Several on Saturday*: things bts from a collection photoshoot

Sometimes I scout and prep for a photoshoot and then the magic I really really hope for  happens: a triangle of sunlight at the right moment while photographing this angular sweater design. It's Lantana from Shellie Anderson's SP20 Collection from Shibui Knits. Just released!

Full lookbook,  which I'm so happy with and full of fabulous designs,  here .

Shellie commissioned me to shoot her collection about a year ago. Collections need to be photographed with backgrounds that tie all the imagery together, and connect with the designs yet aren't too monotonous. Or too distracting!  Shellie suggested a modern, graphic, architectural, slightly nautical setting.  So, on a chilly day last April, I did some poking around  the new boathouse on New Haven harbor. I'd noticed some nice light on it during quick drivebys.

No nice light the day we scouted!  Lots of potential. My junior associate here is kicking and crunching broken clams that seagulls drop on the cement pier so they can eat the innards.

I returned closer to the August shoot date, with my assistant, to see what the light was like late in the day, and if  there'd be lots of activity.  It was overcast so we still had no clue how shadows would fall but we could hope! Those are the stairs from the top photo, shown here with a different lens.

The shoot day was hazy sticky but not too hot. We have a lot of that weather close to the water in August,  with slices of sunlight coming through at times. We were shooting in the last hours of daylight, so first task  was seeing where the sun might fall if it did peep out. And of course figuring out which pieces to shoot by which backgrounds. The photos above are Yliana, my assistant, in test spots.  Can you tell she does this so much that she is 100% unphased by a lens pointing at her? 

Having so many horizontal and vertical lines in the background has the potential to make me crazy. Here, I love it with the sophisticated simplicity of Shellie's designs.
This top, Acacia, above,  is halfway between a T and a poncho. LOVE!

Mission accomplished! Until we saw ourselves in the group selfie we hadn't realized all three of us dressed in the exact same shades as the  colors in the collection.Sooooo stylish, we are. (NOT!)

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*I am, really trying to do Three on Thursday reliably but this week had a lot of curveballs-- i am sure you had the same!  My friend Beverly claimed the Four on Friday option this week--but I still couldn't get it  together. So here we are with Several on Saturday. Isn't 90% of life about showing up??
Also BTS= Behind the Scenes :-)

join me at TNNA for PhotoShoot workshop

I am teaching at TNNA in June 13-15  in Cleveland: 

from Berroco Medina pattern booklet -- see the BTS photo from this shot further down

Two excellent social media photo and writing workshops along with Beverly Army Williams, and solo, Photo Shoot A-Z: Planning, Producing & Picture Making. *

I put my PhotoShoot workshop together because the comment I hear most often from first time clients goes something like this: “whew! I had no idea what went into a photo shoot! Thanks for holding my hand through it”.  

The truth is, that day you hold a camera is just a tiny part of a photo shoot. The preparation, the planning, the thinking through the elements- that’s what makes a successful and productive photo shoot. 

It’s partially stepping back to see the big picture of what else beside your product needs to be considered- theme, setting, styling, wardrobe, light sources, effective colors, people? Who is arranging those things? What kind of help is needed? And it’s partially knowing the language —what kinds of files do I need? How do photographers charge if I decide to hire one? What do I ask for?  How long is expected  to get the final images and how many do I get? What are rights? Who chooses the model? EEEeeeek!! How do I even find a model who represents my vision for my business?. 

Here's a BTS view from the shot at top. shooting at noon on a sunny beach day in late September on Cape Cod

And, more such thoughts. It was fun for me to break down what I do and make a flow chart. (I am very proud of my flow chart). It’s designed to lead students choice by choice from their very first thought of needing a photo shoot, through to planning it, including choosing whether to do it themselves or seek the skill of a photographer for the project. 

 This class is not necessarily for someone who wants to work as  photographer (though it certainly could be helpful ). It is for anyone who needs to create powerful images of their product, shop or business, to enhance their marketing. Because as we all know, that old saw-  A picture is worth a thousand words—is truer more than ever on social media and online marketing. 

I love this image-- its the Awestruck Shawl from Appletree Knits --in her gorgeous yarn

This is all about you learning to be the confident leader/creator of the photography for your business, no matter who is holding the camera. The class will be small enough to customize information for those who attend.  We will have time for Q&A at the end, so we can take it in any direction.

*

Classes Beverly Army Williams and Gale Zucker** are teaching:

• Leveling Up Your Business on Social Media | Wednesday, June 13 | 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Photo Shoot A-Z: Planning, Producing and Picture Making | Thursday, June 14 | 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• 10 Photo and Hashtag Tricks to Build Community | Friday, June 15 | 7:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

* If you can't attend, we are happy to teach elsewhere, and to tailor the content to your business--just send a message. We love doing in-service and in-house workshops! 

**PhotoShoot class is Gale alone, the other two classes are co-taught.

Will I see you there? Let me know!

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