So you’ve finally decided to have a shoot but you’re a little nervous because you’ve never been on one before. No problem. I’ve never been on a shoot before either (OK, I go on them all the time… behind the camera. NEVER in front.). There are just a few things that I have to put out there before embark on this wondrous journey, to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Lets Pick a Location
This part could be a little tricky depending on yours needs, time, weather ect. Luckily I’ve already done some leg work on this one. I wrote a blog about locations in Houston where its (mostly) ok for photo shoots. So feel free to check that out HERE.
Collaboration
You have ideas. I have ideas as well (I wouldn’t be a good photographer if I didn’t have a clue what to do). So lets put those ideas together before the shoot even begins.
What I like to do is scour the internet (mostly Pinterest) for images that set the mood of what you’re going for. After that, I’ll create, what I call, a Vision Board (I didn’t coin the phrase) which an art board filled with images of what you want your shoot to be or feel like. I’ve already made a number of boards just for my personal use but you can check that out HERE. You may have to start a Pinterest account to view them, but its free so no worries.
The Shoot
If you got the location and the look you’re going for, lets head out for the shoot. Thats literally it. We go out, shoot for a little bit, head back home with the feeling that you’ve accomplished something grand.
But before that, here is a list of ten things to think about before (and during) the shoot.
1.) Have Fun
It’s your day and its all about you. You can say that now without sounding vain so have a good time and relax. You already look great. The photographer has the hardest job because that have to come up with good ideas and make sure all the equipment works. But it might be difficult to get a good picture if your about ready to crap your pants from nervousness so relaaaaaaaax and have fun.
2.) Buddy Policy
If for whatever reason, you’re still a bit nervous, bring someone along. I don’t have a policy (at least not yet anyways) about bringing along a parent or a best friend or two so bring the squad to keep your energy up. Added bonus, if you’re planning on having a change of clothes, they can do you a solid and hold your stuff while you’re other posing and looking fabulous. It’s WIN WIN.
3.) Clothing
I have no preference. In my opinion, you should wear whatever makes you feel like a BOSS. If you are looking good on the outside as well as the inside, its going to show up on camera. It’ll probably help you get into the right head space too. If you’re bringing a significant other along, maybe coordinate a little. No crazy distracting patterns and horizontal lines usually aren’t the best. Other than that, have fun with it. Its your day right?
4.) Posing
OK, we aren’t models here so I’m not expecting you to know all the move and neither is anyone else. The best stuff that works is whatever comes naturally. Sometimes you’ll have your hands on your hips to add shape to your waist and sometimes you’ll cross your arms to show something different. The truth is you only have two arms (usually) and they can only go in so many directions, so I wouldn’t tree out about it too much.
I like to use the miming method where you basically mimic everything I do. It’s a very simple concept that anyone can grasp. Other than that, try not to worry about it too much. You acting naturally and being you is always better than acting stiff and trying to hold a smile.
5.) One Diverse Location
We live in Houston. Where the weather changes every five minutes and there’s a traffic accident every three seconds. Definitely not the easiest place to get around in. And its this reason why when picking a place for a shoot, you want to make sure it’s got a lot of character to it. For example, a place like Herman Park has a ton of places to shoot. I’ve spent two hours at Centennial Gardens buy itself. However going from Herman Park to Sam Houston Park and having to navigate all that traffic would eat up a ton of time and daylight and just isn’t worth it.
Having said that, be sure to do your best to arrive early for a shoot. If theres ever a need to leave the current location, there will be still be time to make it to the next location (God forbid anything crazy happens on the highway).
6.) Two Times in One Day
Speaking of daylight, there are two times each day when the light is at its best; dawn and dusk. Now most of us don’t have the discipline to get up extra extra early at dusk for a photo shoot, but a shoot in the evening when the sun is close to setting is the best. sometimes it can’t be avoided but do your best to avoid scheduling a shoot in the afternoon. Especially because the light is fantastic and you won’t be hit with harsh sunlight at that time. Unless you have a place with decent shadow coverage, getting hit with direct sunlight makes for a not so great picture.
7.) Cloudy Days aint so bad
Speaking of which. We love our blue sky days here in Houston because they don’t happen too often, but those days aren’t necessarily the best for photography. OK, time for some photography school knowledge. If you’re outside, a photographers first and main light source is the sun and despite its giant size, to us on earth its size is really small. Small undiffused light (even and especially if it’s the sun) cast harsh shadows on the the face and makes for a very unappealing look. Not to mention that the suns brightness usually makes us squint, which is also not a great look.
What makes cloudy days better is that the clouds act as a natural diffuser for the sun, spreading the light, making the shadows on your face less harsh. You also won’t squint as much because the sun is being blocked by clouds. Theres probably some science stuff involved but I’ll include a picture to illustrate my point (photo incoming… one day).
8.) Changing clothes
Absolutely nothing wrong with changing clothes during a shoot (I’ve never been on one where it hasn’t happened), just be aware of two things.
First, not all places are as accommodating to people on photoshoots as others. For one reason or the other, public bathrooms (an easy “go-to” place to change clothes) like the one at Centennial Gardens or the one in Green Street Center are sometimes cut off from the public. You can always ask permission to use someones facilities or (in some cases) change in your car, but its something to keep in mind.
Lastly, its best to have one clothing change per shoot. Multiple changes have a tendency to eat up a lot of time that would other wise be used for shooting. And when I say clothing change, I’m not referring to a cap and gown because that takes a second to throw on. I’m referring to changing from jeans to a dress, to some overalls and back to another dress Other than that, go nuts.
9.) Editing
Sometimes… crap happens. You wake up one day and you skin doesn’t look its best. Its the reason why the good Lord invented Photoshop. Photoshop can do many a thing but the more I have to use it, the longer it’ll take for you to receive your pics. There are somethings that can’t be avoided like a skin break out or a person that wanders into the picture, and they need to be digitally erased (and I’m happy to do that for you). But digitally painting chipped nails or something like that extends the editing process and I want you to get your pictures to you as fast as possible.
10.) The Most Important Thing
OK. I lied. There is no last important thing. I just didn’t think it was cool to leave a countdown list at the number nine. Thats just weird. Also I like even numbers, I guess for the sake of closure, you can say that the most important thing is… love?
