When I thought about this week's blog post, I was reminded of one of our more recent Pin-Up Photography sessions and how Chad and I work together as a couple on a shoot. We always talk about how we thought the shoot went and what we could do to improve. We've been shooting with each other for over 4 years now and here are some tips and tricks I've learned along the way to make the experience both easier on the clients and you as the dual photographers.
1. Know each others' role at the shoot. Chad and I take on different roles for the different types of shoots we do together. In our Pin-Up and Film Noir photography, I often do not even pick up a camera. My role is to find out the client's vision for the shoot and make that come to life with the wardrobe, props and poses. I usually stand next to Chad and coach the clients on how I would like them to move through the poses. I add and take away props, fix their hair or make-up and put them at ease by engaging in a little chit chat. Chad always handles the lighting and the photography for these shots. It is really important that we understand the roles of each during the shoot so that we do not look unprepared in the clients eyes or that we are contradicting each other. I've learned to direct the client and do a quick check in with Chad to make sure what I see is also what he can capture behind the camera. He often makes a few adjustments if he feels the angles or the pose is not quite right.
When we do family, wedding or couple photography, I am also a shooter. I often carry the 50mm lens and Chad will carry the 70-200mm lens and the 24-70mm lens. We inform the clients that I often will shoot the close up and intimate shots first and then step out of the frame for Chad to take full body or 3/4 body shots. This combination works very nicely as we get a variety of shots within seconds.
2. Communicate to your client what to expect from each of you in the shoot. Prior to starting any shoot, we will tell our clients what to expect from each of us during the shoot. This helps them understand who to ask for assistance and puts them at ease when we start shooting. I will typically set up the shots, mimic a poses and fix any details out of place. Clients know that if they are unsure of a pose, they can look to me for guidance and assurance. Chad has the benefit of seeing it from a different perspective. He is often behind the camera already and testing out the lighting and the framing of the shot. He sees things through the eye of the lens and will direct me if we need to change anything before we start shooting. Again this combination works really well and saves a lot of time setting up the shots vs. getting the shots.
3. Be on the same page throughout the shoot. It can sometimes be a challenge to stay on the same page with each other during a shoot. We both are guilty of getting so inspired throughout the shoot that we may slip out of our roles while shooting because we see something magical happening. It is important for you clients to see that you are not competing with each other but complementing each other during the shoot. It can lead to the client getting confused, frustrated or overwhelmed. In this scenario, take a step back. Communicate with your partner of what you see and allow both of you to resume your roles at the shoot.
4. Remain complimentary toward each other during the shoot. Never speak over each other, argue or contradict each other in front of the client. This is one of things Chad and I learned the hard way. We recently finished up one of our shoots and on the drive home when we debrief about the shoot, we both expressed our frustration with the other. On this particular shoot, I had set up the pose with the client and before even taking a shot, Chad had stepped in and changed the entire direction of the pose. I, in my true German fashion, likely gave him a look of discontent. When we talked about it after, he explained that the pose didn't look right when he was about to take the shot. I explained to him that it started to fluster our client. Pin-Up poses are not easy, it is definitely a work out holding and changing the poses. We agreed that if there was a future scenario where the pose wasn't right, we would not contradict each other in front of the client. Chad would take the shot as I had posed the client and then adjust them for the second shot. Its important for your clients to see the benefit of having two photographers on the shoot. You never want them to lose their confidence or comfort in the shoot. So remain positive, thank the other shooter for noticing something out of place and compliment each other as well as the clients.
5. Have fun. Chad and I like to put our clients at ease with our humor and kind nature. We often joke around with each other on a shoot to relax the clients and have them see us a people and not photographers. We learned that if we are relaxed and having fun, the clients are too. This also helps the clients ease into the photography session and helps the poses look more natural vs. posed.
I know there are many articles out there indicating that it is not necessary to have a second shooter or two photographers at your photography session. I beg to differ. Two is always better than one. We take on different roles, we support each other as a second set of eyes and hands and we work well together all for the good of getting the most beautiful shots. I personally feel it immediately puts our clients at ease when they see there are two of us. We are warm and welcoming and we work hard to build your confidence in the shoot.
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