I’ve only been back in Melbourne now for about four months (at the time of writing) and I have made a conscious decision to step up my game since crossing the border but the hardest part of doing just that was figuring out where to start. That little phrase got me thinking about the services I have been handing almost freely out to everyone and anyone who asked for it and I forced myself to place a dollar value on not only my finished product but the time it takes me to achieve it.

OK, so I’m no Sue Bryce or Joe McNally but I’m no hack either. I have invested a lot of time to get my photography and the finished product to a certain standard and surely that has to be worth something right?  I think so.

So with this ‘new’ revelation now embedded firmly into my business plan, does that mean that I have wasted all of those years doing the free shoots simply for the sake of taking photos? In my opinion… no I haven’t. I think it was certainly time well spent as it has given me a solid platform from which to hone my craft to a certain level with the added bonuses of gaining access to some amazing events and meeting with some equally amazing people.

There are of course people out these in the world wide web who say that you should begin charging right from the start and others who disagree completely with that philosophy and I suppose it doesn’t really matter which side of the argument you barrack for as long as you’re comfortable with what you’re doing and the way you are going about it.

So at the end of the day, I have decided to all but cut out the free shooting business model and re-jig the priorities. I’m now set on selling an experience rather than simply photos and while it’s going to be a hard road convincing myself that I am actually worth the values on my new price list I think in the long run I’m going to come away feeling accomplished and more importantly, better appreciated for the services I can provide.

For the people who seem to want everything for free well, I’m sure they will find someone who will provide the service to them for a pittance eventually but it just won’t be me.

I can guarantee that in the end they will get exactly what they pay for. I no longer have an absence of value in myself… watch out world. Here I come.

So for those of you interested in coming along here are all of the details you’ll need… just be sure to snap up your tickets before they all disappear.

11am Festival Starts

ALL DAY TICKETS $72.50 +bfee

Carpe Noctum fashion parade tickets $40 + bfee

MUSIC TICKETS $47.50 +bfee

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE HERE

Australian dark alternative publication Fiend Magazine is proud to announce Fiend Fest, it’s inaugural Fashion, Music, Arts and Retail festival which spans the entire spectrum of the Dark Alternative sub-cultural prism. Combining international bands, Hanzel und Gretyl (US) & Hocico (MEX), with more than a dozen local artists including Shiv-R (NSW), cutting edge alternative fashion (Carpe Noctum) and long running sub-cultural markets (The Black Market) for what is the largest and most diverse festival of it’s kind in Australia.

Hocico is popularly regarded as the the worlds best live Aggrotech act. On stages across Europe and the US Hocico have been astounding fans of electro-industrial music at gigs and festivals for years now, leaving lesser performers in their silicone dust, but never before have they shared their energetic performance with Australian audiences. Finally reaching antipodean shores as part of the first ever Fiend Fest! Hanzel und Gretyl return to Australia on the back of their very well received 2009 tour and having just completed an extensive coast-to-coast US touw with The Genitorturers, Kaiser Von Loopy and Vas Kallas bring the wacky Teutonic insanity that is the world’s most outrageous fukken uber duo and take their faux germanicindustrial-metal to it’s extremes.

Carpe Noctum is the successor to long running and incredibly successful alternative fashion runway show Circa Nocturna which sadly ran for the last time in 2011. Taking the core values and many of the favorite designers of Circa Carpe Noctum will feature some of the best left of center designers from all over Australia in a dazzling fashion show that will sate all your dark fashion desires and give you a peek at the new collections from some of the most talented alternative designers in the country.

The Black Markets are somewhat of a local institution running several times a year at a property on the Merri Creek it has become so popular it has outgrown it’s traditional home and now relocates to become a most welcome addition to Fiend Fest. The Black Markets include vendors of fashion, arts, crafts both new and pre-loved. If you’re looking for a bargain in corsetry, that long lost Nine Inch Nails CD, kitchy old VHS tapes, extravagant hand made jewelry or a unique piece of art The Black Markets at Fiend Fest is the place to come

All day tickets and Carpe Noctum go on sale Friday April 6th @ 3pm

Hocico/Hanzel Und Gretyl/Shiv-R tickets go on sale Friday 13th April at 3pm

Picture Perfect Studio is a well-equipped, modern photographic studio based in Dandenong, Victoria. Available 7 days a week.

If you are a professional or amateur photographer interested in studio hire, the rates are very competitive and discounted prices are available for repeat bookings.

Hour or daily bookings are available from as little as $45 per hour. (min 2 hours).
$170 Half Day (inc lighting).
$340 Full Day (inc lighting).

STUDIO HIRE INCLUDES:

• 4x 600w Mono Blocs
• 1x 1000w Mono Bloc
• 1x 800w Mono Bloc
• 2x 2m Octaganol Soft Boxes
• 1x Soft Box with Grid
• 2x 7″ Honeycomb Reflectors
• 1x 70cm Beauty Dish with Removable Grid
• 1x 35cm Beauty Dish
• 2x Snoot
• 6x 2.4m Light Stands
• 4x 2.4m x 1.8m Foam Panels (One side black, other white)
• 8x Backdrops (red. grey, yellow, blue, black, brown, purple & green screen)
• 1x Heavy Duty Camera Stand
• 1x Heavy Duty Boom
• 2x Radio Trigger

Located conveniently close to the Dandenong by-pass and only 35 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.

They can also organise professional models or make-up artists should you require one for your shoot.

For more details visit Gregs website or email him at contact@gregdphotography.com.au

Anyway, I thought that I would write a bit of a list on what I consider to be the key things a photographer should consider when undertaking a portrait session of some kind. It’s not a technical list though, I’m sure there are plenty of those floating around on the internet.

1. As I’ve already mentioned above… Make a connection.

   

   It doesn’t have to be a life long thing, even the briefest of connections (on any kind of level) will not only help you have some common ground, it will also help you to establish a level of trust which will hopefully grow along the way. Remembering that without trust, there will be little to no connection at all and that will definately be reflected in your photos so taking the time to have a chat over coffee (or something) with your model/family before you even pull out your camera could be the most valuable time spent during your shooting schedule.>

2. Make it fun!

   

   It doesn’t really matter who you are shooting, or how many people you have in the group, make them laugh because, well… laughing makes you feel good. There are side effects to this as well, one of which is that when a person is laughing they tend to forget about all of the little insecurities we all seem to have for a few moments and really, how can that be bad? They might look goofy sometimes but not every shot was meant for a magazine cover and if your client can see the photo and chuckle because it brings back a good memory from the session, then all the better for you.

3. It’s all in the eyes.

   

   There are many different type of portrait sessions you can do but there is one tip that everyone who shoots people… armature and pro alike… should burn into their brains and that is “KEEP THE EYES SHARP!”. Why? Well the first thing people will naturally look at when they have a photo of a person in front of them (print or digital) is the eyes. In almost every single instance the eyes will become the main focal point for the viewer so doesn’t it just make sence? Keep the eyes sharp and it will bring you one step closer to making good portrait great.

4. Get down to their level.

   

   When you’re shooting the lil’ people of the family unit, bring yourself down to their eye level because not only will this make you seem less intimidating to the kids but it will help you to make a good connection with them. It’s often the case that the kids will be curious about the camera so offering to let them have a look at the photo you just took on the screen or even let them capture a frame or two will again help take some of the scary element away letting you get on with snapping those gorgeous photos.

5. Don’t over compensate.

   

   I know this can be easier said sometimes and there are of course a few exceptions to this rule… so we’ll call it more of a guideline than a rule. Pick your moments… don’t get caught up in the habit of shooting a thousand frames in an hour long session in the hope that you get a handful of keepers. Slow down, make sure you have the basics right and pick your moments. This might take some practice for those of you just starting out but it is something you should keep in the back of your mind regardless of what your subject is. Quantity does not always equal quality.

Bonus tip:
Whether you have the best lighting set up money can buy or not, it will save you a lot of effort to pick your location and lighting in the long run. If you are using natural lighting only (and let’s face it, that’s the best kind of light) then take a few moments before pulling your camera out to scout a decent location. If possible, make use of diffused light such as a window… and if you take the time to learn how to use lighting to your advantage then it will definitely work to your advantage in the finish product.

So that’s it from me… what tips would you suggest be added to the list? I’m sure some of you have some great advice that could be added to this so let’s hear what you’ve got.

1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean that they’re a good photographer.
2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.
3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.
4. Photo editing is an art in itself
5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.
6. Macro photography isn’t for everybody.
7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.
8. Go outside & shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.
9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.
10. Film isn’t better than digital.
11. Digital isn’t better than film.
12. There is no “magic” camera or lens.
13. Better lenses don’t give you better photos.
14. Spend less time looking at other people’s work and more time shooting your own.
15. Don’t take your DSLR to parties.
16. Girls dig photographers.
17. Making your photos b/w doesn’t automatically make them “artsy”
18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you “photoshop” your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the “digital darkroom”.
19. You don’t need to take a photo of everything.
20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.
21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.
22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.
23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.
24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.
25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.
26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.
27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.
28. The more photos you take, the better you get.
29. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.
30. Only show your best photos.
31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.
32. Join an online photography forum.
33. Critique the works of others.
34. Think before you shoot.
35. A good photo shouldn’t require explanation (although background information often adds to an image).
36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.
37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.
38. Grain is beautiful.
39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.
40. Simplicity is key.
41. The definition of photography is: “painting with light.” Use light in your favour.
42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.
43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.
44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.
45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.
46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.
47. Don’t pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.
48. Take straight photos.
49. Shoot with confidence.
50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.
51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.
52. Give your photos to friends.
53. Give them to strangers.
54. Don’t forget to frame them.
55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.
56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).
57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.
58. Photos make great presents.
59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.
60. Candid>Posed.
61. Natural light is the best light.
62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best “walk-around” focal length.
63. Don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.
64. You don’t need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go (hell, I don’t even own one).
65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.
66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be “artsy” is exploitation.
67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.
68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.
69. You can’t “photoshop” bad images into good ones.
70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.
71. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.
72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.
73. Cameras as tools, not toys.
74. In terms of composition, photography and painting aren’t much different.
75. Photography isn’t a hobby- it’s a lifestyle.
76. Make photos, not excuses.
77. Be original in your photography. Don’t try to copy the style of others.
78. The best photographs tell stories that begs the viewer for more.
79. Any cameras but black ones draw too much attention.
80. The more gear you carry around with you the less you will enjoy photography.
81. Good self-portraits are harder to take than they seem.
82. Laughter always draws out peoples’ true character in a photograph.
83. Don’t look suspicious when taking photos- blend in with the environment.
84. Landscape photography can become dull after a while.
85. Have fun while taking photos.
86. Never delete any of your photos.
87. Be respectful when taking photos of people or places.
88. When taking candid photos of people in the street, it is easier to use a wide-angle than a telephoto lens.
89. Travel and photography are the perfect pair.
90. Learn how to read a histogram.
91. A noisy photo is better than a blurry one.
92. Don’t be afraid to take photos in the rain.
93. Learn how to enjoy the moment, rather than relentlessly trying to capture the perfect picture of it.
94. Never take photos on an empty stomach.
95. You will discover a lot about yourself through your photography.
96. Never hoard your photographic insight- share it with the world.
97. Never stop taking photos
98. Photography is more than simply taking photos, it is a philosophy of life
99. Capture the decisive moment
100. Write your own list.