Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

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

Baby Bump at 33 weeks

(Download)

Baby Bump at 33 weeks

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

What's an "AD"?

Bill_de Loc: US

Nice 'walk through' and wonderful pictures. One of the the best posts I've seen this year!

Thanks Thomas!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

I am a woman....these make me feel quite ill! what happened to modesty? yuk

Bill_de Loc: US

Maybe you prefer images from down under???
https://www.gettyimages.ca/photos/pregnant-women-australia

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Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"What's an "AD"? the Art Director Longshadow

"The art director is the head honcho of the shoot. They figure out the overall visual direction of a shoot and how to execute that vision with the team and resources they have. The art director is responsible for communicating the vision to the team and managing the team."

"Art directors are a crucial part of a design team. They inspire and guide the vision of the design team, oversee the work of illustrators, graphic/visual designers, photographers, and others who are engaged in artwork or layout design."

Since this highly experienced Agency Fashion Model is indeed the client on the session as well as the Art Director her vision is paramount to the ultimate outcome of the deliverables.

Hope this helps Longshadow or at least brought some clarity to the narrative provided...
Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback...

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you so much for your very kind words and support Bill_de...
They are truly appreciated! btw, totally love the collection of your work posted on NIKON IMAGE SPACE

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback dancers...
I attempted to send you a link to the Model's IG account where you could review over 100 "Likes" and feedback she received when she posted these images but sadly you have blocked me on UHH...

Albeit I'll let her know that she possibly doesn't meet the mores, customs, and norms of behaviors that are acceptable to the society of Melbourne Victoria, Australia...

btw, she is an ICU Registered Nurse at her local hospital... And is still at work as I post this...
Yes she works 12 shifts in the Intensive Care Ward where there is zero tolerance of error...

What do you call someone who saves a life? A Hero!
"What do you call someone who saves a hundred lives? An ICU Nurse...

btw dancer she is going to have a Natural Delivery primarily because epidurals dull "feeling" of the contractions so a women won't know precisely when and how hard to push her baby out... Besides all analgesic and anaesthetic drugs are lipid soluble and will cross the placenta and can slow the baby's fetal heart rate.

Of merit in the UK and Australia nitrous oxide is a widely used inhaled anesthetic that doesn't adversely effect the baby... Albeit it isn't nearly as effective in reducing pain...

Wishing your much Joy over this Holiday Season dancer and much success in the New Year ahead!
Cheers! Thomas

tramsey Loc: Texas

That is a truck load of information. I find it very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to create a great photo and a great how to

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

Light is light and tools are tools...

Why not describe more on the lighting effects you targeted, especially for the face and clothing, Why the clients chose the pure white background, the timing constraint for a Christmas eve shoot, and the need of the approval procedure from an "art director". Not understanding the tagging and sharing unedited Jpegs? ... client social media need or your idea?

Most are interested in the taste and appearance of the meal when presented, and usually not the recipe... or what pots or pans were used to produce it...

EJMcD

REALLY?? The miracle of birth is a wonderful thing. I see nothing immodest about these images.

We see what we want to see. I see beautiful images of a miracle in process.

EJMcD

However, this is a website where we freely discuss "all" aspects of photography. Maybe this is just not your site.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

I do not understand what you were saying. It makes no sense. I think it is beautiful.
Bruce.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

As always, your photographic work is excellently done, very professional, and very well explained. I learned from your images how to try to get the lighting and details on things I try to capture.
Now as far as these two images are, I can’t think of the words to describe how wonderfully beautiful this time that the mother shared as she will have this to show her child later on Later on in life.
I retired from working in hospitals, and I can truly attest to the fact that nurses are very special. It takes a special calling to do what they do.
Bruce

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Excellent work Thomas - well done!