dynamic commercial photography and design studio

In A Photo Shoot - Walk This Way

by Daniel Moncur-Sime, 06-07-2008

A Model’s Beginner’s Guide To What A Photographer Wants To See.

Everyone one wants to be a glamorous model, wearing expensive clothes, fussed over by make up artists, beauticians and made centre of attention by a photographer. But it is not all fame and fortune, beautiful faces and a romantic life. Models must work hard to look their best - professionalism is a must.

From my point of view as a photographer, who done has his spot of modelling, I can speak from both sides of the fence. I can see what model’s worry about, want the client wants and what the photographer tries to do creating head turning photos.

The real truth is, modelling is like any other profession, with highs and lows, pitfalls and pleasures, good times and bad. To be successful, generally you have to do what you’d do to get any other creative work. The fundamentals are:

• Get a portfolio, a mix of 7 or more different styles, sets of clothes, looks and scenes, including black and white

• Have a bio page with your portfolio, explaining what you’ll do, what experience you’ve had, who you’ve worked for and with.

• You don’t have to have an agent or be with an agency, but if you are it can be an advantage. However make sure they are bona fide and won’t charge you to be on their books. A good agency earns money through commissions.

• In the age of the world wide web you can’t really afford to be without a website, then use it to market yourself.

• Get to know other creative people in your industry: photographers, painters, make up artists, hair stylists, creative directors, etc and send them pdf’s of your portfolio.

• Knowing a photographer and taking part in portfolio shoots are always good as it builds a base of ideas, and your experience.

• Understand the studio environment – it can become quite crazy sometimes so professional etiquette is remembered, as is a helping hand and equipment knowledge.

• Get out there and self promote. Don’t be deluded into thinking you are instantly the next best thing. How will anyone know if they don’t know who you are, so I recommend going straight to the companies and magazines.

• Try different things and practice in your own time.

• Be businesslike, turn up on time, prepared and ready to go.

• You’ll be rejected on jobs you apply for just like any other professional. It’s not personal, there’s plenty more work out there.

• Take other people’s bitter comments with a pinch of salt – always be nice to people you don’t get on with as you may have to stand next to them in a shoot.

• Because you dealing with yourself, be safe first – always be in control of where you go and check the gig out first – including all the people involved. Simple web searches should reveal most information you need. Always say no if you are unsure of the people, the company or the location.

• Tell others where you are going, who you are with and how long you will be expected to be there.

• If you get offered work abroad buy a return ticket home before you go. If things turn bad you don’t want to be stranded and always back out at the first signs of trouble.

• And of course keep track of your money. Record where, when, with whom, what projects you were on and how much you were agreed to be paid.

There are many other specific tips to help you get work and be a professional and reading good business books will help but you really have to think like any other self-employed entrepreneur. Only you, with your knowledge, action and persistence can get you the work you want.

However, we’re talking about the shoot and the image maker and the client, and how you can be the best for those few moments in front of the camera when you are really working your bit.

It’s all about the look.

Keep yourself clean, tidy and presentable when you turn up for a shoot. Dress like you mean business. You are what you eat… and drink… and sleep. So looking after your body will bring you a healthy mind and the ability to perform.

Analyse your photos objectively, including the ones you don’t like because that’s a ‘funny’ look and you just don’t like it. As an artistic creative photographer, trying to produce something different for my clients means being different. What I think is the best look isn’t necessarily what my client might end up choosing for an advert. 

It’s about knowledge and acting on it. So know your best features and work them. Know the interesting looks you can produce and develop them. Know your skin tones and what colours compliment you. Know your measurements and keep them natural.

Behind every face there’s a person.

Personality is a must and your personality must come out. Leave boring at the door please. It’s only natural to be nervous and have stage fright, especially in your first few fashion photo shoots but you should have gained some experience of this and how to overcome it with your test shoots.

The projection of your personality is a must to learn how to do. It ties directly into the look you make, so I recommend learning about yourself as much as possible. Your personality is made up of so many different facets and you project it subconsciously all the time, just now you need to act this out for the camera.

Facial expressions are key to displaying your personality so laugh, smile and cry. Your eyes tell all and readers will look at these first. If it takes getting into a character (like an actor/actress) then do this first, as your emotion will drive your facial expression, which is projecting and implying a particular emotion.

Study others and learn from them. Practice and have fun with your friends with this bit as on set it’ll inspire the people around you. Facial expressions are generally elements that turn good models into great models.

Basically, let yourself shine like the sun and most photographers will love you for it – it shows creativity and a desire to work to produce ‘the look’. It’s very hard to work with a dead pan personality.

Know thyself!

We’ve talked about your personality and facial expressions but how well do you know your body. Do you know what correct standing posture is? Do you know how to pose to get the beautiful s-shapes, or lean to the side to create elegant twists? If not, learn because it will help when you move in the shoot.

All the basic rules of design and proportion apply to position of the human body so understanding why an arm should go one way and a leg the other is very useful. When fundamental design rules are broken it can make for interesting art, getting the viewer to think, but a whole different message is given in the photo.

Non-verbal communication is what is happening – different body positions communicate different messages. If you can learn these and recreate them in front of the camera you can quickly create and communicate a powerful message. Add on the facial expression and you’ll be the star of a winning team.

My big tip here is exercise and stretch because if you can’t hold yourself you’ll tire quickly. Your physique, looks and performance will definitely improve .

Study the perspective and angles in photos.

For example, I love the wide angle lens as it throws out the flat image and adds perspective distortion that that brings depth. But things can look very weird if not executed with knowledge.

You can play your part in this. If the camera is low and angled up to you with a wide angle then pose leaning slightly toward the camera from the hips. This will have the effect of lengthening the body and bringing your tapering torso and head back into proportion.

This is one example knowing how to use equipment creatively. From my point of view, it’s great to see someone who wants to learn about how the equipment will help craft the image.

Love the camera and the audience.

You are on show, baby! Whether that’s a white background or the catwalk, people are there to see you perform and you must really, really, really enjoy this part. What I’m being paid to do is capture that moment for my client and if I don’t enjoy the shoot because you aren’t enjoying it, the imagery will not be as good.

Don’t be worried about comments from jealous partners, other models or worried clients. We are here to do a job so forget the negative and realise that I’m here to get the best from you.

Show some intelligence.

You must learn quickly and don’t get stuck in a rut. As an artist I’m always developing my skills and styles and trying new things. This is apparent in all great creative artists and photographers, whether a fashion photographer, landscape painter, or story writer, or other.

Think of yourself as an artist using your body and looks and learn your trade and craft quickly. Knowledge is power, but it must be used to produce the best results.

Try new things, and learn from them but know your limits. You might be fine and so confident doing black and white nude, but handstands on the edge of a wall…? I love working with open minds that have few barriers, but my disclaimer here is that your safety must come first – including your peace of mind.

Confidence is a must.

Being a bag of nerves is a nightmare to work with. A good photographer will understand any nervousness and try to help you to feel at ease, but you must get over this and be confident and outgoing. There are many ways to boost your confidence, I always like to say that now one else is as important as you at the time the camera is pointed at you. How inspiring is that!

Good self esteem is important - knock backs can and probably will happen, just pick yourself up and move on. This will help build your confidence and soon you’ll inspire others.

If you bring a friend to the shoot, you’ll feel better and stronger and have someone to bolster you up and look on with supporting eyes. And they’ll help look out for your safety.

Performance on demand.

As I photographer, I’m always looking for an interesting shot, even if you are getting ready or walking off set. So always be ready to stop, move, pose and sparkle. I can often be that impromptu moment that creates ideas. So as soon as you see someone holding a camera be aware that the shutter could be going even if the lights aren’t flashing.

Work hard and be persistent.

If you think you can do better then say so. And then do better. Modelling can be tiring work, and here’s an example: I once did a ten hour shoot straight through with one model and one beautician with only one half hour break in the middle. We photographed twelve outfits in that time and I delivered the finished photos on time to the client two days later! Being professional is about working hard with persistence and it will separate you from the rest. You probably will never work a 9-5 and shoots can easily overrun if things aren’t happening the way they should.

On the day….

And lastly some quick tips to remember things that I like to see:

1. Be professional, kind polite and on time.
   
   
2. Bring your own refreshments.
   
   
3. Make sure the client knew your size before hand.
   
   
4. Bring different sets of underwear (there really isn’t anything worse than seeing bright red bra straps under a white blouse) and comfy set of clothes to relax in for when you are between sets.
   
   
5. Ask about model releases forms before hand and bring your own if necessary.
   
   
6. Always leave your business card or contact details and get theirs so you can get copies of the finished photos for your portfolio. Also, look for how they are used (in a brochure, adverts etc) and get a copy of those too.
   
   
7. Be safe and sure.

At the end of the day have fun. This is my final disclaimer as you must always be enjoying what you do, and doing it for yourself. Of course there’s much more to know and most of it you’ll learn on the way. Modelling is like any other creative work and comes from within you… if you want to be really good then see what other successful models do and model that!

If you are aspiring, looking to start, or on the way up let me know what you think to these, and if you want to come for a test shoot send me your details.

Daniel Moncur-Sime
Photographer, designer and entrepreneur

Written by Daniel Moncur-Sime, for your business success. To contact me at your convenience, email me dan@studio33red.com or call 01432 341800.

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Attribution Statement: This article was written by Daniel Moncur-Sime, entrepreneur and expert photographer, first published at www.studio33red.com. To sign-up to receive your own FREE subscription to the Red Alert e-zine and claim FREE money making e-books go to www.studio33red.com.