With the help of my friend James and his buddy Ray, I was able to pull together the first lifestyle shoot for Scarlet & Madrone. It started out a bit rocky - shooting outdoors wasn't an option as it was overcast and raining. James was nervous his work wouldn't be good enough and I felt awkward being in front of the camera. And trying to art direct while modeling is, well, pretty much impossible. "Just don't get my face in the shot," was the extent of my "art directing" as I sat stiff and awkward, waiting for the shutter to click.
Ray arrived shortly thereafter with a crap load of equipment and brought some sunshine with him. We moved outdoors and having another set of eyes was beneficial. "Check this one out," James would say, showing the image to Ray. "Ooh, that's some dramatic lighting," he'd respond. "How's my hair?" I'd yell at Ray before James clicked the shutter. "Why don't you try this? Or how 'bout this?" he'd yell back at me. Then there was the "smile, don't smile, smile, don't smile" directing that was an epic fail on my part. Try it. I dare you. Then tell me you managed to get through it without laughing. Oh really? Yeah right. Liar.
The shoot lasted roughly four hours and we got a lot of great shots out of it. I've also learned that I really don't like modeling. It's enough to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera but add in standing around in 40-50 degree weather in a tank top? No thank you. So I'm taking off another hat and recruiting a friend to model for the next shoot while I focus on art direction. Now, if only I can find a copywriter...
Ray arrived shortly thereafter with a crap load of equipment and brought some sunshine with him. We moved outdoors and having another set of eyes was beneficial. "Check this one out," James would say, showing the image to Ray. "Ooh, that's some dramatic lighting," he'd respond. "How's my hair?" I'd yell at Ray before James clicked the shutter. "Why don't you try this? Or how 'bout this?" he'd yell back at me. Then there was the "smile, don't smile, smile, don't smile" directing that was an epic fail on my part. Try it. I dare you. Then tell me you managed to get through it without laughing. Oh really? Yeah right. Liar.
The shoot lasted roughly four hours and we got a lot of great shots out of it. I've also learned that I really don't like modeling. It's enough to feel uncomfortable in front of the camera but add in standing around in 40-50 degree weather in a tank top? No thank you. So I'm taking off another hat and recruiting a friend to model for the next shoot while I focus on art direction. Now, if only I can find a copywriter...