Model: Lindsay; Cushease product shot on location in Clearwater; f/11 ISO 200 1/250th with 42" reflectorA commercial product photography shoot with models for Cushease in Clearwater was my first experience shooting on a boat. As soon as I came aboard I instantly realized that doing photography on a boat will be an all new challenge, with not the least challenge being not slipping overboard strafing back and forth to the bow. I also learned that you will definitely need assistants while working on a boat. I had already confirmed that the models when not in front of the lens would be willing assistants to hold either the 42" reflector or a speedlight. On dry land you can setup a light stand to hold speedlights and reflectors, on a rocking boat, that is not possible.
University of Florida Gator embroidered products by Cushease - Clearwater commercial photographyThe client was actually Karin, one of my new, dedicated DSLR Photography Lesson students. Her company, Cushease, has a large product catalogue featuring weatherproof chairs, cushions and pillows. The images from this shoot will be used to update her new website, print catalogue and in various advertising mediums. That is Karin's dog on the Gator pillow above. He was very well behaved and a willing model.
Cushease weatherproof chairs for boat & outdoor use - Commercial Photography in ClearwaterI made many of the shots from the upper deck of the boat, which required climbing up a very narrow ladder with my Nikon D300 dangling precariously from its strap. I was pretty nervous at first but by the end of the 2-hour shoot had gotten pretty good sea legs. I spent a lot of time on boats in my childhood and this commercial shoot started to make me miss the unique feeling one has when spending time on a boat.