JW Sears Photography - Basic Modeling Tips

There are always times that you want some portraits for friends or family.
But if you have aspirations to be a print or runway model, here are some basic tips and suggestions.

A model needs three basic types of photos in their portfolio:
the head shot, the body shot, and a unique shot.

HEAD SHOT
A model needs at least two great head shots – one with a big, sellable smile, and another with a contrasting look –playful, serious, sensual, or dangerous. By showing your versatility, you can have greater opportunity for work due to the variety of contexts in which you could be utilized.

BODY SHOT
A body shot does just that – it shows the body in its entirety. Casting directors want to make sure that you will fit their needs and vision, and if you aren’t showing certain areas, there must be a reason. For example, if you have a great bust/chest shot – but don’t show the stomach or abdominal muscles, they may wonder if you are flabby below. If your portfolio doesn’t show your legs or butt, they may wonder if you are top-heavy with chicken-legs. Bottom line: if you’ve got it, display it.

UNIQUE SHOT
What will make your photo stand out? Pretty faces are a dozen a dime, and yes, in-shape bodies are less common – but the key question is: how will your portfolio set you apart from the rest? Do you have a hobby, interest, or talent that can be displayed in your portfolio? Whether playing an instrument, drawing in a large sketchbook, swimming, or mountain climbing – this is a chance to show your unique qualities and make a lasting impression in their mind.

TIME FOR PRINT (TFP) OR TIME FOR CD (TFCD) WORK
This is basically where the model and the photographer trade services to assist each other in building their mutual portfolios. Typically with TFP/TFCD, the photographer is contacted by a model, and he or she discusses the area of need and interest regarding what type of shots they would like to have taken. If this also meets a photographer’s need, or if the photographer sees potential in this model, then they will discuss a certain number of prints – free of charge to the model. However, the negatives/digital masters are maintained by the photographer for future use. TFP/TFCD work is usually a one-time arrangement, unless the photographer sees future use for the model in other projects.

MODEL RELEASE
Most photographers use some form of model release, which is completed by the model following the shoot. It provides written permission for the photographer to utilize the photos as appropriate, and states that the shoot was conducted in a professional manner.

PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASE
In this document, the photographer allows the model or agency to utilize or reproduce the photograph as specified in the release.

ADDITIONAL MODELING TIPS

Below are some tips and tricks that are utilized and suggested within the modeling and photography industry. Don’t try them at the last minute just before a shoot. Because everyone’s body is different, make sure they work for you a couple of days prior to a shoot.

DISCLAIMER:

All of these tips are adapted from various modeling and photography sites on the internet. You can do a search in a specific area online, and find a number of suggestions or resources, including books, how-to-manuals, and classes.

I do not claim to be an expert in any of these areas, but know through personal experience, trial-and-error, and testimonials, that these things CAN work for some people.

ELASTIC
If you will be posing in revealing clothing such as lingerie, swim wear, or nude, come to the photo session wearing loose fitting clothing and no socks or underwear. Anything that presses on the body creates reddish "pressure marks" which take up to an hour to go away. If you have a shoot like this, do not wear any tight clothing or clothing with elastic in it for roughly 12 hours before the shoot.

TANNING
Most people do look better with a tan, however, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, your health is important, and without going into the whole skin cancer warning, understand that the more sun your skin gets, the faster that same skin will age and wrinkle. (Watch “Something About Mary” if you don’t understand). If you do tan, try not to tan 2-3 days prior to the shoot, as it can capture a red-tone to your skin, which is difficult to airbrush in color photos. Also, be sure to get a complete tan. Tan lines are difficult to work with, and you never know the cut of the clothes, underwear, etc. which a job might ask you to wear. A good bet is the self-tanning creams that can be purchased at most stores. Ask for assistance from a sales associate prior to purchasing, and remember that this is not an area to skimp – as your $6 investment can turn your skin orange or coppery, instead of that golden brown you are trying to achieve.

BE KIND TO YOUR FACE
You should be very gentle and cautious of your face, especially the area around your eyes. When drying your face with a towel, pat - don’t rub. Rubbing stretches the skin, and it doesn’t get you any drier. Similarly for your hair, rubbing it dry causes split and damaged ends. Also, NEVER touch your face during a workout. Think about the number of people who have touched the equipment, doorknob, or bench surface, and then think about all of those people touching your face.

EYE CREAM
One way you can keep your eyes looking young is to faithfully apply eye cream morning and night by tapping and dabbing (not rubbing – which will stretch the skin) the cream under the eyes and around the outer eyes. Use your ring-finger to apply, as it sees less day-to-day use than your other fingers and is consequently smoother.

PUFFY EYES
In an emergency, a little Preparation-H dabbed underneath the eyes will reduce puffiness and swelling, but this is not something you want to use on a daily basis. Be careful not to get it in the eyes, as it is extremely strong stuff.

ITCHY EYES
If your eyes itch or are sore, don’t rub them – as this stretches the delicate skin around your eyes. Instead, use eye drops to help clear the irritant.

LIP BALM
Rather than use a product with camphor or active ingredients (which may make your lips feel better, but actually dry them out more, increasing your use of the product), try using some basic petroleum jelly to keep your lips moist.

BODY LOTIONS
Always apply any form of lotion (sunscreen, self-tanner, moisturizer, etc) to your body only in the direction that your body hair lays – even if you are smooth due to shaving and waxing. It helps to minimize the chance of clogging pores and developing blemishes.

REMOVING BODY HAIR
Women (and men depending on the project) should shave or wax unwanted body hair a day before the job. This will give enough time to allow any red marks to fade. When shaving, always shave in the same direction that the hair is laying down. If you shave "against the grain" you'll end up cutting the hair off below the surface of the skins, and you'll have "razor burn" as the ingrown hair tries to force a new hole through the skin for itself.

PERFUMES AND COLOGNES
Less is more. We become desensitized to our store-bought scents, and begin to use more as we don’t smell it as easily. This is why some people walk into a room, and out of a room, and you know they were there. Remember how much you use the first time you wear it, and always use that same amount, or try trading off between scents every week or so to keep your nose on its toes.

FOCUS
Even when you may be told to look in a certain direction, it is always important to have and maintain a specific point of focus. If you just look in a general area, you will end up with a dimwitted, vacant gaze on your face.

HYDRATION
Keep well hydrated. Everything your body does requires water. The average person should consume eight 8 oz glasses of water a day. If you work out, add another two glasses. If you drink coffee or another diuretic, or if you use any allergy medications, add even more. Here’s a clue: if your urine is darker than the color of straw, you need more water in your system.

KETOSIS
If while working out, you get a metallic taste in your mouth similar to the odor of nail-polish remover, stop working out immediately! This means you have gone into ketosis, which means you’ve used up all the other fuels in your body and have actually started to burn the protein in your muscles. Get something to eat as soon as possible – simple carbs/sugars will help to restore your body’s balance.

MALE FIGURE STUDY TIPS

VASCULARITY
If you want to show more veins during a photo shoot, drink a glass of red wine about 20 minutes prior to the photo shoot. Consider keeping hydrated if you will be shooting in the sun or heat. Another option is a bodybuilding posing oil called “Hot Stuff” which uses herbal extracts to help make the veins pop out. Some people have a mild reaction to “Hot Stuff” and causes the skin to flush very red. Keep in mind that you should try either of these methods at home a few days prior to the shoot to see how your body reacts to them.

PUMP VS. DEFINITION
Although you may want to look as big as possible for a shoot, understand that working out just prior to the shoot will cause you to lose some of your definition. You may gain visible mass, but you will also lose some of the cuts within your musculature.