Photoshoots from A to Z: tips & tricks by Trudy Kazangu

February 9, 2020

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min read

Do you also want to set up a photoshoot but don't know where to start? Trudy's tips and tricks will give you a helping hand!

Photographer Trudy Kazangu has been part of the Chase community for quite some time.

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She started as a writer with a passion for visual arts, which made photography and videography a logical next step. She is currently doing an internship at Flair Belgium and working on her project Tinted Souls. Recently, we collaborated with her on a paid assignment for one of our Chase clients.

Hello Trudy, how does organizing a photoshoot work?

Trudy Kazangu: “You first need to know what you want to achieve with your shoot. Preparation is key! Freestyling is allowed, but it's usually very risky. Secondly, don't forget the three most important things: your camera, charger, and memory card. And last but not least, it's best to go to bed early the day before a shoot. It might not seem like it, but during a photoshoot you need to be very alert and precise. That can be very tiring.”

“With the support of Anastassia Oudovitchenko, Senior Account Manager at Chase Creative, I was able to work in a very structured way for this shoot. Without her help, it would never have gone so well. Most of the shoot was planned and prepared down to the smallest detail. Ana even noted the time of sunrise on the call sheet. It may sound absurd, but it's necessary if you want to work with natural light.”

What about casting, mood boards, and location?

Trudy Kazangu: “Ana and I were both responsible for casting the models. We had a diverse selection of women and the client was also happy with the casting. Based on the client's vision, I created a mood board on Pinterest. After the models were chosen, I specified mood boards by model. That helps enormously during a shoot because you already know in advance what you're aiming for.”

“Visiting the location beforehand is definitely a plus. Unfortunately, this time I never managed to physically visit the locations before the shoot. But Ana always made sure I received detailed photos of the rooms before I had to photograph there.”

Photo by @agneskena for @ray .bodycare

How did the shoot go in general?

Trudy Kazangu: “Thanks to the mood boards I made beforehand, we already knew what kind of look we wanted to achieve. So that went very smoothly. The boards mainly served as inspiration and a foundation. Something that didn't really go according to plan was time... When working on such an extensive shoot, time is your biggest enemy. You have to work fast and still perform well as a photographer. Not only for the client but also for yourself. You solve that problem by being as well prepared as possible before the shoot.”

What are the main differences between shooting on location and in a studio?

Trudy Kazangu: “I've never worked in a studio, but I assume that in a studio you have more control over different factors like lighting, positioning, and space. When shooting on location, you sometimes have to search and adapt more.”

What are your strongest and weakest points in photography?

Trudy Kazangu: “My strongest point is probably my ability to visually assess things well in general — styling people, choosing a color palette, the location, and the models. My weakest point is that I often underestimate how much effort it will take to start a project. I enjoy it so much that I sometimes forget it's also hard work.”

Photo by @agneskena pre @ray .bodycare

Would you recommend hiring an assistant?

Trudy Kazangu: “I recommend an assistant if it helps you. But an assistant can also slow you down if they're not alert enough or don't have a feeling for this kind of work. A shoot can also be done on your own because often you simply don't have another option. A good assistant is really a luxury for me at the moment. I've always done everything alone and still do. So you can definitely work without one.”

Do you have tips for other photographers?

Trudy Kazangu: “The only tip I can give as a photography lover is not to lose yourself while searching for your own style. That comes naturally, and every type of photography has an audience. Experiment as much as possible! In everything I do, I recognize something of myself, and that's very important to me.”

Photo by @agneskena for @ray .bodycare

Do you prefer working on your own projects or working on assignment?

Trudy Kazangu: “At the moment, I prefer working on my own projects because the pressure is much lower. Photographing people is my favorite thing to do. That's how my love for art started. Capturing faces is always so beautiful. I can also work on assignment for someone else, but then the client and I need to be more or less on the same wavelength. Collaborations are great learning processes and I know I still have a lot to learn!”

Did you achieve the goals you set for 2019? Any goals for 2020?

Trudy Kazangu: “In 2019, I set a goal to make music. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to focus on music, but I really need to work on that because music makes me very happy. My goal for 2020 is to save enough money for my big trip through South America in October. There I want to make more small personal documentaries like my series Tinted Souls and do my own thing under the southern sun. I hope photography will help me achieve that goal. Besides that, I want to feel more comfortable in everything I do and everything I am. I want stability and serenity.”

Article by Ashley Okwuego.

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