How to Choose the Right Client

Cover photo credit: kbdawg,  @madswurms

How do you choose the right client? Are there clients that you’d better avoid and refuse their proposals? Most certainly. While a lot of photographers and videographers are being tricked by the “money making” side of it and that “the client pays”, in the long run a lot of gigs with wrong clients would cause an actual draw back in your career. What are these instances? Who are these clients? Let’s have a closer look.

Pick the Client Wisely

You are only as good as your last project. So jumping on projects that either undermine your expertise or are out of your gear spectrum or area of expertise entirely is a bad move and usually leaves the client disappointed. Never be afraid to refuse the service if you estimate that you will not be able to deliver the highest quality. While loosing the potential client might be seen as a potential financial loss, the art of rejecting the offer and re-channeling it might actually be beneficial for your business in the long run. If you know someone who might be the best fit for the client, make referral, connect two together. Chances are, your client would be grateful for the outcome and next time will be calling you again either for an advice or the upcoming projects that then will be a perfect fit for your expertise. But he/she will definitely be calling you first!

Fire the Client Regretlessly

What are the signs of the bad client? Firstly, it is their attitude. If the client is not set to work on good terms and friendly environment, you will end up being drained of energy completely after such projects. The gigs that cause mainly irritation and frustration are better to be rid of. Secondly, get rid of clients who make unreasonable demands which do not reflect on the pay. Making of these demands towards you indicates the lack of respect for your professionalism, time and effort. This causes more stress and irritation than its worth. Thirdly, clients who are chronically late on payments are no good for your business either. Free up the space on your schedule by firing bad clients and hiring good ones instead. This selective process will accelerate your business dramatically!

Choose the Client Who Loves Your Work

When you get reached out by the client you never worked with before, most like it is because you are that good to be considered for hire. Clients who see your style, your unique approach to the project, your one-of-the-kind delivery are the clients who will value you and pay you the most. Cherish the relationship with such clients and always go extra mile for them to not only satisfy but to exceed expectations.

Clients with bad reviews are to avoid

The reputation of the client plays significant role in the decision making for his approval to denial. Each client carries not only the project but the reputation of oneself in the industry. If a client has a bad rep and you decide to work with him/her, you are most like to end up in the same category of stigmatized bad rep folks. For the sake of keeping the record clean and attractive for the market it is better to turn down clients who are already known for their lack of professionalism.

Trust Your Gut

Sometimes though, while the negotiation with the potential client is taking place, there is something iffy inside you that pulls your mind away from accepting the project. Even though you cannot provide any logical explanation (yet), listen to your gut instead. If the project feels to be off, it will probably be off. In this case it is better to decline the offer. Of course there many aspects of the business side and decision making that we did not have a chance to cover yet would have a tremendous influence on your bank account and financial situation overall. It is really about the balance you are after – if you would like to earn more but with heavier stress and more headache, doing the job you do not like, it is still your rightful choice. On the other hand, to help you sleep well at night it is better to avoid potentially harmful projects that will take away more than it will bring.

Photoshoot Ideas for Halloween!

As we are getting closer to our scariest holiday ever, people reveal their creative energy in the Halloween costumes, going berserk and weird to the full extent. With the fun and spooky mood that awaits us and happy kids screaming trick or treat at every neighborhood it can be a killer idea to save these memories on the photos and get creative in front of the camera as well! Here are few ideas for you of how to make this Halloween unforgettable!

USE COSTUMES! (duuh)

The first thing that comes to mind is of course your beautiful, naughty, scary, funny or what-a-heck-is-that outfits. Capturing your character can be really fun and gives an opportunity to be someone you have never been in real life, until now.

ADD PROPS

From the witch’s broom to the skeleton in your closet, there is plenty of props to play with during Halloween. A Thor is not a Thor without his hammer… hammer smashing a few juicy pumpkins in front of the camera!

TRY SILHOUETTES

Silhouettes usually look pretty dramatic on photos – the kind of mood that the Halloween holiday is know for. Now it is the perfect time to get the mystery out of your silhouette!

GO PLAIN SCARY

Unleash your creativity to the fullest. No more cuteness. Let’s go dark, eerie and goosebumps ready!

SHOOT OUTDOORS

Many theme parks are being prepared for the Halloween parks with ghosts appearing on the streets, spider nets growing over every window and bones of fake dead monsters swinging in the wind. Why not get the best use of it and take some marvelous pictures? Besides the parks, regular “daily” spooky places like cemetery are also great places to end up at night with the camera while wolves hauling on the background to the full moon.

WHEN NOTHING ELSE HELPS

Just stick a baby in a pumpkin. You’re done here.

Robert Tate + Heather Whiting

One of out favorite and most prolific photographers Robert Tate recently did a rooftop photoshoot with the San Francisco based model Heather Whiting. The imagery turned out amazing and the gorgeous lady Heather looks absolutely stunning! Have a look at Robert’s portfolio on INSTAGRAM and check out his latest interview with FD! Make sure to take a look at the model’s INSTAGRAM as well for daily updates. The MUA for the session was Moni.

ROOFTOP is located in our ART studios building and available every other day on the calendar. Encompassing the LA’s downtown scenery with highly energetic industrial sector this stage is perfect for picturing big city life. Upon your request we will provide strobe lights powered with mobile batteries as well as c-stands and other grip tools. Check more information on our WEBSITE.

Hill 3 Upgrade. You will like it.

Photo & video natural light studio rental in Los Angeles

One of our newest stages Hill 3 has already become a new sensation due to unbelievably beautiful natural light and its spacious reflection. This stage is big. This stage is awesome. Now it got even more awesome (awesomer?)

Let us introduce to you:

Pink & Turquoise Aquarelle Wall

White and Tropical Green Trees

Hill 3 Upgrade. You will like it. -Wooden walls, wooden floor, white brick wall, White, Update, Turquoise, Tropical, Studio News, start, Shoot Location, Rental Studio, Renovation, prop, Plants, Pink, Photoshop, Photoshoot, photography services, photographer, Photo Studio, Los Angeles, illuminated star, Green Trees, Filming Location, FD photo studio, DTLA, Art 4, Aquarelle Wall, !done

White Brick Wall and Plants

Al these new toys are installed in our stage at no extra cost and are ready for use in your next artistic session! Besides, as all our stages, Hill 3 is equipped with great gadgets – black, white, and gray photo backdrops as well as three strobes along with light modifiers. Take a look at Hill 3 on our website for availability as well as rates.

Mori Galaxy – Anime Inspired Apparel

Mori Galaxy – colorful anime inspired apparel established by Melody Wang might be the cutest clothing line we have ever seen. With lots of cartoonish prints on outfits, the models for the shoot to promote the latest collection were as bright and cute as the clothes itself. Take a look at these amazing images and try not to get a sweetness overload 🙂

A quick introduction of the brand and it’s message:

“Love. Culture. Nature. Cute. Childish. Unique. Pastel. Happy. Nostalgic. Colorful. Expressive.

Mori Galaxy is an indie fashion brand promoting cute galaxy fashion with a focus of multi culture apparels. Creating quirky items to bring people of different backgrounds together. We were all born from the stars, reminiscing the universe.

Then, are you starry eyes yet?”

Got hooked ? Have a look at the WEBSITE of this apparel and get your piece today! For more information about the shoot and the experience of the crew visit Mori Galaxy’s BLOG.

Stage Art 3 is one of our most popular stages. Featuring shot perfect props such as an elegant white-and-gold chair with a mirror as well as a luxurious bathtub, this stage is always on a high demand. Art 3 now also presents a gorgeous rose wall for your unrivaled, outstanding background setting. Besides, this studio is supplied with a seamless backdrop paper of black,grey and white color and studio lighting found in all of our spaces, promoting it as a very flexible creative space. For pictures and more information about stage Art 3 check out our WEBSITE.

Ballet photography by Zachariah Epperson

Photographer Zachariah Epperson is all about ballet and the beauty it encompasses within. Capturing stunning movements of his models, beautiful ballerinas, Zachariah translates the the graceful motion of the dance into the still shot. A quick info about the photographer:

“I’m based out of San Francisco, California but an adamant traveler, I love to photograph in new and exciting places. My specialties are environmental portraits, editorial, and now so passionate about ballet photography. I arrived at these core mediums naturally, after picking up my father’s vintage 35mm something inside of me clicked and from that point on I knew I had found my passion. My craft is creativity and my tool is my camera and with my passion you know that we are going to create something amazing while having a great time. I sought, and still seek everyday to bridge the gap between average and exceptional using not only digital photography but film when I feel appropriate. You will see in my work that it speaks honestly for itself and is an extension of not only who I am but who I am becoming as a person and photographer.”

Visit photographer’s WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM for more awesome photos! Pro Stage I features a large seamless white cyc wall, as well as standard photo backdrops of black, white and grey color, and studio lighting for stills. Make sure to catch the perks of the space with your photo and video cameras and book with us NOW.

The feminine side of Amy Segura

Without a doubt, Art 3 is our most charming stage perfect for sweet and tender photoshoots that emphasize graceful emotions, the beauty and princess’s dream like environment. For photographer Marilyn Espitia this stage was a perfect fit to reveal the ladylike side of a young model Amy Segura.

Marilyn was very kind to share with us the story behind the photo session:

“I took these photos of a girl who is 18 and never experienced being girly , putting on dresses or wearing heels. She was this tomboy sporty girl. And for this shoot she got to experience her feminine side .”

Have a look at photographer’s WEBSITE and INSTAGRAM for more beautiful images and exciting upcoming projects. The model for the session was stunning Amy Segura.

Stage Art 3 is truly one of the pearls of our studio. Featuring thematic furniture of white and gold color and antique look that beautifully coincides with a rose wall covered completely in red and white flowers this stage brings both the uniqueness and versatility. As any of other 11 studios we provide this stage is equipped with three paper backdrops of white, black and grey color ready for your shoot. Art 3 has amazing natural lighting conditions. However, if you require the help of the strobe lights, we have 3 of them installed and included in the hourly rate, thus making it as a very flexible creative space. For pictures and more information about stage Art 3 check out our WEBSITE.

by Wrong Ron

Singer Ernie James for his debut EP

Having a grand piano in stage Art 1 makes this studio not only suitable for a regular fashion photoshoot but also a perfect environment for music videos and a supportive promotional material. Singer Ernie James has visited us to take a few shots for his debut EP “Only Child”.

Few words about the artist:

“Ernie James is an Alternative Rock Singer-Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Los Angeles California. His debut Ep “Only Child” is available on Itunes, Spotify and all digital platforms.”

The PHOTOGRAPHER for the session was talented Sandra Selva. Have a look at her INSTAGRAM for more beautiful images and daily updates. Find out more about the artist, musician Ernie James by visiting his INSTAGRAM or WEBSITE pages.

Stage Art 1, a long-time FD Photo Studio favorite, was used for this shoot. With the high-key white industrial design that FD is notorious for, Stage Art 1 is a clean setting that can be manipulated to fit all kinds of projects. This space has its windows facing South and West and gets beautiful direct light during the PM hours, and great open-shaded light in the morning.

Take a look at Stage Art 1 HERE to see what equipment is included in the hourly rate, as well as its availability and pricing.

Sotiri Mantas + Maisie Moreno

Everything looks better with the CYC. Photographer Sotiri Mantas had a quick session capturing the model Maisie Moreno against the CYC wall to achieve series of beautiful fashion oriented images that look great for any format – Instagram, magazine or professional portfolio. Using even light on the model, Sotiri was able to create soft and smooth exposure pleasant for the eye of the viewer.

Have a look at PHOTOGRAPHER’s INSTAGRAM and WEBSITE for more information about upcoming projects and portfolio. Make sure to check INSTAGRAM of the MODEL Maisie Moreno.

Sotiri’s choice for the shoot was stage C. It features large South and East facing windows, with lots of natural light. It is notorious for accommodating large, high end production crews and sophisticated artistic projects due to its versatility. Enhanced with the large Cyc wall available as well as paper backdrops, grass wall and wood floor corner this stage brings variety to your backstage. Find out more about stage C on our WEBSITE.