Shoot as expected or how you like?

[Deleted member 21335]

This is probably aimed more to the people who make money from their photos, specifically in a business environment. I have managed to arrange a shoot of a real person in their working environment. Not a modelled shoot as it were. This is something I have been trying to do for a long time and finally managed to get someone to say yes.

I am meeting them today at work with no plans or ideas of how their indoor working environment is lit. My dilemma, which I have discussed with a couple of photography friends on here in private and in real life, is whether I do what I have done previously and use natural light OR do I try and light it with OCF, the way it is probably expected in a corporate/working portrait?

If I do the latter, I feel like I am shooting someone elses way just to please others but it may lead to work in that are if the photos are any good. Or I could shoot the way I like doing and get the results that I like (even though they have received mixed feedback before) and hope that someone likes them enough to eventually pay me to shoot that and in my style for them.

I feel in a right pickle yet I also feel the answer is obvious and I should do what pleases me, and if someone eventually will pay for that, then great.

Suggestions on a postcard please.

 

[KIPAX]

Why did they hire you ? Where you picked out of a hat? then shoot the way your expected.. get paid.. feel like a whore and move on ...If reccomended or they like your work then shoot how you like

I have been taking a long hard look at my own photogprahy of late and realise I have been shooting as I should instead of applying my style of photogrpahy..I am pushing my way back in... Been too much of a machine of late..

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Why did they hire you ? Where you picked out of a hat? then shoot the way your expected.. get paid.. feel like a whore and move on ...If reccomended or they like your work then shoot how you like

I have been taking a long hard look at my own photogprahy of late and realise I have been shooting as I should instead of applying my style of photogrpahy..I am pushing my way back in... Been too much of a machine of late..

THanks for your reply. I haven't been hired for this shoot. It is arranged between me and a girl whom I know. When I found out what she did for a living/where she worked, I had to ask if I could come and shoot. I think your point is still valid though about shooting my own way. Even if people think it would be better lit.

 

[Cg_Girl]

So is this just something for you, that you've approached someone just to try out what you want, or is it paid?...

Could you not maybe do a bit of both on the day?

 

[Deleted member 21335]

So is this just something for you, that you've approached someone just to try out what you want, or is it paid?...

Could you not maybe do a bit of both on the day?

The day is today!

I could perhaps do both but I don't have a long time and am concious about encroaching on someones working day too much. I have said I should be no more than 45 minutes. It is something arranged by me, not paid, that I have asked for as it's the way I want my photography to go, but perhaps it could lead to being asked to do this kind of stuff for other people?

Either way, I really don't want to cock it up by trying something fairly new to me and wishing I had done it differently (which is probably inevitable). :bang:

 

[Cg_Girl]

The day is today!

I could perhaps do both but I don't have a long time and am concious about encroaching on someones working day too much. I have said I should be no more than 45 minutes. It is something arranged by me, not paid, that I have asked for as it's the way I want my photography to go, but perhaps it could lead to being asked to do this kind of stuff for other people?

Either way, I really don't want to cock it up by trying something fairly new to me and wishing I had done it differently (which is probably inevitable). :bang:

Eeek sorry yes i missed the 'today' bit

I think you need to stay true to what you love especially if it's how you want your photography to go hopefully... there's no point shooting it as someone else might if it's not really your way...

If whilst you are shooting and it's going well and you don't feel like you are in the way etc and everyone is happy, you could always do a few with ocf just to compare and see how they go down.. maybe

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Thanks for your reply. I'm just waiting for the train. I've chosen to pack a flashgun and trigger but leave the softbox at home. I don't want it to be a full on portrait shoot. I do want it to look more than just snapshots though. One of my Favourite photographers seems to use natural light for everything although he gets more in California than I do in the north of England.

I definitely I feel I need to shoot how I like and the way I prefer and hope that other people like it enough too. Although if it's just a hobby, it shouldn't matter what other people think I guess but I'd potentially like it to lead somewhere.

 

[Cg_Girl]

Good choice... I am a lover of natural light so i shall certainly look forward to you posting some if you can and happy with what you achieved!

Most importantly.. Enjoy your day and good luck

 

[Phil V]

This dilemma predates photography, it's a fine balance, if you want to have value placed on you, then your work has to have a quality that defines it as yours. But the market has needs and standards too and sometimes they get in the way of that.

I shoot what and how I like, but I do that within the boundaries of convention, it's a tightrope and the most successful are the ones that walk it best (sorry it's not the simple answer)

 

[Deleted member 21335]

This dilemma predates photography, it's a fine balance, if you want to have value placed on you, then your work has to have a quality that defines it as yours. But the market has needs and standards too and sometimes they get in the way of that. I shoot what and how I like, but I do that within the boundaries of convention, it's a tightrope and the most successful are the ones that walk it best (sorry it's not the simple answer)

Thanks Phil. At least I know that my question holds weight and it's not just me that thinks that way. Thanks for your answer. I'm just on the way home from the shoot now.

 

[Phil V]

Thanks Phil. At least I know that my question holds weight and it's not just me that thinks that way. Thanks for your answer. I'm just on the way home from the shoot now.

Just think about all those artists fighting for contracts to paint church ceilings and freizes in the old days, the artists would want to have their own style to get noticed, whilst still be compliant with the wishes of the churches. If they're too bland they get overlooked, too 'out there' and no-one will gamble on them.

We want to be recognised for our 'style' but still need to be commercially acceptable = tightrope.

 

[dalegt4]

Exactly, sometimes people will only want what they want.

We had a recent meeting about a wedding in which they only wanted what they wanted, no if's, no but no alterations.... just what they wanted.

Fair enough as its money but generally I think it pays to put your own spin on things to a degree as if you don't.... what sets people apart from each other