Commercial photoshoot
Discussion
Ignroing my hissyfit the on the other thread, last weekend I shot the local Christmas launch event for the local McArthur Glen designer outlet. Not the most prestigious of events in so much as it isn't anyone famous but neverthelss it feels like a real start.
I had worked closely with the centre over the last year which enabled me to gain access to some old buildings for fashion shoots. As a result they approached me to see if I wanted to cover the event for them. This involved working way outside my comfort zone as I find event photography rather more like good quality snap shots compared to the usual work I have been working towards. That is not to belittle anyone doing it, its a bloody hard and thankless task with clients wanting pulitzers but the weather and crowd conspiring against you.
Had been given a brief by their press agency and concentrated on getting those shots out of the way first, obviously was worried despite my own self confidence as this was a first. Email today to be told very pleased with results, pictures sent off to local papers through the south west. Promo shots being used by local outlet for their own promotions. Emails coming in with enquiries, hopefully the start of finally realising my investment.
I had worked closely with the centre over the last year which enabled me to gain access to some old buildings for fashion shoots. As a result they approached me to see if I wanted to cover the event for them. This involved working way outside my comfort zone as I find event photography rather more like good quality snap shots compared to the usual work I have been working towards. That is not to belittle anyone doing it, its a bloody hard and thankless task with clients wanting pulitzers but the weather and crowd conspiring against you.
Had been given a brief by their press agency and concentrated on getting those shots out of the way first, obviously was worried despite my own self confidence as this was a first. Email today to be told very pleased with results, pictures sent off to local papers through the south west. Promo shots being used by local outlet for their own promotions. Emails coming in with enquiries, hopefully the start of finally realising my investment.
Jon, will sort out later
Size13, I used nothing more than 5dmk2,17-40,24-105,70-200 and 85 1.8
Bloody hate the 17-40L, when you use it at high iso you really see its not in the same league as the 70-200L but then its a different style lens. Flash was a 430EX (never invested much in flash), trigger with ST-E2 and held on to a damped light stand.
Flash was then fired without diffuser into a mini opaque umbrella aimed to bounce back into the reindeer pen, gives softer light and less impact to the reindeers.
Rest of the day just swapped lenses as required but finished off using the 70-200 once teh light really fell
Size13, I used nothing more than 5dmk2,17-40,24-105,70-200 and 85 1.8
Bloody hate the 17-40L, when you use it at high iso you really see its not in the same league as the 70-200L but then its a different style lens. Flash was a 430EX (never invested much in flash), trigger with ST-E2 and held on to a damped light stand.
Flash was then fired without diffuser into a mini opaque umbrella aimed to bounce back into the reindeer pen, gives softer light and less impact to the reindeers.
Rest of the day just swapped lenses as required but finished off using the 70-200 once teh light really fell
Good luck with your venture dude 
I still wonder if I should ever do this photography lark full time, then I get a reminder why I don't. Yesterday I had a mail from a fashion label who wanted me to work on thier next catalogue. I told them I was interested as I really like thier style, but I was only intertested in location work not studio (I'm sure they could get someone better for Studio as I have no experience). Then I get a mail back asking if I would do it for free, in a studio and was I able to attend a meeting on Monday to dicuss. No I'll be a f
king work on Monday and if I wasn't I wouldn't be able to do fking shoots for free, and I told you I don't do fking studio work. Aaaaargh!
I still wonder if I should ever do this photography lark full time, then I get a reminder why I don't. Yesterday I had a mail from a fashion label who wanted me to work on thier next catalogue. I told them I was interested as I really like thier style, but I was only intertested in location work not studio (I'm sure they could get someone better for Studio as I have no experience). Then I get a mail back asking if I would do it for free, in a studio and was I able to attend a meeting on Monday to dicuss. No I'll be a f
king work on Monday and if I wasn't I wouldn't be able to do fking shoots for free, and I told you I don't do fking studio work. Aaaaargh! Part of doing it for a living means you have to do what your client wants, not what you happen to like doing best. However, you also learn to stand your ground on price.
As well as taking photos, like any other self-employed person you also have to be marketing man, salesman, customer relations, IT, QC, delivery boy and credit control. When you think about it, it's not for the faint-hearted and taking photos is only one aspect.
As well as taking photos, like any other self-employed person you also have to be marketing man, salesman, customer relations, IT, QC, delivery boy and credit control. When you think about it, it's not for the faint-hearted and taking photos is only one aspect.
Simpo Two said:
Part of doing it for a living means you have to do what your client wants, not what you happen to like doing best.
It wouldn't make good buiness sense to agree to do something if you weren't confident to deliver good results though would it. I know all about the other aspects, I have to do most of the other bits as part of the day job and with the magazines I work with.
nick_bbb said:
Simpo Two said:
Part of doing it for a living means you have to do what your client wants, not what you happen to like doing best.
It wouldn't make good buiness sense to agree to do something if you weren't confident to deliver good results though would it.I just had a chat with one of the builders who's working next door. He hates bricklaying, despite being very good at it, and guess what - he wants to be a photographer. The world is full of 'em!
cheers all.
I think like everything the market for photographers will improve, I think it was a luxury hobby for many and the influx of photographers who dont have any real clue will reduce. The advent of good quality cheap kit has meant a sudden gold rush, cor mate your photos are fantastic (based purely on the fact the kit delivers a better technical quality) types will die out. People will get bored, it takes a real passion to stick at photography and a lot of them will just find something new to do. Its got to be hard for full time photographers just as it is for builders at the minute but the ones that should survive will be those that have saved for a rainy day but whos quality will pull them through.
Genuinely do believe the family/mates complimented photographers will disappear.
I think like everything the market for photographers will improve, I think it was a luxury hobby for many and the influx of photographers who dont have any real clue will reduce. The advent of good quality cheap kit has meant a sudden gold rush, cor mate your photos are fantastic (based purely on the fact the kit delivers a better technical quality) types will die out. People will get bored, it takes a real passion to stick at photography and a lot of them will just find something new to do. Its got to be hard for full time photographers just as it is for builders at the minute but the ones that should survive will be those that have saved for a rainy day but whos quality will pull them through.
Genuinely do believe the family/mates complimented photographers will disappear.
as requested by jon here are the shots, to me i find these as just snap shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindon/sets/72157622...
the breif was to get kids from all the surrounding major towns with either the reindeer, ugly sisters or brunel. Harder than it sounds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindon/sets/72157622...
the breif was to get kids from all the surrounding major towns with either the reindeer, ugly sisters or brunel. Harder than it sounds
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