Advise Desperatly Needed

[Southern Wolf]

I know this is a little OT... but there are some folks here that shoot people for a living.

I need some help.

I was just approached with a job proposal. This individual likes my nature photography and has requested that I do a model shoot for them. (its gonna be of kids - age group unknown at this time) I was kinda reluctant to accept because I dont normally shoot people. I feel I have an eye for nature not people. Instead of flat out saying no... I have gotten a compromise with her (she wants me to be the photographer, but I dont know if I have the skills).... I am supposed to do a test shoot with a model and then if my images are up to par then I will accept the offer. If not...then she will go with another photographer and she wont be dissappointed with my shots and have lost the shoot.

I feel this is the best move so we can both be happy. I really want this to go well as it will boost my photography business. But when it comes to shooting people... HELP!!!!

I need tips, tricks, and general help.

I will be shooting with a Nikon D80 and most likely a tamron 28/80 or Sigma 105macro depending on working room.

Other than that.... I dont know squat.

[gldiana]

Hi (I still don't know your name),

I have the feeling that we're all landscape photographers here, with the possible exception of Dalantech who shoots modeling bees on a regular basis. LOL
Actually Jim is the one who's started photographing people lately, so he might have some ideas.
My best advice is to spend a couple of house on your favorite search engine and search strings on the like of "children photography" -- actually, let me do just that...

I'm back... 1,910,000 results on Google. I'm sure not all useful but I recommend you visit websites that offer free lesson and tips (another useful search string "children photographing tips" , 941,000 results with the first page full of good ideas like Top 10 tips from Kodak).

Personal tips: bring a toy, like a teddy bear; if you shoot outdoors make sure you have reflective disks and don't be afraid to tell children to pose or make them play games, they love that.

[Bonish Photo]

Southern Wolf, here are a few tips I can offer from various shoots I've done in the past that had kids in them.

THe first and most important thing to do is get comfortable with the child or children before the shoot. Having a kid look scared in the photos is going to be your worst fear for ruining your images.



What we usually do is get there an hour or two before the shoot is going to start, and sit with the child in a casual manner. Tell the parent to have the child take a nap an hour or two before you get there, and when the child wakes up, maybe have a lunch ready where you can all sit around casually getting to know one another. I usually try and get to know the kid before hand like having a meeting with the child and the parents just to talk about location and what to expect.

Another thing is to have your camera out and in your hand the entire time that you're around the child. When I first started shooting people I didnt know this and pulling the camera out just before the shoot starts, usually freaks the kids out and tenses them up. They suddenly have this strange man pointing this big oject right in their face.

So have the camera in your hand the entire time, and what I do is usually shoot a few images, and show the child the results on the camera so they know what your doing. Having the child fully relaxed will get you the best shots possible. This is why I ask the parent to do the shoot in a location the child is very comfortable with, like their own backyard, or a playground where they know and like to be at.



Having the parnet behind you, along with a sibling or someone who can keep the child at ease will also help. If the child is still standoff-ish, try and take your first 20 to 50 shots with the child and the parent together, so the kids know nothing bad is going to happen.



Tell the parent to bring a few outfits and some props. Kids love props....hats, scarfs, sunglasses...etc. The more you can get the kid to act goofy, the more you can get more natural pictures.



Once the kid shows any kind of tiredness, the shoot is over.

I know I've gotten some of my best shots where I told the child and parent to just play naturally in the back yard, and I just followed them around shooting 100% candids. Every now and then I might ask the child to look my way, but 99% are just capturing the child being a child, and the parents have always loved the results.


This was a shot I did for a day care center. The rest of the kids were out playing and this little angel wouldnt have any of it. Like I said, some of the best images are the ones you cant pose.

I have a good firend who does this for a living, child photography specific, and she almost only shoots candids of the families playing in their own surroundings. Her work is amazing. www.sonyaprather.com and she makes very good moeny at it and has a waiting list of clients who want her work hung on their walls.

Kids are one of my favorite subjects, because they're just playing and acting natural, and that's what is so timeless about them!

[gldiana]

Pat,

I love all your photos, kids have a lot of energy and you did a great job at capturing it. The one of the baby out of the pot with a big smile is something every mom would love. Your suggestions are great and I got a lot out of them too. Thanks also for sharing Sonya's website.
I wish there were more photographers I could go out and playing with, the downside of Jackson Hole is that it has lots of pro photographers and a lot of snob who only care about themselves and their work.

[Southern Wolf]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have gotten a little more info.

The shoot is going to be indoors. I have an external Nikon SB600 flash that has wireless capabilities (sorta... I just ordered it, it will be here in 3 days). I might be able to rent some more professional type equipment if an absolute must.

As for action or static. Not sure at this time. This is gonna be for kids (female) between 16 and under. I THINK its gonna be a way to show some of the younger girls the modeling business. There is gonna be a runway but not sure if they are gonna set up a static stage for photos. I will prob be shooting as they are coming down the runway (a guess on my part).

I think the images themselves are gonna be for the kids/parents but I will be representing the agency and I want to do the absolute best I can. The agency will also be using the images... Im almost positive of this.

I believe this is gonna be an open house of sorts for the agency to try and recruit. (this is speculation on my part).

If I can land this gig... then I can get my foot in the door and maybe be one of the main photographers for the agency. Might be semi steady work.

I do know that one of the things that is making me nervous is the fact that I wanted to do a test shoot before accepting the job (that way if I dont have an eye for people then I havent screwed up the whole shoot)... and I will be photographing a model that has been there.... done that. AND I havent. I will be out of my element.

What questions should I ask?

[Tom B.]

Southern Wolf - Ask the agency just what type of modeling these girls will be doing? Are you shooting run way models as they walk the run-way? Are they print models where they will be posing (standing still) for catelogs or print ads? Will you be shooting head shots? This could make a differnence in the equipment you may need...

There is money to be made in the modeling world...especially if you can become one of the preferred photographers!

Good Luck...

Tom B.

[Southern Wolf]

Hi (I still don't know your name),

Sorry......

HI... Im Kevin **shakes hand** nice to meet you.

[Southern Wolf]

hey Pat, or anyone else.

Do you have a model release that I can use and reword to fit my needs?

[gldiana]

Nice to know you name Kevin... after 180+ posts lol

You can find model release samples all over the internet, here's one for you (adults and minors):
http://www.dpcorner.com/all_about/releases.shtml

[Bonish Photo]

Hey Kevin, I hae a adult model release I use, if you give me your email address, I'll email it to you.

I can send it to anyone who is interested, as I'm not sure how to post it to the forum. I guess I could just put it on my website and direct you to there, but it would probably be easier just to email you the word doc.

pat@everymilesamemory.com is my email address. Just shoot me an email and I'll forward it to you

[Southern Wolf]

Thanks guys for the model release and for all the help.

[Southern Wolf]

couple questions about model releases.

How do you keep track of which model release goes with which digital files?

And can the photographer sign as the witness?

Thanks for your help.

[gldiana]

If you look at the info for the photo you took it tells you the name of the file assigned by the camera (at least on Canon).
I'm not 100% sure but I don't think the photographer can sign as witness since he/she is the interested party, but then again, usually a witness is not strictly necessary.

[Bonish Photo]

One thing that is a great way to cover your butt, is to have the model sign the release, and then have he/she hold the release up and you take a picture.

If you ever want to use the images at a later date for Stock or what ever, you have good proof that the release is legit.

I think it would be better to have someone else sign as a witness, other than the photographer