Be sure to let your chosen photographers dream and work within their style parameters.
Sending you potential photographer reference photo’s for loosely based ideas is not only fine but in a lot of cases a great way to convey what you are hoping to create…. to a degree. Let me say that again, to a degree! If you are are not a photographer please remember that we take so many details into account when we look at the reference photos a potential client may send in. From face-shape and body-type to type of lighting and the setting… there are many stars that align to create outstanding images. It is important to not only be realistic with your photographer expectations but also and most importantly with expectations put on yourself. Over the years I have received reference photos of Super Models (pre 2000’s when there was a relevant difference when using this term) shot by photographers I loved, as well as photos as simple as as stock photography for headshots in which the model (yes actual model!) has a vibe or characteristic that is so appealing that it makes my potential subject want to be the person in the photo. There is no law of the universe that says this cannot be done BUT… universally speaking there are some stars that must align to make it happen. From a proper budget for a set and/or location releases to can the actual subject emote this vibe? Can the pose that the client wants actually be done by said client? There is a lot of math that goes on whether it is facial or body structure too. What is below is something I came across on instagram by @CAMERONRADICE and took the opportunity to share here. Look, don’t stop dreaming BIG but please remember to consider and consult everything that makes you love that reference photo so much. -7
Why your photographer said “no” to your reference photo.
(AND NO, IT'S NOT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T.
You sent a reference photo.
Or several.
YOU SEE A GREAT IMAGE.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER SEES
EVERYTHING BEHIND IT
THAT YOU CAN'T.
Here's what goes into a photo that most people never think about.
The light in that photo probably isn't available.
THAT GOLDEN HOUR BACKLIT SHOT
WAS TAKEN AT A SPECIFIC TIME, IN A SPECIFIC LOCATION, FACING A SPECIFIC DIRECTION.
IF YOUR SESSION IS AT NOON OR IN A STUDIO, THAT LOOK DOESN'T EXIST.
IT'S NOT A SKILL ISSUE.
IT'S PHYSICS.
The editing is probably not what you think.
THAT "LOOK" YOU LOVE IS OFTEN
HOURS OF RETOUCHING, COMPOSITING, OR A VERY SPECIFIC COLOR GRADE.
TRYING TO RECREATE SOMEONE ELSE'S EDITING STYLE MEANS
YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE WORK YOU ACTUALLY BOOKED THEM FOR.
Some of those photos had a team behind them.
HAIR. MAKEUP. WARDROBE STYLIST.
AN ASSISTANT HOLDING A REFLECTOR.
MAYBE A SET BUILT FOR THE SHOOT.
THAT'S NOT A KNOCK ON YOUR SESSION.
IT'S JUST CONTEXT YOU'RE NOT SEEING IN THE FINAL IMAGE.
WHEN A PHOTOGRAPHER SAYS YES
TO SOMETHING THEY CAN'T DELIVER, YOU GET A WORSE RESULT THAN IF THEY'D BEEN HONEST.
A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER TAKES
WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THAT
REFERENCE AND MAKES IT WORK
FOR YOUR SHOOT.
THAT'S THE JOB.
How to actually use reference photos.
SEND THEM. PHOTOGRAPHERS WANT TO SEE THEM.
BUT ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU
LIKE ABOUT THE SHOT SO YOU CAN ARTICULATE THAT TO YOUR
PHOTOGRAPHER.
THE MOOD.
THE COLOR.
THE FRAME.
THE EXPRESSION.
THE BACKGROUND.
THE WARDROBE.
THAT'S WHAT THEY CAN WORK WITH.
The best reference is their own work.
YOU BOOKED THIS PHOTOGRAPHER
FOR A REASON. YOU LIKED WHAT YOU SAW. TRUST THAT.
GO THROUGH THEIR PORTFOLIO.
FIND THE SHOTS THAT MADE YOU
WANT TO BOOK THEM.
SEND THOSE.
DON'T ASK THEM TO BE
SOMEONE ELSE.
A good photographer doesn't copy your references.
They make them their own.
Credit to @CAMERONRADICE on Instagram. A fantastic page!