Sometimes it pays not to get what you ask for. I was shooting a comp card with a female model in the left image location. The location is Birmingham which is a big dog walking community, the shops leave fancy and fun water bowls on the sidewalks for them. It’s a beautiful boutique style downtown area.
I asked a gentlemen walking his black labs home if he would mind stopping for a few pictures, he said he couldn’t, boohoo. I pressed him pretty hard about stopping but didn’t win my case.
Well, lo and behold we were in the same spot shooting the very next day and I saw him walking towards me. I thought today’s the day, because the black labs would look even better with a male model. I actually got down on my knees and begged him to stop for a few minutes. I was on my knees well before he got to me so he really had to look at me for quite awhile. Well, I guess that did it. I had my assistant with a reflector way way out in the street to light the scene.
When you stop a dog owner you really only have a few moments. I’ve fond the best practice is to have the owner stand directly behind me or to wherever I want the dogs to look.
A model recently asked about this photo and couldn’t figure out how I had so many dogs that matched the scene and outfits. Dog owners are proud that you think their dog is photogenic so most will stop, just ask nicely and make a big fuss. Don’t forget to send them a high res file and printing release. Ya never know, they could be a future client.
For the two white poodles I was in Toledo, Ohio mentoring at a workshop and saw them way across the park. Needless to say I ran after them. No lights or reflectors and the model just happened to be wearing my jacket. Needless to say the wind blew at just the right time (wish I had a catch light in their eyes though, I should of faked one) Come to find out the poodle on the left is some big time show dog who had it’s show gear on. For some shoots I have been able to get more than one dog owner to stop, that’s always fun.
It’s hard to book kids with/for the models on the day of a shoot, so dogs are the next best thing.
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