I may be shooting product shots of maternity clothing for an e-commerce website -- i.e. the shots should show each piece of clothing clearly for purchase. It is a high-end company so they'll want the shots to look clean and high-end. Probably on models, but these shots needn't show the face (though they could if possible) or have much variety, as we will be doing separate branding shots with more soul on a different day.
They have 65 different pieces they want to sell on the website, is it reasonable we could, with a few models, shoot all 65 pieces in one long (12 hour?) day? I'm thinking seamless white backdrop, strobe lighting.
Thanks for any advice, catalog shooters!
--Sara

Uh, ya, could be one long day but it shouldn't be. You should only be going as quickly as you feel comfortable and creative. There are also the factors of, styling, post, prepped product, lighting etc. If you have a couple of people styling on foam core, for the off figure stuff, then you could do it. Have a couple of people styling two or three foam core garments while you and your assistants are shooting one. Again this can be sped up more by having two or more lit sets, so the stylists can see the light you are shooting with.
Now to shoot 65 pieces "on figure" would really be a challenge. Again the more people in your crew (including models) prepping stuff the better.
I personally wouldn't do it; make it a two or three day shoot and be realistic about your fee so everyone can feel relaxed and confident while working on it.

I cannot imagine shooting 65 "High end" shots in one day. Back when I assisted, we would shoot half that for midlevel Department Stores. Needless to say, those shots were not extensively styled. I would certainly be selling this as a three day shoot. You will also need to factor in any set changes and if the shoot is in studio or on location. The Client may only be looking at the bottom line and what would be convenient for them, not what would be realistic or reasonable. Consider what you and the crew would have to go through to achieve the desired product.

The most shots per day I ever executed was about 56. It was a lingerie shoot and there were 3 very experienced models, 2 assistants, make-up artist,3 product managers, and I hired a production manager who was the model wrangler, pushing the goods on them and getting them prepped. We spent 2 days in prep. There were 3 feature shots that included all three models. These sets were pre-built and lit. In all, there were 4 sets arranged around the studio, with the camera on a stand in the center. I was shooting tethered with each brand manger at a time standing by a 22" monitor. When individual and small 2 shots began on the 4th set, the assistants broke down the feature sets and configured those sets for the individual shots. Each set had dedicated lighting and as we moved from set to set, we moved the wireless receiver. As we shot, the managers were watching the shots and would stop me when they saw 2 or three real keepers. We flew through all the products and my production manager was brutal in getting the models dressed and back out to shoot; no pampering of models. It went well, but it was all due to the pre-planning, prep , pre-lighting and good crew coordination. By the way, I had worked out a per shot price with the client and wound up with a great billing.

If my calculations are right you have around 7 minutes per shot. I think that's pushing it a lot. Just as some have said go for 2-3 days. You might consider if some items can be put on to mannequins. I have rented them before and had several being prepped, styled and pined.

I also broke down the product to what lighting I would use and in groups this way while you are working on one the assistant(s) can be setting the other lighting scheme..I would have several off figure stylist prepping while you shoot.

8 to 9 hour shooting day gave us a bit more than 7 minutes per. The different sets were fitted with color coordinated seamless and sometimes fabric was standing by to be dropped in... some sheer and used with the seamless, some solid.

It was all possible due to the planning and crew. I used a couple of film crew grips. They could each man a light on each set and apply modifiers or adjust angles on the fly. It was not hard to find willing help on a lingerie shoot.

So, including prep and set building/planning. it was a 2-3 day job that had one shooting day.

I would say 2 days. If you shoot with a model make sure she got's lot's and lot's of experience. If you don't have the right girl and she doesn't know how to move and keep on doing the same 5 poses, you going to find that it's a long day. you have to plan all your shot accordingly and have good assistants that know how to make quick change with the light.

Shoot 65 different outfits in one day? Maybe, but not if you want them all to look good. That's just too much pressure and leaves zero time for mistakes or problem solving much less any spark of creativity.

Thank you so much, all, for this sage advice. I've told them we need 2 days for this, so hopefully that will be a bit more feasible!
-Sara

quote:

shoot all 65 pieces in one long (12 hour?) day?

IMHO, your day rate should be for no longer than 10 hours. After that would be overtime.

Scotti

You know what the problem with this job is? Unless you do it under an alias every one is going to say "who shot this krapp"? and the reply will be your name.

Anyone that would ask for 65 on figure shots in one day either has an army of sylists and room for it all or is just plain stupid.

62 is my record, shooting for my wife's look-book. It always seems to be the ones closest to us who make us work the hardest! ;-)

Shooting the stuff is not the problem, 5 minutes with a good model in front of the camera for catalog on a plain background is fine, maybe even a lot!

The thing is keeping everything organized, running smoothly, then there's hair, makeup and FITTING the clothes.

Bruchi is right on it with the fitting time. When I did so many in one day, it was lingerie after all. Very little to wear and very little time to make it look right.

The term "high end " is a relative thing. How fussy your client is, how crazy the clothes are, how experienced the model is, and how confident you are, all determine.

I have done very straight catalogs where we do several hundred shots and I have done six shots, both taking a day.

I'd convince the client to pay for a good stylist who is used to catalog shooting, who can keep an eye on the merch. Otherwise you have to get the buyer or designer or someone from the company who knows clothing, to stay near by the model and tweak the garment.

Convince them to pay for a GOOD model who's done catalog. Not a hot one that does editorial, someone who's done catalog, and can move the way you need to get things done.

Mat clothing is tough because you have models wearing the belly pillows and it takes more time to change, and then more frames to shoot as you want to find the medium where you showcase the garment and yet make sure the model looks good.

Good luck!