Beginners's Photo OP Tips

One of the things I love about studying on my own is the chance to let the world become my teacher. Alongside studying I’ve shared that I freelance on the side, it’s in these instances that I put to use my knowledge from the courses I am enrolled in. I’ve learned many things from how to deal with different clients, to what it’s like having a boss and working in a team. Being exposed to the real world has taught me a thing or two about what to expect when taking on different projects. For instance, this recent Photo Op gig I got from a school. There are a couple of things I learned taking on this project that I would love to share with fellow photographers who are just starting.

The first one, you must have a shortlist ahead of time. This depends on the type of photo shoot you are tasked to do though. In my case, it was a simple ID shoot. I had forgotten to prepare a list of the names of the teachers, luckily I had the list on my phone so I had to make do. Having this list helps you during post-editing when organizing files.

Secondly, set up 30 minutes or an hour before the shoot. This gives you time to position your equipment for the shoot. It’s during this time you could do test shots to see if the lights and your camera settings bring out the shots you want.

Thirdly, bring a monitor or laptop. Your camera's LCD isn't enough to review your shots, especially for portrait shots. This helps you see what you took in a bigger light.

Fourth, don’t be afraid to guide the subject to get the poses you want. From adjusting the way their hair looks to their clothes. It’s better to get everything perfect during the shoot. Don’t make the post-editing process an excuse to fix some things. These things can be overlooked sometimes when you begin shooting cause you can get caught up with the different personalities on the set.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun. It's important to come in with a good attitude because it affects the others around you. I had fun during this simple shoot which makes me look forward to projects like these when they are offered to me. I always take it as an opportunity where I can put to use what I know and learn all at the same time.