Weather Holds in Photography: Crafting Perfection in Every Frame
Unlocking the Secret to Flawless Photoshoots
Imagine planning a dream shoot. You're thinking of a vibrant Aussie day on Bondi Beach, the sun glistening across the sand, casting the perfect shapes across your set. But what if the sky turns grey on the day of the shoot and the rain starts to pour? This is where the magic of 'weather holds' comes into play – they seem to have become a bit of a taboo subject or forgotten art.
Weather holds are like a secret weapon in a producer's arsenal. Whether you're a model, brand or photographer, they're an essential discussion before a photo shoot. They're days held aside, allowing flexibility to wait for the right weather conditions. Think of them as a backup plan, ensuring you get those summer-soaked photos rather than something that feels moody and flat.
The weather is more than just a backdrop; it's a mood setter, and as much technology as we can cram to create sunny days, it always looks different. It's crucial, especially when the work revolves around a specific theme. For instance, capturing the essence of summer isn't just about the outfits or location; it's also about the warmth and brightness of the sun.
Incorporating weather holds means asking your team for flexibility. It's about having a plan B and sometimes even a plan C. This practice may involve higher production fees and often more coordination, but the payoff is substantial. You get images that align perfectly with your vision, enhancing the overall impact of the shoot.
It could mean having backup talent options and having the brief so tightly wound that someone else can complete a portion of the job. It might mean locking in all the moving parts days before the shoot rather than weeks. Which can often be more challenging and cost-prohibitive depending on the size and scope of the job.
The Challenge of Coordination
Indeed, weather comes with challenges. Coordinating the availability of models, photographers, and other team members can take time and effort. It often means scaling the production size or adjusting timings to manage costs and availability. However, the end result? A portfolio that genuinely resonates with your desired theme and quality.
In the ever-changing and unpredictable Australian climate, weather holds are not just useful but essential. But surprisingly, they're not widely utilized here in Australia, which is why I'm writing this! This article serves as a call to action for photographers, models, and clients alike to consider the immense benefits of weather holds.
The success of implementing weather holds lies in effective planning and clear communication. It's about setting expectations early, being upfront about potential schedule changes, and ensuring everyone is on the same page. Creative jobs call for a creative, collaborative, and flexible work environment.
Let's take a real-world example. A big Australian brand planned a beachwear shoot on a sunny location with a Sydney team flown to northern Queensland. Without a weather hold, unexpected storms could shift the entire vibe and moodboard of the shoot. Without a backup plan and clear and concise expectations, things will go ahead, and the client must hope for the best. In this case, the best case didn't feel cohesive with the vision, and such a trip, with models, producers, stylists, assistants, production and creative teams, as well as the client and photographer, the costs quickly balloon into over $80,000 spent on something that doesn't feel quite right.
With some negotiating, backup plans, and flexible dates, the team could have moved the date, and the result would have been very different. Now I can predict that would have increased the cost, depending on the location fees, and in many cases, the team could be slimmed down, it's hard to say without being in charge of production, but there are options! Longer holds for location, backup plans, secondary locations, etc., are only available if you plan for it!
Weather holds are a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best results come from planning for the unpredictable. They encourage a more adaptable, creative approach to the work, ensuring that every shoot hits the desired mood and theme, regardless of the whims of the weather.
As we navigate an environment where weather patterns are increasingly sporadic, adopting practices like weather holds could be the key to not just good but great photography. It's a step towards more thoughtful, flexible, and successful work.
So, to all the aspiring talent, dedicated photographers, visionary clients and hard-working producers out there let's embrace the power of flexibility and communication.
I hope for clear skies but plan for rainy days. We can wait out today for the one we dream of capturing tomorrow.
