A couple weeks ago, I was invited to take part of a collective photo shoot in an equestrian farm in Sonoma Valley. It was the first photo shoot of a group called: The collective model. The idea behind the collective is to have a group of talented models, make-up artists and photographers who get together to help each other out. Nobody gets paid (except maybe the location) and everyone benefits from the shoot. Everyone gets new images for their portfolio.
For this first shoot, the location was a farm in Sonoma Valley, where we had access to horses, stables and rings. There were 5 models (Taylor, Brian, Debbie, Yuliya and Russo) and one other photographer plus myself. After a quick introduction and walk around the property, we got to work.
It was a very fluid setup, where models can come and go. It made up for interesting group pictures but I found that it was hard to get unique images because there was no concept image. We ended up with staged life images like those:
Debbie and Brian
Russo and Taylor
Sometimes I was able to work briefly one-on-one with a model but those images were rare. Those two images are among the best ones, I was able to get. I had maybe 5 to 6 minutes before another model will join the shoot.
Russo and her horse
Cowgirl (model: Yuliya)
I got more group pictures and as time was progressing I took more control of the images and their concept. On our very last location, I had a concept in my mind of a TV show about young working cowboys and cowgirls and we were there to get the images for the poster, website of the TV show (see feature image). I knew I wanted a group photo with everyone with cowboys hat and yet their face clearly visible. I setup a large Orb with an Einstein, camera right (about 3 feet being the camera) and another stripbox on the ground in front of the models to remove the hat shadows.
The second concept image was only the girls being tough (still for the same fictional show). Russo, Debbie and Yuliya did a great job getting into the mood. After shooting all afternoon, the flash battery was really low and died when we were shooting this image. I had time to take only 3 images. The expression of the models is perfect, but I don’t like too much the fact that the left side of the faces of Russo and Debbie are a little too dark. I have learned, next time I will bring another vagabond, just in case.
Tough girls (Yuliya, Russo and Debbie)
Overall it was a great experience, I walked away with good images and a lot of lessons learned for next time. I can’t wait for the next collective shoot later this month.