Photographer FAQ

Don’t forget to start with the General FAQ for everyone!
Photographer FAQ | Model FAQ | Hair/Makeup Artist FAQ | Designer FAQ | Supporter/Partner FAQ

Please let us know if you see something missing that we should add! We want this to be the best resource possible.

I’m just getting started, or have never shot in the studio before. Will I have help?
Absolutely! That’s precisely the point of GPG. We recommend attending, watching others work, asking questions, and getting a feel for how things operate. Talk to the mentors! Brings your camera though, because if there’s a lull in the action, we’re likely to take the opportunity to put you hands on equipment and play, It’s the best way to learn! 

I have a specific (model, Stylist, MUA, Photographer) that I want to involve. Can I bring them to GPG?
Absolutely, (and you totally should) as long as they’re also over 18!

Can I set up a whole event, where I’m the featured photographer shooting all of the models that night?
In short, no. GPG is about collaboration between multiple participants, so individuals can’t book more that 2 30-minute slots at the same event. Plus, the work can’t be good back-to-back anyway. If you need lots of images, say, because you’re getting started with a new portfolio, we encourage you to shoot a couple of sessions at each event. That way, all of the ideas can be planned and executed to make a meaningful impact on your overall book.

What primary lighting systems do you use?
We primarily use an array of “Alien Bees,” by Paul C. Buff, augmented with Pocket Wizard radios. We have other systems too, but this system is the most common.

My camera doesn’t have a standard flash hot shoe on top… or isn’t a DSLR/Mirrorless (e.g. Point-and-Shoots)… or is a 4×5 film camera from 1965. Is there still a way to use the studio strobes?
In most situations, yes. If you have a non-standard flash munt (Sony, we’re looking at you,) then you should definitely carry an adapter in your bag. Pop it on, mount our standard radios, and off you go. They’re cheap on Amazon (and we sometimes, not always… sometimes) have them around the studio to loan too. Another issue might be that you have a Point-and-shoot style camera that just doesn’t have a flash mount on top. The studio can also be fire optically, as long as you can take “total manual control of your popup or onboard flash. Maybe you’ve got a very old camera that takes an actual synchronization cable. We have those. Fear not! All-in-all, we can almost always overcome challenges like this!

Sounds great. Can I shoot with my phone then? ;-P
No. We mean, yes. You can shoot the event happenings… but your phone wont fire the studio strobes (yet.)

Can I bring my own lights/equipment/etc?
Yes, especially if you’re planning to shoot somewhere other than the main platform. If you’re wanting to book a studio slot, we strongly prefer that you use the equipment that’s already on set. Think about it. You only have a 30 minute slot. If you spend most of that tearing down the already set up studio, setting up your lights, and resetting the studio back up for the next photographer… you haven’t had much time to actually shoot, have you? 🙂

Do you have loaner equipment?
Yep! During the event, we’ve got “check out” equipment including camera systems from Canon and Nikon, as well a lights, modifiers radios, reflectors, and all of the grip equipment you could need.

Share with all involved. Read the general FAQ for lots of information about the use of the images, the forbidding of “commercial work,” and the allowance of “kinda commercial work.”