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Fairly
new to professional modeling?
Please
read the information here regarding additional basic instructions
before your photography session.
If
you are totally new to modeling you may also want to view
the makeup TIPS section and
general Model TIPS. We also
have a Sample Pose Section
as well as a CONSULT
section for those wanting to enter the professional modeling
world.
Most
professional model knows by experience about what needs to
be done before a photo shoot. If you do not have a lot of
modeling experience I suggest you look over the following
list of things that will help you for this shoot and in the
future. The more of these guidelines you follow the better
your shots will turn out.
72
hours before your photo shoot, avoid the following items (these
items can give you oily skin and swelling):
- Red
meat
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
(okay, for some this might be difficult!)
- Spicy
foods
- Retin
A and Alpha Hydroxy creams (causes skin peeling that will
show with photo makeup)
More
information:
- Drink
lots of water, carry it with you everywhere you go, and
keep sipping.
- Exfoliate
your skin at least once a week and also the morning of the
shoot.
- Have
your brows professionally shaped and then keep them up by
plucking the strays every few days.
- It
is a good idea to carry your own mascara to the shoot with
you. Some make-up artists use mascara with the same wand
on several people. This can spread infection very quickly.
Unless you know the artist and know that he/she only uses
disposable wands, it's best not to take your chances.
We use disposable wands!
- Dark
roots will look even worse in photos. Refresh your hair
color a few days before your shoot. If you do not color
your hair, try "shades" or a toner just a shade
lighter then your hair to make it shine. If you need a trim,
do it before the shoot.
- Fingernails
and toenails should be one length, well manicured, and the
polish should be colorless or French, unless this shoot
calls for color - discuss in advance.
- Do
not over condition your hair before a shoot. Do use your
regular styling products to make your hair behave. Your
hair must be dry before you arrive at the shoot.
- Avoid
dry lips by putting Vaseline on your lips before bed and
the morning of your shoot.
- For
body (lots of skin showing) shots, be sure you get rid of
tan lines by visiting a tanning booth a few times. Also
get rid of unsightly body hair.
Have
you reviewed and signed the agreement?
Sometimes
the new model can forget this step. Make sure you have reviewed
the agreement to your satisfaction before arriving for your
appointment. A copy of the agreement can be obtained online:
TFP Release HERE
. Standard Release HERE.
Before
the Shoot
Get
a good night's sleep and stay healthy. If you are tired it
will show both on your face and in your attitude. Please
do not party the night before a shoot! The photographer
may have invested a lot of time and money in a shoot and will
depend on you to arrive ready to do the job. If you arrive
for a shoot only half-there, you will not be there again.
Get
your items ready and packed up. If you have specific drink,
music or food tastes bring them along with you. If you re
on a special diet do not expect the photographer to know -
bring it with you. Unlike the big fashion scene you may need
to provide items of wardrobe and props for a shoot. This should
all be discussed and worked out before the shoot. If you have
talked about bringing certain items please be sure they are
packed and ready to go the night before. This avoids last
minute running around and forgetting!
You
may need to put on a base make-up before leaving for a shoot.
In a secondary market you may need to do your own make-up
as there usually isn't a budget for a make-up artist or there
isn't one available. By taking care of your contouring and
base items before the shoot it helps speed matters along.
This is not meant to cheat you out of billing time at the
studio, clients would expect to pay more per hour for someone
who can do their own make-up and who comes prepared.
If
you are doing any nude or semi-nude work: make sure you
do not wear any restrictive or elastic clothing or undergarment
as these will leave lines in your skin for quite some time
afterwards. You will want at least a full hour leeway if you
wear such garments that have any tight elastic or are tight
fitting that will leave lines. Sometimes a swimsuit is a good
middle ground (usually not as tight). Discuss this prior to
the day of the shoot with your photographer. Shaving :
If you are prone to rashes after shaving you should plan on
that in advance. Do not shave the night before or morning
or the shoot unless you are positive that you do not ever
get skin rashes or red marks. This can cancel the entire shoot.
(if you do not ever break out in a rash or burn then it is
okay to do 24 hours prior). In any case the entire goal is
to have your body ready for camera without marks, rashes,
or other skin reactions.
You
may need to have no make-up on at all before you arrive for
a shoot. Confusing isn't it? There may be times when the make-up
has to be done at the shoot and not having any make-up on
speeds the process. This is why a photographer appreciates
a model he can communicate with so that all these things can
be worked out ahead of time. For more on makeup see the
TIPS section.
At
the Shoot
WHAT
TO BRING
•
If we are shooting on Location bring your favorite music,
lots of drinking water, and some fruit for a snack.
• 4-5 different Looks. Focus on accessories, textures
& clean neck lines.
• Come well rested and ready to SHINE.
• The session usually lasts 3 1/2 to 6 hours (dependant
upon needs and as determined at the first consultation) but
some shoots can last as long as 12 hours! Make sure you know
the expected length of the shoot and add in some extra time
for equipment changes, delays, etc.
• No family, friends or pets please.
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Arrive
on time. Studio time is often based on an hourly fee. If time
is being wasted waiting for a model to arrive it either costs
the photographer in time that can't be billed or it costs
the client in time they are paying for nothing. In either
case you just made the photographer's life less easy and you
may not be asked back.
After
your arrival and pleasantries are done, you will review with
the photographer how to proceed with the shoot. (The game
plan, or the 'plan your work then work your plan' bit.) Next
it is off to finish your make-up and change clothes. This
part may vary a lot depending on budget and purpose of the
shoot.
OK,
now it's show time! You are ready to get in front of the camera.
Communication is very important at this point. You need to
follow the verbal instructions of the photographer and give
feed back. As a model and a photographer work together more,
this give and take becomes easier, but the first time out
it can take a while to develop a rapport. Also, it is important
to establish a touch-or-don't-touch understanding up front.
When working with large format cameras the posing can be very
slow and precise. It may be quicker and easier for the photographer
to physically move you and your arms, head and legs where
they want them. If you are uncomfortable with that or other
posing issues, please state it up front. This is one time
it is better not to make the photographer's life easier if
it is going to make your life miserable. All of this should
get worked out and become part of the professional working
relationship.
Another
challenging part of the photo shoot process is trying to stay
relaxed and comfortable. We may be telling you where your
main light is, where your posing spot is, the expression we
want, having your arms and legs going in different directions
while you're trying to hold the product so you don't cover
the label, while a crowd of folks look on, and through this
all you have to stay relaxed so the tension doesn't show on
your face. If only it was all rock music playing and dancing
around in front of the camera like they show on TV. In secondary
markets it is a lot of product, illustrative, and catalog.
But in spite of it all this you can still get a lot of excitement
and electricity going.
OTHER
If
you do bring a friend, make sure they know to stay out of
the main shooting area. Nothing is more irritating to
a photographer than some model's friend talking to her on
the set. And new models have a tendency to look at their friend
for approval. Total NO-NO!
If
you want to bring an escort INFORM the photographer PRIOR
to the appointment. Do NOT just show up at the
shoot with friends or family! There's nothing wrong with using
an escort (and if you are under 18 then a parent or guardian
must be present) just make sure the photographer KNOWS
how many people will be showing up.
Also
note that if your escort interferes with the session in any
way (distraction, wandering off in unauthorized or off limit
areas, talking to model during poses and activities, etc.),
we may either a) cancel the session entirely, or b)
charge a fee to assign an assistant to your escort. The photographer
does not have the time to spend on watching an escort or being
distracted with the session.
Never starve yourself before a shoot. Some shoots take all
day and if you drop on the set the whole day is scrapped not
to mention money lost.
Always
carry 2 forms of I.D. , or better yet, photo copies of them.
A must in any major shoot.
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