It all starts with an Idea.
Wether it be a nostalgic feeling, burst of inspiration, or commercial project: My ideas always root from imagination.
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Idea: Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows; Having the marshmallows playing in the hot chocolate.
Research.
After I solidify an idea or two, I begin researching all angles of our subject; The who, what, when, where, and often how. This is also the phase were I begin to pull in what resources I have as well as what is needed. (ie. Figures, Dioramas, props etc.)
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For the hot chocolate shoot, I mostly looked at props and what size I should mold the marshmallows.
Posing
One thing I take seriously is posing. This is often one of the more time consuming aspects of what I do – If I had a nickel every time a figure fell over while seting up the shot. Thus I take all the time needed to make our subjects believable. Plus it’s fun!
Set the scene and shoot.
There will always variables when shooting. From custom biomes, dioramas, mishaps etc. I plan ahead to allow time for any adjustments. The best part of shooting at a small scale is you usually don’t have to look too far to find a good location. :)