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Being a photographer at TIA has many benefits, including the ability to assist on shoots for big clients like Staples, Rakuten, LeafFrog, and more.
Our Lead Photographer, Gabby Frank, is an absolute pro for photoshoots, and it’s inspiring to see her work! We are also joined on set by Kitty Lana Carr (Account Director, Creative Services) and Samuel Butcher (Creative Director), as you can see in our behind-the-scenes video.
From the many times I’ve assisted Gabby on set, I have picked up on a few tips that could be useful for photographers doing shoots for clients or personal work. Here are four tips that I would love to share with you:
Get creative with your angles. Things don’t always go according to plan, and it’s essential to adapt to changes. Having inspirational photos as a reference when setting up an image is a great idea. However, there are times when it’s beneficial to see things from a different perspective because you never know what kind of image you can discover. A few angles to remember could be straight-on, hero shot, from the side, and flat-lay, to name a few. Experimentation is key!
When creating props for your photo shoot, look around and use items you already have. Creating geometric shapes or interesting backdrops for contrast is a skill. Luckily, it’s almost certain that there are things around you that can be used without the need to buy expensive props online (no matter how tempting it is!).
In this example, we use an Ikea unmounted shelf to create a chimney look with hanging stockings. This is also where my first tip comes in handy- the shape made a different look based on how the light hit it. Playing around with different angles and seeing the image we could create was so fun!
Having extra hands on set can help make the shoot run smoothly. This can include an assistant to help with equipment, someone to help with styling, or even just an extra set of eyes to help catch any details that may have been missed. Not only are you saving time, but you can also bounce ideas off each other when something is not working. If this is a smaller-scale shoot, you can ask your friends or family to help you, even if it is just for an hour. Having an assistant allows the photographer to focus more on the creative aspects of the shoot instead of getting bogged down with the logistics.
When shooting a product for a client, taking your time with each photo is essential. If you rush, you might miss a few things and only notice them in the post-production stage. There are times when objects are placed too close to each other, or too close to the edge, and if this has gone unnoticed, it is almost impossible to fix in Photoshop.
Speaking of which, taking time to edit is just as crucial! After a while of looking at the same set of images, you can start getting fatigued and not see the colours or specks of dust that need to be cleaned up. When I edit a set, I usually return to it the next day and do minor tweaks to get the photos to their perfect stage.
Using these tips I have learned on set, I have created beautiful images for our diverse clients. I hope this article has been helpful for any photographers out there who need a few pointers!
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