You got through the day without killing your crew! We call that a successful day in the biz. What is left besides wrapping up and hitting the road for a hot shower at home? Check your work. As a writer, I am constantly pushing alt+S to save my work. Reviewing what you have done in the studio is the final essential to ending the shoot day. If you are shooting video then check your list and make sure you got all the scenes you need shot to remain on schedule.
Gate Checks
There is a famous phrase after a take, “check the gate.” Can you imagine if a spec of dirt was in the lens? I’ve been on set as this has happened. It means stop packing up the trucks and start setting up for reshoots. Hey, it’s better than finding out in post that you need to reshoot.
For Photographers
The important thing is to catch the errors as soon as you can. Thankfully we live in a digital age. Photographers can scroll through a series of images on their camera in an instant. Take a few minutes at the end of the shoot to review. You should have a good chunk of quality shots to select at a future date with your client. Do this before dismissing your model or packing up your products.
Steady Throughout the Day
You can do this as you go. Each time you switch lighting you can review the work thus far. I like to upload from my sd cards to my computer while a P.A. helps with the stage transitions. Putting the data on a computer means I can free space on my camera cards and send samples to the client. So many times do I hear, “Oh, can we get this shot but different” and if I’m still in the studio I can reply back without hesitation “Not a problem.”
Review Privately
Ok, this is actually a good question. As a photographer, you work for a client. If you are shooting for your own art then this is different. When you are shooting for a company and they assign you a model. The talent does not usually have a say in this case about which photos to select. Now, I ask the question about headshots. If the model is the client then ideally they should be able to decide about the work as it proceeds. Dealing with talent can sometimes be an issue. There is a subjective nature to how people see themselves. Their perception can change once they leave the studio. The best is to weigh the quality against the personality of the model.
Share Live
We have another form of review to discuss. We live in a digital age that is soaked with social media. The fat of the bacon if you will. Maybe it is your intention to distribute images as you shoot. Upload and send a quickie sample to your Instagram and hashtag for those searching in the same vein. If you are shooting and uploading to live stream then post a review link for followers to catch up on.
This concludes the 4-part blog series on essential studio shoot day tips. Catch up with the rest here and keep reading for more awesome tips, facts, and stories at DK3 Studios Blog and New Evolution Video Blog with new articles every week.
Here are the first three parts in the series:
1: Setting Up the Studio
2: Casting Talent and Product Shots
3: Musts and Mustn’ts for the Day of the Shoot