Detroit People Photography – Assisting

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Detroit Michigan People Photographers Mary DuPrie

People Photography in the Detroit area for paid work is mostly commercial. So dealing with people is key… and assistants are people.  You need a great team for high end work.  If you have one bugaboo in the group it changes the flavor of the mix.

TESTING ASSISTANTS

Testing comes and goes, it seems to run in waves.  When I need to bolster up a part of my book or even add a new category I’ll probably offer a flurry of testing.

People ask and offer their help all the time.  So how do I decide?  Lot’s of factors come in to play, some major some minor.  These are just my quirks but might give you some insight.

NOT LOOKING FOR

Presenting a problem in your reply.. I don’t care how far you have to drive, what time you have to get up, how late we’ll stay… fill in the blanks.   I have my own problems to think about.

Someone who just casually puts it out there that they would like to “help” sometime.  If you casually ask once and nothing else… it will leave my brain immediately… you’ll probably need to pester me.

I want someone who is more aggressive and pursuing photography.  Someone who is not a full blown competitor but coming up the ladder.  Perhaps a landscape photographer who is struggling shooting people and who will not eventually be setting up shop right down the street.

LOOKING FOR

Someone who is not struggling financially and probably has a good job already.  Shows up very well dressed (over dressed).  No jeans and t-shirts.  Pretend it’s a paying job.

An assistant who cleans up during down times… always straightening and putting things away if not needed.

Assistants that are proactive versus reactive.  Not over chatty with clients… you’re kind of invisible, like a ninja!  A great co-host.

THINGS THAT IRRITATE

People that show up then tell me that they have to leave… I need an open end time, you never know what might happen.  Ask me for my address and info… stuff that would be easy to find if they just put a little effort into it.  Not thinking about the next step without micro managing.

These are just a very few highlights…

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Detroit Michigan Model Photographers…Sabaticals

Detroit Michigan Model Photgraphy

Detroit Michigan Model Photgraphy

 

Detroit Michigan Commercial Model Photographers Mary DuPrie

The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described several places in the Bible (Leviticus 25, for example, where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year). In the strict sense, therefore, a sabbatical lasts a year.

So what have I been doing the last year… Argentine Tango. It was happenstance, I didn’t mean to, it was serendipitous. I originally wanted to learn west coast swing.

I have to say it’s amazing all the similarities that Argentine Tango and Photography have in common, especially model photography. But more about that later.

I’ve still been doing paid shoots, but have cut down testing dramatically and haven’t really had any meetups or workshops.  It’s going to take me a while to get back up to speed.

Dancing has been good in all sorts of ways!

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Detroit Michigan Editorial Photographers

 

Detroit Michigan Editorial Photographers Mary DuPrie Commercial Photographers Detroit Mary DuPrie

Detroit Michigan Editorial Photographers… I hosted an ASMP event last night at the studio.  Tom McKenzie moderated the round table, ask anything, event.  ASMP main focus is for photographs who do editorial (not fashion editorials) for magazines.  A great resouce for new photographers quoting commercial and editorial photography and learn about copyright.  Meetings are normally held every third Thursday of the month.

The goal of ASMP is:

Our goal is to educate photographers, clients and students to the value of photography and the benefits of good business practices. The American Society of Magazine Photographers was founded in 1944 by a handful of the world’s leading photographers, and is recognized internationally for its leadership role. ASMP has more than 5000 members in 40 chapters across the USA, and members in 37 foreign countries.

The ASMP has three purposes:

1. To protect and promote the interests of photographers whose work is for publication.

2. To promote high professional standards and ethics.

3. To cultivate friendship and mutual understanding between photographers. Professional photographers rely on the paid use of their images to support themselves.

 

The studio shows great and night, big, open but still cozy.  Lots of different colored of light sources… disco balls, chandeliers, candelabras, church lanterns, stage lighting ect.  I never use my ceiling lighting at night.  Great smelling candles,  a full bar and finally great sexy music.

International music with an emphasis on laid back Tango, very little English is on my playlist.  Most clients say they’ve never heard the songs before and often ask to write down what we’re listening to… ahhh.

Against popular believe I do not let the talent choose the studio music, I develop and create all the studio playlists.  I just cannot be creative with music that is annoying to me, I’m ok with it being annoying to someone else, they’re there to do a job.

 

www.asmpmichigan.org

 

 

 

Detroit People Photography Mary DuPrie

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Metro Detroit Portfolio Photographers

 

Metro Detroit Portfolio PhotographersDetroit Fashion Photographers Mary DuPrie

Metro Detroit Portfolio Photographers, we need to have lots of different techniques in our arsenal to give a model the variety they need.   A portfolio is built up over time.  I often have people call and ask for a “portfolio”, using that phrase I know they are just starting in modeling.   You develop a portfolio over time, not in one shoot.

Artistic images aren’t normally needed when first starting but if you’re testing/tfcd/tfp/tf…  you get what you get.   If you were a new model paying for a shoot, fairly simple shots would be in order.  The images should be about the model, not the technique or photographer.

In larger markets agencies make you test with one of their photographers and the model has to pay for that.  One model I’ve photographed several times stated that her Miami Agency made her test at least every three months (which she had to pay for).  They also have a list of photographers who want to break in to the business and will test for free for various reasons.  Another level of testing is the model might only have to pay the makeup artist, which might even be discounted.

Basically whoever is considered at the top of the heap is in the drivers seat.

Testing in our industry is common and there are different types

1. Agency Testing, the model pays the photographer and makeup/hair person and perhaps a wardrobe stylist

2.  The model only pays the photographer or makeup artist

3.  The model pays no one

4.  Agency Account Fee Testing.   The fee for testing goes on the models agency account in larger markets.  When the model receives payment for jobs the testing fees will be deducted from her account.  The agency is basically fronting money.  They will use a “test” photographer that works with them on a regular basis and will give the agency feedback.  It could be a day where several models are testing and an agency booker will be on hand to watch their potential and receive critical feedback.

What you can receive from shooting varies

1.  TFCD  is Time For a CD

2.  TFP is Time for Print

3.  TF  is Time for whatever is negotiated

With non agency testing  the photographer usually sets the ground rules and parameters

I don’t like it when the makeup artist or model sets up  testing as the photographer is the one who is going to deliver the prints, files, cd, prints… whatever.  The makeup artist/model  can not speak for the photographer as to what, when and how the final product will be delivered.  If a model and makeup artist spend their time testing and receive nothing afterwards ( it can and does happen) it’s a big waste of time.

If the model is exclusively signed in a larger market, like New York, Chicago, LA, Miami, you will have to go through their agency.  What and how they want things delivered to them and the model will have to be followed… whether the photographer does it that way or not.  The photographer bends to the agency.

I “normally” offer testing to models that have booked me for a Two Look Agency Submission Package.   If the model fits in to my needs I will put them on a list to contact when I want to practice with new lighting techniques or add to my book/portfolio in some way.  I have a few lucky models who have developed wonderful portfolios this way.

In larger markets if the model is signed exclusively they will have to get permission to test with someone even if it’s for free.  The agency will look  at the photographers work and give the go ahead.  So a photographer might not be able to “give” their work away if the agency deems their work “not at the level or type” needed by the model.  This by no means covers everything about testing but it gives a good overview for models just starting out.

My best most creative work comes from testing… and testing never ends.

 

Michigan Comp Card Photographers Mary DuPrie

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Detroit Michigan Commercial Model Photographers

January 16, 2014
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  Detroit Commercial Photographers Mary DuPrie Detroit Michigan Commercial Model Photographers… we see what “can” be.  Clients literally see an image but  as a photographer I envision.   I pretty much know how I’m going to retouch an image when I see it.    I might plan on changing the overall tone, perhaps split toning, […]

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Modeling Photographers Michigan

January 15, 2014
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Modeling Photographers Michigan Modeling Photographers Michigan quite a diverse bunch.  We all work very differently from one another and have different comfort levels.  Mine has changed drastically over time.  Years ago I didn’t allow anyone on set, not even the makeup artist.  I didn’t like the feeling of someone standing behind me, judging me.  Well […]

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Detroit Corporate Head Shot Photography

September 8, 2013
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  Detroit Corporate Head Shot Photography Mary DuPrie Detroit corporate head shot photography is definitely picking up these days.  Business people understand the power of branding themselves.  Clients really want to see your face and make decisions sometimes based solely on that.  Business has really picked up with head shots/portraits.  The head shots that draw […]

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Detroit Michigan Childrens Photographers

September 7, 2013
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Detroit Michigan Children’s Photographers Mary DuPrie Detroit Michigan Childrens Photographers.  I had a previous client email me this week saying she took her daughter to another studio for a modeling workshop.  Her daughter is 12  and has only been to my studio for her first time shoot.  They had no idea how unusual my studio […]

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