We photographers are always looking to improve our skills and experiment with new methods. If you’ve come to photography through a hobby path, you’re probably keen to bring your skills to the next level!
The first and most important tip you want to remember is that you don’t need to break the bank. I’ve written before about how to elevate your photography without buying any gear. And while a lot of websites will try to upsell your existing camera, practicing your eye and technique can make a much larger impact on your work!
Ideally, it’s best to start with a cheap device and work your way up as you get to understand the different settings and tools available. Composition designs and experiments can help you become a confident photographer and perhaps eventually help you get noticed by brands.
If working with brands is your goal, one skillset you need to develop is how to shoot in a studio. Now, your first gig in studio could be daunting, but these little tips will help you.
Check the premises first and do your tests beforehand
It can be helpful to reach out to your sponsor/client and request to visit the studio ahead of the photoshoot. It can be a fantastic way of soothing your nerves as you can get to see what the place looks like and start planning. Get to know the lights and other gear they have available and even ask what they might recommend based on your client’s requirements.
I would go so far as to even spend a little bit of my own money to have an hour to test and warmup with a friend as a model to gain confidence and familiarity with the lighting equipment. There’s no need to go into this blindly! It’s essential that you make sure your camera gear and the lighting equipment work together as expected. Lighting is really not that complicated and you can learn the basics on Youtube, Skillshare, etc—the important thing is to get your feet wet and start playing so you know how to manipulate the equipment to get good results!
Additionally, you may want to keep your eyes open for potential issues. For instance, if you’re going to spend the best part of the day indoors, you want the air conditioning to be working smoothly. Nobody would enjoy being stuck in a room without any ventilation! So, if you spot anything during your visit, you should ask for emergency ac repair to be on the safe side. The same principle applies to the restroom. It doesn’t harm to check the sink and flush to make the sponsor aware of any problem that should be sorted out before the big day.
Get to know your model
Are you going to work with models? This can be an exciting time for you! Your client could have picked a model through social media hunting. An Instagram model, for instance, may not be familiar with studio work. But, you can make time to get to know them and build up a trust relationship. This will ensure that you can kickstart the shoot in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Even if you’re working with someone more familiar with modelling jobs, it can still be beneficial to reach out and establish a connection. An experienced model could be happy to suggest ideas and poses for you. This is one of the most effective ways to make sure your goes smoothly and get professional results in the process.
Eliminate unnecessary distractions
The studio needs to promote a quiet and peaceful work atmosphere. While it is impossible to fully eliminate noises from a studio, you don’t want surrounding noise levels to distract you. For instance, road works or close-by building sites can cause enough disruptions for you to suggest soundproofing the studio.
Are you ready to take on your first studio project? Congratulations! To keep your nerves under control, experts always suggest getting familiar with the studio and the model beforehand. You are in a better position to avoid issues that could affect the quality of the work and create a positive relationship with your model. And remember to enjoy every minute of it!