Page 14

Remember, Less Is More

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:23:09 EST

Among some of the frequently asked questions I get from clients booking a session is "How many shots do I get and will I get a CD?". There is often this expectation that they will receive hundreds of images on a CD and this somehow makes it a worth while photo shoot. At TSC we allow clients to view the photo session and select 5 images to be retouched, which is a lot for one outfit but "models" have told me, "Well, I shot with (photographer) and he gave me all my pictures!". I've even heard, "I got 100 pictures and 2 retouches and it only cost me $75 dollars." Hey, I'm happy for you. You got a good deal on your photo shoot. You paid for a lot of pictures but did you get quality photography? Unfortunately, even some good photographers have resorted to giving away all the pictures from a shoot whether they are good or bad just to satisfy the demands of the market. However, giving away a lot of pictures for a little bit of money is the typical behavior of an amateur. Aspiring models should keep in mind that a photographer who is truly good at their craft and is business minded would not give you any bad pictures whether you like them or not. They are supposed to be the professional and they should care about the way the pictures they release represent them and the client they capture. Good pictures attract business, bad pictures don't. Hopefully, you chose the photographer based on the quality of the work you've seen. If so then you would trust that he/she knows how to capture you and knows what a good image is. If that is the case then why again do you really need so many pictures? The purpose of a photo shoot is to get "that shot". Many aspiring models watch America's Next Top Model and hear Tyra say every week, "Here was your best shot". Photoshoots for ads and print publications may take hours to complete but they end up using...one shot. One shot people! How many shots of an outfit do you need in your portfolio? (Say it with me) One. Now, there are cases where the photographer may be shooting a composite (multiple exposure) or a theme that calls for several images from the same look, creatively in succession. Other than that you only need ONE. I've seen aspiring models actually post an entire photo shoot on Myspace, Facebook or even Twitter. The photographer clearly didn't care what you did with his pictures and that model was obviously more impressed with how many times she saw her face in a picture than the quality of the shoot itself. I've had clients ask, "So there weren't any other good shots?" Let's face it, if it was your first photo shoot, you had no idea what to do and you were nervous why would you expect there to be a lot of good shots? It's a better thing that you got a few very good ones versus a lot of mediocre to bad ones. I mean, don't you want to be seen in your best light?

I know some photographers have just given up the argument for the sake of booking shoots, but how will your work ever be valued if you (the photographer) don't respect it enough to edit out your mediocre shots? Clients are going to show everyone what you did for them. You will be judged not only by the work you post to your website but also by the work you do for your clients. Aspiring models need to stop accepting less quality for affordable quantity. I suspect that many of you feel that the more images you have, the better chance that someone may come along and take the time to look through all of them and be impressed. Well...no, they won't. A serious onlooker is going to wonder why you needed so many frames. It also says that you weren't confident about any one shot to stand behind so you just posted them all and hoped for the best. Not a good look. Aspiring models and photographers - aspire to reach the standard of professionals and stop mastering the standard of amateurs. You're only holding yourself back.

I found this article by James Falkofske which gives some very good insight on the subject of "Quality versus Quality": http://www.4arts.net/node/15.

G14

...So relax. You're in good hands.

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:45:00 EST

I am often reminded of how lucky I am to be working with so many female clients. The playful fits of envy from my male peers can be quit amusing. Of course I enjoy the female form as much as any straight man can but when I pick up the camera it's a completely different kind of appreciation.

r> First I should say that photography was not my first form of artistic expression. It is actually a career choice. I've been a practitioner of the arts since the age of 8. I've created many original works with many mediums. Consequently, I've been a study of the human form for...well...let's just says a long time. So when I look at a female as a photographer, the artist in me is the only observer. And since I'm a photographer at least 10-12 hours per day, it's hard for me to look at a female from a non-artistic point of view. Now that's not to say that I'm never the googly eyed, fist biting typical male when I'm with my friends. I mean, I still know a nice butt when I see one. But even in those moments I still have an artistic appreciation that I know my friends don't understand.

When women come to the studio, I often sense the nervousness and fear especially if they're scheduled to shoot in something like a swimsuit or lingerie. Most have never photographed professionally before and on top of that they are about to get nearly naked in front of this "man"....with a camera... staring at them...looking at their private parts....noticing their flaws! Scary, I know. The biggest thought on their mind is "I wonder what's on his mind". It's hard for some to look at me outside of the typical male persona and strictly as a professional photographer. And it doesn't help that so many male photographers act like they're in a night club stalking their next one night stand instead of simply doing there job. (Oh...my bad, if they're acting like that it's not a job, it's a hustle.) Anyway, where was I?.... oh yeah....so they're wondering what I'm thinking. Some will even ask my partner while their getting their make-up done "Umm...Breezy, so...is he cool to shoot with?" She does her signature laugh and tells them, "Girl, he ain't thinkin' about you like that, nothing excites that man when he is holding that camera!" LOL...but she's right. So don't worry. If you've booked a session and you tell me that you want your pictures to be sexy, then I'm going to make sure they are just that. I may direct you to pose or express yourself in such a way to accomplish that goal. Just know that whatever I ask you to do is not for my personal enjoyment but to produce the images you requested. I have even had experiences with women that are very flirtatious while on set. Sorry ladies; it's not that you're unattractive, I'm just not looking at you with wanting eyes. Flirting with me isn't going to make your pictures better nor get you out of the money you owe so let's just get focused, shall we?

I put a lot of energy into making my female clients feel especially comfortable in front of my camera. For those photographing for the first time, the last thing they need is to have their nervousness amplified by perverted looks or comments from the person they are paying for the experience. Not only is this business, this is art. So yes, I am studying you...the same way an artist studies a subject before creating a masterpiece.

G14

...And She Gave Me a Corner

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:45:00 EST

So...my wonderful business partner thought it would be a good idea for me to have a "corner" on her blog site. I agreed!:) Welcome to Page 14! Here is where I will talk about...well...whatever I think is relevant. The views and opinions expressed in my corner are not necessarily supported by justb.bbreezy.com and blah, blah, blah....LOL!

I'd like to thank everyone that has supported The Studio Concept over the past 5 years. I have met some very interesting people and have made some really good fiends. I would especially like to thank and express my appreciation to my partner in crime, B. Breezy. Many times she has expressed her gratitude to me but I owe her more than she'll ever understand. TSC is my life and photography is my love. Her dedication to the creativity and the perfection of her crafts makes me proud to be her partner. Watching her work with a new client makes what was once a dream of TSC a reality. She is a BEAST both in front and behind the lens. She has changed the face and direction of the company in a way that demands dedication from all involved. In short, she don't play!

Breezy came to TSC as a client. She signed up for the portfolio development program. People...needless to say she amazed me. She was fearless and fierce. The picture below was the first image I released on B. Breezy as a spokes model. The positive response was overwhelming. The big question was, "Who is that girl with the short hair?!" The clients regarded her as the definintion of a model. TSC was reborn. I asked B. Breezy to be my partner shortly after. That was by far the best decision I have ever made along this journey.

B, you have given so much of yourself for this dream. More than blood, sweat and tears. You have shared your beauty; both inside and out with me and the world and for that I will be forever grateful. We should all be forever grateful. Thank you.

...and thanks for my corner :)

G14