Location shoots can be an endless playground for creation. From background variations and light scenarios to unexpected situations and interesting probs. Despite how prepared you are, sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
My Spanish inspired shoot was done in the busy, industrial city of Birmingham (UK), way away from Spain or anything that can bring the feeling of it. But - when you put your mind and skills into something you image, you get rewarded at the end.
It was all done with minimal equipment and a small budget:
1 model
1 dress
1 location
1 light
That’s it! Really, a photoshoot doesn’t need to be complicated to look beautiful. Your desire for creation is stronger than you might think. You just need to get out of your own way, as they say, (wink, wink).
> Model
It’s good to know your preferences even choosing a person for your photoshoot. When I think of Spanish women, I automatically imagine a dark-haired girl with red lips. However, this is my personal preference and you feel free to experiment with all looks and backgrounds you like. For this shoot, I’ve worked with the British singer Siobhan, who went into the Latino mood with ease.
> Styling
The styling for this shoot was brought up by my model, who had a quite clear idea of how she sees her playing the beautiful señora on a hot summer day. I give her my trust and we went with it. We used 1 dress by Pretty Little Thing and a few of her personal accessories. The look was finished with a bright red lipstick by Fenty Beauty, that complimented beautifully her face and gave the look that classic Spanish feel.
> Location
Believe it or not, this wasn’t something fancy or outside of town. In fact, is a local pub near my place, which I had my eye on for some time. The shoot was done during the lockdown for Covid-19 and the pub was just about to reopen after a long break. It’s a big branch of Toby Carvery in a beautiful old building with a spacious courtyard, beautifully arranged with flowers and trees. I chose a few different spots that can give us the feel we were going too, but distant enough from the reality of the location. Not as a cheat, but more like a personal preference.
> Light
Last but not least and in fact the most important - the light! Unlike the typical recommendations of using the golden hour, this shot was done at noon on one of the hottest days in England this year. I’m a huge fan of daylight and used to take it for granted when growing up in Bulgaria. During most of the year on a sunny day, you can shoot from sunrise to sunset without a problem. No need to check the forecast or stress around it - the sun is not going anywhere. But in the UK is quite different - you need to use the sunlight when it’s there and not when you feel like it, because more often than not the forecast changes like, I like saying a woman’s mood.
So for this shoot, I’ve used the sharp noon sunlight and 1 strobe light to fill out the shadows. That’s all. I positioned my model in front and behind the sun, and also under trees so I can use the shawls of the leaves making her look like she is in an out-of-town county house. Yes, the red English bricks are still part of the picture, but despite being a traditional park for British architecture, I think it macked the Spanish feel we went for.
Additional tips…
> Poses - positioning your model to match the feel you’re going for is an essential part of the process too. When I think of the Spanish theme, I imagine sensual, feminine poses, flowers, and dress that compliments and sculpture in a beautiful way the model’s body. So be aware and look where hands, feet, and hips go. Don’t be afraid to ask them to move or adjust. When photographed, most people are focused on the camera and don’t think about how their hands and legs move. It’s your job as a photographer to make them comfortable and adjust their physique in the best way for beautiful results.
> Keep it simple - Be mindful of the number of accessories you add on. I like to keep it minimal, focused on the model and their captured energy than overlapping it with accessories. It’s your vision and preferences, but be mindful of how busy your location background is and what catches the eye first when looking at the photographs.
> Play! - Remember to have fun and enjoy the process. Experiment, move around your model and use the sun in different ways. Take breaks if you need to, and wait if you can for the perfect position of the sun.
This is how I did a Spanish themed photoshoot in England on one of the hottest summer days for 2020. You really don’t need much to create anything you put your mind into.