Photo shoot brainstorming ideas
These are some ideas that Jeff came up with for our Photo Shoot.
From Jeff
Could we maybe plan to use the existing photo for a limited run of brochures and properly plan a comprehensive shoot in the late spring/early summer? I'd like to get a professional's opinion about this, but we might want to consider bringing in a stage makeup expert if we want studio quality photos. We could maybe defray the cost a bit by combining purposes and let the photographer also do some head shots of folks who want to pay for them after the group shot. I wouldn't mind updating mine (which is, like, 12 years old; I look like a baby). Also, keep in mind that we may end up using some of this material on our CD and it's got to be really good quality and aesthetic composition for that. I'd also like to consider taking multiple group shots in addition to the mass group shot, with varying quartets or octets; this would give us the option of having a few photos placed here and there on the brochure and/or CD. Maybe we could hire a good wedding photographer for this job. Brainstorming ideas for themes (some already floated, some already rejected):
From Julie (10/23/99)
Jeff-just read the page, and liked the one near Bear Mountain Bridge, but I know a really great place, a short hike up Anthony's Nose (name of mountain) with the bridge in the background, and river below. Quite steep, but short, my kids do it all the time, albeit groaning.
Or, in keeping with hiking theme, a spot in Bear Mountain called Torrey Memorial mountain, an easier hike, and wraparound views at the top. This is a better place as far as parking, and also, come to think of it, the top's bigger and flatter. Really gorgeous. There are fabulous wildflowers there in the spring.
From Jeff
Could we maybe plan to use the existing photo for a limited run of brochures and properly plan a comprehensive shoot in the late spring/early summer? I'd like to get a professional's opinion about this, but we might want to consider bringing in a stage makeup expert if we want studio quality photos. We could maybe defray the cost a bit by combining purposes and let the photographer also do some head shots of folks who want to pay for them after the group shot. I wouldn't mind updating mine (which is, like, 12 years old; I look like a baby). Also, keep in mind that we may end up using some of this material on our CD and it's got to be really good quality and aesthetic composition for that. I'd also like to consider taking multiple group shots in addition to the mass group shot, with varying quartets or octets; this would give us the option of having a few photos placed here and there on the brochure and/or CD. Maybe we could hire a good wedding photographer for this job. Brainstorming ideas for themes (some already floated, some already rejected):
- Some river background (a generally favored idea); maybe arrayed in 3:2 aspect on rocks below that restaurant near hastings train station. All formal.
- Similar array on rocks or on patio at Charthouse. Perhaps in groups at tables as though listening to a performance in an outdoor club. All formal.
- Bow of Circle Liner (a retired ferry at my yacht club in Ossining); folks at railing with river in background. Challenge: getting a 3:2 aspect ratio. Half formal, half casual.
- Arrayed on and around a power line stanchion if there's a spectacular Hudson Valley view behind it. All casual. (hard hats?)
- Arrayed on and around and in one of the Mahopac fire trucks; some in formal cocktail gear; some casual; props: helmets, axe, etc. (why? I have no idea; it's different though). I'd have to see if I could get permission. Obviously may have to disrupt shoot if there's a fire! "Charis is hot." Probably have to shoot it at the firehouse though; no hudson river view.
- Arrayed in a 3:2 ratio on the rusty railroad bridge south of Yorktown (might be difficult to get a camera angle and get the right aspect ratio). Again, some formal, some casual would be an interesting conjunction.
- Arrayed in interesting groupings at the riverfront patio in Cold Spring (gorgeous). Challenge: getting proper aspect ratio, nothing to use as risers unless some sit on railing or we BRING risers, but that starts to get formal again. All casual.
- Train museum (in Yorktown?) on a train. Mix formal and casual.
- Get on the actual Circle Liner (on some not-busy day) and take over the back upper deck and have Manhattan or the Palisades or the Statue of Liberty in the background. Mix formal and casual.
- There might be some location near the Bear Mountain Bridge. I know there's a Scenic Outlook on the road leading to the bridge from Peekskill that has a nice view of Haverstraw Bay (nuc plant in background -- lovely). I think all in hiking/mountain gear would be good for this one.
- Some generic park in H.R.Valley, all in jeans and workboots with shovels in play ("you'll dig our music; we do"). Maybe abandoned railroad tracks in nature setting with sledgehammers in play. ("Building better music for a better world.") This would be very cool if we could get a harp and a string section to sit around the background.
- I believe that a useful shot will fill most of the available surface area with faces (in a 3:2 aspect ratio), so the background will not be predominant, just a hint for mood. But, even so, a spectacular, hudson-valley background would be an asset.
- I agree with Susanne that we should go for a less stiff, more informal look. Though playful is also nice. I like the idea of the contrast of some folks in formal wear. Dare I say some of the men in Tuxes, and some in studio black (black turtlenecks, possibly leather jackets), women half in cocktail dresses, half in studio black. This was the idea I had for the hot tub shot everyone hated: some folks in formal wear around tub with cocktail glasses, some lounging IN the hottub with brandy snifters (maybe just susanne in the hot tub!). Ladder shot. Trees in background.
From Julie (10/23/99)
Jeff-just read the page, and liked the one near Bear Mountain Bridge, but I know a really great place, a short hike up Anthony's Nose (name of mountain) with the bridge in the background, and river below. Quite steep, but short, my kids do it all the time, albeit groaning.
Or, in keeping with hiking theme, a spot in Bear Mountain called Torrey Memorial mountain, an easier hike, and wraparound views at the top. This is a better place as far as parking, and also, come to think of it, the top's bigger and flatter. Really gorgeous. There are fabulous wildflowers there in the spring.
