burkphoto wrote:
Well, I've never done anything remotely like this, and wouldn't, but I have done enough portraiture to comment.
Be sure you know EXACTLY and SPECIFICALLY what, and how much, they want you to show. It's their "show". You don't get to direct it. If they want a story with a timeline, capture a story with a timeline. Just be sure you know when it starts, and when it is supposed to end (from your perspective). If they want ONE scene, both you and they must know what that looks like. So consider a "clothed simulation" rehearsal.
Have a personal exit strategy in case they encounter "significant emotional distress."
Beyond all else, be sure to get a written release that relieves you of all responsibility for dissemination of the photos, whether over the Internet or via any other means.
In some communities, covering this kind of event in a certain manner can be considered pornography, no matter what else you or your client may call it. So be cautious. Go to Las Vegas if they want hard core!
That said, there are all too many good, bad, and ugly examples of similar things on Tumblr (and those 2 billion porn sites out there).
The use of soft, indirect, diffused, and bounced lighting is recommended for photographing skin of average subjects.
Accent lights can be harder light sources, but you need plenty of broad fill sources to flatter bodies.
Keep all lights at the same color temperature. Don't use any flash — they don't need any distractions! About 500 watts worth of 91 CRI, 5500°K CFLs will do it.
Put some of those CFLs in table lamps, and bounce the rest off the ceiling, or use very large soft boxes or umbrellas. Use a digital calibration target to set manual exposure and custom white balance. You need that, especially if the sheets on the bed are white.
If they want video and stills, record JPEGs (or JPEGs and raw) for the stills. The raw files are highly unlikely to match the video, no matter how you process them. (This is all the more reason to use a cal target.)
A large hotel room (in Las Vegas?) where you can set up lighting in advance works. Just be sure the ceiling is white, and you have enough outlets or power strips for your lights.
As far as angles, unless they want you to work from a tripod for some reason, plan to walk around and get whatever they asked for. A 24-70mm f/2.8 (full frame equivalent) zoom would be my lens choice, with an 85mm f/1.8 (FF equivalent) handy.
It should go without saying... DON'T keep copies, and DO respect their privacy. If they want to throw a party and show all their friends, that's their business.
Good luck!
Well, I've never done anything remotely like this,... (
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Well said, and to repeat my earlier comment: "Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage,..." William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 1, scene 5.
You don't want to be the photographer that is either hanged or hung out to dry....