We just got a new advertising client the other day -- Liza is the #2 Weimaraner bitch in the country. The owner also happens to be the show chair for the Southeast Regional Weimaraner Specialty to be held in September so this ended up with some add-on sales results. I'll be shooting the Specialty!

To start the advertising relationship, we set up a shoot here at JAG World Headquarters in Orlando so we could get some "bread & butter" images to use in the advertising program. These shots will be used with candid ring shots and formal win shots to give the advertising some personality and originality. First, I shot Liza and her owner/handler Kelley here in the studio. That way I get to light them the way I prefer and we can use these types of stacked shots in ads to show the judges how the two of them should look. Here's an example of one of the stacked shots.



We also like to get some shots of the handler and dog relating in a non-ring type of image. Here's an example of that.



The day we had them here, it was warm but not hot and so we took them outside for some moving shots where we'll cut out the dog to show how well she moves. The only "problem" with Liza is that she over-strides when she moves which causes her to cross-over in the middle. I'm not sure most judges ever see that but it's an issue when you're trying to show proper movement. For example:



And, lastly, we take a stacked shot outdoors from the same angle that most show photographers shoot the dogs (I like to get lower) so that we can drop it into any outdoor win shot if the dog/owner don't look as good as they should.



Overall, we spent 1/2 a day shooting and come up with over 40 images to use in the advertising program. Liza is really a very nice Weim -- laid back and very sweet and kissy. In fact, she's my new girlfriend. Cassidy is not pleased .

Thought I'd share.

Jim

Very nice shots Jim. Care to share your lighting step for the indoor shots? I just bought a beauty dish for my AB's and I love it. I use it on my main light sitting high pointing down and I prefer the look without the sock. I use another with a shoot through umbrella to light the background but have to dial it down so I don't get spill. I also use a 5 in 1 reflector for the fill side. I like this setup in general as it gives real nice depth and contrast and fixed what I often ended up with which was somewhat flat lighting. The beauty dish is sweet. Di you also use anything in the outdoor shots?

Bob,
my studio shots tend to be pretty much the same for the dogs I light: 2 AB400s set at 45 degrees to the subject at 7-feet high bounced into silver umbrellas.

For these types of shoots, I want flat lighting because I can always add in directional light later when we lift the subjects and put them on different backgrounds. Mainly, I'm trying to wrap the lighting around the subjects.

The outside shot was taken the way most show photographers take it -- on-camera flash used for fill in open shade. Again, because we'll be swapping that image with other outside formals, I wanted the lighting and angle to be similar to what other show OPs do.

Jim

Beautiful, beautiful shots, Jim. Boy does that bitch have reach and drive!! I really like #1 & #2. There's something about #4 that I just can't put my finger on. Maybe the bitch looks a little "flashy" compared to #1 or perhaps a little flat, but it could just be her coat color is throwing me off. Excellent job and congrats on your new client.

I almost never shoot outside in open shade without using my 580 for fill. I was just curious if you ever used your bees outdoors. I have had a few family portraits that I would have like to because the 580 just wasn't enough. I do use a diffuser, (fong) but even without it it sometimes isn't enough. At some point I'll try it. I was just curious. Anyway, great shots and very nice lighting....

Bob,
I've used my Bees for podium shots at outdoor shows where I knew the 580 (or 550 at that time) was not going to give me enough power late in the day (or after dark). In that case, I just set up the Bees the same as in the studio and just used diffusion grills. This was before the Vagabonds so I had to run a lot of electrical cords but it was worth it when the BIS shot took place after dark and the modeling lights allowed me to be able to focus.

For portraits -- either pet or people -- I'm experimenting with using one Bee set high just off of center. No diffusion. I've gotten some nice effects powering it down and opening up my 85 to diffuse the background. Haven't nailed it yet but it has potential.

Let me know how they work for you outdoors.

Jim

Julie
yup, lots of reach and drive but they're not supposed to cross-over underneath at full extension. I'm not sure if it's because she's not long enough or because she's being moved too fast. I'll shoot her on the down & back and see how she looks moving more slowly.

The color in the outdoor stacked shot is definitely more vivid because of the 580 illuminating her in the shade but that's what outdoor ring shots look like -- most show photographers try to overpower the natural light with direct flash. I prefer to use the 580 to fill shadows outdoors but that's just my preference. We need a shot we can drop into "normal" show shots if the bitch or the handler look bad.

Glad you like the first two. Me too.

Jim

Super job Jim, congrads on the new client. I hope I get a Wein. soon, these are beautiful dogs

John,
Weims are space cadets -- sometimes there's a brain there; most times, not. But, yes, they are beautiful dogs. The color is amazing and the structure, both powerful and athletic. A good Weim is a great dog!

But, be aware that the camera doesn't always "see" a Weim. That color has very little contrast so sometimes the camera can't focus on it. I have more OOF shots of Weims than any other breed other than black Chows.

But it's like any other breed -- the good ones are a joy; the ones with no training are impossible. Liza is a joy!!!

Photo models aren't just beautiful. They have to know how to pose. Same with dogs. My guys know how to pose. Julie's Whippets know how to pose. Show dogs "should" know how to pose. But ultimately it depends on the trainer.

Let me know your schedule for Friday. My guys will be ready.

Jim

She is a beautiful weim. I have always found them to be beautiful dogs. Don't know if I would want to live with one, but, I do appreciate their unique beauty. She really is a beautiful bitch

I don't know what to say about the moving shot. Whippets don't overstride like that so I have no thoughts on how to fix it. It definitely looks funky though. Are her legs too long for her body? I dunno, no experience with this

I would definitely try and get some free moving shots and see if it helps