Kitographer

Assisting Commercial Photographer Jorge DeAraujo.

Client = a large event hire company. They were having a xmas party and invited their clients along. Location was the Price of Wales Hotel Rooftop bar on Fitzroy St, St Kilda.

Even though the brief required just one shot, Jorge quoted 2 hours for this job. We got there 2 hours before people arrived to set up and looked at lighting conditions.

Ideally he wanted to use available light, by the time the 100 people arrived the sun was to far down. So we set up 4 lights with umbrellas.

Jorge up the ladder. There are 2 more umbrellas' behind me.

Communcation with group:

Its always good to have some help organising people. The MC at this function was willing to organise everyone and gave good instructions to people to put them into place. Then Jorge while on top of a 6 foot ladder gave final instructions to the group.

Useful information to communicate to large groups:

• Let them know that you will be taking many photos for a approx a few minutes. This prepares them that they need to concentrate and smile, keep eyes open, be visable to the camera etc.
• Let them know that they need to be able to see the camera, otherwise you (the photographer) will not be able to see them.
• Shorter people need to be at the front and taller at the back.
• Be relaxed, confident and funny – people will listen better and relax.
• Take your time, be confident and look around the group at peoples faces to see that everyone is looking (it might take 10-15 secs).
• Always take a ladder with you. Talk to client about location in detail.
• It is ideal to have an assistant as you will require a lot of gear: 4-6 lights, stands, sandbags etc.

This info can be useful also when photographing the group shot at weddings)

Final shot:

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