JW Sears Photography - Preparing for the Shoot

Below you will find some basic information that may help you when preparing for the photo shoot. Photo shoots can be a lot of fun, but they also require preparation and some intense focus and hard work during the shoot itself. I treat the people I photograph professionally, and want to assure that they are fully comfortable with every aspect of the shoot.

FOLLOWING DIRECTION
One of the most important aspects of modeling is following the directions of the photographer. I will undoubtedly ask for you to place parts of your body and head in various positions and angles. If instructed to turn your head in a certain direction, you should continue to do so very slowly until I tell you to stop so that you don’t move too far, or not far enough. If you are ever in an uncomfortable situation or position, please let me know immediately, as the last thing I want is for you to be in pain. All of my clients have described me as very easy to work with, and that I help keep them relaxed during what would normally be a high-stress situation.

PATIENCE
I try to pay great attention to detail during a shoot. There will be a number of times that you will have to hold a pose, or wait while I adjust lighting or fix your makeup/hair/clothing. It is important that you relax during these times (try not to lose your posture), and don’t get frustrated. A simple shoot can last up to two hours with outfit and background changes. You may be hot under the lights, tired from sitting up straight, or your foot can begin to fall asleep. Try to keep focused on the job at hand, and understand that my job is to make sure you look the best that you can.

ATTIRE
Pick out clothing ahead of time that will give you a variety of looks and extenuate your figure. Avoid distracting patterns that lead the viewer's eye away from you. Solids, and form-fitting outfits can be very flattering. All black or all white outfits are always good choices, but may not be the best option if shooting in black and white. Red is also a color to avoid in B&W photos because it turns out a light grey. Clothing with simple and classic "lines" also are beneficial. It's best to bring a much wider selection of clothes than what you will need so that we have choices to pick out what will work best.

FOOD BEFORE A SHOOT
Try to avoid eating just prior to a shoot. This can result in food being caught in the teeth. Also, stick with water the day of your shoot. Avoid colored beverages as they can tint your enamel, lips, and tongue, and any traces of plaque that might be on your teeth despite brushing. It is a good idea to bring a toothbrush just in case.

PRACTICE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
Most people don’t sit around and practice looking surprised in the mirror, but a day or two prior to your shoot, practice different emotions and facial expressions in the mirror. Pretend you are acting and make them big. I can always have you tone-it-down on site, but its hard to get people to give me more, when they don’t know how expressive they CAN get.

JEWELRY
Just like your attire, jewelry should not be distracting from the photo. If simple, it can complement the image. Rings, necklaces, and bracelets can catch the light and distract from you, unless they are the main purpose of the photo. Earrings (one set) can be appropriate for certain shots. It is okay to bring them and ask my opinion. Remember – body piercings (multiple ear, nose, eyebrow, lip, etc) can be difficult to cover up, and may limit the work you can receive. Your body is your product: who wants to buy a product that has been defaced or damaged?

HAIR
Hair should be clean and manageable. Unless it can only be worn one way, if you can avoid styling it until you arrive, that will save time and effort on site. We may decide to try some different styles with the hair, and if it is already “spritzed, gelled, and plastered” in place, that can result in the loss of 20-30 minutes of shoot time. Be sure to bring any type of hair products, tools, and utensils you may need.

MAKE-UP
Yes, we all may have some flaws or blemishes from time to time. Some will simply need to be removed digitally afterwards from the final print. In general, photographic makeup is heavier than regular daily-wear makeup. For head shots the makeup can be lighter, because larger image-size holds up better during the magazine printing process. Photographic makeup should maximize the natural beauty of your face while minimizing any facial irregularities. If you plan to pursue modeling, you should invest in developing a makeup kit for your calls. You can visit a local beauty supply store, and they can assist you in determining the right shades and products for your photo makeup kit.

I am not an expert in make-up application, but I have learned some things through research and experience. Here are some of those tips.

Natural tones: Unless using makeup for a dramatic effect, makeup should be natural earth tones that will highlight or diminish certain areas.
Concealer/cover-ups: Use a green concealer to cover up red spots or blemishes (pimples, etc), use white to cover up deep grooves or facial lines (laugh lines, wrinkles), and use yellow to offset blue rings (such as under the eyes).
Contours/Shading: Lighter tones can help to heighten or enhance certain features, while darker tones can help minimize or reduce the appearance of larger features. Instead of buying special contouring powder, use blush or eye shadow in a neutral brown tone 2 or 3 shades darker or lighter than your skin tone. Apply shading with a 'contouring brush', which looks like a blush brush, but smaller and more defined. Practice this at home for various effect.
Foundation: Utilize the lighter tone of your skin for a match. Apply in a smooth and even fashion, not forgetting your neck. Imagine you are creating a blank palette where other makeup will also be applied. Use the web between your finger and thumb to determine the right tone. If it blends in and disappears, it is the correct tone for you.
Blush: Depending on the use, can be placed below the cheekbones to accentuate them (glamour), or can be placed on the cheeks themselves, as the sun would typically warm your face (natural). In addition, a bit of blush on the chin and tip of the nose can add a bit more color.
Lips: Line the lips with a pencil, and fill in the rest with lip color that is one to two shades lighter than the pencil. There should only be a subtle difference between the line and the lip color. Again, unless attempting a drastic artistic affect, bright red or extremely dark tones are not your best bet.
Eye shadow: White is typically not a good color for use with eye shadow, unless it will later be covered with another shade.
Eyeliner: Place across the top eyelid, just above the eyelashes, with a bit thicker line towards the center of the eye. When placing on the bottom lid, only place towards the outer ¼ of the lower lid. Don’t use eyeliner all the way across the lower lid, as this make the eyes look smaller – which does not look good on film.
Mascara: Use two coats for thick appearing lashes. An eyelash crimper can be used between coats.
Eyebrow pencil: Should be one or two shades darker than your eyebrow color. Using small hair-like strokes, fill in using the natural arch of your eyebrow. Apply a coat of clear mascara to seal the color and hold the shape you’ve drawn.

Basic Modeling Tips and Suggestions