Advice needed for possible commissioned shoot

michswissmichswiss Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,235 Major grins
edited October 25, 2009 in Street and Documentary
Hey guys, I need some advice. I've been asked if I'd be willing to photograph a seven-month pregnant woman and will be meeting pending parents tomorrow evening. The request came while I was at a friend's 40th birthday party. I was taking pictures at the party, more for a lark than anything else (someone else was taking the 'official' b-day pictures) and the husband approached me with the idea.

I've told them I shoot street and documentary style and that there's a professional photographer in Shanghai that specialises in Expat pregnancies (believe me, there's a market for it.) They already have a booking with her thank goodness, but they seem intrigued by my style even after looking at my online stuff :scratch

So, I have no lighting (left my SB-600 in Melbourne, darn it), no studio, no reflectors, none of that sort of stuff. I'm meeting them tomorrow evening for a discussion. I don't want to try to do any sort of formal portrait session. I don't have those skills. The only idea I've had so far is to to be their shadow over a normal weekend's activities and see what comes of it. Oh, and they are willing to pay but I've suggested we work that out once we see if the results are any good.

I'm posting in this formal as I think it's best to stick with the style that I'm comfortable with and I'd appreciate some advice from the documentarians here. To be honest, this makes me quite nervous.

Help!!!!

Comments

  • baldmountainbaldmountain Registered Users Posts: 192 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2009
    michswiss wrote:
    The only idea I've had so far is to to be their shadow over a normal weekend's activities and see what comes of it.

    I think that is the key. They are getting formal shots, but also would like something a bit more candid that captures the REAL experience of being an expectant mother rather than the idealized photos we see over and over from a formal portrait shoot.

    I took B.D's advice and I've been reading Susan Sontag's On Photography. On of the essays talks about the desensitization of images. A battle field image from WWI was horrific at the time, but today we'd find the image pedestrian because we've seen so many. Because we are exposed to so much imagery we require even more intense images to hold our interest...

    My guess is the couple has seen SO many expectant mother pictures, and they will get one because it is expected, but they want something a little different. They want you to provide something special and unique. Go take some Documentary and Street images...
    geoff
  • thoththoth Registered Users Posts: 1,085 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2009
    The important thing to remember is that they want to hire you for your style. If you're normally a shadow be a shadow with them. If you don't normally use lights don't use lights with them. I think the biggest mistake would be to attempt to reproduce maternity shots like everyone else does. It sounds like they've already got that covered.

    Good luck out there; it sounds like fun! thumb.gif
    Travis
  • bdcolenbdcolen Registered Users Posts: 3,804 Major grins
    edited October 19, 2009
    thoth wrote:
    The important thing to remember is that they want to hire you for your style. If you're normally a shadow be a shadow with them. If you don't normally use lights don't use lights with them. I think the biggest mistake would be to attempt to reproduce maternity shots like everyone else does. It sounds like they've already got that covered.

    Good luck out there; it sounds like fun! thumb.gif

    Excellent advice!
    bd@bdcolenphoto.com
    "He not busy being born is busy dying." Bob Dylan

    "The more ambiguous the photograph is, the better it is..." Leonard Freed
  • black mambablack mamba Registered Users Posts: 8,323 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2009
    My first impulse reaction was to tell you to run like hell from this deal....who needs the stress? Upon further reflection, my advice has changed.

    Responding to challenges is at the root of growth, not only as photographers but at the core level of human development and behavior as well. This could well be a seminal event in your life and one you don't want to miss.

    The folks have seen your works. They are impressed enough to want to further explore their options relative to your involvement. The best advice you have already received: carry forth your style and your instincts.

    But I don't blame you for being nervous. Good luck.

    Tom
    I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
  • adbsgicomadbsgicom Registered Users Posts: 3,615 Major grins
    edited October 20, 2009
    Good luck with it!!
    Can you rent a strobe, just to give you some flexibility and have them cover that cost as a bare minimum?
    - Andrew

    Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.
    My SmugMug Site
  • michswissmichswiss Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,235 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2009
    How to start. We had three hours together yesterday after a delayed start and not really to the plan that I'd had in mind of a day and around three locations. I stuck to my own style and ended up with something over 20 shots that aren't completely horrible. "Street"-style and in B&W.

    As is usual, it took me a little time to get into a groove with the camera and the light on the day. It also took them some time to realise I wasn't going to pose them and they'd need to begin to enjoy the day in it's own right. I'll be sharing them with the couple tomorrow after I get a little feedback from some voices I trust. My personal gut reaction is that they are nice shots, but nothing special.

    Here are two that don't identify the couple but give a sense of the day.
    690887476_xr3A4-L.jpg
    690884116_VEW6Q-L.jpg
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2009
    these 2 are great
    Good to see you went ahead.....now did any of your shots, these 2 are great but not maternity, show her as being preggers......hopefully you got her munching
    to her delight:D:D:D
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • tortillatorturetortillatorture Registered Users Posts: 194 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2009
    looking good!
    i really think, if these two shots represent the feel of the rest,
    that this is more than special enough.
    love the street-bw-style you got here ♥
  • adbsgicomadbsgicom Registered Users Posts: 3,615 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2009
    Two very nice images. I really love the second.
    - Andrew

    Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.
    My SmugMug Site
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