Today I went out to shoot for a local Canadian Company called Le Chateau. Specifically part of their 2018 Spring Line Up. Photographers and models and friends have asked me in the past what goes into a shoot like this. The first thing to happen is for the client to call me to share their idea for a shoot. I then talk about the look and feel of the shoot and then put together a Call Sheet. It’s the photographer’s responsibility to book models for commerical and collaborative shoots. Throughout the year I do test shoots with models. Sometimes these are with established industry agency models and other times newer models (fresh faces). It’s during these shoots that I get to see what the model is like. Their energy, confidence in front of the camera and a host of other attributes. This makes it super easy for me when the stylist calls for me to recommend particular models.
For today’s shoot my choice was Julia and Kelsey. Both are wonderful and flexible to work with and their modelling is on point. We make a shooting date and then I share the Call Sheet with the models and in this case invite a second shooter (photographer) and videographer to shoot the behind the scenes of the shoot. It’s also really important to work with other photographers and video makers. I have shot with Guiseppe before, he comes to me YouTube/Videographers Meetups, and so I know what he’s like to shoot with. He has a terrific eye for detail and I know he’ll capture images that the client will like. I also chose Michael for the same reason. He’s an established film maker here in Victoria, also comes to the meetups every fortnight and I know that he’ll work really well with the team and capture some terrific footage.
Over the next days or weeks the stylist, in this case Trevor, shares his ideas and I then figure out the location for the shoot. I figure out locations by driving around and visiting parts around Victoria and the island.
Inside the call sheet is information on the date, the location, the expected length of the shoot. Makeup and Hair information, starting time, where to meet and of course important phone numbers. I will also share a mood board or look board so that everyone is on the same page. I also share travel arrangements.
I share this inforamtion and send out messages to everyone leading up to the day so everyone is prepared, shows up on time and it takes the stress out of the shoot becuase i know everyone knows it’s coming up and will be there.
On the day of the shoot, I ensure my camera equipment is charged up, lighting is packed (even if I don’t plan on using it, I still bring LED lighting and Strobes, just in case). I also ensure I have a plan in case it rains.
I arrive on time and ready to go. I’m a big fan of being positive, enthusiastic and encouraging on set. I imagine how I would like to be treated and try to ensure that there’s little stress for everyone. At Le Chateau the stylist was amazing. Trevor had all the dresses and outfits with jewelley ready to go. Ince I saw the dresses we discussed which outfits would work with the specifc locations. The models arrived and started trying everything on and the second shooter and videographer arrived and took some BTS (behind the scenes) photos.
Once the outfits are ready to go, we all pile into one or two cars and make our way to the first location.
In today’s shoot I went to an abandoned industrial lot. I shoot with both models and then break out and shoot just one. While I’m shooting with Kelsey, my second shooter is taking shots of the other model, Julia. After awhile we switch and then it’s time to wrap up and make our way to the next location.*
Today we shot downtown so we stopped at a local Coffee shop where I treated the crew to hot drinks and treats. This is also helpful so the girls could change into outfit number 2. It’s also a time I find that the team can bond more, the models can regain some of their energy and relax a bit. Again it’s what or how would I want to be treated on a photoshoot.
The theme was urban and fun. So we shot at a crosswalk (thank you Beetles) and then made our way to a parking lot and century building for some editorial styled photos. Again the second shooter and I worked the same way. I find it’s really important to get more than one location for a brand. In this way you can help tell a story through the photos for the brand and keep on message.
It was back to the coffee shop for the last change and then we all hopped into the cars and crossed town to the legislature buildings. I had seen in my travels a brand new government building. It was chilly and it was recommended that I pop inside the new building and ask security if we could take some photos. They were only too happy to let us shoot. This meant the models didn’t get too cold in their business attire outfits.
We finished up taking a few shots outside the building and then crossing the street for some extra shots behind the parliament buildings utilizing the beautiful fountain. I like to make the last shoot the fun one…the models can relax, and I can capture some wonderful candid images. I also communicate the shoot is almost over, in case they’re a bit cold and tired it allows the models to push through to the end. Having shot at three locations gives variety to the client, an opportunity to showcase their clothing in different locales and makes it lots of fun to shoot. It can be challenging as each location will have different light, wind and today it was a lot cooler closer to the water. The models were fantastic, the stylist, second shooter and videographer amazing and the team came together really well. You can’t shoot larger jobs without a team and working and collaborating with people is the only way to make it happen. Happy Shooting.
Thank you ????
Instagram accounts and Website Links:
Model: Kelsey @kelsey.ellen
Model: Julia @julia.buchan
Stylist/Assistant: Trevor @premackattack
Le Chateau Mayfair: @lechateaumayfair
Find Le Chateau online: http://www.lechateau.com
Follow Le Chateau Instagram: https://instagram.com/lechateau
Follow Le Chateau Twitter: https://twitter.com/lechateaustyle
Photography Assistant and Second Shooter : Giuseppe Buccoliero – Website
My Instagram account is:
Music: https://www.bensound.com
Here are a few of the photos we took:
