When I started out in modeling it was on the advice of friends and family that said I should give it a try, and in all honesty I was a little terrified on my first outing.modeling tips

The first shoot turned out OK, however I was quite nervous in all my pictures and it shows in some of the photographs taken on the day. Despite this the photographer was really good at helping me through the shoot. When I shot for him a second time at a later date, my pictures come across completely differently as I was a lot more relaxed.

Although this is just one example, the question stands as to why my pictures were different the second time around?

Well, I knew the photographer by his first name, and we had a chat and a joke prior to the shoot, which was not the case the first time around.

So in general, as experience has now come to show, a few minutes or maybe up to half an hour before you shoot, have a good chat with your models. Not simply to discuss the football and to form the bond that you the photographer and model need to make the experience enjoyable for you both, but also to discuss the day’s events, what you are planning to shoot (if you have arranged the shoot yourself) or if you are shooting a model who has come to you for a portfolio shoot, then you can discuss the outfits, looks, ideas, have a brainstorm as to how these looks can be achieved improved etc… modeling tips

Magazine cuttings are great for this period as the model can show you what they are after, and you can discuss what can be reasonably achieved with the equipment, time and outfits/costumes/clothes at your disposal.

Ask the model for their suggestions during the time you spend prior to and during the shoot, to see if they can input their own ideas, and incorporate them with yours.

When you start Shooting

When you get underway with the camera, in my experience it is essential to talk to the model throughout. Constant communication is a great way of keeping everyone informed of how comfortable you are with positions, angles, how the picture is looking etc…modeling tips

The Hollywood stereotype of the photographer constantly telling the model to "love the camera" etc. may be a little OTT but the idea is the same: tell them how good they look, explain changes when you think they are needed and now with digital photography providing instantly viewable results, take a moment every now and again to show the model how good they actually look there and then.modeling tips

It’s a real confidence boost for me as a model when the photographer actually shows me a picture mid-shoot that I think is really good. It also helps reassure the model that they are doing a good job.