Despite best-laid plans, things can happen on shoot days. Everything from traffic to weather to wardrobe malfunctions can throw a monkey wrench into your pinup machinery, making it necessary to prepare for potential setbacks and remain flexible when things don't work according to plan.
Photo shoots are supposed to be fun, so don't let unexpected complications ruin your day. Sometimes, glitches can lead to better results than you expected!
Plan ahead...
The best way to deal with setbacks, of course, is to avoid them by planning ahead. Read this pinup's guide for what to bring to a photo shoot, along with Marilee's prep page. Communicate your needs and goals for the shoot to Marilee, and don't forget to bring any props or wardrobe items necessary to make the experience a success. Even if you plan to wear items from Marilee's extensive studio closet, you should always bring backup clothing items that fit you well and will look good on set. Always eat and sleep well in the days before your shoot, and never make any drastic last-minute cosmetic changes like dying your hair a new color. Even root touch-ups can be problematic if you don't complete them early enough, as errant dye can get in some very weird yet noticeable places.
All that said, don't let your plans stifle spontaneous creativity. Sometimes, ideas pop out of nowhere on shoot day and make your results even better than you dreamed possible!
When wardrobe fails you...
It happens to everyone. Occasionally, an outfit or accessory that made sense a few days ago suddenly doesn't look right on shoot day. Maybe you accidentally broke your jewelry, or the lingerie set you brought no longer fits, feels, or looks like it used to.
This is why backup wardrobe is a great idea. But what happens if nothing you brought works, and/or the items you'd planned to borrow from Marilee didn't fit or look as you'd hoped? This is where flexibility is key. Marilee's on-the-fly suggestions are always good, and her vintage jewelry collection has saved shoots when my choices fell flat or turned up missing or broken at the last minute. Further, I know that if my wardrobe selections ever fail me, we'll be able to find something in her vast glam room that will photograph well, even if it's just earrings and a sheet (this isn't a joke; you'd be surprised how many hotel beds have given rise to great implied nude shoots when wardrobe has failed!).
When sets or props don't come together like you planned...
It's rare, but sometimes even studio setups present unexpected glitchery. There have been times when Marilee and I have planned to use a specific prop, set, or lighting scheme that simply didn't work out. In these cases, we made do with what remained or substituted something else that worked well enough.
My Valentine's set for this year was supposed to feature Marilee's superb chandelier prop, but the boom setup required to rig it up didn't work well in the new studio space. We were a little concerned that the red seamless background, furry blanket, and red throw pillows might be a bit too plain, but I didn't end up missing that chandelier one bit!
Shooting on location...
Good planning isn't always enough to avoid trouble, especially when you're shooting beyond the controlled confines of the studio.
Sometimes, a location may be suddenly unavailable. We planned my late 1860s historical gown shoot for the Leland Stanford Mansion, but when the complex (now a state office building) closed early on shoot day, we had to hoof it down the street to the California Capitol building instead. Did the pictures suffer? Not one bit.
But what happens when you have no other options? Unexpected weather - or the lingering effects of weather events - can ruin an outdoor shoot entirely, making it impossible to hop elsewhere if your intended location isn't available. Marilee and I had to reschedule my historic cemetery location shoot twice: once due to extremely muddy conditions and once more due to very high winds.
Even if rain and wind are not in the forecast, extreme temperatures can still make it dangerous to shoot outside. For shoot days that are forecast to be particularly hot, Marilee may ask you to meet at her studio earlier than your original appointment time to take advantage of cooler morning hours. No matter what, hot weather necessitates being ready with plenty of water and flexible attitudes.
In the event that shooting on location (outside or not) will be impossible, have an in-studio backup plan just in case. Ask Marilee which sets might be ready to use on your shoot, or easy enough to set up in a pinch. If your shoot day falls during a time of year when weather issues are likelier to ruin your plans, Marilee will discuss contingencies with you well in advance.
Roll with the punches...
No matter what happens, a glitchy shoot day doesn't mean disaster. In fact, Marilee is extra-good at turning setbacks into creative opportunities. Be prepared to have fun and collaboratively solve any problems that might visit you on shoot day!
