How to Direct A FaceTime Photoshoot
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
Shooting a Personal brand portrait photography being apart from your model is challenging. If you direct well your facetime photoshoot you can achieve surprising effects.
After more than two months of being in a total lockdown in Barcelona we teamed up with Jasmin, my good friend and a great stylist, owner of Pur.Style, and we came up with some ideas for an online photo session.
We prepared every little detail few days before, we brainstormed our ideas, checked out the light and found cool spots in her place. We wanted it to be fun, but also connected to the self-isolation theme. I think we nailed it, and definitely we had tons of laugh.
So, here is what you need to achieve photos like that.
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
Think what you want to transmit with your photos. Prepare a story that you would love to tell. Think what emotions you want to evoke. Is it going to be funny or dramatic, nostalgic or gloomy?
When you have your ideas ready, make a mood board and share it with your friend. With Jasmin we created a story about: Emotional phases of lockdown Relax mode, Creative mind Phase, Comfort Eater Phase, Healthy Chef Don't forget to check out Jasmin blogpost to get to know the whole story.
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
Videocall before shooting and choose the best spots for your pics.
While choosing the perfect background for your personal brand photography through FaceTime photoshoot remember to pay attention to every detail. Check out the light situation. Put attention to shades and forms. It's good to plan it before, sometimes moving some furnitures around is a good option.
Choose places where it's easy to place your phone.
Remember that sometimes it's really hard to place a phone during the FaceTime Photoshoot and some of the angels are impossible to catch. I would recomend to choose the spots the day before and also figure out where to place the phone. If you have a tripod, it's easy. If not be innovative: use books, shelfs or a table.
Prepare a shoot list.That's a very useful thing. While you're in a shooting mode, it's easy to forget what photos you wanted. If you have a list of your photo ideas next to you it's most probably that you'll get every click you planned.
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
Choosing and preparing 3-5 outfits before gives you liberty. You don't have to use them all, but in case the session goes very smoothly you still have additional options.
Precise directions.
If you're shooting be sure to give very precise directions to the model. The best way is to instruct models from their own point of view, that means if you say move right, it should be their right not yours. A bit tricky but fun!
Think about different angles.Use a wide angle that shows the model from far away and put the viewer into the context of a story. Use medium angle and close up to show the character and emotions. That will add a bit of dynamic and make your shooting more interesting and intriguing.
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
When you're making a FaceTime Photoshoot remember that it takes time to take a screenshot, so your model have to be still. The more dynamic and movement in the shot the more blurred effect you achieve.
Get portrait and landscape shots.
As you can't get closer nor change the lens, it's useful to change the orientation of the phone. Horizontal shots tells more story, shows more room, situate us in a context. Portrait orientation is great to make the composition looks more minimal, just cutting off every unnecessary element could help you a lot.
Use a camera.Don't be afraid to make a photo of a screen with a normal camera. Sometimes the effects are unexpected and artistic. Also if you shoot on RAW you can play a lot in postproduction.
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
How to direct a FaceTime Photoshoot, Personal Brand Photography,Barcelona
If you want to know how to set up your mobile for a FaceTime photoshoot check out this post, might be useful.
Together but alone, supporting each other and waiting for a new world.
If you have any questions let me know. And if you are interested in creating some stunning content by virtual FaceTime photoshoot or soon in new reality I would be delighted to talk about your project. Just shoot me an email at: julia@juliamalinowska.com
Or find me on Instagram: @jul.malinowska