Cheerleading Creativity anyone?

ShannonHeat

Hi all,
I was just hired to do my town's cheerleading portraits all the way from the 5 year old pee-wee squad, up to high school. They are looking for something out of the norm for portraits. The parents complain that over the years it's been the same old thing. I'll be doing individuals as well as the entire squads. If anyone has any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated.
GO BULLDOGS!!!:clap

ShannonHeat

Anyone? I figured someone on this site would have a creative point of view....hmmmm.

wxwax

Shannon, one of our contributors who shoots sports in Boston once made a very nice post showing different ways to do sports group shots. She had some very creative ideas.

Now all I have to do is remember the details, so I can find the post for you!

wxwax

Hot dang! I found it!

Read Winger's post in this thread, she illustrates it with excellent examples. More importantly, she shows what's possible once you start thinking about it differently.

Maybe you can shoot Winger a PM, see if she'll post in this thread. She's good people and very talented.

ShannonHeat

Sid, thank you! I was beginning to think this was an untouchable thread. I really apreciate this!

wxwax wrote:

Hot dang! I found it!

Read Winger's post in this thread, she illustrates it with excellent examples. More importantly, she shows what's possible once you start thinking about it differently.

Maybe you can shoot Winger a PM, see if she'll post in this thread. She's good people and very talented.

wxwax

I know the feeling of a lonely thread. No worries, sometimes it takes a nudge to get the ball rolling.

ShannonHeat

You're pretty funny. Lonely threads are not cool, you got that right! You post, and ten minutes later expect to have something, and you get all excited, and open it up.....and.....BAM! Nothing! Yeah, bad sinking thread feeling....haha.

wxwax wrote:

I know the feeling of a lonely thread. No worries, sometimes it takes a nudge to get the ball rolling.

JESTER

Shannon,

In my experiences with Cheerleaders I have found that they are very creative and will usually set up a lot of their poses themselves for you. They like to try a little of everything. They are a blast to work with. Just tell them to get creative and see what works. I agree with wxwax on the Winger's thread. Those are some nice poses on that thread.

Dave J.

ShannonHeat

I totally agree, but I'm concerned about the 5 year olds, there's 20 of them on the squad....lol. Heelllllppppp.....haha

JESTER wrote:

Shannon,

In my experiences with Cheerleaders I have found that they are very creative and will usually set up a lot of their poses themselves for you. They like to try a little of everything. They are a blast to work with. Just tell them to get creative and see what works. I agree with wxwax on the Winger's thread. Those are some nice poses on that thread.

Dave J.

Giselle

here is a few ideas...

wxwax

Giselle, great stuff!

JESTER

wxwax wrote:

Giselle, great stuff!

Very Nice Giselle.

Shannon, Good luck with the 5 year olds. Never did any that young. Are you doing groups, individuals or both? I would just try some of the same stuff as with older cheerleaders, except you have to remember their attention span is about 5 seconds.

Giselle

Thanks y'all.
My advice for the 5 year olds, even if the shot calls for some to stand up, have them sit down when you get them in the spot you want them they are less likely to wander and will pay a little more attention. Good luck and take lots of shots of each pose.

ShannonHeat

Giselle,
Thank you for the input, and your shots are fantastic! I'm just trying to think of something creative that wouldn't require an entire hour of frustration....haha.

Giselle wrote:

Thanks y'all.
My advice for the 5 year olds, even if the shot calls for some to stand up, have them sit down when you get them in the spot you want them they are less likely to wander and will pay a little more attention. Good luck and take lots of shots of each pose.

ShannonHeat

I'm doing group and individuals. Wish me luck!

JESTER wrote:

Very Nice Giselle.

Shannon, Good luck with the 5 year olds. Never did any that young. Are you doing groups, individuals or both? I would just try some of the same stuff as with older cheerleaders, except you have to remember their attention span is about 5 seconds.

Nimai

Great thread!

I agree with the "tell them to be creative" direction, at least for the teens. You'll get something different, I promise!


I couldn't resist processing this one to bring out the "bad cheerleader" look!
High School Freshmen:


Middle School Squad - (nothing unusual about this composition, just a regular group shot)



Also, I think it's harder to be creative with the individual shots. Sometimes my candids turn out to be good indivudual portraits (IMO) but it's hard to get an equally good candid portrait of every girl.



GOOD LUCK! Please share your results!

wxwax

Nimai wrote:

GOOD LUCK! Please share your results!

Yes indeed, we'd love to see them. And hear your tales of wrangling 5 year olds.

ShannonHeat

Thanks, I'll need all the luck I can get!

wxwax wrote:

Yes indeed, we'd love to see them. And hear your tales of wrangling 5 year olds.

JESTER

ShannonHeat wrote:

Thanks, I'll need all the luck I can get!

Yea, Right! I've seen some of your photography. You will do great. Just be VERY careful. Once you get started with the Cheerleaders it is hard to stop. They are very habit forming.

jayegirl

The photos below are not from a shoot, but these were taken on senior night on a whim and I post them because I didn't do any posing, they told me when to take the picture! Between your ideas and the ideas of the cheerleaders you shoot, it will turn out great! I realize they didn't turn out well quality wise, just wanted to show you how you don't have to worry so much.

jeffreaux2

Shannon,

I usually reside in the people forum, but found myself here this morning. I struggle with large group shots, but have followed my daughter and her squad for years with the camera. This year I did their program headshots and some groups for the program. In addition, some of the girls...and ALL of the seniors wanted some shots for ads to be placed in the program. I would be more than willing to let you have apeek, but they are all password protected. If you would like to look just send a private message.

It has been my experience that what the girls like the most are the things they practice the hardest. Stunts and acrobatics. Of course trying to include that in a portrait is tough. For groups and individuals, try different settings, environments.

One thing great about cheerleaders is that they are ALL camera hams!!

jeffreaux2

Was curious if you had time to view, and if you found anything usefull/