We recommend shooting stills first on a Solo shoot day (and for GG and GB shoots).
Advantages of shooting Stills first
There are a few advantages;
- When shooting Stills first, the Shoot Producer can direct and support the model easier than for video
- This is because the SP can speak constantly in the shoot, without worrying about their voice being recorded on the video soundtrack
- First-time nervous models historically do best when they do Stills first, for this reason
- While shooting Stills, the SP can build up a rapport with the model
- Building this relationship will pay off when shooting video, as she will feel more comfortable and potentially open up more
- During Stills, the SP can teach the model the poses and activities and the “AW Paradigm”
- So that for Video component, she looks more natural and confident in what she is doing
- There’s more to keep track of for video than stills
- Mapping the way through Stills makes it easier to add in the two extra Shoot Assessment areas for video (Model Moves and is Active; Conversation exposes her personality)
However, if SP’s want to shoot Video first, they are welcome to do so.
Advantages of shooting Video first
All that being said, there are some advantages to shooting video first…
- SP is setting up for a sunset shoot for Stills (where they feel best able to utilise the special light) shooting video first may be appropriate
- If the model is known to lose energy throughout the day, starting with video might be best
- It’s easier to support a model through the end of the Stills component, than for video
- Daylight fading later in the day
- Generally speaking, Stills lighting equipment is more effective at combatting lower light levels than Video lighting is.
- For example, if natural light light levels will be gone by 4pm, might be better to start with video to take fuller advantage of the daylight
- There’s a problem with the Stills equipment, getting replacement equipment will take a few hours by Uber, so may as well shoot video first