My First Model Photo Shoot

Model photography is to be a common practice for the majority, if not all, photographers. Models are used for advertising, portraits, stock, etc. We, in general, and especially those who are just starting out, utilize relatives and friends as models. It’s great for getting experience and gaining confidence. However, in the future, you could decide to shoot someone who has modeling experience. I chose to do my first photoshoot with a model in order to add more photos of people to my collection. After my first model photoshoot, I’ve learned many things which I’m willing to give you. Here are some helpful tips for getting a model to shoot.

Looking for a Model

Finding a model to shoot your first photoshoot with a model is much easier than you believe. You can get one evidently. However, if you’re just beginning out, you might not have enough money to employ models. However, there’s a solution for this problem, and it’s well for both the model and yourself.

Search for models that are still in the beginning stages. There is something they require more than cash. Photos.

For models to earn a living, it is essential that they are capable of proving their work before. That is, they require a strong portfolio. Does this sound familiar? That’s the way it should be since photographers must also have a solid portfolio to showcase in the event of securing lucrative jobs. Therefore, by locating an individual who is working on an impressive portfolio, you could offer a trade-for print deal which is TFP, to shorten it. While it’s referred to as trade-for-prints, it doesn’t mean you need to print prints unless it’s part of the deal you offer. Most people simply provide the photos to the model via a DVD.

For my first photo shoot as a model, it worked perfectly. I went to Craigslist and checked the “talent” section. I was trying to find models I could offer TFP deals to. TFP bargain to; however, I didn’t need to. An ad was put up by a model who was seeking a photographer to shoot the TFP deal! I responded to the ad, and after a couple of emails discussing details, we were able to agree on the date and time scheduled in advance of the photoshoot.

The Model is directed by the Model.

It’s awkward when you consider it when you arrive at the location and are about to begin taking photos of someone who you don’t have any idea about, as your photographer will be accountable for directing the model’s movements and capturing the best photos you can for yourself and your model. There are a lot of things going through your mind, all of which are hoping that you’ve got the job done correctly. However, if you seem nervous or anxious, this could make your model anxious and anxious. If this happens, the photographs will suffer.

The best thing you can do is to take some time to get to know each other. The model I chose (Chrissy) had a companion along (Ben), which was helped tremendously. Through his presence, she was able to get through any nerves she suffered from. (He also assisted me in setting up my camera equipment. The camera and tripod were carried by him. Ben, If you’re here, congratulations! LOL!)

Do a few practice shots to see if you can get some shots into the bag, in a sense. This can help everyone relax and get loose. When your model is comfortable and relaxed, they’re ready to do the things they like to do. Chrissy was a breeze to work with. It’s one of the main differences between shooting your friends and family members and shooting someone who has modeling experience. Models are trained to pose and provide you with a range of emotions. However, they are also able to provide directions. Do not rely solely on them. The model is in a pose and dependent on you, the photographer, to act as their eyes. They don’t know what the image is like. Examine your viewfinder. Seek ways to enhance. Once your subject has shown you a few poses, offer them some direction for another.

Don’t be scared to test things. If you’re shooting digital photos, you won’t have to pay any money other than memory space. There were several photos I took that I spoke out loudly, “I’m not sure if this is a good idea but let’s see if it works.” Sometimes, it was not successful. However, there were instances when it worked perfectly! Don’t be scared to give it a go, mainly if it’s your first photoshoot with a model.

Know Your Camera

When working with models, You don’t want to be wasting time. But that doesn’t mean you have to hurry. Be patient and take your time to achieve a great job. You don’t want to be fiddling with your camera and trying to make it perform something that you don’t know what to do. Make a plan about what you’d like to capture of the model. Do you want the photos to be portraits? Make sure to shoot with a large aperture in order to create soft backgrounds. Do you expect the photos to be more action-oriented, like dance or sports? You should plan to shoot with the correct shutter speed to capture the motion. It’s essential to bear in mind the type of photos you’ll capture so that you don’t waste time trying out different settings. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try different photos and settings. Make sure you have these ideas in your mind so that you can quickly get your camera set up and begin shooting.

Knowing the type of photos you’ll capture, you’ll know the equipment you’ll need in your bag. In this photoshoot, I knew that it was going to be very bright, mainly due to the time at which we’d begin shooting. Therefore, I ensured I carried my lens shade. It turned out that I didn’t really need it. It’s always better to possess something you don’t really need instead of having to purchase things you don’t have.

Be aware of your location.

For my very first model photoshoot, we headed to Dauphin Island, Alabama’s beach. Dauphin Island, Alabama, has an excellent beach that has many places to enjoy. I love the dock that is located there. It’s weird in that it’s not long enough to get to the water. I’m not sure why the dock was built to be used for if it’s not able to reach the waters, though I’m sure it’s great for shooting photos! It is possible to shoot from the high point of the dock. There are numerous spots in the wide-open sunlight and also covered areas that provide shade. There are steps to use to shoot that lead to the lower part of the dock. Then, at the bottom, you will be able to go underneath the dock to get stunning shots using shades and even the columns.

The reason is that I knew where I was. I’d visited it before, and I already had images in my head that I wanted to capture. Nothing is more tedious than constantly walking around a place and trying to find an ideal spot to shoot. Therefore, keep your place in your mind. I suggest arriving 30 minutes earlier so that you have time to look around and think of photos you can get.

Another essential thing to consider when planning you’re location is the weather. It’s likely that you won’t be able to make plans for this up until shooting. You can check the weather for an idea of the weather you’ll shoot in. It’s only possible to plan only. My first photoshoot with models was in bright sunshine, and we began shooting at 2:00 pm. This is not the best moment to take photos. The lighting can be harsh. However, it isn’t possible to have control over the way you shoot. You’ll need to shoot at times when your model is able to. Also, you should be thinking of methods to shoot in the lighting and weather conditions.

One thing that caught me by surprise was the winds. It was extremely windy during the shoot. There were some shots in which we were able to use the wind for our benefit, though.

Have a lot of shots

You’ll want to take a lot of pictures, mainly if this is your first time shooting a model. This can give you plenty of images to select from after you’re done. You don’t know when you’ll get a shot that captures the perfect look or look. After reviewing the pictures later, you’ll have to choose which ones you want to keep and which ones to dispose of. When you take a lot of photos, there will be a number of identical ones which you can choose the most appealing from. For instance, the model could pose me with an exact pose, and I’d snap three or four photos in a brief time. Each photo would differ slightly. The subtle differences are a significant factor in choosing the most appealing photos.

Very Rewarding

My first photoshoot with a model was an enjoyable and satisfying experience. It gave me an understanding of how shooting models in a location. It also helped me appreciate how crucial communication between the photographer and the model is. It also gave me an insight into what it takes to complete following the shooting. The shooting of photos is just one aspect of the process. You must go through hundreds of photos and select the ones you’d like to keep.

For this particular shoot, I took about 350 pictures within a two-hour period. I cut them down to what I believed were the top 50 images. I ensured there was a range of photos that the model and I could utilize in our portfolios. Another reason to limit them is that you don’t want to post-process 350 photos in Photoshop! Don’t spend time editing photos you don’t intend to keep. Choose the top ones and then work from there. Get rid of the rest. Keep in mind that the model will be displaying the work you’ve done in your portfolio. Do not give them poor photos. This will reflect on you! Give them only your finest work to showcase.

On the DVD I presented to my client, I kept the most popular 50 photos in high-resolution. These are the photos Chrissy can print prints from in the event that she wants to. I also included the “Copyright release form” that grants Chrissy the right to print these photos for personal use, not commercial. This is because some locations won’t permit the model to print her photos without the written approval of the photographer. I included a folder with the 50 images in low-res format. They are optimized for online use on sites such as Facebook. For the photos with a low resolution, I have also added an image with a watermark at the upper right corner of each image. The watermark contains my website address. If the model uploads the images online, I receive an extra bit of advertising. If you decide to do this, ensure that the watermark appears legible but not too intrusive.

One of the most rewarding experiences was watching Chrissy glow as she saw pictures in the very first place. I met her as well as Ben at a bookstore, and we looked through the pictures using her laptop. She was beaming from ear to her ear and kept remarking on how pleased she was with the pictures. It’s a beautiful feeling to work with a model during an image shoot, hand over photos, and then leave feeling that the model is delighted with your work. It increases your confidence as a photographer.

So, I can say that my first photo model shoot was an enjoyable experience. If you follow these suggestions, your photoshoot could be as well!