Fun fact about me, my first ever photoshoot was a commercial fashion shoot. This is not the normal place most photographers start, as it’s way more intense than a free shoot with friends or family. The stakes are high, the team is huge, and the expectations are enormous—rightfully so.
I had been working as a filmmaker and cinematographer for a few years, so I was not starting from scratch. But honestly, I had no idea how to use strobe photography lights and had exactly zero experience communicating with fashion models (which I’m sure you can image is important for a FASHION shoot).
Needless to say, there were many sleepless nights leading up the the shoot. But I wanted to make sure I was as prepared as possible. So I practiced with my friends and even myself. I watched as many YouTube videos as possible. I ran through scenarios in my head.
The great news is that the shoot was a BIG success. The client was very happy, and ended up booking me for over a hundred more shoots over the next 5 years.
Here’s the lesson I learned from this experience…
Big risk CAN equal big reward. But to make this work, 3 things are crucial to the equation:
1) A rock solid team. I hired the best humans I could find; without them I would have fallen apart.
2) Crystal-clear communication with the client and team. Managing expectations and making sure everyone is on the same page is CRUCIAL.
3) An opportunity. I needed someone to take a chance on the new guy on the block. For this, I will always be grateful to @cestmoiclothing, @sandrabastone and the man in charge of it all Larry (@larryezerzer), the owner. He saw talent in an untested photographer and took a risk.
The risk worked out great for all of us. Years later, and I am still working with C’est Moi Clothing.
Here are some photos from our most recent shoot.
Huge thank you to the team who supported this shoot. You guys are freaking rockstars. 🌟
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Model: @paigedubrul
Hair & Make-up: @kellyd.makeup
Production design + styling: @sandrabastone & @ariellaezerzer
Digital Tech: @misha_ras
Lighting Support: Sean Tate
Editing: 85Retouching
Photography: @dariusbashar
PS: Special shoutout to Sarah Morales. She was my first stylist and my rock for at least the first 50 of those shoots. Her support, mad talent and kindness were essential and will forever be appreciated.
