Working with Models Part 1

[admin]

As a photographer, eventually you will probably have to work with models. This could be for a fashion or portraiture shoot, but you may also work with models in other genres of photographer, such as reportage and travel photography. You may also end up working with models if you are studying a photography [...]

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[jerryph]

The biggest challenges that a photographer will ever have is when he has to lower that camera and actually communicate with that person in front of the lens and tell them what to do. You see, just like models that do not know what to do in the beginning, neither does the fledgling photographer. That can often be quite intimidating to be told to guide the model.

The best advice that I can offer is... be a people person. Friendly, dynamic, ever alert and HAVE FUN. A good portrait or fashion photographer knows how to draw out of a model the best look based on a particular need and is a fast study. In a recent shoot, I took a few seconds and asked what genre of movies a model liked... she said anything tense, scarey... so I placed her in the frame of mind of a few roles, and told her to act, telling her the poses I wanted... such as victim:


... the comical side kick with her version of the Batmobile:


... or the dark heroine:


To do this... is very easy for some, treacherous for others, who then wish they were back out there doing landscapes or abstracts... places where they do not have to try to communicate with anyone but nature... lol

The best way to learn, I find is "initiation by fire". By that, I mean attending something like a strobist event, watching a few good/experienced photographers and learn/see what they do.... then just go out and do the same. You will find out fast if you are a "people person" or not after a few portraiture sessions.

Everyone can do it... but not many can do it right, so try and see, you just may find your niche... or you may discover that it's not your cup of tea. Either way, you will find out fast and can then move your photography in the directions YOU want.