For those that are unaware, I periodically run group shoots and I also run workshops from time to time. I have a group on Facebook that I use to organize said shoots, but I've left it dormant for the better part of 2011 for a few reasons.
The group can be found here:
The last group shoot I ran was back in early February 2011 (a Valentine's day themed pinup group shoot). Overall everyone seemed to enjoy it but a few things became readily apparent:
- Some of the attendees had explicitly told me that they were only interested in shooting.
- Other attendees told me the exact opposite; they wanted to learn how to shoot, learn about lighting, etc.
It became brutally obvious to me that I couldn't do both at the same time though, and in the process things got really hairy. I could barely keep up with everything; meaning that I didn't have time to teach people who legitimately wanted to learn, set up lighting, coach models through sets, keep tabs on what people were doing, etc. Thankfully it didn't end in disaster but that last experience left a bad taste in my mouth. It's the reason why I haven't run anything since.
Well.... I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about starting up some group shoots and workshops again (varying from pinup, lighting, and potentially art nude). The problem is I can't do a repeat of the last group shoot (making my own lighting available, setting up predetermined sets, and taking time to teach people). Physically and mentally I nearly went nuts. Financially it was a bust for me as well too.
The conclusion I came to is that if people want a group shoot it's going to literally be a group shoot in every sense of the word. No teaching, no mentoring, you basically pay to come in an shoot models (and you'd be responsible for your own lighting to a degree too). Truth be told though, everybody and their mothers are running group shoots these days. What differs between the group shoots I run though is that I select the models who are there (and I only use experienced models), and in the case of both group shoots and workshops, the majority of the money you're paying is going directly to the models.
For a workshop, I'd provide lighting and literally walk you through setting up the lighting, coaching the model and the photographer, etc. It'd be a lot smaller in the number of attendees (say six max) and would be specifically geared towards those who legitimately want to learn. Cost wise I would be charging appropriately for this too so it would cost a lot more than a group shoot.
I'm also in the process of running a "portfolio day" specifically geared towards models who've never shot pinup before (or just want to get my work in their port). I'll be divulging more details about this at a future date, but suffice to say, yes I will be charging for this but you'd be getting A LOT for your money (including shooting in a really cool location, have their hair and makeup done professionally, AND receive coaching from a published professional model who's been in the industry for longer than I have been shooting).
Anyways, this is the point where I need your input. What is it you most want most:
Do you just want to shoot: a group shoot?
or
Do you want to learn: a workshop?
Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answers. Please either leave a comment on this blog, a comment on my facebook page, or private message me on facebook (or send me an email @ mannyATmregophoto.com)..
(the shot above is of my muse Laura B. I forget exactly when I shot it, but I think it was taken about four years ago by now... )
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