Is Remote Shooting Still a Thing?

Natasha5 said

I don’t see it as being as popular as it used to be. I was so booked up over 2020/2021 with remote shoots. I haven’t had a remote shoot in over a year, I do prefer face to face however I’ve met some wonderful photographers over remote.

As a studio we are still offering them regularly.
We offer all our model days with a remote access option, we offer remote group shoots and remote studio hire.
Whilst we have got people who shot remotely over 20/21 back in shooting in person, we have also gained a new audience of people further a field who don't have access to the studio quite so easily and are still booking in regularly. 

Σ OI Σ said

how does remote shooting stand in respect of photography competitions and for the moment i'm thinking of the more stringent competitions that don't even allow any editing?

We also have quite a lot of photographers who are entering competitions with there images which are shot remotely. However some comps will not accept remote images unless 'you can show your workings', if you are able to supply lighting diagrams and mood board ideas to show that you created the idea and then set things up, be it remotely then its all good. It really depends on the comp.
Some do say a strict no.

Chris Thomas Photography said

Im open to understand what I am missing here, but I don't understand the point of a remote shoot. If you're not physically there, designing and setting up the lighting, setting up the environment,  physically using your camera I am not seeing how this is photography from a photographers perspective  at all. Sorry if this is unpopular just trying to understand. Don't get me wrong if there's a physical reason you can't shoot with a model, or if your a model or studio making additional income I totally get it. But for me can't see why I would ever want to, Happy to be educated

It really depends on the remote system as well, some are just trigger the camera, so you are picking the decisive moment, whilst others offer full control of lighting output, camera settings and some even have minor movements as well. It is a different shooting style, a lot more precoms are required, a bit more planning and even potentially details set up requirements before the shoot, but it is still very definitely photography from a photographers perspective. There are a few payoffs but these payoffs would be no less than say slower burst rates from older/cheaper cameras or smaller sensor size from APS-c camera, which many photographers have to deal with as standard. 
Would you say that using a Micro four thirds system is no longer true photography as the sensor is smaller. Its just different kit with its own set of limitations, all kit has its pros/cons limitations and specialties. 
The major thing is you have access to studios/models and locations you would normally have to blow a large budget on.

For various reasons, I'm all in for remote photography using smartphone technology. It's affordable, convenient, easy to use, and the image quality is comparable to that of most mid-range professional cameras. All the stock photo agencies accept smartphone photographs.  I'm based in Florida, and it's great to work with new or experienced models with a home studio in the UK, but also for my clients on vacation in Malta or Athens or advertising photos for shopping tour services in Naples. I really do think it's the future of photography.

Hi there!! I have been working in Remote Photoshoots since 2 years ago and now I have more than 50 remote photoshoots with people all around the globe. There are so many things you need to consider during the preparation (phone model, light conditions, internet connection, battery of the phone, tripod vs assistant, among many others). But yes, I would say Remote Photoshoots are still a thing, but you need to work with someone that can guide you to get the best of it.

Here you can see some of my remote photoshoots: https://www.ricardoarce.photography/remote-photoshoots