Charity Shoot

[SeagullSteve]

I help out a charity on a regular basis. Their yearly AGM is coming up in a couple of weeks and I have been ask to do the photo's. Now there are a couple of challenges I'm facing - these will be formal pictures using studio lights.

1) Poses. Now a lot of the people, due to the nature of the charity, will be of a fuller build. What sort of poses should I try to use for the most flattering. I will also be having single as well as small group shots so need to get the best from both groups.
2) Speed - I have to shoot about 140 people in 2-3 hours - which seems about a minute per person I don't think this is possible personally but how can I maximise the shooting time per person​

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Betty]

Hi Steve, with regards to the poses, I have shot people of "fuller build" before, and it seems shooting from above tends to be more flattering, as if you use a shallower DOF, it blurs out the body, and elongates the neck. Stand on a chair and have them look up at you, but not so much they strain to do so

With regards to the timing, a minute per person could be doable, but only if everyone decides to cooperate. Will everyone have a set time in which to be ready for? Will everyone be in the same room ready to go? Planning is key, make sure everyone is where they need to be before the 2-3 hour "timer" starts, and fire off some practice shots before the real thing

Just noticed you're in Ashby, I am up the road in Woodville

 

[SeagullSteve]

Hi,
Thanks for that Betty - I'll try the chair and see if I can look down on them. I'm hoping that they will be forming an orderly queue and I should have help from some of the other charity member to keep them moving. I will certainly have some time before the rush starts to get a few practice shots on.

Yup sunny Ashby by the sea

 

[andy1868]

Somebody that is part of the charity and has some sort of authority/knowledge of most people is going be a necessity with that level of people i would think. I've done afew charity events but not that many people, the organiser was organising people for me into groups of people etc and was a godsend.

If you're going to be shooting for a few hours i would recommend taking a step ladder of some kind. First of all from a health and safety point of view and secondly from a comfort point of view

Last thing, enjoy it Charity events are normally a good laugh as everyone is there for a good common cause etc, all the ones i've ever been to have been boozy affairs