surprisingly, i often get asked what it is like behind the scenes of my photoshoots. after having seen my work, i've had a large number of photographers, students and friends ask to assist at my photo sessions either because they want to learn something from me or just want to experience what happens to create the final images. for me, i document most of this on my instagram account.
i know that there are a lot of photographers out there that absolutely detest instagram - detesting their filters or for allowing people to pass off selcas or snap shots as professional 'photography'. however, i think that people shouldn't dismiss instagram for what it really is.. yet another social network. and i love social networks, so we all know i'm all over and obsessed with it. but back onto the topic of behind the scenes of photoshoots.
naturally, it differs from job to job but it usually involves waking up very early in the morning (at least it does for me). there is hairspray flying everywhere, make up artists running around with powder, stylists throwing clothes at everyone and me? well, i'm happily assisting and taking part in everything. since i like to organize most of my own shoots, i like to know what is happening and how everything is being pieced together. i'm not sure how many other people do that and you can call is a perfectionist but i do love to plan meticulously.
here's some behind the scenes snaps from the recent "monster" shoot. as you can see, there is often jeffrey campbell and doc marten involvement, sometimes a crystal bra now and then, as well as blue fluffy things like that incredible sportsgirl jacket that i wish i owned. most of the time, i'm surrounded by clothes that i love, wish my owned but really don't and can't. it's sad but its much safer for my wallet than actual shopping is (and that can happen after we wrap up anyway).
personally, i like to travel light. i bright along with me my camera, my wallet and a bottle of water. recently i've taken to bringing along a tripod and a flash too - just in case, although i like to rely on natural lighting. i've been considering bringing along a reflector or two as well, just to play around with it more, but i still get a better result under natural lighting. i always do.
in this photo, it is the heaviest i had ever travelled! a camera, a tripod, a flash, a water bottle, a jacket, six pieces from black milk and nine pieces from mix n' match (liverpool clothing store which had so generously allowed me to pull clothes from for our shoot). even then i hadn't brought my extra lens, which i rarely do, since i'm so attached to my 50mm f1.4.
sometimes we chase kittens, fold a shoe box full of paper roses, or cover a couch with dresses (which was so handy as it was indoors and sydney was burning down in a heat wave on the day). at other times, things are laid out outdoors and, after the shoot, there is always the tradition of japanese/korean cuisine over in the sydney CBD.
overall, i guess the point of this post was to tell people that photography is fun. i like to call it a job but i would never treat it as one. although professional, a set should also be comfortable and friendly for all parties. with all these dreary desk jobs in the world, we don't need to make photography one of them as well. have fun, learn more with every shoot and remember that no matter how long you have been in the industry, you are always growing!
and there is always time for udon.
