I sit here wondering why I’m starting a blog after 20 years in photography… Is it for photographers to look at what I’m doing and tell me their opinion? Or is it for my clients to see what to expect on shoots?
I would love to say I know but I don’t, I think the main thing is my brain goes at a million miles per hour during shoots and shoot planning that I need to write it down.
The last year my work flow has changed I’ve been full time in photography for 20 years and about two years ago now I did a fun, although looking back, really badly lit pole dancing shoot. I know lighting, I come from a studio background but something that day told me to go simple… I brought a bright pink backdrop and stuck to basic lighting keeping it flat and honestly safe. The shots looked great and there was nothing wrong with them but I knew I could do a lot better.
The next issue was I had done this shoot and in my head I could do something so much better but how do I get more shoots in? This is every photographers problem right? If anyone has the answer please leave it in the comments and I will buy you a coffee or two… All joking aside it’s maybe the hardest part of being a photographer… finding the clients.
I went back to Elly who I have known for years and asked her if anyone at the studio she instructed at would be interested in a shoot, she asked around and to my surprise a fair few said yes. This is when the little old brain went mental and started working, I brought a grey backdrop and I was ready, or so I thought. A few days out from the shoot I decided I needed to add something else, coloured gels, a quick click on amazon and they turned up the following morning.
So should I continue this full story on this one blog post? Probably best to share an image now right?
This story will continue over the next few blog entries along with many more, why not subscribe and follow this crazy little journey in which I am lucky enough to call my career. I’m planning on helping out photographers and people prepping for shoots, as well as just diving into my head when I get ideas.
Mark Upfield Photography 