Off Topic – this is my series when I blog about me venturing out into (for me) pretty much unknown photographic territory. Like yesterday, when I did my first ever TFP (time for pictures) fashion shooting.
Although I own a couple of cheap studio strobes, light formers and a background system, I rarely put it to use for some home studio shooting, apart of some family pictures on a few occasions, and some experimental flash photography when I feel like playing in my creative sandbox.
But recently I connected with model Susana Valentina (www.model-kartei.de) for an opportunity for a TFP (time for pictures) fashion shooting. Susana was looking for images to add to her portfolio in the agency database, and I got my first every opportunity to shoot with someone who has modeling experience.
So I set up my makeshift photo studio in our living room. I used two 400W strobes on lightstands, one with a shoot-through umbrella and the other with a soft box. As camera I used my Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the mZuiko 12-100mm F/4, a combination that performed admirably. I had some prime lenses like the 25mm F/1.8 and the 45mm F/1.8, but never needed them due to the quality of the 12-100. I tethered the camera via cable to my MacBook Pro for instant control of the photographs.
Susana brought several outfits on which we spent the good part of five hours shooting. I learned a lot from her regarding posing and what to look for when shooting fashion. It was fun controlling the light. I had to adjust the output of the strobes (I operated both the camera and the strobes in full manual mode) or move the soft box around to optimize the light. For my first shooting with a model (and this in my living room) I felt I did quite well. The above photographic output just a first quick selection from the literally hundreds of images we created together.
I really enjoyed my TFP experience and I’m quite sure I will do it again, once the opportunity arises. The goal is to build experience and maybe one day do it with some monetary compensation. If you are interested yourself in something similar, look for TFP opportunities in your area (check model databases), for sure there will be opportunities for you to get some free shooting time in exchange for photographs.
Wish you a great Sunday
Marcus
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Hello Marcus….and to all your fans here. They are right, you really did a great job….I love the pictures…and I’m glad I could help you with some new details in this shooting-area of fashion and beauty too. Hope you had the same fun with it like I had. Would love to explore more scenes outside in fashion, lifestyle in all parts of life with you….and if any other fotographer here in this forum would be interested in shootings with me….let me know over susanalopez@web.de
Un saludo!
Susana
Excellent!
Thanks, Don, much appreciated! Marcus
Good job on this!
Thanks, so much appreciated! Marcus
Success and I think the pics turned out great. A wonderful addition for her portfolio and i am glad you got to stretch your horizons. I have taken some modeling pics of someone before myself and I remember at first being somewhat uncomfortable and out of my comfort zone. Having a connection with the model definitely helped and caused for some candid pictures as well in addition to the staged ones which often can look a little more natural. Depending on the result you are trying to achieve. I say well done. I am such a fan and you can’t go wrong with any of your work, because of the heart and passion you bring to it. Hugs
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your ever kind words, my friend! Hugs! Marcus
You did great job photography Marcus.
Thank you so much, Gurbaksh, highly appreciated! Marcus
Those are some amazing shots!
Thanks, love your feedback! Marcus
lovely .
Thanks, much appreciated! Marcus
How fun! Defintely far outside my comfort zone. Wonderful shots Marcus!!
Thanks, Amy, so much appreciated! Marcus
Well done for stepping out of your comfort zone, I always think it would be great to do something like that…but worry that the pictures I made wouldn’t be worth the model’s time 😺
I love your living room by the way! Those red walls really pop – how about an interiors shoot of your house?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Andy, and the kind words about our living room 🙂 ! Marcus
Marcus, you lighting is very well done, because shooting on a white background isn’t easy without causing to much of a shadow. Great work, ” Hut ap” , Isn’t that a german saying?
Thanks, Cornelia, your kind words are so much appreciated! You were spot on with the saying, almost…it’s “Hut ab”! Congrats on your German! Marcus
Haha, yes, “Hut ab”.
Well done Marcus. I’m sure Susana Valentina is happy with the results of your shoot.
She was indeed 🙂 ! Thanks, Tim, appreciate your kind words! Marcus
Marcus, you’re welcome.
Very nice! Looks like a fun shoot! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Alina, your kind words mean so much! It definitely was fun! Marcus
Good work Marcus.
Thanks, Zeno, your kind words are so much appreciated! Marcus
She’s lovely! You did a wonderful job photographing her, Marcus. Love your home too. 😎
Thanks, John, very kind of you 🙂