Breakers<\/a> in Palm Beach.\u00a0 It’s not as simple as say calling up the hotel and setting up a shoot (like most hotels).\u00a0 No, no, no. First of all, The Breakers wants to maintain the highest level of gust satisfaction possible.\u00a0 This means, they don’t want shoots going on all of the time.\u00a0 Simply put, it’s not worth it for them to have a bunch of photographers running around with clients taking pictures.\u00a0 This is what “regular hotels” are for, not The Breakers. If you want to shoot at The Breakers, you will need to first have an event there. A wedding, a conference, or in my case a luxury Sweet 16 which is taking place this coming May 2018.\u00a0 But, this is not enough (for photographers).\u00a0 You also need to be approved by the property to shoot here.\u00a0 Understandably, they don’t just want anyone here roaming around so they have their very exclusive list of preferred vendors in which they will require their clients to use.\u00a0 So, not only would a photographer need to have a client having an event at The Breakers, they also would need to get them approved by The Breakers and this is not as easy as you may think.<\/p>\nThe Breakers in Palm Beach is literally one of the only places I have not shot in over the past eight years I have been a full-time Wedding Photographer here in South Florida.\u00a0 So, this was a very big deal for me.\u00a0 [perfectpullquote align=”left” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Not only was it about the shoot, and my client.. it was also about creating a strong relationship with The Breakers and showing them I am a true pro in every sense of the word, who not only deserves to work here.. but, sets the standard for all photographers out there.[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n
Let me give you an example of what I mean.\u00a0 Before my shoot at The Breakers, I took a trip up there and meet with them so that I could get a tour of the hotel and understand any limitations that I could possibly face in the field.\u00a0 I was educated on the history, and shown all of the incredible spots.\u00a0 It was made clear that they did not want to have too much going on (photo wise) in the main lobby when lots of people were around, they did not want a lot of gear present.. and this only makes common sense when you think about it.\u00a0 If I were an executive of The Breakers (and in my head I am when I am there) I would not want that either.\u00a0 I totally get it.\u00a0 \u00a0So, I sat down at home and thought all about the shoot I wanted to do.\u00a0 I thought about the time of day, the different outfits \/ expectations our client had and[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] I came up with a “master plan” [\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n
that would leverage the more busy areas (lobby) first \/ early so the traffic would be kept to a minimum.\u00a0 I planned on how I was going to navigate all of the powerful lighting gear that we use, and logistically how I was going to make this transparent to The Breakers.\u00a0 I ended up using a rolling cart, and established three different “zones” where I would hide the cart out of sight, and then only take what I needed for the setup I was doing, and then would move it to another “zone” as the shoot progressed.\u00a0 This kept our “foot print” to a bare minimum and made it seam like we were not using hardly any gear at all.\u00a0 \u00a0It’s this kind of mindset, and thinking that not only drives results, but it gives places like The Breakers a real reason to want to invite someone like me back again.\u00a0 If all photographers would think like this, they would have far less resistance with venues in general.<\/p>\n
The beach.\u00a0 The Breakers is known for it’s beach front.\u00a0 Me… I hate beaches.\u00a0 Seriously, if you do enough reading on my blog you will know this and you will understand (and agree) with me.\u00a0 With my wife and kid sure.\u00a0 With a camera, lighting gear, and a client with high expectations.\u00a0 Nah. Not good.\u00a0 Too many variables.\u00a0 Wind, people, hair in your face, hard to give direction over water \/ ambient noise, hard harsh lighting with the sun, etc..etc.. the list goes on.\u00a0 BUT.\u00a0 The beach at The Breakers is a little different.\u00a0 I DID enjoy it, and I did get some amazing shots.\u00a0 Granted, I almost ruined a $3000 lighting system while doing it (as seen in the videos below), but it was okay and well worth the risk.\u00a0 The name “The Breakers” is now fully understood by me LOL.<\/p>\n
I could go on and on, so rather then doing that.. I want you to sit back, and watch for yourself.\u00a0 I have made two videos.\u00a0 The first one is only 60-seconds long.\u00a0 This is the preview.\u00a0 If you like this, you will love the full length version, ESPECIALLY if you want to learn about the technical aspects of lighting and photography.\u00a0 If you could not care any less about that, and want to see me in action real fast, then just watch the first one and see the pics.\u00a0 Either way, I hope you enjoy this shoot and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to write them below.<\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
PS.\u00a0 A HUGE thank you to both of my assistants that came out on this shoot.\u00a0 We had to wake up around 4:30am, and it was a long day and we ruined some nice shoes LOL.\u00a0 Thank you so much guys.<\/p>\n
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60 SECOND PREVIEW VIDEO:<\/p>\n