Fashion show opportunity - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/03/2009 02:57:25 PM · #1

I've been offered to shoot a fashion show. When I saw offered the opportunity, the director said i can shoot it for free in return for an ad in a upcoming magazine. Sounds like a good trade for something that i want to try out for the first time. Except that it has been anything but organized. I had to force the dates of the event out of the guy. Then he sent a group list an email asking them how many events and rehersals they will attend because that determines what size ad you will get in the magazine. Doesn't sound to bad, except he has no dates of any events or rehersals. When asked for the dates, I got no response. Then we got several group emails for an event which is this guys birthday party. WTF? Obviously I'm not interested in shooting red carpet for this guys birthday party for free.

So this whole event seems highly unorganized and like this guy is obviously trying to get free work out of photographers. But if it turns out to be an actual fashion show, I would want to have the backstage passes to shoot the models and being able to shoot them on the runway as well.

What do you guys think?

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

08/03/2009 03:57:22 PM · #2

Well, I shot my first one in July--utter chaos in terms of planning, even day of, when I was there. I think it is the nature of the beast.

My advice, such as it is, would be to take the opportunity, but with some cautions:

You might need to get in writing (either you write it or they do) what you will do, what you will deliver, what they will do, etc. For example, you will provide "documentary" quality, minimally processed web resolution jpeg images of the event, images selected at your discretion, etc. via posting on a website, cd etc. (that is to say: not print res, portfolio quality highly edited images of every model, for example).

You might want assurances that you will get to stake out a preferred couple of locations to shoot from, not open to others. Primo locations for the runway portion, and exclusive backstage access. Will you be able to bring studio strobes in, union gaffing support, or will you have to use speedlights only?

The event I attended had "okay" available light on stage if you have a fast fast lens. I was on a team, so some were dedicated to the show part (with strobes, speedlights), others were solely backstage, and I was out front shooting headshots in our studio's event booth, and occasionally going into the auditorium for some available light grab shots.

If you can scout the location, that will help (the "runway" at the event I was at was simply the stage--no actual runway, per se). Being there early helps--you can spot the "marks" where they will hit, stop, pose.

As long as you ensure you are not somehow contractually obligated to do something that will burden you, or be impossible to deliver under the circumstances, you can have a ton of fun, with little stress (as long as you can embrace the chaos :-)

I can now say I did one. I don't feel an urgent need to do another one, really. Unless it is the Victoria's Secret show, and Adrianna Lima is there!

Message edited by author 2009-08-03 15:58:42.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/03/2009 08:08:27 PM · #3

haha...chromey thanks for the advice. I'm more comfortable to hear that another one was utter chaos. I don't feel like this is as much as a scam. I did only promise five digital edited photos. I do need to figure out if I have full rights to the rest of the photos.

Lighting may be an issue because I don't have a super fast camera and don't really expect to bring lights (i only work with home depot work lights if i do use them). And my fastest lens is the 50mm 1.8. Maybe I should see if I can use the flash.

If you do that Victoria Secret runway...gimme a call, I'll be your second shooter. haha.

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/03/2009 08:21:09 PM · #4

You'd better rent yourself: 580EXII flash, 85mm f/1.2, and 24-70mm f/2.8. Adorama has reasonable rental prices. I have never been disappointed by their service. Using your XT (I had one) and the lens you have, you will get very noisy images and will not be able to stop motion. Even downsized to 1000 pixel images they are going to look week. If this is an event - learn from it and put the investment there too. 0.02 cents worth nothing in NJ, I know. You NJ guys only deal in brown bags and 1000s.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

08/03/2009 08:21:11 PM · #5

Is he Karl Owen?

08/03/2009 08:39:53 PM · #6

Originally posted by pineapple:

haha..I live in New Jersey, but I'm from the cheap part of California. I don't really have money to be renting equipment...especially after just buying a house. So you are saying my 430Ex isn't good enough?

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/03/2009 08:40:43 PM · #7

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:

Is he Karl Owen?

um..no not Karl Owen.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

08/03/2009 08:56:26 PM · #8

Originally posted by albc28:

Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
Is he Karl Owen?

um..no not Karl Owen.

Sounds like him.... not this guys is it
//nikolaipozdniakov.com/KarlOwen/KarlOwen/JPEG/DSC_3976.jpg

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/03/2009 09:03:57 PM · #9

I've yet to meet this guy. It's been all through email.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

08/03/2009 09:10:51 PM · #10

You're not paying any money to get access, right? No money changing hands?

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/03/2009 09:17:13 PM · #11

Originally posted by albc28:

I've yet to meet this guy. It's been all through email.

Well as you have guessed I have very similar experience. Since I was looking for exposure I jumped through hoops and even went to his birthday party with models. I did photograph a show for him later and it will soon be a year that I'm waiting for payment from him. So.. ask for money up front.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/03/2009 09:27:25 PM · #12

no money exchanging hands at all. Just five photos for ad in magazine. I'll be careful of that Nikolai...and if I see that guy I'm leaving. Still haven't determined whether or not I'm doing it though. My spidey senses is yelling scam for some reason.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

08/03/2009 09:49:42 PM · #13

yea--that whole birthday party thing seems way too similar....

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

08/04/2009 07:36:36 AM · #14

Nikolai...how long ago was it that you did this? nevermind...you said soon be a year....grr.

Message edited by author 2009-08-04 07:37:01.

david1707

Nikon D90

08/05/2009 04:34:08 AM · #15

I just shot an MMA fight. I made sure I had in the agreement that I would maintain copyright to the photos and also that I could use them for marketing and commercial purposes. I only gave them two years to use the photos for their own purposes.

During the fight I wore a t-shirt with my website on it. I've sold almost $100.00 worth of prints so far because of the t-shirt.

If you can use the event to market yourself I say go for it. Even the B-Day party could help you with marketing. Take alot of business cards, ham it up as the, or one of the, "official photographers".

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/05/2009 02:01:12 PM · #16

in situations like this, you have to work it out in your head what are the best case and worst case scenarios, as well as for how you plan on capitalizing on the experience. the bottom line, you're going to spend some time providing your skills and services, and you're not getting any money in return. unless contracted otherwise, you'll still own your photos and you can include them in your personal portfolio. so, beyond that, it's a matter of networking and seeing what other type of PAYING opportunities you can gin up. the key is, YOU have got to make the effort; just being there and taking the photos isn't going to make your phone start ringing off the hook (unless the word gets out that you can be had for free...)

so, go shoot, do a good job, get some good portfolio shots, and make lots of contacts, then follow up on the contacts.

and, if you do get an ad, well, that's probably gravy (cynical, yes, because anybody can promise anything...)

good luck!