8 hour shoot

Whew last week I had an eight hour shoot. My whole team was worn out. I really don't want to do that again. Here is the break down:

1:00 Pm start initial hair/makeup and wardrobe.
3:53 pm First image get into the camera. Sheesh too long for hair, makeup and wardrobe. But we nailed the image perfectly. Red Jumper Radio and Robe Set.
4:13 PM hair, makeup and wardrobe.
4:41 PM Next set started. Bring in the animal wrangler. Can Can Dress.
5:10 PM hair, makeup and wardrobe next set.
5:49 PM Next set. Bullet bra and Garter pinup set.
6:48 PM Back to hair, makeup and wardrobe.
7:07 PM Next set. Hair ribbons and pink jumper. Nailed it again.
7:18 PM Back to hair, makeup and wardrobe.
7:57 Pm Clara bow Set. Man this one was perfection.
8:40 PM Last image in the can.
9:30 PM Britt and I finish cleaning up studio and we end the day.

Just writing about this wears me out again. 8 hours or so in post to finalize the images and clean dust from the images.

Critques, Karma and Learning

I never thought that I would learn from giving a constructive critique to others. On one of the modeling web sites I decided to give out "cookies" and Critiques of the first 8 images in a portfolio. I have garnered a rather large following and a modest fan base just from Critiques.

1. First of all I don't lie if I think something is wrong with and image I tell the model/ photographer/stylist asking for the Critique.
2. Second I find something positive about an image they did and encourage that pose, connection or expression.
3. Third I give them a cookie. All different types but a cookie nonetheless.
4. Fourth I try to tell them what the next level is for them. Some need a better photographer, some need posing, some need help with crops, some really don't need help at all but I find something to keep them going.
5. Fifth I find an image that is over and above the rest and I post it in the Forum so everyone can see what I do.

I have learned quite a bit from this. some take criticism well some don't. I don't back off of my decisions and I can justify everything I said. I have also learned where my images need to take me. Where my next level is and that is priceless. Karma at work here.

The Pinup Train is Rolling

As is the nature of things, the better you become at something the more people want to shoot with you. This is both good and bad as it can bring out the crazies. (as per the previous post) More often than not it brings you a wonderful group of models that want to collaborate and create great art.

I was contacted by another model yesterday referred by the beautiful Bella Blue, I read her bio on MM. She has a note that says she requires a contract to work with and works with an escort. I send off a professional missive that basically outlines how we work and our process. I also nicely tell her she can bring her friend Bella to the shoot(we all loved her). I have also updated my portfolio so that she knows what our expectations are and how my team works.

Yea! I get a really nice message back explaining that she understands and that was in her profile to ward off bad photographers and GWC's (Guy With Camera) She is fully on board and can't wait to work with our team. I am so glad to hear the voice of reason and not only that but trust, the other incident just left me with such a bad taste in my mouth.

Trust, Trust, Trust

I cannot tell you how important it is to have a model who trusts your team and you as a photographer to take great pictures. If you do not have that connection, the images are just not going to be at the next level.

Model C and TF*

I received four of emails from a particular model over the period of a few weeks. Lets just call her Model C (Crazy). Model C wants to work on our pinup project and tells me how good she would be and how much experience that she has. Great, I said and introduce her to my wardrobe and hair stylist via email and she sets up an appointment for a fitting.

Then I get this email:

Dear Michael, I'm not sure what the offer was, but I'm asking you now. Is it trade for CD? I need to build my new port and that's great for me, but I have to ask you if you would have a problem signing a contract between you and I for OUR own protection stating that you will provide me the CD or Prints and not exploit me in anyway objectionable to the model and vice versa. I'd appreciate it if you signed it , it makes me feel better of the situation because I am a *** and I really need to be aware of where my work goes. You can use my photos to promote yourself as I will use them to promote myself , but not to sell without my permission. Since I am my own agent, I have to protect myself and because of previous photographers I've worked with that have verbally promised me photos or used my photo to make money without including me. I have to do this.. I hope this is of no problem to you. Thank you, Model C

WTF? Our protection. WTF? So in deciphering this email (and subsequent others) I take it that she wants a contract with me:

1. To get all of the pictures processed or not.
   
2. That she wants final approval of all images so we don't "exploit" her.
3. She also wants 50% of any and all profits that are made on the images.
   
4. She does not trust me to give her the images. (because she didn't check references of any of the GWC photographers that she worked with).
   

My first impression is to kick her to the curb. I forward this email to my team and their first impression is to launch her too, My wardrobe stylist says she won't touch her with a ten foot pole. I try to be professional so I reply and address her concerns. Explain the terms, tell her the situation regarding profits, copyright and getting her approval is not acceptable to me. I also tell her that the bottom line is that she has a trust issue and that worries me more than anything else.

Next email Model C tells me she won't do nudes and Playboy and Maxim already tried to get her to do nudes. She goes on about how good she is and how we won't be able to use her on the cover.

WTF? I never said anything about nudes, I said vintage lingerie, which reveals less than her current bikini pics. I send her reply(and mine) to my team and now they are seething. I get a text that says NEXT. I get on the phone and tell my team we all agree we done with her and we move on to find another willing model without reservations.

Needless to say, we won't be shooting with this young lady. So the moral of this story is to not demand too much from a shoot when there is obviously a high degree of professionalism and a team of people willing to make you beautiful and dress you in vintage clothing to take some really great vintage pinup pictures that would improve all of our portfolios, plus you might even be in a book. Significant opportunity blown on her part.

More Pinups

Again my team rocked the pinup look! Our model this time was Marielle NolaChick. Marielle is a relatively new model but she knew the genre and what we were trying to accomplish with our images. I really like the pinup work that we are doing, it is a huge favorite with the models. My styling team and I are working on some book ideas. We shall see how that works out.


We are contacting Burlesque Dancers in the area to help us with our pinup project.