A Commission

Fig. 1: One example of a ticket template created by Bren Slade for the Ballet Arts company (the actual finished products included images of the dancers in the company themselves and are not released for online sharing). 

This semester we are encouraged to take on a commission.  Since as photographers we desire to practice our craft but in real life have to pay our bills and feed our families as well. 


When the Ballet Arts company approached me about creating their marketing images for the traditional Christmas Nutcracker performance I decided to accept.

Even though it did put some strains on my time and schedule I decided the experience would be beneficial- and it was!

I created some brief template ideas and delivered a 'pitch' (although mini in size).  The director loved my ideas and gave me full creative discretion on completing them, her only regulation was which of her dancers would be featured. 

(Note: Although she gave me free creative discretion I recognized it was only because in my 'pitch' I carried across that I have taken in the needs of the company and my images would match their ideals as well).


The actual shoot took place at the studio itself.  I came with a list of shots required for my images and she added a few for use in the program.  In the end I created two main full image options that would be used for posters, tickets, and a program cover.  Then I also included png. files that could be used throughout the program. 

The director was quite pleased and already 'booked' me for the spring ballet of 'Alice in Wonderland.'

Things I learned:  Price your bids carefully.  There is a fine balance between covering your time and creativity and also keeping the doors open for further commissions.

ALSO

Kindness and Flexibility are golden and key in keeping up good relations.  The dancers lead busy lives and we altered the time/date of the shoot to accommodate them.  The director was very grateful for my amiability in this area and expressed as much (apparently the last photographer she worked with was a bit more difficult).