This post might be useful for the beginning new media photographer.

While I was on Twitter @digitaldept requested a blog post about my executive portrait shoot from earlier in the day. Generally that is not what I blog about, but sharing my work flow as a new media photographer sounded like a good idea.  So, here is a summary of what I do. I’ll start with the moment I receive a job request and finish with the point of delivery.

Yesterday afternoon a client called my office. They needed a portrait of the chief executive officer of their company, who would be honored for his work in the coming weeks. 

My receptionist sent the message from the company’s marketing director to my voice mail. My voice mail system automatically calls me when a new message is placed in my box. I was able to return the call within 10 minutes. (Believe it or not, I actually lost a job Tuesday because it took me 15 minutes to call back). I asked my client about some of the details and said I would follow up after my current assignment. I also suggested that I would be most grateful if she would e-mail me the additional information about the job.

I should make note that many of my clients know my e-mail by heart. New clients also  find it extremely easy to e-mail me. I have one of the easiest e-mails in the world  to remember. My name is my e-mail: rosh@rosh.com.

When I returned to my office, the e-mail with all the details was waiting in my inbox. I returned the e-mail with a quote containing per- image pricing: X-price for the first image and a price about a third lower for each additional image. I always add the opportunity for more images to be purchased.  I offer per-image pricing to keep the value on the final image and not my time.

I arrived for the assignment shortly before 10:30 a.m. I was directed to set up in the executive’s office. I also was informed that he was on a conference call and had to leave at 11 a.m.

Pictured below is the equipment I use for quick executive portraits. Two Alien Bee monolights. I am a fan of Paul Buff products. Alien Bees are great travel lights because they take my abuse. When I abuse them a little too much, Buff’s company fixes them quickly.

I shoot portraits using my 5D with a 135mm 2.8 portrait lens. I usually create my portraits using an aperture of 2.8 for shallow depth of field and a shutter speed of  200 (the highest syc. Available for the 5D).

I place a light and umbrella to one side and a spot grid high over the top of the subject for a hair light. I’ll use a third light to spot the background, if necessary. I always use a reflector (usually a white reflector) on the other side of the subject’s face.

My portable backgrounds are collapsible and easy to store, carry and set up.  I carry my equipment in one load, much of it in a top-loading duffel bag found in most army navy surplus stores.

It takes me about seven minutes to set up, five to 10 minutes to create about 35 images, and five minutes to break down. I arrived a few minutes early, so I was out of the executive’s office by 10:50 a.m.

I took the time to show the executive some of the images during the shoot. This is important when the subject is not smiling or has a grumpy disposition in general. Often it is easier for someone to accept the idea that they need to smile or make adjustments if they see or mention it first.

When I returned to my office I downloaded the images to a folder on my desktop. Next, I saved a raw copy of all the images on an external hard drive and then edited the images left on my desktop. After editing, I upload low-resolution images to photoshelter or create a personalized Photoshop Web site. (I altered one of the Photoshop templates to display some portfolio images and links to my Web sites.)

Today, I used the personal Web site option and e-mailed my client the link  to the raw images. Later in the day, the executive made his selection and e-mailed me his choice: img_4789.

I always offer basic adjustments as part of my package. I make any needed color corrections, touch ups around the eyes, highlights, and any slight clothing malfunctions.

When the image is complete,  I will send the large file via photoshelter, e-mail or CD — depending on the client preference.

Often, I will follow up the next day to make sure everything was to my client’s satisfaction.

Now you know my work flow for quick executive portraits.

What is yours?

Rosh

Below is one of my examples. Same background and set up. (This is not yesterday’s final shot, which is not 100 percent approved yet.)