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04/21/2009 03:20:09 AM · #1 |
Yeah, it's me again, asking for help from the folks who know what they're doing (the rest of you can feel free to chime in as well though).
On Thursday, I am doing portraits at my son's school. They are having a tea party (not the tax kind) for Seniors and their Moms. Here are the basic parameters:
- There will be about 30 pairs of student/moms.
- The timeframe is very tight. Maybe have 2 hours of shooting time (the duration of the tea)
- I have a background stand and some mediocre muslin backdrops. Am going to find out tomorrow what the setting and lighting will be like.
- I have a couple el-cheapo soft boxes and an umbrella strobe. Also a 580ex with off camera cord if needed.
- It is a volunteer situation. I am fulfilling my required hours at the school and am not making any money from it.
- I will be editing the images at least a little (a Godzilla here, some flames there, etc. *kidding*) and then delivering a CD with all the finished images to the school and they are just going to get some 5x7 prints made and give them away. Of course, if I end up with a good one or two, I may use them for my portfolio (if I ever make one).
So--- I am just looking for tips and suggestions, mainly on the following:
- How to set the lighting up?
- Recommended Poses?
- Props?
- Best backdrop to use (if I can only use one)?
- Any other tips?
Again, these are male and female high school seniors with their moms at a fairly informal event. If you have anything in your portfolio like this, post it up and I will be externally grateful. :D
-Ken |
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04/21/2009 08:09:36 AM · #2 |
| Bump for Ken. I'd offer advice but I'm clueless on these subjects. |
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04/21/2009 08:28:23 AM · #3 |
Was wondering if there was somewhere outside you could shoot for the 'natural' b/g? I'm not much use for advice on shooting people sorry.
psst .... they'd probably love the godzilla and flames shots. If you take a couple of 'samples' along and show the moms & seniors just before you shoot you'll probably get some wonderful smiles outta them. |
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04/21/2009 08:45:05 AM · #4 |
A box of props might work well. I recall a few months back, someone posted some seniors portraits they did for a yearbook, and two things stood out to me that made them different and fun:
-The were cropped very wide, a panoramic crop used for portraits. It worked.
-All the kids were cutting up in the pics, often with something extra in the shot. Either the photographer had a box of props, or the students had brought something of their own that showed their personality.
I know I would go for something like that, including Godzilla.
BTW, if anyone recalls who did these unique portraits, please let me know who it was.
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04/21/2009 09:05:42 AM · #5 |
I would suggest a chair/stool or kneeler. Maybe pose them with mom sitting, student behind and slightly to the side of (or reversed). For efficiency, I'd pose them mostly the same. That way as the other people watch, they know what's expected of them.
For something a little different, get a small round table with a tablecloth, and dress it up for a teaparty. Have mom and student pose with their setting, maybe doing a tea toast. |
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04/21/2009 09:25:02 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Yeah, it's me again, asking for help from the folks who know what they're doing (the rest of you can feel free to chime in as well though).
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i am the one who never know what he is doing. I have always been told - look what you have done.
anyway best of luck, i got to find out what not to do next time. :-D |
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04/21/2009 09:41:36 AM · #7 |
Hi Ken,
Not that I have any expertise in this subject at all ... I did do some searches on the site and came up with a few things that made me think they might work for you. Two shots that I saw while poking around:  (I really liked the different angle on this one, from the feet up)  (and the extreme close up here). And I also saw a bunch of shots with different textures for the background (like corrugated cardboard, etc) and hats and umbrellas etc.
Hope everything goes well.
I also searched the site for mother daughter and mother son.
Message edited by author 2009-04-21 09:42:59. |
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04/21/2009 06:23:09 PM · #8 |
| Great tips - all. Much appreciated. Shooting outside is something I hadn't thought of. Weather's been great, but who knows what's in store Thursday. Any more sample shots/poses are welcome - thanks! |
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04/22/2009 01:10:22 AM · #9 |
| This sort of thing would be great if you could Image of mother and adult son at Crestock |
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