Far out now I'm nervous

[seventhone]

I put a call out through another forum to get some child subjects as a practice / portfolio building exercise to force myself to go outside my comfort zone....and i've got a bite already! I know it sounds stupid but I totally wasn't expecting anyone to take me up on it. Very exciting but very nerve wracking! First shoot is of a 3 yr old boy and 5 month old girl.....I'll be sure to get them to sign a model release so I can post on the forum.
Any advice?

[aslan]

If you dont have any flashes yet, shoot outdoors and early morning (before 10am) or mid afternoon (after 2.30)..............much easier to control shadows when the sun isn't overhead.

[kimali]

Good on you for putting yourself out there!

i can't give anything practical advise wise, but what Andrew said sounds good :D!

[Shaddsi]

Relax, there is nothing worse than being nervous, its prep for failure.

If you are clear headed and relaxed about the situation you wont fail.

Good luck and good on you for taking the leap..

[k8*]

Good luck! Two very different age groups there - easy enough to do individual shots though. 3 year old? Get some bubbles happening and balloons - they always go down well!

[seventhone]

Thanks everyone - really appreciate your comments! :thumbs:
Yeah Andrew - I want to specialise in natural lighting so I think I might go for an afternoon session like you suggested hopefully this will suit the family ok.
Kimali and Shaddsi - Thanks yep I just had to do it and force myself to get myself out there - I have made it clear that I am practising and getting my tog confidence up so if they have low expectations they can only be pleasantly surprised (fingers crossed)! You're right Shaddsi I will try and be really relaxed and once I get going i'm sure the butterflies will go away.
k8* - Great suggestions! thanks heaps - I will definitely get some bubbles happening - big fan of the bubbles. :)

[seventhone]

Up to 6 sessions booked in - lots of different ages....Should be a great learning experience. Am dying to buy my 24-70 for these but will have to make do with my nifty fifty and kit lenses until I can raise the funds..Why do I wait til we have 2 kids and a mortgage to really indulge my expensive habit?!!

[Saintsgirl]

Good on you Seventhorne. I am sort of in the same boat! 2 kids, a mortgage, only one of us working, and then I decide to take this "expensive" hobby seriously!!
Kit lenses for now until i can scrape up some $$ for better gear, hence a better income! But use what you have to the best of their abilities! Use your nifty fifty, use the natural light, and you will be surprised what you can achieve!

As for the kids, the baby sounds like a breeze, they don't move much, so focus wont be a problem, but the 3 year old....hmmm, depending on the gender, use fairy wings, bubbles, "pretty" things to capture their attention, or cars, trucks etc for the boys.

Best of luck, looking forward to hearing all about it!

[seventhone]

Thanks Renae yeah I agree - I'll use what I've got and hopefully still get some decent shots.
I've got the first one tomorrow morning! eeeeekkk!! First cab of the rank is a 11 month old girl..... I will definitely post some of the good shots.

[Shaddsi]

Onya keeva. Good on you for going in head first. Use the first to expand and grow. Good luck!

[elparso]

Good luck, I love babies, toddlers can be rather challenging, especially the shy ones. I always sit and have a coffee when I arrive, to get a vibe. It also relaxes everyone.
I usually start shooting slowly during coffee, especially with the quiet kids.
If I'm going to someones home, I check it out before hand. So I know what to expect. I once arrived to find a house with no natural light other than outside, and it was winter and freezing. Huge learning curve that day!
I favour meeting at a coffee shop beforehand, I had a meeting a couple of weeks ago. It took me 15 minutes to get the 2 year old to even look at me (very shy) once I took an interest in her handbag contents, we were set.
http://www.elparso.com/?p=2189
Have fun, you will learn heaps about yourself!

[seventhone]

Thanks elparso! Gosh I could pick your brain all day!! Far out I can imagine the shy ones would be soooo hard!! Great idea about checking out places beforehand - i had wondered what I would do if the house was totally inappropriate for shooting.

Well I survived my first one today! 11 month old girl who was just divine - so lovely. Boy she could move!! I forgot how fast they scoot about at that age. I will post some of the shots tomorrow in portraits section - generally speaking my goal was to survive and learn which I did both! I figure this is the worst I will be and it can only move onwards and upwards from here! (well here's hoping anyway!!)

[kevinj]

Up to 6 sessions booked in - lots of different ages....Should be a great learning experience. Am dying to buy my 24-70 for these but will have to make do with my nifty fifty and kit lenses until I can raise the funds..Why do I wait til we have 2 kids and a mortgage to really indulge my expensive habit?!!
Good for you Keeva,the "Nifty Fifty" will serve you well,it`s a great little Portrait lens.Take it easy and relax,if your nervous,the kids will pick up on it,smile and laugh a lot,it will put everyone at ease and it`ll make the whole session go smoother,good luck and have fun.:D

[seventhone]

Thanks Kev! Appreciate your support!
Yeah that's what I love about kids - they go by sense and are so open to feeling other people's energy. A skill I think many of us switch off as we become socialised and older...Don't worry I was clowning monkey for the first little girl...Truth be told - I would have been doing the same shenanigans even if I didn't have my camera with me - can't help myself!
Just about to post in portraits....