Grand Cayman

Fashion Photography & Videography

Trip Overview

From December 28, 2019 – January 8, 2020, I traveled to Grand Cayman to create photo content for five clients with a group of 9 Commercial Photography students. For 5 months prior to the trip, we met weekly to plan out the trip and all the logistics of the photoshoots.

I was the team lead for one of our clients, Islands Honey (a swimwear brand). As the team lead, I found the client, reached out the them to propose our partnership, and handled all communication between our teams. I worked with the client to determine the type and style of content they wanted and took charge of finding models and locations for the two shoots we did for this client.

My Role

Skills Developed

Islands Honey Photoshoot Moodboard

I created a moodboard that we could use to make sure that the photographers, models and client were on the same page about the type of pictures we wanted to create. I compiled images that our photographers gathered and sorted them into categories of similar themes. I picked a few from each category to put into a collage for the cover of the moodboard for quick reference at the photoshoot. I also included a bunch of the photos at a larger size after the collage to show more detail.

I also used the moodboard as a logistical document where I kept our team, client and model information. I created a models page that showed the models' pictures, names, contact information and deliverables requested.

Next, I created a page for the shoot schedules and roles, including the date and time of the shoot and the concepts we were going to use. I also included a gear list and the roles for each team member.

On the client page, I included a description of the client, their location, mission, website and social media handles. I also included my contact’s name and contact info and the deliverables requested. The client page included a chart of product assignments for the models as well. I also included screenshots of the existing photo work on the client’s website and Instagram page.

Finally, I included a page to put all of our team’s information on. This included pictures, names, roles, Instagram handles and phone numbers. At the end, there is a page with information about our program and then a blank page for field notes.

Download moodboard [PDF]
collage of photos of girls on the beach with Islands Honey logo in center

Additional Contributions

After partnering with Islands Honey, I started gathering inspiration images on Pinterest. Everyone in the group gathered inspiration images and then we compiled them together to put into the moodboards. The inspiration images that I gathered can be found on the Pinterest board I made for the shoot.

While gathering inspiration for the photoshoot, I communicated with the client to see what she wanted to get out of the shoot. She provided me with a few ideas for photos that she wanted to have to post on her website and Instagram account. I figured out how many models she wanted to have for the shoot and what measurements she would need from the models in order to make the suits.

The client requested 4-5 models for the shoot and provided me with her size chart and the measurements she needed in order to make the suits for the models. Since the suits had to be handmade in advance, we needed to have the models determined pretty early on.

I sent the photos that were taken on the last trip to my client and she picked out some of the models that she wanted to model for her. I messaged the models that she chose on Instagram to see if they would be interested in modeling again. I included a description of the company, the time period of the shoot and that they would be provided with free swimwear for helping us out.

Five of the models that I reached out to confirmed that they did want to participate. I also reached out to a few other people on Instagram to see if they wanted to model, but the timing didn’t end up working out.

Once the models were confirmed, I sent the sizing documents to them. Once they provided their measurements, I compiled them and passed them on to the client so she could get started making the swimsuits.

One of the models later turned out to be unavailable during the shoot times and didn’t provide her measurements, so she didn’t have suits made for her. The client ended up making 3 sets of swimsuits for each of the four models and she also sent us 4 extra sets to use during the shoot and then have the photographers keep afterword.

After the moodboard for my client was finished, I created a template that could be used for the other clients on our trip. I used my moodboard design as the basis and sent it to the other team leads so that they could input their client information. I packaged the file and put the folder on our server so that they would have the fonts and images that go with it.

The day before the shoot I had a meeting with the models so that they had a chance to meet our team, see the swimsuits and sign model releases before the shoot. Three of the models met with us at 11 am and the fourth met with a smaller group of us at 4 pm. I lead these meetings, shared the moodboard and went over our plans for the shoot the next day with the models and our team members.

After the model meetings, we went location scouting around the island to pick locations for the shoots. We went to three beaches and took some sketch shots to figure out where we could shoot at. We decided to do the morning shoot at Smith’s Cove since it would be more crowded during the afternoon. We picked Spotts Beach for the afternoon shoot.

The night before the shoot, I put together a bag to bring to the shoot. I included towels, accessories (such as coverups, sunglasses and hats), the swimsuits, my moodboard, printed notes from the client and sunscreen. I also planned out the order of the outfits that we would be shooting and a list of the shots the client requested.

At the shoot, I provided the models with the suits they needed to wear and helped them change when needed. I also went around with a bag of accessories while the photographers were shooting and suggested pieces that would go well with the swimsuits the models had on. I also suggested shots from the moodboard and made sure that we got the shots that the client asked for, including stock photos and comparison photos.

What I Learned / Takeaways

  • Gained experience in project management by managing all logistics for two photoshoots
  • Practiced effective client communication
  • Learned about the preparation that goes into professional photoshoots
  • Worked with photographers to process photos and get files delivered to client and models
  • Improved intercultural competency skills by working with client and models from different countries

Additional Program Information

Grand Cayman Fashion Photography & Videography Study Abroad Trip

School of Visual Communication, Ohio University

December 28, 2019 – January 8, 2020

Program Blog Program Instagram

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