[UdubBadger]

Anyone shoot these regularly? I've gotten 3 emails from people in the last week asking me if I can do them. I figured I'd give it a shot so I said yes to 1 and told the others I'd get back to them in a week or so.

So any creative ideas/imput from anyone? She wants them outside, like in downtown Madison... I was thinking near the capital somewhere and maybe a few in the industrial part of town.

I also have NO idea how much to charge for this. She need 1 head shot and 4 full body shots using 4 different outfits so I think we're looking at like 50-80 shutter clicks or so and some editing time.

[scollins]

Hmmmm, always thought head shots and body shots were done primarily in a studio to really focus in on the person as opposed to the background/setting/etc. But I'm clearly no expert on them (nor an expert on anything photography related.....) What is her intended use?

Also, with the need for 1 head shot plus 4 body shots each featuring a different outfit, you will be spending the entire day on this shoot. This will be especially true if done outside (where does she change outfits?) The light will be constantly changing too as she changes outfits, adjusts hair and makeup, etc. Given all those conditions, personally, I'd highly suggest a studio session vs. an outdoor session.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by scollins

Hmmmm, always thought head shots and body shots were done primarily in a studio to really focus in on the person as opposed to the background/setting/etc. But I'm clearly no expert on them (nor an expert on anything photography related.....) What is her intended use?

Also, with the need for 1 head shot plus 4 body shots each featuring a different outfit, you will be spending the entire day on this shoot. This will be especially true if done outside (where does she change outfits?) The light will be constantly changing too as she changes outfits, adjusts hair and makeup, etc. Given all those conditions, personally, I'd highly suggest a studio session vs. an outdoor session.

I agree, she's saying 2hrs and I'm thinking these wardrobe changes better be quick. She played the broke college student card so I'm only gonna charge her $60 and do it for the learning experience. She apparently wants to get into acting so its just for her agent to pass around.

[UdubBadger]

as far as indoor/outdoor goes... Ive seen both and think the outdoor stuff is becoming a bit more popular these days. I don't have a studio so I can't do anything for that.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

yeah well she wants outside... I've seen a lot of head shots done outside these days (plus I don't have a studio to work out of). I agree, she's saying 2hrs and I'm thinking these wardrobe changes better be quick. She played the broke college student card so I'm only gonna charge her $60 and do it for the learning experience. She apparently wants to get into acting so its just for her agent to pass around.

If that is what the customer wants, that is what the customer gets! This of course can lead to , but what can you do?

2 hours?

Oh, and maybe the whole "broke college student" thing was meant to explore "alternate forms of payment".....


Good luck. Mind sharing some thoughts and insights afterward?

[UdubBadger]

what do you think I should try shooting with? I was thinkin the 50mm might do the trick.

I have:
16-35mm f/2.8L
50mm f/1.4
70-200 f/4L

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by scollins

If that is what the customer wants, that is what the customer gets! This of course can lead to , but what can you do?

2 hours?

Oh, and maybe the whole "broke college student" thing was meant to explore "alternate forms of payment".....


Good luck. Mind sharing some thoughts and insights afterward?

hahaha ya know I thought about that and then googled her name, shes a student athlete here... so I got excited till I saw her photo, shes on crew and looks like a paddle hit her in the face.
naw she wasn't too bad just not someone I'd rather have that kind of payment from. $60 is fine. I will share for sure... supposed to do it on Tuesday.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

as far as indoor/outdoor goes... Ive seen both and think the outdoor stuff is becoming a bit more popular these days. I don't have a studio so I can't do anything for that.

Good examples. I see catch light in all of them though (and some Rembrandt lighting too I think), so I'm guessing the lighting setup was at least one strobe, probably more like 2 or more.

[UdubBadger]

yeah, well its too bad all she's getting is my 430exII and a soft box

[rodi]

Originally Posted by scollins

Good examples. I see catch light in all of them though (and some Rembrandt lighting too I think), so I'm guessing the lighting setup was at least one strobe, probably more like 2 or more.

those are all natural light except the first one.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

what do you think I should try shooting with? I was thinkin the 50mm might do the trick.

I have:
16-35mm f/2.8L
50mm f/1.4
70-200 f/4L

You shoot a crop body, right? The 50mm is probably the one to use then. Nearly duplicates an 85mm portrait lens.

Originally Posted by rodi

those are all natural light except the first one.

Really? Wow, I could have sworn they used artificial lighting. What clues give it away (that I clearly missed or misinterpreted....)

[UdubBadger]

Rodi you shoot a lot of these?

[Vudoo4u2]

85 1.2!

(just rented it)

[UdubBadger]

yeah but I'm on a crop body... it'd be more of a 136mm and in that case I'll just use the 70-200.

And no I'm not gonna rent a lens that will cost me $60 which is all of what I'm making on this shoot anyway.

[BMW F22]

Not sure if it's necessary but perhaps have a little agreement/contract? I've never done it for money so I don't know exactly how it works but for weddings it's pretty required. Perhaps it also applies here?

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

Not sure if it's necessary but perhaps have a little agreement/contract? I've never done it for money so I don't know exactly how it works but for weddings it's pretty required. Perhaps it also applies here?

shes not getting the CD with images till I get my $60!

I doubt shes gonna stiff me...

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

shes not getting the CD with images till I get my $60!

I doubt shes gonna stiff me...

What if she's not happy with the images? Or what if you use her picture on your site or in your profile. Again, I don't know if it's necessary. I'm just merely bringing it up.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by BMW E90

What if she's not happy with the images? Or what if you use her picture on your site or in your profile. Again, I don't know if it's necessary. I'm just merely bringing it up.

yeah I think it'll be fine, I don't have a site nor do I plan to promote my photography seriously anytime soon... I'll take my chances. She doesn't like um, she can bitch and whine all she wants cuz I posted on craigslist I was a student photographer... you pay for what you get and she's not really paying much since most photogs I saw while researching today charge $125 for 1 head shot. I'm giving her 5 for $60. I intend on doing a good job but if she doesn't like them then whatever... she saw my work on flickr, she heard the price, she should have known what to expect.

[Chewy734]

Seth, $60 doesn't seem like much for a 2 hour photoshoot, imo... but then again I'm an amateur photographer so what do I know.

Now... if she's hot and she's changing in front of you during the shoot, then that changes the ball game

[ichiban]

use the 50 most of the time for portrait like that. And add in the 70-200 in some of the body shots for a nice compression, i'm not sure about the f4, so it might not give as much creamy bokeh as the 2.8.

[rodi]

Originally Posted by scollins

Really? Wow, I could have sworn they used artificial lighting. What clues give it away (that I clearly missed or misinterpreted....)

#1 - obvious studio shot with lights

#2 - look at the light fall off on the background - it matches the face: that's a big long wall of a window. catch lights confirm. that natural light spill, it wraps smoothly and even.

#3 - i doubt they had a big enough softbox to light that scene so evenly and so soft. if you want to go off the catchlights, you'd think lightsource is coming from the right of frame, but it's not (no harsh light from that side on him). it's coming from above, the front and the flanks. they're outside somewhere on a cloudy day on a sidewalk or something.

#4 - in an alley or something obviously, close to the edge of a building @ the street (light fall off is smooth and gradual).

but more importantly- in all 3 of these, the depth of field is thin - they shot close to wide open and, inherently, a fast shutter. if they were balancing their lights (if they were to use them) with the sun/natural light, they would need a camera that could sync at high-speed (1/1,000+). and well, it looks like those client couldn't afford that type of budget (i.e.: Leica S2 $30k+ lenses and equipment). ;]
in order to sync and balance the sun on a budget, your 1/250th and needs an f/16 - and that means big powerful lights and huge depth of field.


phew.

[rodi]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

Rodi you shoot a lot of these?

these are standard "agency-requested headshots and body shots."
i try to stay away. i only did them once, and that was for a friend.
i'd rather produce something that they could "use" for such purpose.