How to look like a pro – 8 odd situations we should avoid on photoshoot and save the day; part I.
We models talk – not just the chitchat such as discussing clothes (well, we do too) but also sharing tips, good or bad references and also the craziest or weirdest requests or experience we had been through on shoot.
So thinking how to make this whole thing clear and help photographers understand models better and not waste money and time anymore (as well as keep good reputation and have great pictures at the end), I summarise those 8 most common tips to explain to you why your model can react oddly on some pretty much unmeant situations – and you can find out they are actually not so obvious.
1. COMING ON THE SHOOT TOTALLY UNPREPARED
-> Simply – Be ready!
When you are planning the shoot, you should know how your model looks like, what style is she doing, and have some overview of the location – don’t waste your money and plan the shoot at least a bit ahead. You can expect model’s profesionality for posing and even a suggestion of outfit for different sets, but it’s still a model, not a full time stylist, makeup artist, architect, photographer and master of the Universe.
If you don’t have a clear vision (or at least blurry vision) of what you want to achieve, the right thing is to tell model in advance or before the shoot, that you might need an extra help with ____ (your turn) or if you would be too afraid to admit it, at least give her some tip for doing all work for you at the end. Even though you hired a professional model, she is still just the intermediator, standing between your vision/ idea and great picture at the end, so asking her “what we gonna do?” would simply spoil the mood.
2. SHOOT YOUR MODEL WHILE SHE IS UNDRESSING/ CHANGING
-> Think before click.
It’s kind of creepy – imagine yourself changing clothes peacefully, and suddenly you hear a snapping of a camera behind your back. Would you think “aw, thats cute”…?
Nope, you would probably think “what the hell..?”, turn around confused looking for a cause.
When your model is changing clothes or undressing for a nude look (especially for nude look) and she is being photographed while doing that, simply leads to really awkward photos, not to mention you can shoot parts of her body which she did not approve. I understand it might be funny or good as a quick snapshot, but – please ask her if you can do that, as showing model her face on photo while she was chewing a snack isn’t the coolest thing, so better save the laugh for different occasion.
3. GIVE ME A “SEDUCE ME” LOOK.
-> Explain it differently.
This point is really common as not many photographers can clearly explain their vision. So understandably, you don’t want to be really seduced, because you are a pro guy creating art (don’t mix model with escort, its also a good tip 🙂 – so if you want to create a particular sexy look due to a theme/ set/ location, the key is to make your model as relaxed as possible. Tell her to chill, to look around, to actually enjoy being photographed as she is worth it, tell her she looks great (as she is trying hard to look great), until you can see the difference in her expression (relaxed eyes – not wide open, lips opened a bit.. dilated pupils are most likely created in photoshop as not many models literally trying to seduce the photographer.)
Another solution is directing her – chin slightly up, lips opened a bit…and the very last thing worth trying is telling her to imagine being on the beach, laying in sand with hot sun on her face, being lazy and relaxing… until you will see it and click.
4. TOUCHING MODEL WITHOUT HER PERMISSION
-> Save the day by communication.
This is a huge nope. Let’s be honest guys, you should never touch your model without asking her first with reasonable explanation.
Many times happened that model accused a photographer of sexual harassment after the shoot and the photographer did not even know what is going on – and that is basically end of your career because no one will believe you what really happened. It might be a friendly touch or just a simple touch to fix something on your model – but you don’t know your model so well to realise what kind of consequences might she draw from that.
To avoid that, please always ask your model if you can touch her – with a quick explanation why you need to do that.
4 more points to come in following article!
PART II. How to look like a pro – 8 odd situations we should avoid on photoshoot and save the day – Photo-muse
May 27, 2020 @ 8:39 pm
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