A Photography Identity Project

We can often be said to have several identities; we can be a bookworm one hour and a beach bum the next, wear a suit in the morning and shorts and flip flops in the afternoon.

This photographic project is more fun than anything else, although it can have other commercial applications like greeting card companies, motivational or even de-motivational posters and others.

But there are many other venues such as movie making and some advertising material that will use these types of images. The most prevalent theme however,seems to be for use in marketing campaigns.

The project is basically focused on either one subject or you can include several but the whole idea is to garb a model in different clothes and performing different functions like formal office wardrobe shorts and t-shirt, working on a computer or in an office setting and lounging on the beach the next.

Rather simple once you think of it, but there are some considerations to take into account like getting sufficient and varied clothing styles, getting to use various locations like an office and other similar settings or counting with studio space if you should choose to do the project on one as well as having sufficient props, the services of a hair stylists and make up artist.

As far as the best presentation style that would be better for this project it will probably be something like a thumbnail where you can showcase each separate "identity" side by side.

You should count on using a digital editing program to make some manipulations such as taking all of the different individual shots and combining them unto one main photograph. This gives the presentation a surreal effect but it also makes the photograph that much more appealing.

An audience will probably be more appreciative of all the different "personalities" appearing together on one single place rather than on many single separate photographs, but both presentation themes will work.

Whether you are photographing your models in the office, garden, beach or the studio. Approach the photos like you would do a regular portrait or fashion shoot. A regular lens in the range of 55 mm lens, and a flash unit should be more than enough.

Ensure that the hairstyles, makeup and props match the intended "personality" of the model each time as well as ensuring that each pose is different. Work with your models and ask them for their input.

They may be more appreciative of their inclusion in the production of the project and they know their posing abilities better than anyone else. Being clear and concise with what you want from them helps them make better modeling choices that in turn will produce better results for you.

You will probably depend more on the props and the clothes than anything else so to make the project more believable and it's important that each new setup be very different. If the props are too similar then your audience may not fully appreciate the changing in identities.

Each consecutive photo should portray a totally different set of looks to differentiate each photograph from the other. This is what will make your project have that appeal rather than appear to be several images of the same person with no noticeable distinction.

Although each location should be radically different too, it is not as crucial, if you need to, then do the entire project in the studio and perhaps consider adding digital backgrounds to match the look.

Another more simplistic variation is to take several photos with each showing a different personalty and have the model hold them while his or her own individual "personality" is photographed. Easier to do because you really do not need to do the shoot on various locations as simple portrays or head shots will do so long as you do at least one full body shot.

Like with most photography creativity is the name of the game. Let you creativity shine and do not be afraid to take chances!