Photography Job: Day 1

     Writing it on this profile because I decided to go by my preferred name and pronouns there- which btw with my history of working in religious companies, was super scary at first. But I'm super thankful that the company I am working for is trying to be accepting of all since they work with many different school systems and want to be accommodating and accepting of all.  

     The job I applied for was a school photographer with a well-known company that I will not disclose until I quit or until the position has ended and I, for some reason, didn't want to or would not be able to reapply for the position. It was posted as "seasonal" because there is a lay-off period in December and January since schools are out for the holiday season. And, I'm not sure if it ends in June or if it continues onto the summer and next fall season but I am down for the ride for however things may go.

     I was surprised but glad about some things: 1: allowing me to go by my preferred name( no questions asked ), 2. THEY ASKED me what my pronouns were I didn't even mention it. 3. I am allowed to have dyed hair ( like multi-coloured, not naturally stained ). 4. I have little experience with portrait photography and they are training me to learn all about it. Which is great. I am super excited to learn more. I have creative DSLR experience and film photography experience, but I really want to learn about photography from a professional perspective. And, this job was too good of an opportunity to skip that experience. 

     So far, my boss and the person that is our group's trainer are both super nice and very easy to speak with in an interpersonal way. I really enjoy talking with the group and not having to restrict my body posture to force my mind into professional mannerisms, it is very relaxing to speak with the others. 

     OKAY SO-

     First day- for me at least, I was out of town for everyone else's first day because my large noggin decided I wanted to go to a silly concert ( It was so worth it. I'm really glad that this job can work around my schedule so easily. I plan everything 2 weeks to a few months in advanced, so it's great. ) When I walked in, they had waters and doughnuts for us. ( I broke my diet bc there was a strawberry one :3 and was in pain the rest of the day, but that's off-topic. ) I worked on getting my account set up online and starting on my paperwork. After that, I was pulled to the back to be individually taught how the set-up is meant to be placed. My trainer told me that the rest of the group could set up and tear down in under 20 minutes so that will be my goal by the end of Thursday, this week. 

     After working on putting up all of the camera equipment and breaking it down and taking some notes on what goes where, I went back with the group and the trainer explained a bit about how we place every individual, who we take their photo, into the grid square lines. We practiced taking photos of one another. And, at the end, we broke down and packed everything back up.

     Some little notes that I have are:

          ⚝ Broad Lighting- Unflattering, spooky, or dramatic lighting, used in senior portraits.

          ⚝ Black Poles for background during setup: Primary colours then secondary. Condense inwards to pack it up or it won't fit. 

      Camera Tripod Notes:

          ⛧ Add 3 poles. 2 poles for camera, 1 pole for safety. 

          ⛧ Lever, push the button on the bottom to move up & down the camera.

          ⛧ Lever 2, moves the camera angle up & down.

          ⛧ Lever 3, helps move Lever 2.

          ⛧ Push Pushy Thing 2 to enable Pushy Thing 1's button. Push the camera until it clicks. Do the opposite when removal.

          ⛧ Wire 1 goes to your button pusher.

          ⛧ Wire 2 plugs into the Camera Plug on the Battery Box.