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Group portrait indoors, looking for ideas and advice
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I just got hired to shoot a brass bands (around 20-30 members) group and portrait photos for a price high enough to make me uncomfortable. The shots will be taken on a large stage (already decided where by band) which already has lighting systems installed. There is no audience but i only have around 2-3h in that room. I have two months to prepare. Sounds like something i should not be complaining about i know. Let me explain...
My worries:
1. Shooting indoors
2. keeping a large group of people entertained "posing" for a long time.
Why is that worrying me?:
I do not own any lights/flashes/backdrops (Camera experience and glass wise i am well equipped), my client is aware of this and my little experience shooting indoor portaits. Shooting using just the stage lights is agreed upon with the client.
I love capturing moments as a bystander, unnoticed. This will be the exact opposite. It all feels like a huge leap into a field of photography (people skills?) that is very unknown to me.
How do i prepare to approach the big day comfortably?
TLDR: Metal tube musicians spook hobby photographer with big job
Posts: 2987
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How did your shoot go? My fiancé used to shoot portraits when she was in college. She still does the occasional wedding/portraits for friends or via word of mouth.
She would always worry when she "leveled up" in terms of complexity, or got out of her comfort zone. Long story short, it always worked out. It sounds like you didn't oversell yourself to the client, and you have the skills to do the shoot. Any photos are better then what they have, which is no photos.
They aren't photographers, they don't have an eye for the slight imperfections like you do. I saw your page, you have the skills, your envelope of experience just expands.
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musician here, depending on the vibe of the band all you have to do is let them play music and they'll keep themselves entertained.
Tell everyone they can play and have fun on stage or around the seats while you do the solo portraits, the band members can just grab someone else when you're done with them. I think killing that idle time will make directing the shoot much easier on your end and keep the good vibes going on theirs.
As far as entertaining them while posing out the group shots I honestly think they'll just have fun joking around on their own. A group of 30 people has enough wildcard shit happening at any given moment that you'll probably be more concerned herding the cats than trying to be an entertainer. Just keep the vibe relaxed while you're doing you're thing and I'm sure it will all play out.
Also, I know you said no lighting but it's worth looking into the rental cost of just a basic lighting kit with two static lights. Stage lighting can be deceptively tricky with polished portraits as you don't have great control of angles, diffusion, and light temp. I bet there's a rental shop nearby where you can find a basic kit for like $40-$50. I'd also scout the stage however you can and see if there is a natural backdrop you can use like a curtain etc. and if there is absolutely nothing to work with also rent a cheap back drop. IMO, there is no worse feeling than showing up to a shoot and having to shoot from the hip with lighting, backdrop, how much time you have etc.... the more question marks you can eliminate on that end beforehand the more focused you can be on just getting ace photos within the time limit. (kind of common sense I know.. but)
You got this, musicians are chill, good luck!
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So for something like this you probably are going to want to light it. (You may get lucky and the house/stage lights will work for the group photo but don’t count on this. If they have the venues lighting person there don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you can rent real lights do that, but make sure you know how to set them up and use them before you get there. If not a pair of speed lights on light stands with umbrellas is probably sufficient (you may want to bring gels to match the flash to the ambient).
If you’re not familiar at all with lights maybe look through the strobist blog for some basics and examples.
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