a. Post a model call instead of emailing individual models.
b. Confirm more that 3 models for the day of the shoot (you will have no-shows, and 1 is better than none, and if 3 or more arrive, then you have group shots!)
c. Make sure you state in your call that it’s TFCD (Trade For CD of images), unless you’re wiling to pay. You will also need to state that the model will need to sign a release for commercial use.
—A lot of models are signed with agencies, but they like to do “test” shoots to add to their portfolio. In these cases, be sure to ask them if you can use their image for commercial use. Both you and the model can get in trouble if it’s NOT OK.
—New models can be fine, but you’ll need to work with them. And you might actually get work with someone “up and coming”.
d. Contact a few photographers and ask if they’re looking to update their portfolios (you might want to do this first). A lot of photographers like to do “test” shoots with models they would like to work with. Tell them what your product is, what you need and the “theme” you’re creating and if you have a location. Some photographers just like to shoot regularly, but already have their own ideas and themes. If your product fits into it, they’ll let you know; let them run with it. You could get some amazing product shots out of it, with only having to add their copyright to the image (it’s really not a big deal), just clarify where that will go on the image before hand.
e. Take a photography course at a local community college ($20 a unit), most have night courses. If you can shoot your own stuff, that eliminates a huge part of the equation. Also, knowing what your photographer is shooting, and knowing whether or not they’re shooting what you need is important. (I know some designers have paid big $$$ to photographers, didn’t know anything about photography and got absolutely nothing.) Whether you’re paying the photographer or not, as a designer you need to be able to step in and say something if you don’t think your getting commercial shots. A lot of photographer don’t like designers to be at the shoots for this reason, that’s why I mentioned before that the designer should always be the stylist as well.

There’s so much more advices I could give, but I’m getting typers cramp! Maybe I got lucky, but I’ve been doing pro shoots for the last 2 years for my swimwear and haven’t paid for models or photographers or MUA and hair. Yes, I do buy everyone lunch and sometimes pay for gas if the location is far. Compared to $10,000 it’s a steal. What’s great about TFCD shoots is that everyone is getting something that will better their business or portfolio.

DESIGNERS REMEMBER THAT THIS IS YOUR PRODUCT!!!

Since we are both just starting out in our business ventures (and hoping to make it big!) we decided to do business for trade. So she (www.niftyimages.com) has started by taking pictures of 6 of my dresses and I made her a dress for her little girl. Then she took pictures of 6 of my hats, and I made her a hat for her little girl.

It has been working out great for both of us. I am getting great picutres of my line. And Rachel is getting the experience, promotion, and custom handmade items for her one year old. Look at the results on my website: http://www.katiejean.net. I think it’s been a huge improvement.

We’ve found a way to remedy this a bit. When we do our model cattle calls, we send them home with a carrier to play with, and ask that they put some time in using it. Our other challenge is working with babies. That’s the hardest part. When the baby won’t cooperate, you’re screwed. And you’re there with stylists, photographers, etc just passing time on the clock. We schedule multiple babies in a day, with overlapping shifts. It’s still challenging.

As for learning to do it myself, there’s no way. As if I don’t have enough to do, even with two employees. I was cursing Darien just two days ago for having a professional photographer on staff. At which point I turned and berated my own staff for not being professional photographers ON TOP OF what they already do for me. Kidding. Sort of. They’re used to me and I pay them well

Mike, I know you don’t want specific questions about technical stuff-but an article about your studio set up would be exciting! I am especially curious about lighting that doesn’t cost a fortune. Are you still borrowing your lights or did you invest in a set of studio lights?

Technically, we’re still borrowing the lights. But, their owner has upgraded his setup and so now they are sort of on permanent loan.

The camera is a Canon Digital Rebel SLR. The “studio” is made from foam core – the kind you can buy at your local art supply store.

I’ll see if I can’t take an inventory and maybe a few pictures of our setup and do a followup entry next week.

Miachelle-for shooting photos of your jewelry try contacting someone who shoots slides for artists. They should have the equiment and knowledge of shooting small sculptures and fine art jewelry and will run you about 10-15 dollars per piece to photograph. Folks who document artwork for artists have no rights to the image so you don’t need to pay for copyright things-at least not in my experience. You won’t get any fancy shallow depth of field trendy photos-but you should have clear photos the professionally display your product.

I haven’t had products photographed at market for selling use, although showrooms let me take digital camera pictures of items for later reference.

But what I am doing is going after market and borrowing the samples for a few hours while I run them down to the photo studio that’s in the Mart so that I can have the photos long before I get the actual inventory. This really works best if you’re shooting on mannequins, otherwise you can have a tricky time coordinating all of that with the model’s time.

Usually right after market, they have all their samples, few appointments, and they haven’t hit the road yet. If you go before market, they may not have all of the samples as some samples literally arrive at the last minute.

if you cannot afford good photos- you cannot afford a business

It depends on what you’re selling and who you’re selling to. For a DE selling 5 collections a year to retailers, expensive photography may be an unnecessary expense.