I've been contacted by a school about taking some "creative" shots of their senior cheerleaders. The school is already using somebody for their standard portraits, but they don't offer anything but a pre-set pose. I've been back and fourth with the school AND the group in charge of the normal portraits, and I'm fine contract-wise.
They want to go somewhere thats NOT the football field or the gym. I honestly don't really know what they are expecting. Do any of you happen to have any examples of this type of shot? They want something fun and creative. I am just having trouble picturing something out of the typical cheerleader context (field or gym).
Local paper had a shot of the volleyball girls team rock climbing, this is one of those indoor rock climbing centers. For cheerleaders either a shot from above or them swinging away from the rock in unison.
Playground. Swings and assorted monkey bar types setups may lend well to posing thinking og a half dome so you have angles to play with as they pose.
How about some studio shots with them wearing eye black,shoulder pads, football pants,long sox, etc and not all the gear at the same time. Maybe the shoulder pads with some long sox in team shorts or there cheer outfit. If you dont want to do the studio, do you have like an old idustry park, or where there is some graffiti and do a grunge type of shot.
Or do like a runway/model shoot showing off there outfits and the sports they cheer for uniforms
One thing I'm a bit confused about Jeff. How come they don't go to the contracted team photographer and ask HIM to do something "different" this year? Since he has the contract and is making the coin, the school employs him and should initially make the request. Seems like even if you come up with something great, you're already set up to fail since the parents have already bought photos from the other guy and now we are asking to pay twice. What's the deal?
I agree with PAlesse. I was recently called in by a coach to shoot portraits for her varsity dance team. The girls had just won the Jazz National Championship in FL and wanted something more creative then the standard team pictures they had taken during the year. I incorporated their recently won trophy and they all seemed to like the photos because they were different, style wise and from an editing perspective. Feedback from coach and dancers was positive but only 30% of the parents bought a package since they already purchased team and individual photos earlier in the year. I took a gamble and lost but maybe you will have better luck than I did. If asked again next year I would have to decline.
One thing I'm a bit confused about Jeff. How come they don't go to the contracted team photographer and ask HIM to do something "different" this year? Since he has the contract and is making the coin, the school employs him and should initially make the request. Seems like even if you come up with something great, you're already set up to fail since the parents have already bought photos from the other guy and now we are asking to pay twice. What's the deal?
The photography company sends out those who could be called "button pushers" not photographers. The parents are the ones that approached the school about taking non-cookie cutter shots. This will only be for a few cheerleaders, not the entire team...mostly the Senior cheerleaders. We're talking like 4 or 5 kids...but you guys have me reconsidering if its worth even my time to do this...hmm....
This is very interesting! If it was us personally I would ask for a up front fee for your time! Atleast $300 and they can then buy prints. There are many different ideas then after they agree to pay you for your time. Great shots of cheerleaders off the field are always at the beach. Catch them doing stuff in the sand or even in the water.
Get paid first you have already invested time by just posting on the forum.
Good luck and please post some photos if you decide to take this assignment.
I was asked to do something similar last year -- went to a local park lots of grass -- several flower gardens for background but still shot with short DOF. Poses were at the cheer coach's instruction, all I did was take the photos.
Coach had seen poses and groupings by other cheer squads so she already knew what she wanted.
Jeff, IMO, anytime you get the opportunity to shoot cheer, take it! Especially if you have any portrait/senior clients. But, you've gotta bring your "A" game, make it fun and don't be afraid to step out of the box a little.
Cheerleaders are typically more popular at school, the trend setters, not to mention it costs a bit of $$ to be a cheerleader. That all adds up to buy rate and free advertising if you do it right. Make sure you watermark your images with your studio name and phone number. When the girls post their images on social media, you get free advertising. Have a game plan, have fun, make sure the cheer squad has fun and lastly, have solid images!
