Media ProductionPhoto shoot planning

documentWhat emotional impact do you want your photography do have upon the reader? How?

I want the images for my magazine to have a fun and informal feel to them. The audience of my magazine shouldn’t feel a disconnect between themselves and the model. They should be able to relate to the model and due to the direct mode of address they should feel like a relationship is formed between them and the model – making them more likely to want to pick up and buy my magazine. I, also, want there to be a comfortable and friendliness feeling between the audience and the magazine and I plan to achieve that through the photography – my model will be smiling and will be relatable to the audience. The reader should feel included and welcomed with the magazine rather than having no attachments to it whatsoever.

Most pop magazines have their model performing a practiced pose on the cover of their magazines – which can sometimes seem a bit unnatural – I want my magazine to seem as natural and authentic as possible. This will be achieved as my pictures are going to be taken outside and I will also encourage my model to be as natural as possible when taking the photos.

My Target Audience is that of 11-13 year old girls and so I believe it would be beneficial for my magazine to have a suitable role model for them to look up to. However, I do not think that there should be a too big age gap between the model and audience so that they can’t relate to the model, hence my model will be a 16-year-old girl who they can positively look up to.

What personnel do you need? Who are you going to photograph?

My friend Katie has agreed to be my main model. I chose Katie to be my model as she is clearly very photogenic and is the correct age to be a suitable role model for the Target Audience of my magazine. To make sure I had chosen the correct person, who could relate to the Target Audience of my magazine, I asked Katie some basic questions.

From these questions I know that Katie is the right choice for my model as she is 16 (only three years older than the target audience), her favourite genre of music is pop (the genre of my

magazine), her favourite TV show is one that is popular with all ages and is family

friendly, and her favourite shop is one that is very affordable and again popular with all ages. As well as this, she doesn’t have any tattoos and only has her ears pierced so she would be a good role model for younger girls.

What props will you need?

I am not currently planning on using any props for my magazine as I do not feel like it is necessary for a pop magazine. Most pop artists are just singers and don’t necessarily play any instruments. However, there is a chance that for one of my pictures I may incorporate an acoustic guitar as it would add a nice touch to it. The lack of props will add a clean look to the photography and wont risk it looking cluttered or overpowering.

How are you going to emphasise colour?

The colour scheme for my magazine is mainly pastel colours, specifically pinks and purple’s. Seeing as the current season is autumn I believe that these colours will work really well with the oranges and browns of the autumn leaves – due to the fact that my pictures are being taken outside. My model will be wearing mainly pink and some black – so these colours will pop with the autumnal weather. I will use Photoshop to emphasize the pinks in the photos so that the other colours don’t overpower it. I may even soften/blur the other colours so that they do not take away from the colour scheme.

Have you briefed your personnel/models?

I first briefed my model over email where they agreed to be my model. Since then I have spoken in person with my model discussing the details of the photoshoot and what will be required of them. I have also emailed my model again asking telling them the date of the photoshoot and where to meet. I have, also, sent them some final outfits for them to replicate as well as some hairstyles and makeup. My model has confirmed that she can make the date and time and will be there.

What lighting will you need? Any other equipment?

Due to the fact that I am taking my photos outside I will be relying on natural lighting and I have checked with the weather forecast to make sure that the sky won’t be

overcast. However, I am aware that the weather forecast is not always 100% reliable and so I will, also, be using the flash on my camera if the pictures aren’t bright enough. The camera I will be using is a Nikon Coolpix L820. Should I choose to take some photos indoors I will be using the light from indoor lightbulbs as well as the flash on my camera to make sure I get the best possible look from it – keeping with the natural tone of my magazine. I will take some practice shots with my camera to being with so that I can make sure I am using the correct settings to get the best shots.

Where will you shoot? Will you need a backdrop?

From my location scout I have chosen to shoot my photos at Hylton Castle Park and possibly Roker Park. I may, also, use my house as my bedroom has a similar colour scheme to the magazine and so it would be very easy to tie it in to the magazine. I will not be needing a backdrop as each of these places already has a suitable backdrop to use. Hylton Castle has a beautiful castle that would look great with my colour scheme and Roker Park has a picturesque bandstand that would also provide for a visually stunning picture.

Make-up? Costume?

I have taken inspiration from some other pop magazines where the model wears skirts and dresses, however, due to the fact that my photoshoot is taking place in autumn these would have to be paired with tights and jumpers/cardigans. From this I have chosen three outfits that would be perfect for my magazine. I have also picked a mix of natural and heavier makeup for different settings and outfits. My model is aware what she needs to wear and how to have her makeup.