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Studio Photography: Christmas Eve Maternity Photoshoot with Agency Fashion Model
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Dec 28, 2023 08:22:18   #
elee950021 Loc: New York, NY
 
Longshadow wrote:
What's an "AD"?


"Art Director"

Nice images, why the criticism about Maternity Shoots? I've done 4 of them and the images were loved by the mothers and fathers-to-be!

Be well! Happy New Year! Ed

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 09:03:15   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
Thomas902 wrote:
Kit Used:
Paul Buff Alien Bee 1600; Paul Buff 60” Foldable Octabox; Pro-Elite Bike Repair Stand; Paul Buff Cybersync Transmitter/Receiver; Smith Victor FLASHLITE 120i MONOLIGHT; Paul Buff 13' Air-Cushioned Light Stand; Impact Aluminum Mid-Range Boom Arm; Tokina AT-X AF f2.8 50-135mm 535 DX for Nikon; Nikon D810; Induro GHB1 Gimbal Head; Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod

Lighting Gear Notes:
The Paul Buff 60” Foldable Octabox with Alien Bee 1600 is mounted on the Pro-Elite Bicycle Repair Stand (modified to hold Lighting Accessories (Load rating: 75 lbs))
The Smith Victor FLASHLITE 120i MONOLIGHT with PhotoGenic 28" Silver Parabolic is mounted on an Impact Aluminum Mid-Range Boom Arm which is mounted on the Paul Buff 13' Air-Cushioned Light Stand

This aforementioned "Kit Listing" is embedded in the .jpg file for posting on flickr where they are parsed out as "TAGS" same with IG where they are again added as "Image Tags"

This Maternity Session was shot several days ago... 12/24 (8 hours including prep and wardrobe changes)
The Model was the AD on the Shoot and managed Wardrobe
Her significant other was the lighting assistant
Both were absolutely critical for a successful outcome in as there is no way I would attempt this solo.

The greatest challenged was by far Illumination...
It took several days to setup and balance illumination
I used a Nikon D300s with an AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR-II DX Nikkor for that task (the D300s is pretty much identical to the D810 in required features & controls) and with the VR-II the Gimbal Mount was redundant i.e. only used for the actual session shoot.

Please realize that nearly all my Kit is either Refurbished or Previously Owned. What I'm sharing with you here is there actually is a relatively low barrier to entry for Studio Scenarios. In my experience as a commercial makeup artist on many many commercial jobs the greatest challenge to a DYI home studio are 11 foot ceilings. This is critical for working with 5'11" fashion models who can't do vertical narratives (jumps etc.) even without arms raised. Albeit I can Beauty Genre work with a typical 8' ceiling (however for serious Beauty Genre a Hair Light is Critical to the mix and thus requires at least 10' ceilings)

Posted Below is the AD's first pick... Delivered in 24 hours... another dozen to go (at a more civilized rate)

If you are serious about shooting commercial assignments you'll likely need a Studio (they are readily available in nearly all major Metro areas) many even have rental kit available also. However to master studio illumination by renting studio space is akin to taking an Uber for a cross-country vacation... a.k.a. It is very time intensive...

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
Wishing all a fabulous Holiday Season and an Epic successful Photographic Journey in the New Year ahead!
Cheers! Thomas
Kit Used: br Paul Buff Alien Bee 1600; Paul Buff 6... (show quote)


Thomas,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and all that is required to make such beautiful pictures.
Your pictures always make me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

PS: Please Have A Healthy, And Happy New Year

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 09:39:50   #
Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Beautifully posed, well lit and expertly captured image. Thanks for the background information on the tools used to create a shot like this. A lot of time and effort pays huge dividends in an image the model will cherish for years to come. Fast forward 45 years when she shows her grandchildren just how beautiful life can be.

Reply
 
 
Dec 28, 2023 09:54:59   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
A well done shoot indeed!I've been using Paul Buff's monolights since the 80's and have never had one fail.

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 10:39:17   #
EJMcD
 
elee950021 wrote:
"Art Director"

Nice images, why the criticism about Maternity Shoots? I've done 4 of them and the images were loved by the mothers and fathers-to-be!

Be well! Happy New Year! Ed


Thankfully, there was only one negative criticism (dancers) regarding the images.

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 11:51:45   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Thank you Thomas for sharing these beautifully crafted images - nothing lovelier than a pregnant woman.

Cheers,
Chris

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 12:04:01   #
rangerjohn Loc: Houston Texas
 
Very nice work and explanation.

I’ve only tried maternity shooting once (recently) and I really didn’t like the results.
The space was cramped the subject was preoccupied (she has a 5 year old who wasn’t exactly helpful) and it was very last minute so little help.

Always learning.

Reply
 
 
Dec 28, 2023 12:05:15   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
dancers wrote:
I am a woman....these make me feel quite ill! what happened to modesty? yuk


Seriously? I find them lovely; not at all immodest.

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 12:21:14   #
chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
...hopefully we all gain insights from your professional work, Thomas. Beautiful, both subject and lighting. It's still Uber for me, haha...

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 13:14:54   #
MrPhotog
 
So which did she choose?

The full color version or the sepia toned B&W version?

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 13:16:26   #
BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh
 
Thomas -
Good to see you still at it and courteous even under critical circumstances; your comments frequently add a chuckle to my day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Reply
 
 
Dec 28, 2023 13:57:58   #
srg
 
Thomas902 wrote:
Kit Used:
Paul Buff Alien Bee 1600; Paul Buff 60” Foldable Octabox; Pro-Elite Bike Repair Stand; Paul Buff Cybersync Transmitter/Receiver; Smith Victor FLASHLITE 120i MONOLIGHT; Paul Buff 13' Air-Cushioned Light Stand; Impact Aluminum Mid-Range Boom Arm; Tokina AT-X AF f2.8 50-135mm 535 DX for Nikon; Nikon D810; Induro GHB1 Gimbal Head; Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod

Lighting Gear Notes:
The Paul Buff 60” Foldable Octabox with Alien Bee 1600 is mounted on the Pro-Elite Bicycle Repair Stand (modified to hold Lighting Accessories (Load rating: 75 lbs))
The Smith Victor FLASHLITE 120i MONOLIGHT with PhotoGenic 28" Silver Parabolic is mounted on an Impact Aluminum Mid-Range Boom Arm which is mounted on the Paul Buff 13' Air-Cushioned Light Stand

This aforementioned "Kit Listing" is embedded in the .jpg file for posting on flickr where they are parsed out as "TAGS" same with IG where they are again added as "Image Tags"

This Maternity Session was shot several days ago... 12/24 (8 hours including prep and wardrobe changes)
The Model was the AD on the Shoot and managed Wardrobe
Her significant other was the lighting assistant
Both were absolutely critical for a successful outcome in as there is no way I would attempt this solo.

The greatest challenged was by far Illumination...
It took several days to setup and balance illumination
I used a Nikon D300s with an AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR-II DX Nikkor for that task (the D300s is pretty much identical to the D810 in required features & controls) and with the VR-II the Gimbal Mount was redundant i.e. only used for the actual session shoot.

Please realize that nearly all my Kit is either Refurbished or Previously Owned. What I'm sharing with you here is there actually is a relatively low barrier to entry for Studio Scenarios. In my experience as a commercial makeup artist on many many commercial jobs the greatest challenge to a DYI home studio are 11 foot ceilings. This is critical for working with 5'11" fashion models who can't do vertical narratives (jumps etc.) even without arms raised. Albeit I can Beauty Genre work with a typical 8' ceiling (however for serious Beauty Genre a Hair Light is Critical to the mix and thus requires at least 10' ceilings)

Posted Below is the AD's first pick... Delivered in 24 hours... another dozen to go (at a more civilized rate)

If you are serious about shooting commercial assignments you'll likely need a Studio (they are readily available in nearly all major Metro areas) many even have rental kit available also. However to master studio illumination by renting studio space is akin to taking an Uber for a cross-country vacation... a.k.a. It is very time intensive...

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
Wishing all a fabulous Holiday Season and an Epic successful Photographic Journey in the New Year ahead!
Cheers! Thomas
Kit Used: br Paul Buff Alien Bee 1600; Paul Buff 6... (show quote)


I thought that was common knowledge.
"AD" means means "After Death"
Used to denote the number of years following the death of Paul Buff.

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 14:27:18   #
PaulW128 Loc: Long Island, NY
 
srg wrote:
I thought that was common knowledge.
"AD" means means "After Death"
Used to denote the number of years following the death of Paul Buff.


Good one.

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 14:32:17   #
Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana
 
srg wrote:
I thought that was common knowledge.
"AD" means means "After Death"
Used to denote the number of years following the death of Paul Buff.


😂😂😂

Reply
Dec 28, 2023 16:51:05   #
Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida
 
So nice to see you and your beautiful work and detailed info again! It's exceptional, as usual!
Dancers, I think you are 'behind the times'. Pregnancy is beautiful, and women now show their 'bellies' proudly.
Thomas, you were so kind and helpful to me when I posted pix of my Great-Grandson a bit over a year ago. I
didn't post more due to my kids' privacy concerns. He's two now, and I'm going to attach some recents of both him and my Step-Great-Grandaughter.
Happy New Year!
And keep posting your beautiful work!

His first haircut
His first haircut...















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