A problem in the making!!!

[carrbowl]

I have a photo shoot in the making and this woman wants to shoot her family, 3 kids 10 and under, her and her husband at 4 pm in the heat of the day. I have already told her the earlier in the day, the better for lighting and the better for the heat and she picked this time so she could get her hair and make up done. I hate it when people do this!!! I guess all I can do is warn them huh??? Any other suggestions???

[amadjuster]

Can you get them in some shade? Otherwise, harsh shadows!

[jmoore01]

assistant(s) with large diffusers/reflectors will help with the lighting. not too sure about the heat though

[carrbowl]

I'm shooting at Mercer, which has tons of shade, but we are in Houston, where you have less water on you when you get out of the shower than when you walk outside!! I mean what is the point of hair and makeup when it is 100 degrees with 100% humidity??? ---- I'm already afraid this woman is not going to like the photos and we haven't even shot them yet!!

[amadjuster]

Halloween portraits?

[JenJohnson79]

I did engagements at Mercer last week, at 1. . . the brides choice. . . I tried and tried for earlier or later. . . but they came out really good. . . lots of shaded pictures. . . and yes we were sweaty.. . but not horribly so. . .

[jmoore01]

I've never shot at Mercer, but be aware that shade does not necessarily solve lighting problems. Light in shade can still be directional. I would imagine that at Mercer, you may still want to bring a reflector.

Still I have no answer or suggestions for the heat/humidity except shoot quick and shoot right. That wil be no small task with 3 kids under 10.

[jesswhs1323]

I do a lot of 'little ones' photos.... even the BEST of kids cant handle the heat for very long.
Using trees and such for shade there are many blotch shadows to think about...
I definitely see a lot going wrong with this shoot...
I would be VERY honest and straighforward with your client letting her know all your worries with shoooting at this time ... and if she still choses that time frame... what can you do? you wanned her ...
processing could just be a headache for you

[JenJohnson79]

what about pushing it back to 5:30 or 6? They are open til 7 I think.

[DeLeon]

Could she try for three hours later? I know the conditions aren't the same in Amarillo as they are down in your area, but I do my best work in the evening hours. I've seen your work...I'm sure you'll do great.

[Cope]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I'm shooting at Mercer, which has tons of shade, but we are in Houston, where you have less water on you when you get out of the shower than when you walk outside!! I mean what is the point of hair and makeup when it is 100 degrees with 100% humidity??? ---- I'm already afraid this woman is not going to like the photos and we haven't even shot them yet!!

No way I would be at Mercer that time of day. I was there late June and early July at 9 AM on a Saturday, and I was soaked after an hour.

Stay off the side trails, I took a shot of a nice sized Cottonmouth in July

[carrbowl]

"Stay off the side trails, I took a shot of a nice sized Cottonmouth in July "

Well that's something to look forward to!!!! I think I'm going to just have to be firm and say this is not best time to do it...

[bondarnes]

If you really don't want to do middle of the day sessions just double your session fees between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. It's amazing what people will do to save money.

I had a doctors wife who said they could only come in on a Sunday. There was no way they could come any other day because her husband works every day and the kids have this and that and ...... When I told her my Sunday session fee is $200.00 plus a minimum order of $1000.00 she suddenly decided that her husband could skip golf for one week and they could come on Wednesday afternoon.

[Cope]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

"Stay off the side trails, I took a shot of a nice sized Cottonmouth in July "

Well that's something to look forward to!!!! I think I'm going to just have to be firm and say this is not best time to do it...

Show this to them.

[jmoore01]

Originally Posted by jesswhs1323

I do a lot of 'little ones' photos.... even the BEST of kids cant handle the heat for very long.
Using trees and such for shade there are many blotch shadows to think about...
I definitely see a lot going wrong with this shoot...
I would be VERY honest and straighforward with your client letting her know all your worries with shoooting at this time ... and if she still choses that time frame... what can you do? you wanned her ...
processing could just be a headache for you

Point taken, Jess, but we, as photographers, are ultimately responsible for the results, warning issued or not. Despite warnings, you would likely still end up with a disgruntled client if the shots aren't good. I'd sooner require a reschedule, than shoot under such conditions.



Renae, before you do anything, I'd suggest visiting Mercer at the client's desired time of day and see if youthink you can pull it off. If not, my vote is "don't shoot."