it was a viable thing, I'd jump at being a photographer for a living. This shoot, however, is being done for free. This helps me get some experience in this field and also helps the model who I know doesn't have the money to pay for a pro shoot just now. It's a mutual favour.

I'll give that article a read sometime tomorrow, and again, thanks for the reply.

[jingerelle]

bump...I'd like to hear thoughts on this subject, too.

[Niresangwa]

Short of a rainstorm or snowstorm, you should still be able to get some work done outside. Any pretty parks around where you are? Lakes, Forests, dilapidated industrial areas? My best advice would be to look through magazines or resources online and encourage her to do the same, and when you meet up to shoot just try and recreate the things you think are interesting, or poses she likes...

..the nice thing is you've both been straight up about your experience levels and expectations, so you can both explore these things together. Make an afternoon of it, drive around some urban and rural areas, whatever it takes...

basically, don't stress about it! The more laid back you are the easier it is for her to do her job. Worse comes to worst at least you guys can get a friend out of this, another contact and a better ideas for next time you do this, either with her, or someone else!