Snake Eyes
Model: Sylvia | MUAH: Tina van Lent | Canon 5D mk II / EF 85mm F/1.8 USM | 1/125 - f/11.0 - ISO 100
This model wanted to have her picture taken with a snake. It was not the most common combination for me, but I didn't hesitate to give it a try. The snake was a white python, and working with an animal like this required some preparation.
The safety and comfort of the model were the most important things. A snake can behave differently from one moment to another, and if the model feels uncomfortable, this will also show in the photograph. That is why it was important to have the owner of the snake nearby during the shoot. He knew the animal well and knew how the snake behaved and what to do if necessary.
Working with a snake also requires a lot of patience. You cannot simply tell a snake to move into a certain position and expect it to cooperate. First of all, it is an animal, and secondly, a snake has no ears, so giving it instructions is obviously not going to work. You have to wait until the snake moves into a position that works for the photograph. When the moment is right, you have to be ready to press the shutter.
From a photography point of view, I wanted to keep the lighting fairly controlled. The main light was a large octagonal softbox, an Elinchrom 135 cm, which provided the main illumination for the model and the snake. An additional light with a grid was placed on the right side behind the model. This created a small, bright beam on her head and added some extra separation from the background.
The background was illuminated with two additional flashes. This helped create an even background while keeping the attention on the model and the snake.
Photographing a model together with a snake was certainly different from a regular studio session. It required preparation, patience and some flexibility, but that is also what made the shoot interesting. You cannot completely control an animal, so sometimes you simply have to wait for the right moment and be ready when it happens.
