snapshot portrait

• Focus on the eyes of the model; Eyes should be in focus range. They are the best part of the face to give expressions and emotions.
• Do not forget that you are in charge, you are the director. Take control of every situation.
• Set-up the camera and lights before model arrives to your studio.
• Plan your work; do not say “I’ll find something after i start to take pictures”. Plan the photography session, think about the angles, poses etc.
• Stick to your plan.
• Self confidence; show that you have self confidence to the model.
• Encourage and instill confidence to your model.
• Supply the needs of the model
• Try to capture easy and natural expressions
• Work with less complicated and smaller amount of equipments as possible
• If the model have some ides, listen to him/her (sometimes)

That’s all for today. Sorry it was a short writing, but I’m quite busy these days. Thank you all for your understanding.

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In fashion photography, as a photographer do not let the model get ahead of the fashion item(s). Do not forget that, the main aim is not showing the beauty of the model which is a subject of another genre of photography; glamour photography. Use the model as a stand for the clothing in your pictures.

This is a picture that i took which can be categorized as fashion photograph.

As i defined in the last post, Glamour photography, is producing the most physically appealing picture of the model. So basically we can say trying the show the model more beautiful than normal in your pictures should be your main concern in Glamour photography. To take glamour pictures, you need, a camera, a model, lighting and some photography equipment. But having all of these together doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be a successful Glamour Photographer.

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First you should decide whether you want to be a professional glamour photographer or you just want to try this genre of photography. If you want to be a pro, you need to work hard and spend some money. If you just want to try and see what you can do, you can work with amateur models and home-made equipment.

Being a pro in Glamour Photography is quite hard, since there are so many successful photographers in the market. As a newly graduate from an art school it could be hard to compete with the “big dogs”. In this case you should learn to use light in different conditions, to be familiar with the settings of your camera to set the exposure perfect each time, to work with models, and should practice a lot. If you don’t have a studio or you don’t have enough funds to build a new one, don’t worry, you can always take the pictures on location. But you should have the equipment, like lighting systems, flashes, reflectors etc. If you have the necessary equipment studio wont be a problem.

Whether you want to be a pro or not, to take satisfying pictures you should learn how to use the light in portraits. In glamour photography, sharp shadows and too bright areas on model are not desired. You need to diffuse the light. It is not possible to take good glamour pictures without getting familiar with the use of lighting equipment and light itself. Read my posts about the use of light;

Using Light in Portrait Photography

Of course this writing alone is not enough to teach somebody about lighting in photography but at least you’ll get an idea about it. to learn more, you should read about it and practice.

Finding models and working with models are another issues of glamour photography. In order to have good results, you should know how to communicate with models and how to guide them for good poses. But first you have to find a model. If you are an amateur and looking for an amateur models, you can just ask a good looking friend of yours or try local art classes. For the ones who have an intention to be a pro i strongly advice working with professional models. Of course it is costly compared to buying a drink to your friend for the modeling but success is not a cheap thing… Success will consume your money and a lot of time until you get it. You can find pro or semi-pro models from modeling agencies. If you are asking “How will i find modeling agencies?”, just write the name of your city + “modelling agency” to the search bar of google and bingo. Actually Internet provides huge opportunities to find models as it provides huge opportunities for everything else. There are some websites that amateur or semi-pro models can be find especially in USA. To learn more about finding models and working with models read the articles below

Finding Models

Working with Models

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Amateur Models;

Amateurs do not earn money from the job, or the job is not primary earning source for their living so you don’t have to spend money for working with amateur models (maybe a little). And you can easily reach them, asking friends, searching at deviantart.com or simply asking people from your neighbourhood. People won’t say NO if you ask gently and tell them the reason why you are taking these pictures. If you convince the models that you are a talented photographer and your job worth for the effort, they’ll accept your offer.

Semi-Pro and Professional Models

Reaching semi-pro models are relatively easy, because generally they do not take job offers as often as professional models so they probably will be more willing to accept offers. However to work with semi-pro models you may have to spend money (but not so much). Pro models can be more demanding, you need to pay them a considerable amount of money, for some models you have to be an experienced photographer etc. Pro Models are generally local celebrities (not famous in the whole world but famous in your country), so it may require quite much effort to reach and persuade them to work with you (but money has a big persuasion power). In this case you may be not able to reach them in person but you can call their agencies and ask for an appointment. Before talking to model talk about the price and all other conditions. To find out which agency he/she is working with type her or his name and type “agency”, (ex; “model’s name” agency) to the google.com you can find the necessary information to contact.

Elite (World-Star) Models

Money is not enough to work with this class of models it also requires prestige. Money is not enough but you need a lot of money to work with them, mean huge amount of money. As far as i know you need 60.000 – 80.000 € approximately 90.000 – 120.000 $ to work one day with Alessandra Ambrossio. If you are interested; this is her web page: http://www.alessandraambrosio.com.br/ and this is her agency’s web page : http://www.elitemodel.com/. As contacting with pro-models, you may reach the elite models by their agencies but your chance is quite low unless you are a experienced and known-photographer.

Links;

Amateur and Semi-Pro Models

There are lots of model communities on the web so go and search for a model in your region or city. In the links below you can find amateur, semi-pro and pro models;

Net Model.com

Jurgita ; You can find lots of models in jurgita from amateurs to top models like Adriana Lima

DeviantArt ; DA is an art site that artists (painters, designer, photographers) share their work. Photographers often write name of their models and place a link below the picture that directs you to the model’s DA profile (if he/she has one)

You can search the google for more sites.

Pro Models and Elite Models

For these classes it is better going to agency’s webpage rather than model’s personal page. Again you can search for agency directories and modelling agencies in your city or country by using google.com.

Fashion Gates

Fashion Model Directory

Fashion Model Directory – Top Models

Storm

Marilyn Agency

• Meet the model 1 hour before you start shooting; buy him/her a drink and chat for a while that makes the model feel comfortable. Tell him/her about what are you planning to do and what kind of poses you want from him/her. Make small jokes! In the meantime keep examining you model to determine the strongest point that you want to focus on. (eyes, lips, etc.)
• When you go to the location that you will take pictures, let the model take has his/her time for getting used to the environment. (not so long; waiting too long also can make the model nervous. You can play music related with you concept (fast, slow, angry, cheerful) to help changing model’s mood.
• Being natural is important; if you have a sad , sorrowful concept make your model feel the pain, even if he/she is not sad at the moment he/she has to look like he/she is sad. Your model shouldn’t look like he/she is pretending, you have to show the viewers it is real.
• Just before starting; so far you have done the preparations try some poses without taking pictures with your model that way your model will have an idea when you say him /her how to look, how to stand. Let her/him know that you are doing your job just like a doctor and there’s nothing to be shy about, and send everybody away (if there are people with you) , if it makes your model more comfortable.
• Start shooting; when you are taking pictures, focus on the points that you want to emphasize in your picture.( Crying eyes, happy smile etc.) Try different angles.
• Sometimes let your model use his/her creativity; let him/her decide how to pose, outcome may be fascinating. (As i said sometimes… not always)
• The rest is up to you and your photography skills!
• If the results are successful go out and celebrate