Let me ask you all this: I have some first birthday photo shoots coming up and I am so new to this. Do I need to bring all the props: smash cake, balloons, etc.? Do I choose the location or is it OK to let the client have some say? Do I find out what they are wearing to try to coordinate with the location? Silly questions, but I am just used to shooting with my kids with quick, spontaneous shoots that I am pretty clueless. Any other advice? Thanks a lot!
I would request the client bring the props as that way the props will be part of their lives and they will have a personal connection. Now having said that take some of your own just in case.
I suggest locations as I know what looks better in a photo than the client. They are paying me for this knowledge and experience. Now once again if they have a location which has a special meaning then I would work with that. In selecting location I try and line up the location with the personalities of the subject.
I will tell them what to wear. If you dont they will show up in the most hard to photograph clothing possible. You will have overweight people showing up in short sleeves and people dressed in black... People like to know what they should wear so give them your guidance. :)
I've just started shooting for people (currently not charging) iI normaly ask them
If they have a park nearby that they are familiar with, which has shady trees and a table or two which I can have them sit on to get portraits. I find if I use a park they are familiar with they are more relaxed and comfortable. I bring some props (ie bubbles rattles to get babies attention) but I also have the parents bring the kids fav toy as it adds meaning to the shot. If I was doing a cake smash (which I haven't done yet) I'd get the parents to bring the cake. I'm currently collecting a few bits and bobs to use as props (hats for babies balls cars teddy). Checkout yesterday's photo of mine if you want to see a shot from a family shoot I did yesterday :-)
Overweight people in short sleeves? Oh, the horror! Get real, they are pictures of real people. Control the location, but don't try to control what the people actually look like. Why would wearing black be a problem? I don't think I would want pictures where my loved ones weren't allowed to look like themselves. By all means, suggest that since the background of the shots will be green or blue or whatever, a contrasting color would be appropriate.
@dmariewms The reality is that no one likes the saggy underarm picture and I can guarantee that they are less likely to purchase the photo with such shots in them.
If you want to do happy snaps the they can wear what ever the hell they like however as a professional it is our job to get the best picture we can for a few reason. 1 is so the client is happy and proud to show of the images and 2 we are in the business to make money.
Its the same reason why you don't photograph overweight people straight on, or get them to look down, or have their arms close to their body, etc etc etc.
I assume you havn't taken too many photos of high contrast subject? i.e. person holding a black dog/car. White English man in black suit, etc etc....
Black is the hardest thing to photograph because it takes soo much light to bring out the details but when you do push a heap of light into the photo the person is blown out. The same is true for white clothes with dark subjects.
Now its not like you are asking them to dress in a clown suit or something they don't already own, because that would be ridiculous.
If you want them to be natural would you then not give them any guidance in how to stand/pose? Or would that not be their natural way of standing so it wouldn't look like themselves???
I haven't done any professional shoots but from what I've read, I would ask them what sorts of shots they would like to have and try to provide at least some of them.
@agima I Have to agree with you Brendan, I would not pay for a picture I look horrible in. I once had a photographer take a picture of me at my best friends wedding he was sitting on the fllor of the isle and shooting upward, we all looked terrible (saggy arms, wearing black dresses over exposed.) he gave no tips through the day except act natural. We all felt gross when the pictures arrived including the poor bride. Guidence is the way!
Congratulations! Second, the client brings the cake. I always have a few props with me too. Client coaching is always ok. Give suggestions on clothing, locations etc. Also, if you are going to post images on the Internet ask them to sign a model release
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I suggest locations as I know what looks better in a photo than the client. They are paying me for this knowledge and experience. Now once again if they have a location which has a special meaning then I would work with that. In selecting location I try and line up the location with the personalities of the subject.
I will tell them what to wear. If you dont they will show up in the most hard to photograph clothing possible. You will have overweight people showing up in short sleeves and people dressed in black... People like to know what they should wear so give them your guidance. :)
Hope that helps.
If they have a park nearby that they are familiar with, which has shady trees and a table or two which I can have them sit on to get portraits. I find if I use a park they are familiar with they are more relaxed and comfortable. I bring some props (ie bubbles rattles to get babies attention) but I also have the parents bring the kids fav toy as it adds meaning to the shot. If I was doing a cake smash (which I haven't done yet) I'd get the parents to bring the cake. I'm currently collecting a few bits and bobs to use as props (hats for babies balls cars teddy). Checkout yesterday's photo of mine if you want to see a shot from a family shoot I did yesterday :-)
Are you charging?
If you want to do happy snaps the they can wear what ever the hell they like however as a professional it is our job to get the best picture we can for a few reason. 1 is so the client is happy and proud to show of the images and 2 we are in the business to make money.
Its the same reason why you don't photograph overweight people straight on, or get them to look down, or have their arms close to their body, etc etc etc.
I assume you havn't taken too many photos of high contrast subject? i.e. person holding a black dog/car. White English man in black suit, etc etc....
Black is the hardest thing to photograph because it takes soo much light to bring out the details but when you do push a heap of light into the photo the person is blown out. The same is true for white clothes with dark subjects.
Now its not like you are asking them to dress in a clown suit or something they don't already own, because that would be ridiculous.
If you want them to be natural would you then not give them any guidance in how to stand/pose? Or would that not be their natural way of standing so it wouldn't look like themselves???