Profile
xiangtao（Shangtao）
Starting at PIXTA in 2007, xiangtao is a PIXTA contributor specializing in images of people. Taking advantage of his wealth of business and marketing experience, he is a contributor that is able to mass-produce stock photos that sell.
Four of us will come along for today’s shoot – a female model, a stylist, my wife (as my assistant) and myself. In the morning, we will shoot some beauty parlor themed images, and then change outfits for a salon model style portrait in the afternoon.
An apartment that I purchased for photo shoots in 2010. I live in it as well, so it doubles as my home and studio. When considering the costs of shooting, studio rental is very expensive. Further, you are charged for time spent preparing, resting and cleaning up, so I think that is a bit of a waste of money. Because of this, I figured that it would be better for me to have my own studio for long term cost efficiency, leading me to buy an apartment. Out of all the resources for stock photos I have, it is the most expensive.
There is no such thing as an apartment designed for shooting photos, so it took me over half a year to find one that would work well. I plan to sell it in the future, so finding a place that had value as an apartment, as well as a floor plan that would work for photo shoots was more difficult than finding a regular apartment to live in.
10:00 – Staff meeting・Discussion of plans
First of all, I discuss with the stylist today’s shooting and hair/makeup plans. I take a variety of scenes in one day, so I always confirm which order would be best to do them in.
For models who do not have experience with stock photos, I show them the PIXTA site and examples of images in use to give them an idea of how the photos that I take will be used. After that, I have them sign the model release. By getting this done before the shoot, the model is often more relaxed when they start work.
Once you start shooting, you become focused on the shoot, so it’s important to get the release done first thing. This way you will not forget to have the release signed, and the work afterwards will continue smoothly.
I have seen other photographers who do not understand the model release themselves, and just get the model’s signature. The contract is not valid just by getting a signature; both the photographer and model need to thoroughly understand the release in order to prevent trouble down the line.
10:20 Hair and makeup・Shooting preparation begins
Things to keep in mind with a beauty parlor photo shoot
Today’s stylist is M, who I have worked with many times before. They have worked with many of PIXTA’s top contributors, such as Ushico and kou and are very experienced and knowledgeable about what is required.
https://pixtastock.com/photo/8475884
Stylist M’s tips for basic makeup for a beauty parlor photo shoot!
The first half of today’s shoot will be a beauty parlor themed shoot, so I will try to bring out the clean, fresh nature of the model’s skin by not using strong colors and carefully applying a base foundation. I use concealer on the eyes to make them bright and reduce the possibility of them seeming tired. Then, I try to collect light around the ridge of the nose and bring out the freshness and gloss of the skin and lips. In the case of long hair, I often make a ponytail or braid the side of the head to keep the hair together – making the shoulder blades and neckline look extra beautiful.
Lighting
Today’s lighting is ‘front lighting, diffused by scrim fabric’.
I often use this lighting method, as it is easy, efficient and cost effective. It also creates high quality images that sell.
Setting this up simply involves lining up some stroboscope lights, so you can’t get it wrong.
I used to use lighting umbrellas, but it was difficult to cut tracing paper and fit it over the umbrella. The scrim fabric is easy to prepare, as you just need to enclose the lighting stand with it.
The stroboscope lights just need to be lined up, so there’s no need to consider angles etc. too much.
The entire area covered with scrim will become one light source, so you can’t go wrong technically. To be honest, I think you might learn more about clean lighting from a professional photographer rather than me!
However, even if you perfect “clean lighting”, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your images will sell. Even if your lighting is very clean, if it is the same lighting that everyone else is using, it won’t make your images stand out. If you look at the top-ranked images, you will find that there are differences in the lighting of each one. Lighting is one of the components that determine an image’s value, so I feel that you need to consider how you can give your images individuality.
Despite this, I am an amateur and cannot do very difficult lighting. I leave the difficult things to the professionals, but lately the main method for ‘Easy, cheap and effective lighting that sells’ is ‘front scrim’. Not many of the top ranked contributors are using this method.
I also recently purchased a beauty dish that I would like to try to use sometime, but I don’t have any particular plans as of yet.
11:20 – Beauty parlor shoot
Shooting esthetic salon images emphasizing reality
I first had the model change into a strapless top and some short pants and began shooting a beauty parlor theme. I had the model lie on a towel and shot a scene featuring her having a massage on her back and shoulders.
In more serious shoots, I would prepare a massage bed, but today I’m using a simplified version. I’m not taking many full shots, but am focusing on close ups that will seem like a bed is being used.
I take photos from a number of angles, far away, close up etc. Then I ask the model to lie on their back and I shoot their neckline and face massage/head massage images.
By shooting in this order, I can reduce the amount of hair and makeup changes.
With shoots that focus on skin, I find that it is helpful to have a female member of staff, as this allows the model to feel more comfortable.
When you are doing a shoot that focuses on skin, such as beauty parlor images, it is a good idea to use body cream or oils to create gloss. Especially during drier months, it is essential. (A tip from stylist M)
12:40 – Portrait Shoot
Focus on your target theme with a simple portrait.
After having the model change clothes, I start shooting a university student salon themed image. My image makes use of the natural makeup that was used for the last shoot and combines it with a slightly different hairstyle and casual spring/summer fashion for a salon themed image. This was the first time that I worked with this particular model, so I stayed sure to give clear directions about posing/facial expressions etc.
As you don’t know who will be using your stock photos, it is fundamentally important to keep your images versatile. However, this versatility can also be seen as a disadvantage.
When the customer is looking for an image for a particular use, versatile images can be a bit lacking. If there is a considerable market for a particular themed image, content that is shot based on a particular target can increase its value. In addition, if you are shooting for a particular theme, it is easier to understand how the image will be used, which makes it easier to shoot.
Apart from the model’s personal clothing, I also prepare some myself.
I buy clothing from brands such as ‘earth music&ecology’, ‘INGNI’, ‘CECIL McBEE’, ‘NICE CLAUP’, ‘UNIQLO’ and ‘H&M’. I spend about one to two thousand dollars a year on clothing.
Plain clothing is the norm with stock photos, but there are some images that need to be fashionable. There is not much supply of images that feature fashionable clothes. So keep in mind that images that are too fashionable don’t sell.
As you can see in the image below, different models create very different impressions even with the same clothes, which creates variation from the customer’s point of view.
It may just be my personal impression, but photos featuring models wearing ‘earth music&ecology’ clothes sell best.
13:30 – Lunch at a Yakiniku restaurant nearby♪
A delicious meal to boost our motivation!
After the morning shooting is finished, we went to a nearby yakiniku restaurant for lunch.
I’ve heard from models that they usually get lunch boxes to eat during lunch break. They must eat lunch boxes everyday. I think that it’s good to have a hot lunch once in a while. Due to this, I usually take my staff and models out for lunch.
While having conversations with the models, I hear about how other contributors shoot, or what things are popular etc. The conversations are a very helpful way to gather information for future shoots.
14:30 – Salon themed shoot
My original hair salon themed background is a great success!
In the afternoon, I focus on shooting salon themed images. This set is the basic equipment required for a salon shoot. The blower on the chair is to apply wind to make the hair flutter backwards.
The thing leaning up against the wall is called a wall pock. It is a background board with wallpapers such as bricks etc.
I buy the wallpapers online – with glue they cost about $5 a meter, which is very cheap. As for the board, I usually buy $10 Styrofoam boards from DIY stores. Even with both of these, it doesn’t cost very much.
As this is a salon themed photo, the hair will be the center of the composition, and there is no need to capture the whole body.
When shooting the whole body, it becomes necessary to prepare a whole backdrop, but the boards can be swapped easily.
If you have a clear-cut attitude towards what you’re going to shoot, you will find that lots of ideas about shooting come about, I guess.
I make small changes with hair and makeup during the shoot. These two are a loose and wavy style, and I am increasing variations by changing the outfit and background. Generally models with black hair and a neat atmosphere are preferred for stock photos, but for salon themed images, models with bright colored hair and colored eye contacts are more in fashion and sell better.
Prior to casting, I read the model’s blog and portfolio, paying particular attention to their clothes, makeup and facial expressions, and I base what to shoot on this. Important checkpoints for stock photo models include whether they can have a natural smile, if their teeth are well aligned, if their hair isn’t partly colored, etc.
16:10 – Sweets Break
We have a sweets break to prepare for the shooting of the final scene.
Models get tired from the shooting, and I usually have a white-collar job where I only hold documents, so I get tired from holding the camera. I think that being a cameraman is a form of physical labor.
In the evening, we have a long break and enjoy some sweets that I have prepared.
Most of my models lately are from Tokyo, and so to thank them for coming so far for me, I often prepare some Kyoto sweets. Today’s model is from Osaka, so I brought some Godiva ice cream.
16:30 – Style Change・Salon themed shoot
I completely change the makeup and shoot a portrait with a fashionable atmosphere.
Finally I change the eye makeup and lipstick to a more glamorous look and shoot a mature portrait. I use a black or damask pattern backboard and go for a chic look overall.
When I have a professional stylist on hand, I can ask to make big changes to hair and makeup, so when I am shooting a salon theme, I make sure to shoot both a natural themed image and an elegant image.
17:30 – Shooting Complete
Quickly shoot a pic for the model’s blog
The shoot is over for today!
The model was very happy with experiencing a new style and fashion, so I took a few photos for her with my smartphone.
18:30 – Massage
I clean up the stroboscopes etc., but I leave moving the backdrops and furniture for the next day. I have to go back to my usual job from tomorrow, so I go and have a massage after the shoot to make sure I’m not still tired the next day. My real job is being an office worker, so in order to continue doing both, I need to make sure that they do not have too much of an impact on each other.
