Working on set with Kevin has opened my eyes to the various personalities that attend a shoot. Most are valuable and necessary in order to create a successful shoot. However, there are those who somewhat inhibit the creative process of the photographer.

Speaking in my own observations, the ones who tend to create the most friction at a shoot are the few overbearing types who usually escort or accompany a young model and finds the absolute need to take all creative control of the shoot. Speaking over the photographer, these types shout out poses that are both stereotypical and forced. These shots would never be considered as the choice select to submit to a magazine and are, therefore, a waste of hard drive space. The overbearing types know no boundaries and are often hovering over the photographer.

Another type of character that I’ve observed at shoots are the creative/art directors. These are tricky characters who, most often, are very helpful at creating an overall vision and theme for the shoot or campaign. The great ones allow the photographer to use his/her own personal aesthetic to compliment the garments or whatever needs to be photographed. They allow the creative juices to flow and enable the photographer to leave his/her own personal photographic signature.

However, there are also art/creative directors who take total control of the shoot. From set design to directing the models, these characters allow little room for the photographer to make his/her own mark. They are mostly overbearing and come across very militant as they yell out orders and demands. They become the insipid albatross around the neck. The photographer, in these situations, becomes nothing more than a person who pushes a button. It is in these situations that the photographer must be resourceful and try to find a way to make the image his or her own without stepping out of bounds of the delicate and slick divide laid down by the creative/art director.

In the end, I have come to the understanding, while working with Kevin, that it is not productive to despise or favor any of these characters. The importance is that we, as photographers, interns and creative talents, must understand how to balance the pros and cons of everyone’s role on the set. We should all keep an open mind and listen to what everyone says and take whatever we can and couple it with our own strengths to make the best possible photograph that everyone will be happy with. Sometimes, we cannot make everyone happy at a shoot. But, I have learned how to take advantage of everyone’s personal ability on set and, most importantly, I’ve learned how to loosen that onerous albatross from around my neck.

– Ernesto, the intern

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