Pitching with models VS no models

So by now, you know why pitching to create photoshoots for brands remotely can be beneficial to both you and the brand. Now, let’s get into more details! I’ve been asked often, “When pitching brands a photoshoot concept, is it better to have a model on board or in mind already or let the brand choose the model?” Heres what I’ve found works best! But ultimately, it’s always up to the brand what model is used for the photoshoot.

Leave more photoshoot questions in the comments and I’ll make sure to answer them in my next video!

What exactly is a "Remote Photoshoot?"

Remote photoshoots are just like what they sound like! A photoshoot created in any location remotely for the brand so they don’t have to present for the actual productions. In this type of shoot, the brand and photographer brainstorms & discuss details of a concept that is on-brand for a certain collection. Then the brand ships the pieces to the photographer in advance to bring to the location and allows the photographer to make the rest of the photoshoot come to life for them. This eliminates the need to hire a producer which saves money for the brand and gives the photographer more creative control.

After the photoshoot, the photographer sends the RAW photos digitally to the fashion brand to make final selects. From there, the photographer makes the final edits for the brand to use in their campaign.

You may be asking “But, Susan, you live in the Caribbean and I live in a small town, can I offer remote photoshoots? HELL YEA you can! My very first remote photoshoot was for an Australian brand that wanted me to create an Italian picnic type vibe. I put together a concept that took place in my friends back yard which happened to have a fountain and decor that I thought looked kindaaaaa like Italy. From there, I went to a local artisan grocery store and purchased foods and sodas with Italian labels to create a little picnic moment.

And viola! My first remote photoshoot was in action and neither me or the brand had to actually travel to Italy to make this concept come to life. Here are some of those photos!

Benefits of Remote Photoshoots

I have had a bottomless pit of soul sucking jobs & never allowed me room to explore what brought me true happiness. Driving to work in the dark just to sit at a desk all day long and leave when it was dark outside again made me feel like “Is this literally all life has to offer?” Even when I had a “real job” in the country music industry, I would still need to waitress on the weekends to make ends meet aka no freedom for me at all. When I did a photoshoot with Beyonce & Jay Z, I was STILL waitressing at Cabo Cantina in Venice, Beach (quite possibly the worst waitress job I’ve ever had.)

It wasn’t until I discovered the benefits of offering to produce and shoot campaigns remotely for brands did my own freelance photography career start to blossom and I do NOT plan on ever going back to waitressing. (Dear god please don’t make me have to take another damn taco order.) Check out the videos below for some win win’s to remote photoshoots for both you and the brand!

Film inspired flash photography

I LOVE flash photography with a 35mm film vibe. Think, 1990s… So that’s what inspired this shoot. The concept for this shoot was slightly raunchy, yet loving which I like to call White Trash Chic. Below you can see the Instagram Collection I made for inspiration. For the location I used my very own home studio, Punky’s Tiki Den for the first time! I asked the models, Sarah Ritter and Connor Jerome, to bring wardrobe of bold primary colors, lace and satin. For gear, I used my digital Fuji xt3 with a Godox Flash. To get the blown out flash look, I pushed the flash to 1/4 or 1/8. I also experimented with my new film camera, a Canon Elan 7e with Kodak UltraMax 400 film. Examples of both digital and film shots are below…

Interested in the Lightroom Presets I used? Purchase them here!

Instagram Collection full of trashy inspo!

Digital shot with a preset based on Provia film

Digital shot with a preset based on Provia film

Tender kisses

One of the only shots I used natural lighting for and it turned out….STUNNING

Fun bouncing the flash off of bathtub tile

Who doesn’t love a strung out rock star moment

Now for the film photos which were featured by Another Filthy Magazine

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film

Shot on Kodak UltraMac 400 35mm film