Make Them Feel

Creating emotion is the point of photography. As a model, you need to be able to work with your photographer to create emotion.

Charolett her is posing putting on stockings. The location and context for this activity is puzzling and not what one would expect.

Charolett has created a great pose here but having both toes pointed and the legs in a parallel line and the outstretched arm. Her head is tilted down and we don't see the face giving the viewer a sense of watching this unguarded.

Creating an emotional response is a partnership between the model and the photographer. How you use and shape the body is a big part of communicating emotion.

Emotion

So many times when I work with newer models, I get two facial expression. Very happy, and blank. The blank look is sometimes the better look because the "happy" is over done and the smile contorted. If you model or want to model, you need to make a mirror your best friend. A full length mirror.

This model had a great smile, but we pushed way beyond that. This shoot is not a great example of subtle looks. We went over the top. As I have worked on stage for years, I've learned that often, to do subtle things well, it is often helpful to be able to go over the top and learn how to pull back.

You need an entire range of expression. Get that full length mirror installed and practice.

Getting a Handle on Lingo

My puppy woke up barking because she wanted to play at 4 am. So I’m kind of awake now. This will be one of several posts on the language of modeling:

Every art form has its own

unique language. Photography and modeling each have their own lingo.

Sometimes models need to understand the language of the photographer. But I also find there are key phrases or terms in modeling that young models wonder about.

Here are a couple of terms that are constantly used.

TF; This means “trade for”. Generally this means that no money is exchanged. It does not mean the shoot is free. Your photographer is bringing a lot of gear, investing time, and energy to you. So even if you think it is “free” blowing off a TF shoot is bad form. Your photographer scheduled time with you that he/she could have promised to others and being a no show to a shoot of any kind will damage your reputation. The term TF has some other forms such as TFP (time for print) TFCD (time for CD) ect. These days I personally just use the term TF.

MUA; This is a term that photographers just assume a model will know. Make Up Artist

MM: This stands for Model Mayhem. A MM# is a person’s account number and the easiest way to find someone specific. This is an online place for models, photographers, MUA’s, and other creatives to meet and hook up, creatively. Post casting calls ect. The service runs from free to paid service. www.modelmayhem.com It is the largest online model portfolio. Be sure to check around and ask others about photographers before working with them.

Be Bold!

I had this concept growing in my head for several weeks. This is not the image that was in my brain, but Rachell brought lots of energy and creative juice to the shoot.

I this ironic idea of a woman in heels, pink ruffle bum panties and a corset pushing a shopping cart towards the store front.

I explained my concept to Rachell and she got excited. This kind of shoot takes the right kind of model. Not everyone can feel comfortable in panties in a shopping parking lot.

Rachell had the chutzpah and the beautiful long legs to carry this off. We set up lighting, she changed right behind the car and as soon as it was set, we started shooting.

We noticed a car of couple of lovers necking a little ways of and they just stared.

One of the things that made this shoot work was the idea was fleshed out before hand, we were able to shoot quick before drawing much attention and we were both into the concept.

We did get nervous at one point as a patrol car drove around. He stopped far off in the parking lot and just stayed there. I guess he felt that we were not up to mischief and drove off.

The great thing about a concept is that once the central image is conceived, you can build many images from there. We got a full set in about 40 minutes.

In this case, the photographer had the idea and model contributed. But if you are a model, you don't have to wait for a photographer to come to you with an idea, you can flesh out your own idea and find a photographer that matches your style and hit them up.

I love shoots like this because it is out of the ordinary. Not many models have a photo of themselves pushing a shopping cart to the store, but Rachell Does. Here is the full gallery

Get the Right Bra

If you are serious about modeling you need to invest in the right underwear. I am no expert on underwear, but I ran into this conversation on lingerie and bra fitting.

I will say that as photographer, there have been many times when models have not had the right bra for the dress or outfit that they are wearing. They bring a low back dress and a bra that goes right across the back, or a strapless dress and a bra that won't support them without straps, etc, etc.

The other big gripe I have is bras that are too small. Underwear that is to small ruins the lines of the body. Who wants bulge, but so many girls come to shoots with underwear that does not flatter them.

Here is a link to the podcast "Morning Sex with the Mominatrix". The show is not very explicit, but probably not the best thing for minors. The discussion on good underwear is about 7 and a half minutes into the show. I don't even know how I stumbled on this, but I thought it had some value on this topic.

Models aught to practice looking good, more than at their shoots. I hope this is useful.

New Blog

Hi, This is the first of what I hope will be many blog posts about modeling. My goal is to discuss various aspects of modeling and share information about modeling and how to build a career, or how to have fun and stay safe.

I will be posting about types of modeling, how to get paid, how to be safe, or how to build a solid portfolio. I'm going to be talking about learning to pose, doing your own make-up when needed, or nitty gritty things like getting the right underwear so that you look your best.

I'm not sure what my schedule for posting will be, but for now I am going to try and post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.