Zero Dean

What kind of props to bring to a photo shoot?

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Photo Shoot Props

Unless discussed with the photographer beforehand, clients are responsible for supplying their own props for a shoot.

What are props exactly?

Props are any items you can help “accessorize” your photos with and potentially give it extra impact. Props can be anything from a cane or an umbrella, a mask, a magnifying glass, a furry rug, or satin sheets for a glamour shoot.

Clients that supply their own props tend to bring things that have significantly more meaning than what the typical photographer might provide. Plus, photographers who repeatedly use the same props over and over again in shoots tend to have photos that all look the same (or at least less distinctive).

If you intend to shoot “Maxim Style” or glamour or boudoir photography

If you intend to shoot glamour style photos, boudoir photos, “Maxim/FHM style” photos, lingerie photos, or any type of photos intended to give off an “intimate” look, please consider bringing items that may help reinforce the look you are going for. These items can be used to help adorn the set.

For example, if you wish to try some shots involving a fur-skin rug, then all you need to do is supply the rug.

Additional items to consider include comforters, pillows, sheets, fabric to drape across the set or hang from the ceiling, and anything else you think might help add to the look you are going for. If you have any particular ideas in mind and would like to know if you should bring something, please feel to ask.

The photographer has been featured in the media.

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The photographer has been on TV (so they must be good).

Photographers who have been on TV are proud of the fact, but they also use this “as seen on TV” as a way to make themselves look important or significant in the eyes of others.

The fact a photographer has been on TV is no guarantee that you’ll get better photographs or have a greater experience than working with a photographer who has not.

In the end, judge the photographer’s work, evaluate the costs, and choose the photographer you feel is best able to suit your individual needs.

The photographer claims to be very “affordable”.

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The photographer claims to be very “affordable”.

Regardless of what they charge, every photographer is “affordable” to someone. That may not be you.

Being “affordable” is obviously relative to what every individual thinks they can  or should pay for a photo shoot. So obviously a photographer calling themselves affordable doesn’t necessarily make it true for every individual.

When selecting a photographer to work with, be careful not to pick a photography strictly based on price. When comparing photographers, be sure to compare the quality of their work, their presentation, and your interaction with them (such as how receptive they are to questions).

The photographer highlights the fact that they’ve worked with celebrities.

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The headshot photographer highlights the fact that they’ve worked with celebrities.

This is a marketing tactic intended to improve your perception of the photographer by impressing you with the fact they have photographed celebrities. Perhaps recently — or perhaps they are still promoting their brush with fame as far back as the 80’s or 90’s.

This is not in any way a guarantee that the photographs are good — so be sure to look beyond the celebrity and at the photographs themselves.

Many photographers who are in the business of working with VIPs and “high-end clients” do so almost exclusively. They are probably not shooting actor headshots for virtual unknowns — and if they are, then you can expect to pay a premium in the process.

The photographer wants you to believe that they’re the only photographer for you.

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The photographer wants you to believe that they’re the only photographer for you.

Often a photographer trying to gain your business will in some way try to convince you that they’re the only photographer available to help meet your specific needs.

Sometimes this may actually be true, depending on where you live and other factors. But in many cases, it’s really just a marketing tactic in order to convince you to commit.

Generally speaking, there have never been more photographers available to meet your needs in the history of photography, than there are now.

Some photographers are better suited to meet your needs than others — so make sure you can see yourself in their work and you are confident from their presentation — or better your interaction with the photographer — that they are the right photographer for you.