My first GN shoot this coming week...

[getbent]

...any good tips from your personal experience? (i've read the sticky post, just looking for anything else you might have to add)

Will be doing various underwear, implied nude, and bodyscape shots. I have the model for 4 hours. The model seems pretty friendly and easy going, has modeled before, and claims she models full-time. I told her I am an amateur just starting out and this is just for me to practice and she is fine with it.

Other than my lack of experience, the one big thing against me is I don't know the layout of the location, the lighting, etc. It will be at the model's house.

Equipment is Canon XSi, 580EXII and 430EXII, 24-70L, 50f1.4, 70-300MM, and the kit lens. I have two 45" umbrellas and 2 light stands, 24' cord to get the 580 off camera, and a 5-in-1 reflector and holder. I also have various bounce cards I've made out of foam and a couple of white foam boards to use as additional reflectors.

I'll be using a release form and will get a copy of her ID. I think she's mid- to late-20s.

Thanks folks.

[FastFred]

I'm sure everyone here has thier own style, but here's mine:

4 hours is a good amount of time. When I shoot with a model, I average 100-150 shots per hour. Make sure you bring enough memory cards and/or some way (laptop) to unload them if they get full.

I shoot in the highest quality RAW + smJPEG. This allows you to review the shots with the model as you go. Show her on the LCD what she looks like, and discuss it as you go. Give her feedback while she poses. If she does a pose that looks great, tell her.

Since it's at her home, be especially respectful. It IS her home. Just prior to starting, get a feel for the layout of the house, what rooms she wants to shoot in, and what rooms offer the best natural light. This will change as the day goes on, so ask her "What windows get the best sun during the day, and what time is it the best in that room". Plan your shoot around those times.

I like doing shoots like the one you're doing. No strict plan, just 'go with the flow'. Sometimes during a shoot, there will be a time when the creativity hits a pot hole. She might ask "what do you want to do next" and you're stuck for ideas. Prior to a shoot, I create a folder on my laptop of shots I'd like to try with that particular model based on her 'look'. I download these shots from the net and sort them. When you're at a loss for what to do next, you can pull up a few on the screen and ask her to try them. You don't have to replicate them exactly, but use them for inspiration and as an idea book.

Always be professional but don't forget to have fun too.

Good luck.

[getbent]

Thanks for the tips FastFred! That's pretty much what I had planned in my head so it's nice to get confirmation from some one with actual experience.

Great idea on the pictures. Yesterday I emailed the model a dozen or so pics of things I had in mind, things that represented the ideas we have discussed, and she liked all of them. I think I'll do as you suggested and bring my netbook with me with those and other pics loaded up in case I get stuck.

I experienced getting stuck last week when I took some family portraits of a friend. Nothing more fun than standing there with a blank look on your face while they stare at you waiting for the next instruction. :-)

[eleganteye]

How did your shoot go? When shooting at a model's location I have the model send me some photos of the location first. I prefer to shoot in the studio when first meeting a model.