leethecam Offline Upload & Sell: Off
|
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Preparing for Corporate Headshots during a business event...need some advice please. | |
Now this all depends on how many headshots you are expecting / required to do in a day.
I shoot mass headshots for Linkedin and have hit over 150 people in a 6 hr session, with each headshot being the same quality as a full blown studio session - so hopefully I've got this down to a fine art. With this sort of volume there is no scope for retouching and any post work is mere seconds per shot. I'm Linkedin's sole preferred UK photographer for their UK corporate clients/events so I must be doing something right...
This is how I approach it...
I use Profoto throughout for absolute consistency.
Main key light is either a 3x4 softbox or (modified) Profoto BD with sock and centred.
Reflector underneath but as part of the Lastolite Triflector so I have a speedy option of just popping up a side reflector within seconds.
I shoot tethered for my ease of mind and so participants can choose their favourite. Much faster than staring on a small LCD and it ensures no post production back home. I use Capture One as it is reliable and very fast. I use GoodSync to make simultanous backups to a USB stick in the background as I work - invaluable and cheap.
Backgrounds are either white or mid grey, (so I have option of adding a colour).
White background lit with two softboxes either side and I use a rather wonderful white fleece material that just absorbs the light so beautifully and virtually no bounce back - lit to 2/3 stop over. I aim for a perfect 100% white. I'm in the UK and I get it from here: http://viewfinderphotography.co.uk/new-wrinkle-free-10x20ft-highkey-backdrop
Grey background lit from single strobe on very low floor stand, directly behind seated subject and agled to give a gentle gradient - so usually horizontally angled to the floor. Gives a great look and with a colour gel (I like a 1/2 CTB) looks wonderful. I use a slightly cut down roll so it just fits in my MPV vehicle.
Hairlights are different depending on the background. With the white background I'm using them more as head rim lights, whereas the grey/clour background I use a small gridded softbox on a boom, directly behind the subject - but often with a couple of rim lights as I would with the white background.
Subject is always seated to keep them in one place and so I can sit too, (they're long days...!)
Sandbags - everywhere...! People are stupid and gravity is unforgiving.
Tape for every cable...! People are stupid...
I average 2-3 mins with each person and half of that is teaching them some quick pose techniques. Amazing what you can do in just a minute of tutorials.
I shoot landscape format and crop to 10x8. I find this works better for me and it crops nicely to square or the new circle for Linkedin afterwards.
Becasue I'm blessed with Profoto, I use the Air remote a lot, which is great for disabling rim/hairlights in a moment.
I carry a small makeup kit. All Mac, all blotting pressed powder. I use NW25, NW30, NW35, Medium, Dark, Deep Dark and some blotting tissues. Takes 30 seconds to kill the worst highlights and makes a huge difference. Experience allows me to know exactly what powder to use, but essentially you're matching to skin tone. Just use very lightly and just on the nose, above eyebrows, a little on cheek highlights and maybe over the top lip. We're talking a quick fix here.
I never get more adventurous than F4 on a 5D3. Better to have solid shots than missed arty ones.
Huge amount of personal energy required. I usually have a queue / audience and it requires a certain personality to keep the unruly crowds under control (as they often try to distract) and keep the unfortunate subject from feeling nervous. Tell them every frame is amazing, but we can do EVEN better...!
As to taking names... I've either had a person taking details or I have a simple list that they write (in capitals) their email address and the file number of their favourite image, (which I grade with a star anyway). If you have on that form a short line that says you can use the images for your own promotional purposes, then that frees you up with respect to modelling rights if you want to use them for your site.
I only deliver images that have the star I've given them. That means one image per subject, otherwise you're there forever in post. Often deliver no more than 3000px at the longest edge, (so perfect for a 10x8 print). I upload to my own server and use a simple hyperlink to enable downloads as a complete set for the host client.
Creting new sessions for each person will slow you down and although I know some people have the subject write their name on a paper for the first frame, I didtched that quickly as it slows things right down in post. My preferred delivery is below...
As to delivery, I always hand that off to the host company, (who in turn usually hand it to an unsuspecting intern to handle), and they just email out the appropriate image when asked for it - based on a simple mini website that I create with JuiceBoxBuilder Pro and host on my server. (Doesn't like 3/4G connections but is great on regular internet / wifi etc.)
I can do the delivery for the host client, but that is at an extra charge. But that mini website with file names under each image is a great way to go.
Simple is always good with these things, (although I can end up with 6 strobes rigged at times). Speed is dependent on the length of your queue...!
Remember your colour balance card, (there is nothing as good as a Kodak Grey Card). and ensure your meter is perfectly calibrated.
And have fun. Your energy translates to great images.
|