One thing that remains the same is that the idea I start with isn't the one I end with. I’ve come to expect that and I do my best to go with it when a curveball is thrown. I planned this shoot several months ago with another model and then learned a few days before the shoot that the dates were confused by her and consequently she wasn’t able to make it. I turn to sites like ModelMayhem when things like this occur. I posted a modeling opportunity and very soon after that I met Steph. She came across as very funny and approachable from the initial response and she turned out to be a great choice for this shoot.
The team was small. Steph is the model, Numi on make-up. It deserves a shout out to Nicholas & Alejandro at Space 4 Shoots. They have always been very helpful during the shoot.
I like to start with some beauty shots. I find that it helps establish a rapport with the model and hopefully allows for some nice shots of the face in the meantime.
Next up was a shot based on a concept I saw from a Dior ad. I felt like going for something kind of dark and moody. We started with the inspiration and moved away from that idea throughout this setup.
As we worked a bit more with this general lighting setup, I wanted to try some product shots with Steph so we used a perfume bottle she brought to the shoot and here are a few of my favorites. Numi was very helpful as well with suggestions on holding the bottle. It's harder than you think to get something that conveys the right emotion without looking awkward.
Quick outfit change and a new lighting and background setup and I found myself to still be in a product mode so we had her show off a red purse and a black necklace.
For the last set, we dragged in a chair from the waiting room where there was a casting going on for a dance performance (random tidbit). I thought this layout arrangement below was fun with the legs closed and open. Lots of fun working with this team. I hope we can all work together again soon.
I don't normally post pictures of myself in the blog entries however, I thought this one was kind of funny because I look so serious however, this was taken during a lighting test by someone in the studio and he just happened to catch me at a time when I was probably focused on thinking through the next setup.
Until next time...