The First Photo Shoot - Nude

The First Shoot - 29th March

This first shoot was originally going to be the White background shoot but we were running quite late in the day so therefore went for the black because it is easiest to do.  We managed to fir quite a lot into the hour session and range from standing up an lots of different positions to holding different materials and even to laying down on the floor.  I am really happy with how this first shoot went.  It took me a while to get the lighting right and on a couple of these I am not happy with the lighting, but for my first time I think they went really well, I kept taking images, turning them black and white and showing my client so she could get a feel of what they were looking like, to make sure she was happy with the way it was working.  At first she had under wear on but then went to Nude which looks very elegant. 

I personally like the images when there is no cloth or drape and she is posing nude with one leg bent in front, I think where the light is give s nice shine to the baby bump.  But once we tried using the drape, it looked great so we took quite a few with it. I tried pulling back the drape to different positions and changing the light source placement throughout the shoot.  Right at the end we tried some laying down images but I couldn't seem to get the lighting right, with more practice shoots, next time I should get it right. I am very happy with the first shoot and have already shown my client and will get her to send me her favourites from this shoot so that I can edit them for her.  I now look forward to the second shoot because it will involve the small shoes and toys.

My Clients Photo Ideas - After Meeting

I have now had a face to face meeting with my Client about our Maternity Shoot which is too be shot in the next few weeks.  We discussed lots of things at our meeting, like what her photo ideas were and how we were going to shoot.  I will do a short bullet point list of the things mentioned at our meeting. 

• Do TWO seperate shoots at 1 hour session each - One Black Backdrop One White Backdrop
• Have her ideas printed out on Paper so I can look and see what images she would like to have.
• Changing colour of the photos to black and white is what she wants to see on some images.
• A use of black and white and colour on the edits of her favourite images after shoots.
• She wants Nudes shot on the Black Backdrop. 
• She wants the Personal shots on the White Backdrop. 
• Props wanted for the shoots include, a robe, scarfs, stool, drapes, and soft cushions. 
• Client is bringing small first size shoes, toys and baby scans to be used in the shoot. 

• Set Dates for the first shoot - 29th March - black nude shoot. 
• Set Dates for the second shoot - 11th April - white personal shoot. 

Pricing

My client, Christine, informed me that the reason she scanning through Facebook trying to fins photographers that want to shoot Maternity shoots is because she didn't want to be paying out a lot of money for the shoot, so therefore didn't want to go to a professional Maternity photographer but was looking for someone starting out in the business.  This is why I am so happy that she called me, because I need this shoot to build up my portfolio for Maternity photography.  Due to this being my first ever maternity shoot and not knowing what it was going to turn out like I mentioned a price of £30 per shoot which includes all photos taken from each shoot on a CD.  She was happy with these prices and and agreed to them. I said that it was cheaper than most because I'm new in the business and its a first time trying. We agreed to these prices and were prepared for the shoots, when they come around. 

Here are the ideas that my client gave me, ideas that she likes and would want to re create in my own way. I like all of the images she sent and will try my best when it comes to shoot day. I think that the black and white images at the top look stunning so would love to try out them.  She has sent me examples of shows on top of belly which would be really cute, and simple one's as well.
I added her on What's App, to send images through quickly by message and i have included thee images where she has place more examples too.

A Briefing with My Client - Phone Call

My idea and my Commissioned project is underway now.  I just need to get briefing sorted before organising a date for the shoot.  Today I messaged my client Christine Bright with a time so that we could have a briefing session over the phone.

A phone call Briefing Session is important because I need to find out exactly what my client wants from the shoot and discuss how the shoot will plan out.  I need to talk through any Ideas she has and wants for herself and whether she wants me to guide her and come up with poses together etc.

I asked her some questions and she had quite creative ideas to give which made things a lot easier for me, I am going to write out some of her responses to my questions for the live brief.

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Hi Christine, first of all I would like to ask you what date along your pregnancy would you like the photoshoot to be held, sooner or later on?

"Hi Suzi, I would preferably like to have the photoshoot during my 9th month of my pregnancy, this is because I would like to have the images of when my baby is close to the due date, and when the tummy is at its biggest.  I think it looks nicer to show the biggest tummy time so that the images are strikingly pregnant photographs."

Ok that's perfect, that gives us a few weeks to come up with any possible ideas of what kind of images you would like to be taken, have you got any ideas right now of what you would like from the shoot?

" I have a few ideas, but I would like to have almost two sets of pregnancy images.  I would like to have some Nude creative images that look professional and elegant of my pregnant body, but I would also like few personal images of my baby bump and some of the tiny shoes and toys that I have ready for after birth." 

Ok that's great, I love the idea of the Nude images, they would be great for my Portfolio and of course we can have some fun with the personal Items of yours and try out as many ideas as we can. Are you able to drive so we could have a face to face meeting and so I can show you the studio? 

Yes I can drive, it would be great to see the studio as well thank you."

 Ok, well at the meeting I can discuss pricing to you and the exact poses and positions that we might try and we can arrange the full written Brief, Look forward to seeing you.

"Yes, I look forward to the meeting and the Photo shoots, thanks again."

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Now that I have spoke to my Client, I will call her in for a face to face meeting where we will share our ideas with each other and discuss the pricing for the shoot and the shoot session, or if there will be two shoots.  I am so happy this came up and am looking forward to my first Maternity Shoot.