I have my first portrait shooting tomorrow!!!!!!!

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/22/2006 08:24:08 AM · #1

I didn't think the people were actually going to call back since it had been a month but they called last night. It's a 15yo who's getting started in modeling- he's been taking drama and acting classes for the past couple of years and needs the modeling part to move on I guess.

I'm kind of nervous as this will be the first shooting I've done. Going to be doing it around 6pm- only time that really worked for them which will actually work out great for where I'll be shooting him at. Going to use eschelars advice and use my car shade as a reflector. His mom will be coming along since he is a minor so I'll put her to work.

I had advertised a while ago looking for a couple teens to use for me own portfolio use so I'd have someone other then my 5yo daughter in it. Basically doing the shooting free of charge and anything beyond proofs they will have to purchase. I already have an idea of what price range their looking for because the mom wasn't happy about paying 80 dollars for 3 8x10's from one of the teachers at the school.
I think I'm going to put a package together for them if they choose to by that consists of an 8x10, two 5x7's, 4 3.5x5's, and 16 wallets for 70. And extra sheets will be 10 dollars. Still comes out cheaper then what they've paid in the past and I'll still make a little money. Not looking to make a lot with it anyways so we'll see how it goes!

smilebig4me1x

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/22/2006 08:31:22 AM · #2

congrats on getting the shoot! The car reflector works wonderfully(thats all i have). Something Ive learned since i started shooting my aspiring model is that most modeling companys weve contacted want 8x10 or 5x7 prints only or they want the shots emailed to them. something to keep in mind for the mother if the modeling is the only reason for the shoot. good luck...be sure to let us know how it goes!

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

05/22/2006 08:35:33 AM · #3

Time for Prints is a way for "models" to get shots for their books and photographers to get photos for their books, and practice in shooting.
Its up to you and your "model" how many 8 x 10s or 5 x 7s you would give for the amount of time he models for you.

here is another thread of it How do you find models (NOT family / friends)?

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/22/2006 08:36:46 AM · #4

Thanks for that tip. I believe that's all they want the shoot for, is for his own modeling portfolio. I am giving them the proofs- watermarked and I have a modeling contract made up ect.

And I really hope my 512mb CF card is enough for tomorrow because I don't have another memory card and don't have the money to get one before next week either lol. Usually when I take pictures of my daughter I'll have to keep going back and deleting because she'll move, or not do what I want her to. SO I'm thinking since this kid is 15 and easy going I won't need to worry about running out of space. I could shoot in jpeg instead of RAW but can't do as much with it editing wise. And amazingly enough even though I only have psp8 that does not support RAW, I can still tell a difference when editing.

So not sure if I should shoot in JPEG or RAW. I think I better stick with RAW.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

05/22/2006 08:52:57 AM · #5

#1 Stick with RAW. If you mess something up, you don't want that mud on your face. It will be embarrassing in a major way... I took a few hundred shots down at the skate park at night the other day, and it turned out that I messed the vast majority up completely because I forgot to reset my LCD to middle and accidentally corrected for what I thought was "the stupid camera overexposing everything"...

*SMACKS FOREHEAD*

#2 TRY to get a bigger card... Unless you are really confident, you might find that 512 cramps you and makes you think twice about pushing that trigger. This might happen towards the end of the shoot when both of you are getting a feel for things and starting to work together better. Missed shots suck. I don't know your budget or your local pricing, but around here, you can get a 1GB for like 30 bucks US and a 4GB for like 100. Decent speed too.

#3 I would suggest sticking with the larger sized prints. I don't think it sounds like they will be wanting wallet sized prints for portfolio shots... If they were already quoted a certain price for 3 8x10's, I would get a price on 3 8x10's as that is probably what she asked the other photog for. Otherwise, 2 8x10's and 2 5x7's (?) I might even consider just passing them the CD if the intent of the shoot was to do it for free. That's just me though. I like things uncomplicated and I'm a softy.

operalynn

Nikon D50

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

05/22/2006 09:21:53 AM · #6

I just wanted to double what a couple of other posters said. Having been in the performing field (and ALWAYS looking for good head shots) they won't have much need for any small prints. Learning to take great head shots and getting your name out to colleges and the like can be an amazing way to make money. It's a skill so difficult to find that many of my friends and colleagues here simply bought a plane ticket and headed to NYC for professional looking shots. Yes, I know I'm in Nebraska (although you'd be surprised at the number of close friends I have making a living performing and several who are at the top- at the Met and on Broadway) but we have Omaha only 30 minutes away, Kansas City 2 hours away, Chicago and Denver both an 8 hour drive, and they STILL packed up and went to NYC. Trust me, could they have found someone closer they would have stayed for the pix. We never needed anything other than 8x10's. Don't know about west coast performing stuff-- Good Luck!!

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/22/2006 11:32:02 AM · #7

Oh I'm not on the west coast right now- we're in VA.

I can't buy another memory card right now- not even possible till the first of next month.

All I've had to work with up until this point is my 5yo daughter so I don't have any experience dealing with models. They called me as my name was passed on to them from someone at our church. I had put something in the newsletter there. In that I said I was offering free proofs, and no sitting fee. So basically anything above that - if they want prints, cd, ect I should charge them for right? I'm going to print out the original offer and have them sign it- to cover myself so they can't say "but you said free......."

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/22/2006 11:35:04 AM · #8

I suggest looking through some books/magazines/websites, etc to get some ideas of poses you want to try. Having those ideas already in mind will REALLY help you to be composed and have a plan when shooting time starts.

One of my favorite places to get inspired is Nordstrom.com They use some really really good shooters for their website and catalogs.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/22/2006 01:05:10 PM · #9

Originally posted by idnic:

Been doing just that today. I know he needs headshots, but I need some actual portraits for myself so I'm researching both. Will check out Nordstroms too.

One question, for the headshots I really don't need THAT much in the background if anything so if I shoot with the sky in the background or a plain cream colored door, brick wall, ect things along those lines, those shoud be good right? Portraits I already have several ideas and have scoped out the location.

Basically the location has many areas to shoot and it's all in one area, no driving, just park and walk to what we need which isn't far at all.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/22/2006 01:06:50 PM · #10

Just remember to keep the backgrounds SIMPLE. The less distraction, the better for head shots! Oh, and relax... you'll do fine! :)

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/22/2006 01:24:14 PM · #11

I think your Oly is 4:3 ratio but even so; If you are not used to printing 8x10, careful to leave enough cropping space (more important on a 3:2 camera like mine).

The first time I tried to actually print an 8x10, I had real issues because I was taking pictures by framming via the 3:2 ratio on the viewfinder and didn't think past my nose :-).