Glam/Fashion photography provides one a great opportunity to push the creative envelope, BUT there's a catch: Product. Oh, and another catch: Intended use. The trick is to showcase the product (scene is secondary--usually) such that the deliverable (photograph) meets the marketing requirements of the client. Easy, right? Shhh-ure!
So, the client: Steven Barrett Salon. Event: Summer Look (hair by SBS--whom I would recommend highly...the ladies always look FABULOUS) and Fashion (Clothing from Barney's Co-op). Deliverable: "...something bright and simple that can accommodate text overlays".
Nothing too difficult. It is mid-june, the weather in Seattle (at the time) was GEORGEOUS. And, I had scouted a roof-top location that would allow for some great summer skies, with a little city-scape to add some feel (was going to be bright, playfully simple, and appropriate for all sorts of marketing shenanigans)! Beautiful, right? WRONG! ...did you miss the part about mid-June and Seattle...outside location...Seattle...(see where this is going???).... Rain. F-ing Rain.
Plan B:
Set up a seamless-backdrop in the parking garage. Add three profoto 7B heads, 2 battery packs, strip light and 3X4 softbox on one powerpack (the head with the strip light has a powercord extension to loose an extra 1/2 stop, thus a full stop below the soft box), and a "dynamically placed" beauty dish on the second power pack (1 stop above). (for those that want the tech details).
Fire off a couple test-shots...and, "SEND out the models": Out comes the first model, stunningly beautiful, and TALL (wearing 3+ inch heels). WHOA.....WAIT..."Houston we've got a problem..."---those heels make her taller that me --I measure 6'3", and...I had everything set for a subject 5'9" to 5'11ish.
So, "Raise the light light stands", you say.
...hang onto that snarkiness...and rewind to the parking garage scene...notice the setup---one spot, with a vehicle. Can you guess the "issue"??? No??? (I couldn't get 6'3"+, head-to-toe, in-frame.)
(...not that it was not a HUGE deal...just a word of warning to get the height range of your models, if you are "space restricted"...normally, not an issue....but then you get thrown a curveball, and it will save you from having to call in the makeup artist for a quick touch-up and powder to cover a sheen...which you haven't even shot yet. ;0 )
Needless to say, the shoot continued...we had 5 beautiful ladies, (from TCM),
5 wardrobe changes,
and we ended with evening wear.
All-in-all, despite the hiccups, the shoot was a success: the client was happy with the end-product...and the models had fun throughout...despite a hiccup or two (three really, but I AIN'T sharin' the last one).
Stay tuned!
