There is no set process - it all depends on what I'm trying to shoot and what resources are at my disposal, whether I'm on a deadline for a client or just farting around for my own portfolio. I've gotten into the car with a model and stylist and suitcase of wardrobe and driven around looking for interesting locations in cities that I'm seeing for the first time, and I've gotten off the plane with a hard production schedule, shotlist from the client and comp boards that I need to match.
I always have a sense of what style(s) I'll be shooting in, though, as that guides everything from model choice to wardrobe to makeup to locations to what gear I pack out. In any given moment where you're making a judgment call you need to know what end result you're trying to serve.
mkweaver wrote:
Depends hugely on what I'm shooting!
Wedding?
Portrait?
Advertising?
Lots of variables
+1
For portraits I usually ask them first. I would prefer the place to have a special meaning to them. If not, I have a few spots I like to shoot at.
Weddings, Its usually the ceremony or the reception. Once in a while I actually get some time to shoot somewhere between the two. This is usually somewhere specific that they want.
I am very familiar with 20+ parks in town & many locations around town, so I find out what the client wants (urban, industrial, greenery, water, flowers etc) then suggest a couple of locations based on their desires. I then send them the links to images of those areas and let them select.
Once we have location & date set, I email several mua's/stylists & see who is available at that date/time in the right price range & hire one of them
follow up with the client & discuss wardrobe & make my suggestions
I offer studio & location shooting, many of the locations in town, I can shoot in light shade, or get out of the rain too, and always have a backup location nearby in case the weather turns (I do live in the Pacific NW)
80% of my biz is Senior portraits, also do many family & pet portraits on location too.
Once the client, stylist & I are on location I work on becoming their new best friend while they are in the makeup chair, I determine their likes/dislikes concerning photography, including dof & shadows, then plan my shoot around that
Euro:
If you are going to do this on a regular basis, you should start scoting locations for shoots. Local Parks, Colleges, Points of Interest Museum groudnds anyplace with an interesting background. Go there and photograph these places and put them in a portfolio. When the client sits down to talk to you the two main questionsare what type of background do they want? How far are they willing to travel? I have had clients not wanting to leave there yard. I have also had clients who have traveled over 100 miles for a specific background (waterfall) among others.
I have found through trial and error that it is easier to let them decide on location and backgroud if they can see them in actual photo.
Do keep in mind that over time some places will change a little or a lot. Also be mindfull of changes do to the season.
Be vary aware of what the weather will be no mater where you shoot, in town or many miles away. I strive for accuracy so I use www.ssrh.noaa.gov/oun. Log on here and look around, with a little time you will find out what you need to know for where you will be shooting I live in Oklahoma so the weather here can literally change in as little as 30 minutes. I also StormChase so I use the doppler radars they have available.
