I am excited to share with everyone that I was able to do my very first studio photoshoot with my dance group, Danzoo→Dash! This was such a fun experience and I thought that writing a blog post on the whole ordeal would help people who want to do photoshoots for cosplay, idol work, or general modeling in the future! Please enjoy!
Not only is modeling for a studio shoot particularly stressful, but so is organizing one! Organization of a studio shoot involves not only finding the studio and preparing the preliminary footwork for rental, but also blocking out the time it will take, preparing your photographers, Make Up Artists, and models for the shoot itself.
Organizing the Shoot:
Step One: Finding Your LocationThis may be the most difficult of the steps because finding a studio that works for everyone and is well within your budget is a difficult task. For those living in a city, it may be easier than for those who are living further away from a major hub. The best advice for this is to try and ask around in your community for those who have been in a studio shoot. If you do not know anybody, then it would be best to consult your trustiest friend: google reviews!
I found our studio well within our price range because I was willing to take a chance on a studio that I had not ever toured before. I would recommend touring the studio if possible because it is difficult to decide if something will suit your needs if you haven't stepped foot there. Once you have toured a few places, pick your favorite and proceed to book the studio!
Step Two: Preparing Your Photographers and Helpers
The next important factor in the shoot is finding your photographers and your helpers. Some studios have a max limit of people, so you will need to consult your studio before so you do not go over that limit. Make sure you have enough photographer help on set, one photographer cannot do every shot if you have a 5 hour long studio shoot... Make sure they can bring one or two people for lighting and assistance which they trust and know can do their jobs correctly.
Next helpers I suggest is a make up artist - who we did not have this shoot! - and one to two additional helpers who can make sure the photo is set up with props and backdrop as well as keeping all of your things organized and your faces looking cute! We were lucky to have Kururin-san of Citrus Idol Project there to help us, she even brought doughnuts and I love her!!! (๑♡⌓♡๑)
Step Three: Organizing your Shoot!
The rest of organizing the shoot is figuring out which props and backdrop extra stuff you need to collect as well as what outfits/themes you plan on shooting. If you are doing this with your own odorite/idol group, this may be a bit overwhelming so I suggest having another member help you organize the shoot on a excel sheet and cutting your themes down to 1/2 the themes you want to put out on social media throughout the year.
Teru-san was able to create a google sheet which not only created a timed schedule of events, but also helped with poses and order of events! This was so helpful to have at the shoot day so everybody was able to know what was going on and when things were supposed to happen. Make sure that everyone knows what they are wearing and how they want to pose before the shoot and then it's time for the shoot! Go ahead and grab your last minute snacks and water for the shoot and the day of the shoot will come quickly!
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| Thanks to Aoki-san for the BTS Shot! |
The Day of the Shoot!:
Protip One: Packing!Packing is super difficult, because you are essentially packing as much as you would for a convention, but for a one day ordeal. We had multiple clothing racks available to us and that we had brought along with us which helped keep our outfits organized. Teru-sama also created hanging name tags to section off each person's outfits, which were incredibly helpful! You can find similar things to what we used: here!
Do your absolute best to make sure you have your essentials: hangers for your clothing, make up, hair styling tools, and accessories, wigs, props, and undergarments! But also try and contain things to as few bags as possible! This is the most difficult part. We had no room to walk due to all of our luggage... However we did our best! Packing lightly has always been my biggest struggle and will probably continue to be a struggle... haha!(♡´ 艸 `)
Protip Two: Organizing at the Venue
As soon as you get to the venue, unpack your things in one area as to keep yourself organized and prevent loss of items. Make sure to hang up your outfits/cosplays, keep your wigs together, props together, and make sure that your hair and makeup are on your own section of the table.
When you are done with a set of shots, try your best to return your clothing to the racks, props packed away, and other things put away if you aren't going to be using them again. When it comes time to pack up and finish the shoot, if you are pre-packing throughout the shoot it makes things much easier!
Protip Three: Come with Your Face On
Any makeup artist will thank you if you have prepped your face with skincare and your base (concealer and foundation) beforehand! It will help cut down on time that could be used to perfect your detailed make up and hair/wig styling!
Protip Four: Listen to your Photographer/Helper!
Your photographer is the one who can see the composition of the photo as it is happening. Have your helpers keep an eye on your facial expressions and listen to them and your photographer on how your poses are coming across. Some things are cute in real life, but just don't come across in photos well...
Also! You cannot particularly see how the lighting is hitting your face, so something that may seem fun or cool may end up looking sketchy because of how the light is being reflected... They know best, so make sure to put your trust in your photographer and helpers! Your helpers should be your eyes from afar where your photographer will be keeping their eye on the composition of the photo and the lighting and clarity.
This was a long post because I had so many things that I learned this time around. I am excited to do another photoshoot in the future, but I think I need a little while to recover from this one... Please make sure to follow Danzoo→Dash for the photos that we will be releasing on our various social medias!
I will be at MTAC in Tennessee from March 30th - April 1st!
Please come see me and the AWA crew at our booth!
I hope to see you there!
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