yesterday's shoot

the shoot went well yesterday, considering the amount of challenges and people that were involved. At one point, there were 22 people in one house. And I had to direct and be in charge of 20 of them. Oofta.

The wardrobe stylist held up the entire production, no matter what I said, my assistant said, the editor said or the publisher (who was on location for the shoot as well) , she just couldn't get her stuff together and work fast. First outfit, first model : 1 hour to try on every dress she brought with her. Even after we agreed on which outfit for the first location we were shooting. ::sigh:: oh well. I probably did some things as well that weren't very beneficial and slowed people down too, but it sure felt like the wardrobe stylist held up the entire production...ugh.

First 2 models were very green, only been modeling 3 months max. Took direction well but weren't very secure with their bodies and so were constantly trying to make sure dresses weren't falling a certain way , to the point that they were stiff in their posing and movements. On the plus side of working with new models, they'll do whatever you tell them to without any complaints. They looked uncomfortable while doing it, but hey if I can get one usable frame out of a contorted body then so be it!

Third model was most experienced, but had the worst skin of them all. Man ... What a day of trade off's. I think I got some really amazing shots though of her, even if I have to retouch them or if I've got the extra cash I'll send them to an overseas retoucher.

A list of things that happened that will make it memorable shoot:

• Editor's assistant got pulled over in the editor's car while going to go pick third model up, was nearly thrown in jail.
• Owner of the house 'dropped in', when he had told everyone he was in london. how convienent to have him looking over your shoulder every moment.
• Publisher had her assistant/nanny bring her children to the shoot location. They stepped on all of my gear and portfolios and nearly broke a piece of art that is worth more than car.
• Wardrobe stylist's assistant was more effecient and professional than the actual stylist herself.
• We had over 140,000 in jewelry on location
• One dress cost more than 40,000, and entire wardrobe was over 300,000.
  
• A gun was on premises to make sure no one walked off with said expensive jewelry.
• Makeup Artist was an emmy winning artist... for reals.
• Publisher openly discussed her new diet plan of a mixture between anorexia and bulimia , to stay in shape, and she wasn't joking. She topped off her meal of the day, a single almond, with an adderall and a piece of gum.
  

it was fun though. After is all said and done, I got to shoot in another city, get paid for it , have a few days to relax and that's worth it. On top of that, the editor gave me a one-off shoot on Sunday in the city. No production needed. Bring camera and girlfriend and we take the shot. Quick $350. That'll pay for my car & plane ticket.

I think it worked out well.

::anonphotographer