I wanted to do a fitness shoot. However, I didn’t want it to be just another shoot in my studio. I started looking at fitness shots like the ones in the Nike ads and I saw a consistent theme. The shots were mostly done outside and against interesting backdrops and walls. This lead me on a search for a location. It didn’t take me long to find a spot. I have to give credit to my photographer buddy David Birdsong for turning me on to this abandoned warehouse in downtown Detroit. I saw a shot of it in his portfolio and had to find out where it was. He gave me all the details.
There are lots of abandon buildings in the Detroit area. However, as you would expect many are boarded up or have no trespassing signs. This gem is wide open. There is a big 10′ open door right at the street with great parking.
I brought my Elinchrom Quadra for lighting as well as a deep octa softbox.
When you shoot in an abandoned building all bets are off when it comes to safety. Everything is “at your own risk”. Remember, technically you’re not supposed to be there.
You have to also be careful not only with your equipment, but also with the debris and broken glass. Falling is definitely not recommended 🙂 We ended up just discarding the mat we brought because it was just too dirty to bring back.
I couldn’t get enough of this place, but I was on a time limit. I had a flight to catch later that evening as well as some more shooting to do in studio.
My beautiful & amazing model Kandice was a total trooper during the shoot. It was pouring down raining, wind blowing, dusty, dirty, etc. the whole time and nothing phased her.
One thing I’ll definitely bring next time is a broom. Also having some rags to wipe down everything after the shoot is over would have been really great.
In the shot above I managed to get more of the surrounding area. In many of the shots I took I wished I had done this more. I was too tightly composed on Kandice.
The Elinchrom gear performed like a champ. No issues with battery life or remote triggering with the Skyport Triggers.
I also have to give credit to my buddy Scott Kelby for his recommendation of hiring an off duty cop for security and keeping people off the set. It was great peace of mind to look over and see that unmarked police car the whole time 🙂 While having security could be considered overkill you have to remember that most abandoned buildings aren’t in the best of neighborhoods. What would you do if two guys walked in, hands in their pockets and said ‘hand over your camera and all of your money?”
The fun continued back in the studio
In studio I used my Elinchrom 600 RX’s
When it was all said and done, my mistakes aside it was a great experience and I can’t wait to shoot there again!
Gear Guide (Stuff I used on the location shoot)
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII Lens
Hey Terry,
if you are in Germany again, I can show you many of this cool places, free to go without security risks. Some of my coleagues do have their permanent studio in buildings like this. Also we know several bands that perform and give concerts for free such locations. And best of all: not far away, just 30 min. with the car. So start looking forward for your next session here….
Hi Terry,
Whoa! You wasted NO time in doing a Quadra location shoot per my suggestion at Photoshop World. Let’s see more location shoots! You are so very talented.
Terry,
Love your blog and your work but “abandon warehouse.” You surely know it’s “abandoned.”
Awesome shoot Terry. Love the location. I love places like this! I wonder if Las Vegas has any?
Great idea on the security guard! How did you go about finding one?
Cool stuff Terry, glad to help and to be mentioned in your blog.
Hi Terry
I guess I’m missing something–what is the point of this shoot? Are you shooting for stock? Hiring a model and security is too much money to just be taking photos for the heck of it, even as nice as they are.
This sort of thing confuses me, but maybe I confuse easy.
Chris
Great post and quality shots Terry. Thanks for sharing. I want to do more location work in the future, this has given me some good ideas.
Good day.. Great Shots on Location in a abandoned wearhouse. Good Idea to hire security.
I shot a Camaro in an abandoned warehouse a while back.
While it makes for a cool background, it can be real dangerous. Not just with people, but there are sharp edges everywhere and crap falling from the ceilings as well.
All in all… it was a great shoot to do. I also recommend some type of liability insurance for your company, if you don’t already have it.
John
Hi Terry! Came across this article of yours when I was searching fitness photos in abandoned warehouses. I’m scouting out a location tomorrow night and thought I’d do some research on other photographers’ warehouse shoots. I’m glad I caught yours because of the comment about getting background too. I made note to remember get tight shots and wider shots. Great photos!