DIVISION’s Post

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUST PHOTOGRAPHY AND A WHOLE PRODUCTION? Well, people don't understand the difference much and consider these two things similar. But, let me tell you a huge difference between these two. PHOTOGRAPHY- So, when we take up a project as a photographer, we are responsible for taking pictures, doing some post-processing, and delivering our work to the client. PRODUCTION- Whereas, production includes everything, starting from sourcing props and till the results. So, usually, things that we need to take care of as a production company or production managers are as follows- 1) Planning a campaign or mood board 2) Arranging Models 3) Location for shoot 4) Props 5) Food & water on set (for models and crew) 6) Equipment for the shoot- Lights, camera, lenses, tripods, etc. 7) Assistants 8) A stylist 9) Makeup artist 10) Helpers 11) Editors (for post-processing) These are a few basic things, which is required for a whole production shoot to take place. Sharing a few glimpses of our crew on set.

"Why do you spend so much money on photo shootings, you could just ask your friends?" To be honest, for two reasons: ❌ I don't like asking for help, especially from friends. ❌ My goal is to play on the same level as brands like Chanel or Gucci. For this, I needed #professionals. Our #campaigns are a great way to portray more than just our clothing pieces. Emotions and values are significant in our videos, pictures, and text. This is why I always want to work with amazing talent, which might cost a bit. For anyone interested in the cost structure of one of our shootings (price for a 6-hour shooting, 50 retouched final images, a 30-second campaign video, and 4 short reels): Location: 500 € Models: 1600 € (2 x 800 €) Photographer & Videographer: 2000 € Make-up Artist: 400 € Myself: 0 € Total: 4500 € According to the #feedback of other professionals in the fashion #industry, we are way below the average cost for a campaign shooting, is this true? Merci, Maximilian.

You have to grab people in the first 5 seconds, or lose them forever. This is true for your videos, your LinkedIn posts, your website, your bus stop ad, any kind of marketing you're doing. People are tough and immune to advertising. You have to MAKE them pay attention. In this new commercial for Bella Del Sol, our 'grab' was to start with a bossy woke Gen-Z daughter rattling off her many dietary restrictions to her dad, who's kind of rolling his eyes. It's current, it gestures to the culture wars and to generational divides in families, and it's got some conflict. (The music and camera movement contribute as well.) Most importantly, it's not random. We didn't start this ad with a gorilla fighting a lion just because it would grab your attention. That has nothing to do with sunflower oil. The 'grab' has to make sense for the story. Bella Del Sol is ORGANIC, so it aligns with the daughter's values. There's a funny problem, and a logical solution. Did it work? Did we grab you? I guess if we didn't, you'd already be long gone by now, scrolling into the ether...but if you're still here, let me know!

What do you like the most? Shooting model or still life photography? That is a question I’m often asked. Working a lot with beauty both genres is pretty technical photography wise. But still very different in terms of process and possibilities. As an art director / conceptual nerd turned photographer the preparation proces can be similar in terms of understanding for example:  - Current visual communication of the client - Future needs and goals of the client   - Product groups including unique selling points - Competition  - Overall marked communication / tone of voice - Conceptual possibilities / development The process of course highly depends and varies on the total setup and how many parties are involved; Am I working directly with the client, am I in charge of CD/AD or are there creative agencies in charge of this part etc. For both genres the right casting is crucial. Might sound funny speaking of casting in product photography and some times of course this can’t be changed.. But putting the right product in the right scene is crucial for a great result. If you can’t change the product the scene must be adapted accordingly. When shooting model beauty my focus is mainly on: - Connecting, directing and capturing the right mood of the model - Collaborating and guiding him/her towards the right pose/composition - Collaborating with hair and makeup to ensure the look supports the concept/direction + the lighting setup. When shooting beauty still life the process in usually even more nerdy: - Working together with stylists/VFX artists to achieve the proper setup and composition - Executing the shooting stages if the shot can’t be achieved in one shot - Changing the lighting setup if needed to capture specific product details - Shooting stacks for all settings. To get back to the question and an answer. It is exactly these differences that makes me love doing both at the moment. It gives me different energies, requires a different mind and skill set + gives a different satisfaction when seeing the final result. I don’t know about you but variation in my work life is super important to me. Happy to hear your thoughts! #beauty #model #modelphotography #stilllifephotography #stilllife #niklashoejlund #niklashoejlundstudio #skin #makeup #jewelry #creativity

Step 4 for a Successful Campaign: Collaborate with a Stylist Behind every great shoot is a stylist who brings the vision to life. Working with Tamarra Mc Naught from Tito Style has been a game-changer for our campaigns! Her attention to detail and ability to create cohesive, eye-catching looks ensure that every frame tells a story. Styling isn’t just about clothes—it’s about creating a mood and enhancing the overall brand message. If you want your campaign to stand out, don’t skip this step! Cinematographer/Gaffer Leon Chrysostomou SiaLeon Video Production Stylist Tamarra Mc Naught

Let's talk about the creative brief vs artistic license. The creative brief is based on a mood board that I put together with my clients based on inspiration for their projects. It is so detailed that when it comes to shoot day, there is no second-guessing as to how the imagery will turn out. I actually prefer this because I know I will be able to deliver exactly what my client is looking for. As photographers, we all have styles that we are known for. So when a client isn't very specific and says that they want their product to look like my other images, it leaves so much room for interpretation and disappointment. As I always want my clients to be obsessed with their images, I will err on the side of having a very detailed mood board and clearly outlined objectives before the shoot day. New work for Nuria Beauty (May 2024)

You’ve seen a lot of cool fashion shoots on our Instagram. And today I’m going to breakdown how much it costs the brands. For a one day magazine style campaign in a studio - brands typically spend Rs.1.5 lakhs to 2 lakhs and it covers 15-18 outfits with 2 professional models in frame. This includes photos and videos. For a one day outdoor campaign in an outdoor location - brands typically spend between Rs.4 lakhs to 6 lakhs for photos and reels with an insane fashion film and up to 4 models in frame. These are total costs so they include talent, lighting rentals, retouching, studio or location rentals - everything even food and beverage costs on the day. Generally we don’t charge existing clients extra for helping with shoot management and basic production because it’s part of their retainer. For clients who want a shoot on a project basis, we charge reasonably as per the scope. #fashionmarketing #creativeagency #fashionphotoshoot #fashioncampaign #fashionphotography #production #brandmarketing

More than a click 📸 I recently received an enquiry asking why my daily rate didn't include everything (and by everything I mean everything). The client had a tight budget and no agency involved. This is a great opportunity to explain what goes into a successful shoot beyond the actual photography... On some jobs I am involved in the entire production and I love it. It always starts with brainstorming and working closely with the client. I think I am pretty good at organising a shoot, especially with my background as a casting director. For others, certain aspects are already provided by the client or agency. This means following an existing idea and helping to make it as good as possible. Depending on the project, the next steps include choosing the location and casting the models. Not to mention organising the equipment, the crew and creating a call sheet. On the day of the shoot, I coordinate the team members, shoot and communicate with the client to make sure all their needs are met. After the shoot, the process continues with photo selection and editing. So yes, photography is much more than pressing the shutter button. Every click is the result of intense preparation, intuition and years of training.🖤 Photo below... Model Lisa I Agency EastWest Models Hair and Make Up Anja Schweihoff I Agency LigaWest Studio Lichthalle #beautyphotographer #beautyphotography #femalephotographers #morethanaclick #colorfulbeauty

Here’s what underbidding a photoshoot looks like—A.K.A., shooting yourself in the foot because you need the money. First, a bit of backstory, including why ALL client conversations should start with the budget. I connected with the client, an outdoor apparel brand, through a former colleague. Over the spring, we had several conversations about their needs and project ideas. We settled on photos and videos of their clothes in water sports action and lifestyle scenes in the Southeast. Perfect. I created a proposal: 3 days of shooting in Chattanooga, 5 models (they requested a large group), photos and video clips, plus post-production for 5 social videos, all expenses included. Suggested Budget: $30,000 “We love the idea, but our budget is $15,000. Can you shrink the project a bit and do it for that amount? We still want a lot of models and multiple outfit changes per day.” “Of course!” I say, desperate to get a gig after a very slow winter and spring. I cut it to a 2-day stills shoot with video on 1 day, eliminated the post-production, assistant and producer line items from the budget, and decided to do it all myself to save money. (Ugh.) After more back and forth with the client, it became clear that video is a priority. So, I asked for another $1,200 to pay the cinematographer for a second day. The client approved; final budget was $16,200. — Now that the shoot is finished, here’s how much money went into it: - 5 models for 2 days @ $300/day = $3,000 - Production Assistant for 2 days @ $400/day = $800 - Cinematographer for 2 days @ $1,200/day = $2,400 - Food + travel expenses for crew = $1,570 - Total expenses: $7,770 That means I took home $8,430, which might sound like a lot, but let’s break it down in terms of the total time I spent on it: - 1.5 days of phone calls and emails discussing the project  - 1.5 days researching, brainstorming + building the proposal - .5 day back and forth with the client to finalize the plan - 2 days location scouting, including renting a kayak - 2 days finding, communicating with and hiring talent and crew, and pre-production meetings - 1 day prepping gear, grocery shopping, and cleaning my van (which was used as a prop) - 2.5 days shooting—getting rained out for the last scene of the second day meant the shoot stretched over 3 days anyway - 3 days editing ~10,000 photos - 1 day exporting, gathering and sending footage, paying crew, invoicing client - ? days spent stressing about the shoot and going over things in my head — That’s 15+ days spent on this project, not counting using my gear and equipment, taxes, editing software, image licensing, other business expenses, transportation, and marketing. I knew saying yes to that budget was a mistake, and I paid the literal and figurative price for it, but how else can we survive in these tough times? Anybody else have a similar story?

Teamwork is essential in fashion photography to ensure a successful shoot. You'll typically need: 1. **Photographer**: Captures the images. 2. **Model**: Brings the clothing to life. 3. **Stylist**: Selects and coordinates the clothing and accessories. 4. **Makeup Artist**: Enhances the model's features to complement the look. 5. **Hair Stylist**: Creates hairstyles that fit the theme or concept. 6. **Art Director**: Oversees the creative vision and ensures it aligns with the brand or project. 7. **Assistant(s)**: Help with lighting, set design, and other technical aspects. 8. **Post-production Team**: Edits and retouches the images to achieve the desired aesthetic. Effective communication and collaboration among team members are crucial for achieving the desired results. here is my team who click awesome for my clients