Never leave a shoot without at least one shot that makes you proud.
One of the differences between photography as a profession -vs- photography as a passion is that as a professional photographer you must meet your client’s needs. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t satisfy your own in the process.
Some magazine assignments can be very open-ended, others read like a shopping list. You always have to photograph what’s on the list, but you shouldn’t overlook a great shot just because the magazine didn’t think to ask for it.
My Sports Illustrated assignment of boxer Christy Martin read like an endless shopping list of shots. We started early in the day and had knocked out the 16th and final shot late that afternoon and everyone was beat. I looked over the list and knew that I done every shot they asked me to shoot but something was missing.
I’d shopped for groceries – but I hadn’t made a meal.
I told Christy I had an idea for one final photo and she shot me a look like, “You do know I get paid to knock people out.”
Yet she agreed to do one more shot as long as I made it quick.
I pulled out my 45, placed a single Profoto flash head on a boom directly overhead to mimic the tungsten spotlights you’d see at a fight, and taped a full CTO warming gel over the reflector. I shot just four frames of 45 and sent Christy on her way. When I shipped the take to my editor at Sports Illustrated, I made certain those four frames were on top.
A week later I got a call from my editor. “Congratulations, you got the cover,” then he continued, “and it wasn’t even one of the shots we asked for.”
Always shoot one for yourself because there’s often more to the story than just what’s on your shot list. Those four extra sheets of film got me a Sports Illustrated cover I wouldn’t have had if I’d done only what was asked.
Bravo!
I’m actually in the middle of a project assignment for a new magazine. I get asked for photograph interesting folks in town for a magazine section. When you say shoot one for yourself, i always wonder if that ‘yourself keeper’ is tied to the hirer (if hirer pay per photo). And yes, I would ask the person being photographed if it’s okay for personal purpose. Also, does it have to be another camera to quantify the work already done?
Thanks!
Alan.
The perfect situation is when the shot you do for yourself also becomes the favorite of your client and the subject. That’s a Win-Win-Win!
Well said and perfectly illustrated !!! Not only do I shoot a few just for me but I also enlist the help of the model, often they have great imput. The other thread I see with you is the change up in equipment. Due in part to you I have began to shoot a few b&w with my Nikon FE2 after the Sony. Changes up the mood and sometimes are the best ones. Boy it’s getting hard waiting for the a7000 have saved up for it so I’m ready to buy the day it’s out.
Thanks Dave – much appreciated!