Well, if from the title it isn’t obvious enough to you, this post is intended to beginners in photography who haven’t had any modeling shoot yet in their repertoire.
By modeling shoot I mean that you (photographer) and couples of photogenic friends go out just to take picture like the one u saw at magazines. It doesn’t have to be awesome shoots with awesome lighting and awesome models, because hey, you are just starting. Just a simple trip to local garden or beach would do. It doesn’t need to be commissioned photo shoot for magazines also. I will tell you the tale about my very first model photo shoots and how fun they are. Once you get started and things start to loosen up, you usually will just let your creative juice flows.
So, lets get started!
How and Where Can You Get The Models
Hey, it ain’t a modeling photo shoot if you doesn’t shoot any models huh. We will use the term ‘model’ very loosely here. Basically anyone who is willing and photogenic can be considered to be your first model. We will start from the easiest way to the hardest.
1. Ask around for cute friends and family
- Make use of the pervasive social networking. Facebook is a really good tool to reach out for your models. You just need to learn to be persuasive.
I’m sure at least one girl in your friend list will be cute and photogenic. At least ONE. Now if you have more, good for you. If you have none, you will need to ask around your gal friends to refer you to their photogenic friends. Networking is at utmost importance. Now how do you ask her you said? If you can’t think of something witty and original, I’ll help you with a generic script!
Facebook Message or SMS:
Hi (Insert cute person name),
How are you? Haven’t seen you for a long time!
Are you free next weekend for some fun time? I am now studying photography and in need of an aspiring model for my first modeling project. You looked really photogenic and fun from your photos!
I am thinking of (Insert theme here – we will talk about it later) style photo shoot. (Insert brief explanation of your theme).So, let me know if you are interested in modeling.
Regards,
(Insert your name)
Easy huh? This generic approach has landed me many photo shoot appointment, and I believe it will for you too.
2. Join local photography club
I am now part of Monash Photography Club (University) and Melbourne Camera Club which sometimes hosts modeling/portrait photography sessions. Sometimes new members will come to their first modeling shoot all nervous, but emerge a happy photographer. If you haven’t joined any photography club, find one. You will gain wonderful friends and connections of common interest. And you will learn a lot from them as well. Just Google around for the clubs and you will find it.
- Sanem @ MCC – My very first photoshoot at the Melbourne Camera Club. I met some nice models that night, and we have been doing several photoshoot together. Photography Clubs are really wonderful place to network.
3. Set up profile for modeling websites.
There are several websites which sole purpose is to bridge connection between photographer and models, professional or amateur. You can sign up for profiles, post your photos online and start connecting with fellow photographer and models. One good (and free) example for this is ModelMayhem.com
I will make a special post to help you find models in ModelMayhem in the future.
4. Meet cute girls in clubs/concert/party/etc.
Sometimes there are cute girls who attend gathering listed above. Well, not just sometimes, its every time. If you approach them and built up good rapport, you can tell them you are “A person who freezes wonderful memories of people for eternity” and will be needing fresh models for the future, sometimes you will find the ones who said they will love to be your model. BINGO! Get their numbers and hit it off!
- Melanie @ Oakleigh Cemetery – Yes, we are at the freaking cemetery at midnight. The weather was really freezing but she endured it anyway! I met her from my Taekwondo Club. You can network EVERYWHERE
Themes and Location
For your first photoshoot, you should pick a real simple themes. Here are some themes that you should use for your shoot.
1. Casual in Beach/Garden
My first shoots are in beach and gardens. Why? Because they are free! They are also really beautiful if you know the good places. Try getting to the beach near sunset for soft lighting. But get to the garden before sunset, when the sun is around 45-80 degree on the horizon. Make sure its not raining, or you will risk getting wet camera.
- Linda @ The Beach – One of my very first photoshoot
2. Just follow what your club is hosting
That is if you join any photography club. Pay attention to what the experienced people are doing. Ask them lots of question, don’t be afraid or shy.
- Nadya @ MPC – Mr. Ken set up the lights and the poses for Monash Photography Club. We as members just go there and shoot. Pretty easy huh!
3. Ask the model what does she want to shoot
If the model is more experienced than you, don’t put up your pride. Just ask them which location do they think is good for this shoot.
4. Ask your photographer friend to collaborate and help decide on theme
You will be amazed on how your friend’s idea. Meet lots of photographer and connect with them. Run some photoshoot together and you will be best friend forever.
Equipments and Techniques
Well, I’m not a big fan of technical specs, but having an SLR with portrait lenses does help you get good photos. Good portrait lenses are anything around 50mm-200mm. I personally use 80-200mm f2.8 lens for my portrait to get nice bokeh, but you can certainly use any lens you have.
Here are several points you need to know:
1. Pay attention to rules of composition.
2. Set your camera to aperture mode and set it to lowest aperture u can get (to maximize bokeh).
3. If you are shooting with wide angle lens, make sure to keep distance from the model to avoid ‘large nose/ear syndrome’
4. Bokeh is highly desirable in portrait photography, keep that in mind.
5. Direct the models if she is feeling lost. Give them feedback. Just tell them ‘you are doing fine!’ ‘you looked great!’ ‘you are going to love the photos’ will calm them down and put smiles on their face.
6. Show them your photos.
<em>How would you pose the model?</em>
The most asked question from beginners are “How do I pose my models?”. Well, go do your research! Read those magazines, newspaper, advertisements, etc.
OR!
Now you have no excuses!
Remember that you are working together. You are not above each other. Respect your model and yourself.
- Glory @ Royal Botanical Garden – Here is an example of bokeh, modelled by my cute little sister. Bokeh basically means the blur of the background to make the model pop in the foreground. Of course we will cover this in future post in detail.
Post Processing
This section is really up to you, as you can process them crazily like Mr. Velwin Wibowo or just lightly like me. It depends on your love and expertise on Photoshop as well. I personally can’t sit down 5 hours to edit one god damn photo.
I recommend you to use Lightroom instead of heavy software like Photoshop. I am planning to make weekly podcast on Lightroom to help you use it. However, there are millions of tutorial online, so feel free to research them.
The important post processing that you have to do:
1. Cropping – to fix composition / to eliminate distractions
2. Adjust exposure – avoid overexpose or underexpose
3. Adjust temperature – warm up for sunny weather or warm down for dark/grunge photos.
4. Put copyright watermark on it – in case somebody wants to steal your photo for themselves.
- Yours Truly @ Home – Simple Change to sephia can affect the mood of the photo completely. I personally do not fancy heavy editing. To each their own, really.
Publishing
Of course you wants to show off your photos to people, thats our vanity. Maybe you can impress somebody in the industry to hire you, HA! You can publish it to Facebook, Flickr, Myspace or anywhere you want. Don’t forget to twitter it!
- My photo album @ Facebook – Share your lovely images with your friends and family.
Epilogue
That’s it for now! I hope this post helps you get your first modeling photoshoot. Make sure you ask questions in the comment section. And don’t forget to let me know how you pull your photoshoot off
If you like this post, you might also like:
- Royal Botanical Garden Photoshoot
- What camera should you buy? The complete guide to digital camera purchasing
- My Journey, My Beginning, My Story
- Photography Tips for Beginners With Point and Shoot Camera
- Modelling Photos: Studio Lighting Experiment
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