“Behind the Scenes” Forbes Magazine Shoot with Michele Hadlow

I thought about how to take a portrait, which could lighten up this heavy issue and show my willingness to experiment.  When I heard the term “yellowcake,” what popped into my mind was one of those domed glass cake covers, the kind that are always on the counter at a classic diner.  And, then I realized I had my concept for the shoot!  I would photograph Robert Mitchell at a retro 50’s style diner, eating yellowcake.  Prop styling would be essential, so after I had found a diner to shoot in, I brought my own vintage ceramic plates, teacups, etc, which I had inherited from my grandmother.  They were perfect as the design on the cutlery was these little atomic-esqe patterns.  A detail like this would only be noticed by a discerning viewer, but to a seasoned reader, details like this really enhance the way the final image tells a story.  I tend to be resourceful and use props that I have access to, so as to keep my expenses as low as possible and defer to creative trouble-shooting rather than buying or renting props (if at all possible). It is simple a goal I set for myself to deliver to the magazine a creative, unique image with minimal costs and maximum creative results.

Breakdown of a shoot for Forbes magazine by photographer Sean Gilligan

So, through this example, you can see how I utilized what Michele outlines in her recent webinar, which includes:

+ Do your homework about the publication you are shooting for and your subject

+ Don’t just do typical work that you think they expect

+ Show your willingness to experiment & let your creative voice come through

+ Show variety

+ Take a chance

+ Deliver an image, which captures how fascinating the subject really is. Your research should reveal more subtleties about your person, it is then your responsibility to highlight those visually. The editorial photographer creates an image which is revealed in greater detail in the article. Beyond great lighting, a great photographer is able to tell a story in an image.

+ If you have genuine enthusiasm & interest in your subject, it will come through in your image.

Above is the photograph where I’ve deconstructed my process. It’s a wonderful thing to be hired by an experienced photo editor like Michele b/c of the trust that she has for her photographers. Because she really understands the value of good photography, we are given greater creative freedom to deliver something worth publishing.  Our challenge as photographers is how to draw out the essence of the storyline, this is just one example of one photographer’s creative process.