Stripper Photography Question

[Taurance]

Hey everyone,

I have been offered a unique opportunity to photograph strippers. I will be going to something like 70 strip clubs over the next 2 weeks and taking pictures for a stripper competition hosted by a local night club. I am a little nervous as there is quite a bit of exposure that these pictures will hopefully get. I do not know how to go about the pictures. The concept of the pictures will be:

Best Bartender
Hottest Rookie
Best Pole Dance
Entertainer of the Year
Best Body
Best Male Stripper
Best Full Nude
Best Topless
Best Music
Prettiest Girls
Best Dancers

So now my question is how should I approach these shots so I can stay consistent throughout each location. Should I go with a Flash or do Natural/Available Light as it might be more dramatic with the Clubs lights. If I should go with a flash should I go with a 2 light setup (Light on the model and a hair light) or a single light. I know each location might not be the same but I don't want to give one specific person an advantage because their pictures are a little better. Well any help would be greatly appreciated.

[MT Stringer]

Well, good luck. I don't think my heart would hold out! :lol:

[jblaschke]

What conditions are you going to be working under? Are you expected to shoot during the performances? If so, the lighting's going to be variable so treat it like you were shooting a live concert (that'd be my first inclination). If you get to shoot them outside of business hours, then you've got much more control over the lighting and you can get more creative with your off-camera setup, maybe even use some gels on a background light.

Make sure you take plenty of business cards along and pass out. Good luck!

[Taurance]

Thanks JB didn't even think of business cards for this. I am hoping that they are not in mid performance but just at the strip club so I can take pictures backstage or on an off stage/private room. Well I think those would be better than possibly mid performance (for my benifit of photographing) but I will roll with wat they give me and of course if they were performing there would be no flash.

[advaitin]

You might find that the energy of live performance is better than private posing. I certainly would go with a fast wide zoom like the 24-70 L and do as much in the stage lighting as I could. My examples are not strippers but the stage lighting is similar to some joints I've seen.

[sdsanta]

This is why I took up photography as a hobby and not stamp collecting...

[nickelmedia]

This is why I took up photography as a hobby and not stamp collecting...

You're missing out.

http://www.stampexstampex.com/images2/nude.jpg

[giacom]

2 light setup with an excellent assistant.....me.

[thekid17]

2 light setup with an excellent assistant.....me.
lol and youll need a 3rd assistant

[nickelmedia]

I'll go out and get the coffee during the "Best Male Stripper" shoot.

[robgr85]

So now my question is how should I approach these shots so I can stay consistent throughout each location. Should I go with a Flash or do Natural/Available Light as it might be more dramatic with the Clubs lights. If I should go with a flash should I go with a 2 light setup (Light on the model and a hair light) or a single light. I know each location might not be the same but I don't want to give one specific person an advantage because their pictures are a little better. Well any help would be greatly appreciated.

You are the photographer, You've got that job, You should know the answers by Yourself...

If I would not have Idea how to shoot something, I would not contract that job... relying on forum/internet advices might be risky... and can cost You a lot, if the photoshots would gone wrong...

My advice: don't change Your mind when You can not go back and reshoot again. Stay consistent.

Good luck!

[cccc]

Go try some things out before the shoot happens. Approach the person asking you to do the pictures and see if you can do an experimental shoot or two and dial in some settings.

[rogazilla]

Sell ur nikon gear and get canon. Then follow Advaitin's advice get a fast L lens. ;)

You should head over to the section where people take pictures at night club and what not to check out some of their techniques. Or concert/dance setup might be what you need. depends on what kind of atmosphere you want to create. a lot of emotions. get the crowd actions then u might go to the night club style.

[duane0524]

This is why I took up photography as a hobby and not stamp collecting...

Funniest thing I have seem on her for weeks.

Thanks for the laugh.

[Toxic Dover]

lol and youll need a 3rd assistant

4 can't hurt, either. Hahaha

[Cham_001]

Hey everyone,

I have been offered a unique opportunity to photograph strippers. I will be going to something like 70 strip clubs over the next 2 weeks and taking pictures for a stripper competition hosted by a local night club. I am a little nervous as there is quite a bit of exposure that these pictures will hopefully get. I do not know how to go about the pictures. The concept of the pictures will be:

Best Bartender
Hottest Rookie
Best Pole Dance
Entertainer of the Year
Best Body
Best Male Stripper
Best Full Nude
Best Topless
Best Music
Prettiest Girls
Best Dancers

So now my question is how should I approach these shots so I can stay consistent throughout each location. Should I go with a Flash or do Natural/Available Light as it might be more dramatic with the Clubs lights. If I should go with a flash should I go with a 2 light setup (Light on the model and a hair light) or a single light. I know each location might not be the same but I don't want to give one specific person an advantage because their pictures are a little better. Well any help would be greatly appreciated.

Simple: just use your DSLR in 'Movie-Mode', record the lot, and Output a series of screen shots! - you won't miss a thing! :D

(We at POTN can then watch the shoots on YouTube and applaud your photographic ingenuity) :lol:

Seriously though - CCCC has suggested the ideal solution!
Agree to do a shoot prior to being formally commissioned. This will clarify your expectations and guide you better on what to use and how!
Anyone who believes that they can succeed in this 'cold' without any previous experience will greatly struggle.

Regardless, you will definitely make a succes of this because you're asking!

[josh5k]

Are we going to see the pics from your shoot yet :-D?