People begin to think about life in the post-COVID world and reflect on how it has impacted the photography industry. Photographers are facing immense challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the globe. Wedding photography, large gatherings, gallery openings, festivals, sports events, and many more have been canceled or postponed. It has left many photographers unprepared.
However, this is not going to last forever. Things might have come to a halt in some time but will pick up eventually. When people are going to search for photographers again, you should be in a position to take advantage and catch hold of the opportunity.
You should make use of this downtime to refine your marketing strategy. Try creating marketing content that will help you stand out. Here is how the photography business has changed to aspire during this pandemic,
An alternative photography technique that is fast emerging and trending among shutterbugs due to this COVID-19 is remote photography technology.
Recently photographer Vasanth Kumar set up a photo shoot with a Russian model while in Chennai. The only challenge he faced was a language barrier, and that was solved using google translate. The photo shoot was completed in 45 minutes without any hotel, studio, and travel expenses. All he needed was a desktop, some memorable frames using a video calling app, and a lone white chair on which the model reclined.
Since this pandemic has put numerous norms, photographers stuck at home are getting innovative and finding ways to continue the work. They are foraying into different forms of remote photography like FaceTime shoots etc. It is promising and has created an impact on photography that will last for ages even after the pandemic. Apart from allowing clients and models to work from where they are, this has reduced the cost of photography, unlike many fashion shoots in exotic locations.
Virtual choreography
Before lockdown come into force, amateur trails of remote photography were underway around the world. A photographer started using a desktop webcam to capture images of people and things around them and created a collage. However, the quality of the image was poor. Then Vasanth, a photographer, took this one step further and tried using Skype and Google Duo yet, the quality of the pictures was not satisfactory. It is when apple’s FaceTime app emerged with inbuilt features of clicking pictures while you are on a call. It became a plausible option among photographers. Since another app has only the option of taking screenshots, which were later cropped and used, another photographer named Edwin used this technology to shoot with a couple in Italy. They were locked down in the same home, and this post immediately garnered a lot of attention online.
To develop this trending photographic technology, a small portfolio for remote photography was created and made interested people use this opportunity during the lockdown. Using this remote photography, even fashion films are being produced. It is created by capturing the movements of models and then merging them in a sequence and adding music to it.
How is remote photography done?
The photoshoot is planned a week after you contact the photographer. In the meantime, you are requested to make a virtual tour of your space both during the morning and evening. Then during the photo shoot, a palette is created, and backdrops are added according to the color requirement. The only drawback is that photographers must effectively use whatever colors and props that are already available there.
Planning things before in hand is a must, as in every other choreographic shoot. After exchanging pictures and videos of the space, the frame and ambiance are decided. Sometimes a stylist is also involved in deciding the frame.
During the shoot, couples or models must set up the device as instructed by the photographer, who is located miles away. This is usually done during the golden time of the day—the period of daytime before sunset or shortly after sunrise when the light is softer. Since you are not directly available in the location, patience is a vital factor for every photographer. The photographer should teach couples how to pose virtually, so every instruction must be dealt with with patience.
Even wedding photography is done using this technology.
This trend is specific during the lockdown, and sure this will return to normal when things change. However, remote photography is a potential opportunity for the photography business during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift of photography from analog to digital and now phones are survivable shifts. It is always important to keep learning new things and adapt to the changes.