“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
A2D2 Double Silks Act, Photo by Ari Segal
How true this statement is!
In circus, a great shot can be the difference between landing an event booking or not. Pictures bridge the gap between language and understanding.
When your client asks “What is a double silks act anyway?” Pull out your blackberry and produce a picture [like the one displayed to the right of this article] and “voila” comprehension and enhanced communication is achieved!
Over the last few years my partners and I have run several photoshoots -all for various projects spanning from shows to individual products and services offered by our company. Every time we run a photoshoot we learn something new about the process.
Below are a few tips that may help you out the next time you pull out the glitter, rig your apparatus’, hire the photographer and purchase refreshments.
Find a Fantastic Photographer
Circus photography is no easy task. Seek out a professional photographer who ideally has experience in capturing dynamic [not static] performance shots. You’ll want a pro with patience and a positive attitude. No grumps allowed! It’s going to be a long day together so you need to ensure that you have someone who is not only up to the task but pleasant to be around!
Establish Clarity of your Goals and Communicate
Discuss your rights to the images. You are the client, paying for the service, therefore the photographs are your property. You should have a very clear discussion about this topic with your photographer BEFORE the shoot takes place. All the better if there is a signed document/contractual agreement which formally outlines this discussion. Discuss also their expectations…you really need to be on the same page here.
Also, be clear on the kind of images you would like as a result of the shoot. A great photographer will ask all of the right questions in advance and try to understand what it is you are looking for.
Another “fantastic photographer” trait is his or her ability to produce HIGH-REZ photos either before or on deadline [so fabulous!] -NOT later.
Find an Appropriate Location
“Location, location, location!”
This is a key component to a successful shoot. Be sure to scout and rent a location which serves all of your needs. Is there enough room for equipment, lighting, artists? Are there enough electrical outlets? Is there a change area? Is there parking on-site? Where do you load-in? Etc.
Schedule the Day
Our photoshoots run much smoother when the day is actually scheduled. Decide what it is you want to shoot when. This will minimize overlap and spare artists extra hours of standing around and waiting for their turn. If everyone involved in the process is aware of the time line there is much more incentive to stay on track [so that everyone can be home in time for dinner!]
Bring Healthy Snacks
Avoid low-blood sugar at all costs. Hunger can only lead to grumpiness, which leads me to my next point…
Beware of the Cranks
Like anyone else, tired and over-exerted circus artists can be grumpy after hours on site. First: Make sure that there is adequate resting periods in between apparatus’, sequences, etc. Second: Feed your folks [as advised above!], and Third: You should expect a certain level of professionalism from your [fellow] artists. If they are in a bad mood don’t let the negative energy effect you. You are in charge and it is your responsibility to see the shoot through to completion no matter what attitudes you run up against. Keep it positive people!
Acknowledge the Hard Work
Be sure to thank all parties involved in the shoot: The venue owner, the artists, the photographer etc. Brand the photos with your company logo and then distribute them to your artists. This is not only a great way to say “We appreciate your work!” but it also helps to reinforce your brand! More bookings means more work for all -it’s a win-win scenario!
Friends, I welcome your feedback as there are so many more dimensions to the photoshoot process! What say you?
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Find an Appropriate Location:
This information is quite helpful to the client. However, once the client has found a location, the location address should be e-mailed to the photographer 2 or 3 days before the event (even sooner). This way, the photographer will have a chance to scout the location himself/herself. The reason being the photographer should carry the proper equipment based on the internal lighting, and s/he should know the location of the outlets.
The photographer can photograph the event without scouting the location, but it is always better for the photographer to be fully aware of what s/he can expect.
Schedule the Day:
This is very important to everyone. The schedule should be e-mailed to the photographer 2-3 days before the event (or even sooner).
I should add the fact that this is not just about producing good quality images (sharpness, colours etc.). The client should like the photographer’s style, i.e., the way s/he composes/visualizes the dancers/subjects/models in a frame. Such photographic capability is of utmost importance, which comes from experience/talent/education and distinguishes a professional from an amateur. A professional photographer constantly previsualizes what is going to appear on a print, and his/her experiences in composition enriches the way the visual message is produced. A professional photographer sees patterns/lights/forms/volumes/shape in subjects and surrounding environment and relates the subjects to the surrounding objects in his/her mind. What a pro sees and visualizes is what makes him/her an artist. Professional photographer as an art form is far from just pointing and shooting.
Thanks for the added advice and input Shary! Its so great to have a photographer’s perspective pertaining to this post.
I’ve worked with a lot of photographers and it is so true that the qualities and characteristics you’ve listed distinguish the average from the outstanding between amateurs and pros.
Once again, thank you for your comments!
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