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

• 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