Drafting a Shoot

Have you ever wondered what goes through a photographer's head when they are planning a shoot.  Honestly, it is a lot of trial and error and staring into what I think is space but is really a person and now I am creeping them out...  It happens.  I have been toying with the idea of an eerie, morbid, lake shoot for a while and this summer, it is going to become something amazing.  Now, when I get an idea, I write it down.  I have a notebook full of ideas.  For this particular shoot, there are many things that I need to do and figure out before anything even happens.  

The first thing that I do, after I come up with the idea, is create a pinterest mood board.  I fill this up with similar looks that I am going for, poses, colors, makeup, and general concepts that I want to draw inspiration from.  The only problem that I have with this, is that I need to make sure that I bring my own style and thoughts to the work that I do (to avoid accidental plagiarism).  

For this shoot, I must now find a location, model, a helper, a day with the right weather, a makeup artist, an outfit, and the right camera/film/lens.  That is a lot of stuff, don't you agree?  Well, honestly I do live next to the Savannah river, so a large body of water won't be that hard.  I just have to go out and find the right spot.  A model, on the other hand, is very difficult.  I want a small girl with a soft face, but she cannot be too young.  The goal is to show an ethereal portrait of a young woman, with contrasting features to the water.  If the water is dark, I would like her to be light and vise versa.  I am not sure what kind of hair I am looking for, but I do know it must be on the longer side (just past shoulders or longer, but not past the middle of the back).  

I already have a helper, actually two helpers.  One being my best friend David who is a great inspiration to me, and one being my mom who is great and holds my reflector.  The weather I need is an overcast day.  That is it really.  So long as there is not much direct sunlight, as these are supposed to be moody and cool like that.  My makeup artist is my mother, Karrie Lykins.  We have gone over the look I want, which is a soft glowing eye, light pink lip, and a little blush.  My mom is awesome and we are on the same page with the look.  I also recently found the perfect, vintage style, white lace dress.  It is just light enough to float on the water and it is amazing.  I have been looking for something like it for a long time.  

Stayed tuned to my blog because I will be discussing my camera/film/lens choices soon!  

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