Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

ragnarawk · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 247 Location: Toronto

Okay, I was wondering about this when you all so graciously answered my questions about the model release. So, say you've found a suitable model for your purposes and he/she is willing to pose:
First of all, what is suitable compensation for their time?
Second, how do you go about the shoot in general? I mean, do you just get right to it, or is it better to just chat for a bit and get comfortable with each other first? And how long does the shoot take? Also, should I get the release signed up front, or wait 'til the end?
Third, have all your sessions, those of you who've done them, turned out perfect? I'm just wondering what kind of mistakes I can expect to make, and what kind of mistakes the model will be able to live with...

Sorry for all the questions, but you're all so helpful. :D

fncdigital · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:06 am

http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=854

That should cover your questions.

JTeffects · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 294

I posted in the form that fnc links to, but to awnser your other questions.....

Compensation can be money or images, sometimes travel as well if they are comeing a long distance (gas, possibly hotel, tolls). The exact terms can be discussed with your model. nudes useually want money, and in general follow higher standers because of the nudity involved. I only do TFCD (Time For Compact Disk, or they recive images from the shoot on a CD; i give all raw and all edited, full sized; other photogs have diffrent standards, make it clear what the exchange is before the shoot). Monetary compenstation can range from $10/hr to $200/hr (or more) depending on your skill vs the models skill, travel, use, and type of shoot. I did a shoot with a hobbiest photog in Jan (he only shoots for fun) for $40 for a couple of hours plus travel (this was low, but I am nice). I had to charge him because his work is not up to the standard I have in my modeling portfolios. That same week I did another shoot as a TFCD with a photog that was local (although I woulda traveled for free), because he does excellent work and has been a pro for many years. I am still useing his images in my ports. TFCD is useually the standard for model/photogs of comparable skill.

Going about the shoot. Everyone has thier own method. Useually the model wants to set up, make sure hair and makeup are perfect etc so directing them to the bathroom/changing area is a good idea first off. Some photogs will have a seprate meeting somewhere days, or weeks before the shoot to discuss ideas and get to know each other. most dont. After the model is ready most shoots go from there. but if you want to sit around and talk first to feel more comfortable that is fine too. its all up to you and the model. sometimes models are a little uneasy at first, especilly if it is a nude shoot.

how long it takes is up to you and the model. sometimes the model is only avalible for 2 hours, sometimes you can shoot all day. I had a shoot end due to running out of sunlight, another because the models allergies were acting up (I have cats, we still got over 600 pics). It all depends on what the two of you want to accomplish. if the shoot is a long one its good to let the model take breaks, modeling is tireing and its a LOT harder then it looks.

you can get the release signed first or after. prolly a better idea to get it before so you dont forget, especilly if the content of the shoot is mature (nude, sexy, etc) then you can check your models id as well.

not every image will ever be perfect. I have heard of photographers looseing whole sets due to computer crashes, forgetting to put a card or film in the camera, lights not going off, etc. Most models are happy if you give them at least 20 images or so. even if the image isnt that great techncially (bad lighting, etc) it can help the model to see what they did right as far as poses, makeup, etc go. That is why I give ALL the raw unedited images to the models. Some photogs dont because they dont want a less then perfect image floating around, but most of the time the models will only use the good edited ones in thier ports anyway. If the shoot turned out really bad, and the model is local, you can always reshoot. Also find amature models, or friends, to practice on. Newbie models are learning too and just the expeirnce is good for both of you, wheather you get anything useable or not.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me since I have been terribly busy recently and not able to check the forums much.....

Remyrw · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 171 Location: Slidell, LA

I don't have any people pics here but i've done lots of studio portraits over the years because it's one of my favorite styles of work. I find that about 1/5 of the images are worth more than a glance or two, maybe 1/2 have actual problems such as eyes closed, model started to move just as you snapped, exposure changed slightly and blew out something or put something into deep shadow that wasn't supposed to be... That can be really minor, just that 1/2 are images that while ok still have technical flaws. I am less picky digital than I am with film particularly since a lot of my film work is with transparencies with they're really tight exposure latitude and contrast.

So maybe out of a hundred images you get 10-20 that are worth making all perfect in photoshop and uploading. You might get more with a good lighting setup and model, heck, depending on the type of shoot you could get 50% or more, though I shoot two or three frames of each "shot" so by default roughly 2/3 of my images are extra (I include them when figuring the 1/2 since the reason for the extra shots is those little details that change). Look at images by PhotoEuphoria, Jaimie has a really good style with models and probably has a really high percentage of good images because of the way it's set up. Neutral even lighting is much more forgiving and leaves the actual pose itself as the primary issue rather than the exact lighting. I definitely plan to work with a very similar feel when I get back to studio type people shots for stock, my own style is great but not nearly as marketable and is much lower volume, a couple hour shoot might get me 5 decent pics with one or two really good ones, out of 50-100 exposures (on film, haven't done that type of shooting digital yet)

ragnarawk · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 247 Location: Toronto

Wow. Thanks a lot guys. I'm sorry for having duplicated questions already asked, but am grateful for your patience and for your suggestions and advice. I'm certainly not ready to do modelled shots seriously, but this has certainly helped.

One thing I wonder about is lighting. Is it alright to go with as much natural light as possible? I mean, I don't have the money to get a ton of lighting equipment, and don't expect my photography "career" to ever demand I make that type of investment. That said, are outdoor sessions a little easier to manage regarding lighting?

fncdigital · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:34 pm

Remyrw · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 171 Location: Slidell, LA

I agree with FNC, though I hate using it for people shots other than the popular window light or kids playing outside stuff. I just did a whole series of pictures with window light and a reflector, just gotta do the post processing and upload them. Natural light's free, generally abundant, usually fairly neutral in color (at least in terms of digital cameras and white balance) and easy to use. I suggest a reflector or two to help even it out though, sunlight is pretty hard and while overcast day's are nice and soft light that isn't always what you get. Of course, a reflector can be a piece of white posterboard or foamcore so it's hardly a big investment. I use a two sided "pro" type reflector that collapses but just as often I am using my white foamcore that doubles as a white background/base for small objects. :)

fncdigital · Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:52 pm

ragnarawk · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 247 Location: Toronto

Hahah... Wicked. How big would it have to be? I have something that's about 3'x4', which I could easily paint white (is white best, or should I go metallic or something?).

JTeffects · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 294

I have strobes, and I like having them to work inside (there are too many trees around my house for natural light to work). And I have to stay inside a lot because it gets Waaaaaayyyyy to cold to shoot outside in the winter (I have ashma and the cold will trigger it, confines me to the house in this frozen wasteland they call NY). Anyway though, natural light can be nice, its free, its avalible most days, and the standard for portraits right now is natural settings, not solid backgrounds and studio sets (some of us still do it a lot though, but especilly for actor/ess headshots natrual settings are preferred). So your model wont be upset either, and it means if you shoot models outside you dont have to rent a studio or sacrifice part of your house to it...........