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This article is from 2nd issue of OTS E-Magazine Pages 24/25
Take A Risk
Be Prepared....Be Willing To Take a Risk out of your comfort zone.
by: Rainey Beaumier - OTS ID: 20815
I started dancing on my parent’s coffee table when I was two years old. My mom taught photography at the high school so it was a natural fit for me to perform for the camera. She would let me pose for her students when they were learning. When I was in elementary and on into junior high, I was involved in community theatre, falling in love with acting and stage direction. The rest they say is history.
My exposure through OTS has given me the opportunity to shoot with not only wonderful photographers but also down to earth talented people. When I was called to do a shoot at a studio, I wanted something out of the ordinary that everyone had not done previously. Susan Thrash a former student of my mother’s who was zoology major happened to have a ball python named Gertrude. That was perfect since we were in a studio setting and could control the surroundings. She drove an hour to bring Gertie to the shoot. The snake was happy and healthy which is a requirement when you shoot with any living creature. They must be handled with care and dignity.
We had to keep Gertie comfortable and happy so her owner brought a heating pad to the shoot. She needed to stay in a habitat that was around 80 degrees, so she rested on her heating pad during our breaks. Snakes do not see that well, so she most likely did not notice the lights. Since snakes cannot regulate their body temperature, we had to be careful with the fan blowing on her. We also had to sanitize our hands every time she was handled so not to pass any human germs to her. Too much vibration from the music would stress her out; snakes can’t hear but just feel the vibes. If reptiles get too stressed, it could lead to their death. Gertrude is about four years old and weighs five pounds of pure muscle. She was not slimy and scaly at all. I suggest that you know how to handle snakes or have their owner nearby to make things run smoothly. They can pick up your vibes too!
The results were outstanding and very much worth the trouble. It does feel a little strange when the snake grips your stomach to move around. We did a couple of wardrobe changes and used the red apple for a prop. Photography is not only about the look but doing your research and sticking to a plan. Visualize the shoot and what you want to convey. Bring more props than you will use, better to be prepared than sorry. Listen to the photographer to get a feel for what they see through the lens. I packed separate paper sacks with clothes for different looks. All the items for each outfit including jewelry and shoes were in a labeled bag. Time is money when you are renting a studio; don’t keep the photographers waiting. Make sure to tell the MUA what your vision is and what you are wearing, they really make the look complete. Spontaneity is important too but you must be prepared to make a great shoot happen.
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