Photo shoots always look glamorous on television and in the movies. Beautiful models, bright lights and a talented photographer clicking away behind the lens are the images most of us have come to associate with a professional photo shoot. However, a lot of planning goes into these shoots, and a good photographer knows that taking the pictures is the easy part. Whether you're shooting a book cover in a studio setting or an album cover in an open field, it's important to plan everything. Knowing the general steps necessary will help you to come across as professional to clients and will help you get great results that will enhance your portfolio.
Instructions
1. Meet with your client or subject before the shoot to decide on a location. The location can make or break a photo shoot. Do you want to do it outside? In someone's home? In a studio? Are you shooting to accompany a magazine feature? If so, it would be a good idea to request that the client bring a copy of the article to this meeting. This is also when arrangements for makeup and hair (if necessary) are finalized.
2. Arrive early to set up your lighting. Ideally, you will have been able to test out different lighting setups in advance. However, if the first time you are working with your lights on location is the day of the shoot, give yourself an hour or two to experiment and make mistakes. Even if your only light is the sun, you will need to figure out use diffusers or reflectors. If you have an assistant with you, ask him to stand in for the model. Remember, it's easier to troubleshoot on the front end than to try to fix problems later.
3. Set your exposure and white balance. This will happen after your model has arrived. Use a light meter if you have one, but if you don't, then your camera's built-in exposure meter should suffice. Every camera is different--make sure you understand the logistics of your particular model. If you're shooting with film, it's not a bad idea to use a small point-and-shoot camera for test shots. If you're shooting digitally, go ahead and use your DSLR to shoot as many shots as you need to get your exposure and balance right.
4. Start taking pictures. Make sure you have extra film and/or memory cards. Some digital cameras can be tethered directly to a laptop, which allows you to view the high-quality copies of the photos as soon as they are taken. If your client is present, you can show her the photos as they come in, and allow her to offer suggestions.
5. Once you have finished shooting, make sure that everything is turned off and (if you're not in your own studio) torn down. Lights can burn very hot, so it's a good idea to turn them off first before packing up your camera and lenses. Then, when they've had time to cool down, you can pack them away.
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