The Idea: Do 3 personal shoots per month; One self-portrait, one of a friend, and one of a model from a modeling agency
I feel this would be a good experience to add to my portfolio for many reasons, the main reason being to diversify my content. I got into photography through self-portraits, so that’s always what I’ve been most comfortable shooting; although it does come with its challenges, I only have to worry about myself and my abilities throughout the whole process. Working with friends and models opens up different dynamics. Working with my friends would be good practice to how I shoot people I already know and how to get them comfortable in front of the camera; especially if they’ve never modeled before or don’t like having their picture taken. Professional models would mean a more professional setting, and working with someone used to being in front of the camera and doesn’t need as much guidance; I feel the main issue or hiccup I would have with this dynamic is emailing an agency with my shoot idea, and finding a model that has a coinciding schedule with mine. I might have more anxiety related to having a model actually be down to shoot with me considering I’m a student who can’t pay them; The most I could do is get them good photos in a timely manner which also boils down to time management and putting the professional skills that I’ve learned from classes into action.
As for skills, working with different clientele is the main overarching one. Shooting myself is far different from shooting other people, and shooting models vs average people also has two different interactive challenges. I’m also just not the most outgoing person, so forcing myself to challenge that at least 3 times a month on varying levels of outgoingness (hitting up a friend- emailing an agency) will hopefully give me the confidence I need to start being more assertive in this field. But overall practice makes perfect, so dedicating a good chunk of time to my own personal shoots while also shooting for school will only help my photography in the long run
*Had a frustrating time uploading the screenshot annoyingly (had to copy and paste)
Brainstorm List
- Reach out to modeling agency each month to shoot every color of the rainbow
(Feb- Red, Mar- orange, etc)
- Do three personal shoots per month, one self portrait, one of a friend, one of model
- Each month, dedicate to immersing myself in a different style of photography; street, portrait, product, etc
- Create a portfolio cultivated around different styles, or different themes
- Dedicate a shoot each month to doing something I wouldn’t think to do, or don’t find to be my style
- Ask the model what photoshoot they would want, (have them send me reference pictures) and try to replicate it- at least 2 per month
- Base and stylize one shoot per- month off of a personal drawing/ one I’m inspired by
- Shoot one thing 30/ 31 different ways each month and document the process
- Create content like Kianna Naomi- niche vlog style like content that romanticizes my day to day so I can continue to stay motivated while practicing my carft.
- Create one short film each month based on my favorite song at that time
- Base shoots/ short films off of obscure words and document the process