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Never Again... group shoots... BLAH!!!
I have read the horror stories of shoots being a mixture of a photographic gang-bang and an exercise in herding cats. But, like everything else in my life I had to experience it first. Oh, wait. The shoot was canceled. For two weeks I have kept a neat schedule of models attend the shoot that will be working with me. I planned to keep to myself, not attending the "gang-bang" portions where photographers crowd around models. Then today the shoot's organizer calls it off for some cryptic reason. Of course I contacted my models I will be working with and assured them I was not canceling and would love to still work with all of them. It will be interesting to see how many make the trip. Luckily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The two main models I want to work with have already assured me that they will be attending despite the summary cancellation. ___ Now, having said all of this, has any photographer EVER had a good experience at one? I like the theory of multiple models in one place and time but in practice the concept might be impossible. Jun 23 09 12:56 pm Link bencook2 wrote: My group shoots rock. Always have. Always will. Jun 23 09 12:58 pm Link Most of my port was shot at group shoots. I don't advocate them, and I certainly don't follow the 'rules' (I've never had a schedule at one), but it doesn't have to be a bad experience, either. Just have a flexible schedule and an adaptive attitude and it can be fun. The best shoot you've ever had? Almost certainly not. But fun, and a great way to meet folks whom you'll work with in a more controlled situation later? Yes. Jun 23 09 12:59 pm Link I was part of a warehouse shoot in my area in May it worked out well. Very well organized, it did look like for a while we were not going to have the models we needed. ON the event day we had 20 models 3 did not make it and 15 photographers. L2 Jun 23 09 01:04 pm Link Sean Baker wrote: "But fun, and a great way to meet folks whom you'll work with in a more controlled situation later? Yes." This was exactly my hope. It may yet be salvaged. I got some good advice from someone who attended other shoots not to go by the published "time tables" and make your own deals with models. That advice so far as been golden. Jun 23 09 01:08 pm Link I have no clue as to why anyone would want to do a group shoot. I can see a couple of photographers and 2-3 models but any more than that would be redundant and like eating in a cafeteria instead of a fine restaurant. Jun 23 09 01:08 pm Link Group shoots are only as good as the organizer. Jun 23 09 01:09 pm Link GD Whalen wrote: Some people like the cafeteria........... Jun 23 09 01:10 pm Link bencook2 wrote: I've been to a number of really good outdoor, house-based, and studio ones which have been formative to my learning and network-building process. Jun 23 09 01:11 pm Link Laura Dark Photography wrote: Looks like fun! Jun 23 09 01:11 pm Link Chris Macan wrote: sage wisdom! Jun 23 09 01:12 pm Link so far i have not ha way to bad of an exp with group stuff Jun 23 09 01:12 pm Link GD Whalen wrote: Like Sean Baker said, I had hoped to use this to get the "Hello My Name is Ben" shoot out of the way with 2 or 3 models and to be a nice guy and help the portfolios of 2 or 3 more models that normally I would never work with. Jun 23 09 01:14 pm Link Oblivion clothing wrote: ? Jun 23 09 01:14 pm Link I had a good experience. That said, I'm confused. You wrote: "Luckily!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The two main models I want to work with have already assured me that they will be attending despite the summary cancellation." If the organizer canceled the event, what will the two models be attending?  Jun 23 09 01:15 pm Link Good for networking, usually lousy for photography. Jun 23 09 01:15 pm Link Skydancer wrote: Sounds like they're pre-planning an after-shoot salvage. Jun 23 09 01:19 pm Link We have awesome group shoots here in the Midwest. Check out the Events forum for DEAC, CAC, Toledo Historic Theater, Rosemont, and other upcoming gatherings. I'm not sure why other people have such problems. Look in my credits, it should be obvious that I'm a big fan  Jun 23 09 01:22 pm Link Depends on your expectations. If you expect to do unique, creative, different stuff, a group shoot is probably not for you. If you want to shoot in an unusual location, to bring in some out of town talent or to do something involving complex setups, sometimes group shoots are the only way to go. You can still inject your own style into the photos and the post-processing is still all yours. But you may be limited in terms of use of lighting and occasionally tripping over other groups. A lot of it depends on how well the organizer has done their job. A fantastic group shoot like exercise is probably the Naked in the House series. It's a good learning exercise in that typically you've only got a few minutes to nail down your concept, lighting and composition which ultimately helps for solo shoots as it teaches you how to move fast, get in, get the shot and go. Jun 23 09 01:23 pm Link Laura Dark Photography wrote: Ohio has teh bestest!! Jun 23 09 01:24 pm Link nwprophoto wrote: FWIW, seven of my twenty main portfolio images here are from group shoots. Jun 23 09 01:24 pm Link I did a strobist meet at the Eastern State Penn and it was a blast!!! Three photographers to one model and we bounced lighting scenarios off each other. We worked with four different models.. I was happy. A MM event at ESP. 100 + models and photographers. I had all my models scheduled prior to to the shoot sooo it was one on one and no one shooting over my shoulder. Now for the bad: Local meet up. 6 photographers shooting one model at a time. Seriously sucked....... I really think a lot has to do with the organizer. Jun 23 09 01:26 pm Link bencook2 wrote: Yes, but each photographer got one on one time with the models using their own setup (lights/backdrop/whatever). The 3 main photographers got along and didn't mind sharing equipment or setups (via trade usually) and we, 3, learned a lot. Jun 23 09 01:27 pm Link Skydancer wrote: From the beginning I did my own thing. I did not use the time table suggested or try to attend the locations suggested. I requested every model meet me at a centralized location. I contacted all the models individually. Kept an up to date schedule via google docs. Jun 23 09 01:28 pm Link Have been to two group shoots.... first one I learnt a lot, although I felt very uncomfortable during the 'free for all' bits of the shoot.... The model was very professional but must have felt uneasy with the constant barrage of shots coming from all angles !! Second one was just horrible... a bunch of greasy old pervs just there for the most basic of reasons.... left after about 20 mins.... If well organised and done for the right reasons they can be a great way to learn, but otherwise, I steer well clear .... Jun 23 09 01:30 pm Link I have Sunday off to spend what little time I have with family. If group shoots provide the models, lighting, scheduling, then I'm all for it! However, its not good if you already have an idea in your head or want a specific look/style/location. Attend a few and see if you have fun! Jun 23 09 01:31 pm Link Depends on who's there. I love group shoots. They're fun, creative, and I like to watch how other photographers work, as well. My avatar was done at a group shoot.  Jun 23 09 01:32 pm Link There are always horror stories about every facet of this business, but we all are still doing it, right? The key to a good group shoot is a unique location photographer can't normally shoot in and models they can't normally afford. Sure the ratio at most events is 3:1 but there are plenty of times through out the day when modles are just standing sround, so one on one time is plentiful! At my event below, I have a location that rocks in every aspect and models who rock just as hard...I don't know what type of event the OP was going to, but it's not like most. https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=446964 Jun 23 09 01:34 pm Link Virtuous Circle Photo wrote: This is the "gang-bang" part I wanted to avoid at all costs!!! Jun 23 09 01:37 pm Link bencook2 wrote: I have had some good experiences, check out the models that will be attending and see what's provided. I went to one where the lighting and studio were provided as well as the models, and they rotated out among the sets. It at times became a "photographic gang bang" but the models were quick to make sure everyone got their shot and their ideal pose. Another it was just chaos, with people machine gun firing the strobes so you couldn't get a shot. I have been to only two that were a complete waste of money and time. I go to meet new photographers and models, it can be fun. Jun 23 09 01:37 pm Link The last group shoot I was apart of..there were 4 photographers and 4 models.. on a old ranch for half the day and a old shop for the other half..most of the time it was one on one shooting with differnt models and alot of great locations... I liked how that group shoot worked out.. not 12 photographers and one model.. Jun 23 09 01:39 pm Link I have my group shoots differently than most Only one set of lights, Only one shooter at a time. and i try to keep the over all numbers low. last time it was only 15 models . Jun 23 09 01:42 pm Link Maybe I am being too hasty. I don't know. It will be awhile before the sting of the "Canceled" subject line of that email wears off. Jun 23 09 01:45 pm Link Chris Macan wrote: BINGO!... Jun 23 09 01:45 pm Link Select Models wrote: Totally agree. Jun 23 09 01:55 pm Link bencook2 wrote: Not impossible at all... in fact... for over 17 years and 300+ 'group photoshoot events'... Select Models has been Southern California's pillar of success... with the next great event coming up this weekend and posted here... Jun 23 09 01:59 pm Link Three 15 wrote: I have had some of my favorite photos, and photographer/ mua relationships come from some of the group shoots I've attended. Jun 23 09 01:59 pm Link I've had fun at them. But I'm usually just being social. I might care to pick up a technique or learn about equipment...but I don't like to shoot like that. Way too much of a creative control freak for that. I work best in a small team with a baddass plan. Jun 23 09 02:03 pm Link Select Models wrote: Gary, when are you opening up your East Coast location? Jun 23 09 02:26 pm Link bencook2 wrote: Hey Ben... no plans on me heading east my friend... havin WAY TOO MUCH fun out here on the left coast. Judging from your comments and some of the major group shoot FLOPS I've seen out here lately... I'm thinkin an instruction class might be a hot ticket... Jun 23 09 03:17 pm Link |
