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| Modeling Tips and Info |
| Whether you are an experienced model or just starting out, you will know that the photographer is the one who captures whatever personality you are trying to convey. Photographers are different. Their styles are different. I recommend you shop around the portfolios of other photographers. What style do YOU want to convey? If you are trying to create a moody theme to your images with a photographer who mainly shoots bright, sunny, outdoor-type images, you probably won't get what you're looking for, unless you're willing to experiement and spend some time being patient with the photographer. Many photographers are diverse as well and can create a variety of images and ideas. It depends on what you want. Do you want a composite (headshot), a zed card, artistic images, fashion, swimsuit, outdoor/on-location, etc.? These are the questions you have to ask yourself before you meet with a photographer. Common Questions: "Can I use just one photographer to build my portfolio?" The answer is yes and no. If a photographer is diverse and you are willing to do whatever it takes to get different pictures (travel, pay for time, use different make-up artists, convey different looks, etc.) then yes, you can use just one. But if you want to work with different personalities with different perspectives, then I suggest using different photographers. The reality is you may only use one or two shots from each photoshoot on a zed card or in your portfolio. I personally suggest working with different people. "How often should I update my headshot/zed card?" The shelf life of a comp/zed card is about two years, unless you change your look as much as the weather changes. Even then, you can use your chameleon ability to your advantage in your portfolio to show you can attain different looks. But the main suggestion here is that when you submit your comp/zed card to agencies, you want to represent yourself as you are now. Who wants an old pic of you with long hair when you have just recently chopped it off? "What should I bring to the shoot?" Talk to the photographer. Tell her/him what it is you want. Please do not call a photographer with nothing on the table to offer. Your photographer is not a modeling agent and not your personal fashion designer. We don't know what it is you want to do with your modeling unless you tell us. So, after the discussion with your photographer, you will probably be told to bring a suitcase of clothes, shoes, accessories, make-up, and personality. Know what looks you want to achieve, and most importantly, bring the personality to match the ensemble! Modeling is a form of still-life acting. If you don't show personality, the camera won't capture it. "Personality. Hmm, what, pray tell do you mean?" I mean, if you are not relaxed and comfortable with your photographer or during the shoot, it will show. Your personality will be stifled. The thing is, agencies and potential employers want to see diversity in a model's portfolio. This not only means clothes and make-up, but also expression and situations. Your pictures should show you, this character, in different situations, with different moods, facial expressions, etc. Tip: Act like a madman and make faces in the mirror at yourself. Yes, it sounds nutty, but it will help you find expressions you can use at the shoot. "What if I get the creeps from a photographer?" Okay, some bad apples have ruined the barrel. Luckily I am a female and have no desire to play the pervert. But, I do speak on behalf of all those male photographers who are professionals and who only want to take good pictures of their clients. Look at portfolios! This will usually let you know if the photographer is serious or just taking polaroids for his bathroom wall. And, if they creep you out on the phone, or are even just rude, why do you want to pay for that? Also, I recommend that if you are meeting any photgrapher, bring one person with you to the shoot. I have been a model for photographers before and have gone by myself because 1. I am brave and 2. I take my chances and 3. I can assess a situation or a person over the phone (after seeing a portfolio usually) and determine the professionalism. If you are not prone to having these traits, then just bring someone. And if a photographer won't let you, (even if you don't bring someone and just want to ask to see what they say), then don't use that photographer. Some photographers, if they are paying you, may be wary about it, but if YOU are paying, you no doubt have a right to bring someone (not an entourage) to the shoot. "What is a model release form, TFP, a comp card and a zed card?" A model release form is a contract, usually signed by both model and photographer during a TFP/cd session (time/trade for print or a cd of the images), or a shoot where you the model are paid. The contract generally states that the images are the photographer's and/or his clients to do with as they wish (usually there is a statement which clarifies that the photographer and/or client will not use the images in porn or in an adult fashion. If you do sign your image away, look for that in the model release or ask for it...But...it DOES NOT have to be there in the release form. Generally, a tfp is a trade between a model and a photographer for portfolio content for both parties. If you pay for the images, they are yours. There may be some copyright law with artist's license, but if you pay, your images are your own. The only time the photographer may want your images in this situation is for his/her portfolio, in which case, the photographer may use them, but if the portfolio is online, then the photographer should ask for your permission, or you may want to offer to let the photographer use your images for this purpose. A comp (composite) card is a headshot with your name on it. Sometimes a model will just need this to submit to agencies or at auditions. Yes, these days a hard copy is usually still required. Black and white is cheaper to print out, and the idea is to capture who YOU are, not to capture you surrounded by some backdrop that will take the attention away from you. There are a number of styles of headshots (torso up, just the face or the head). For this type of pic, for a female, you do not want to wear a lot of make-up. Remember, the headshot is the "true" representation of you. Then there's the zed card. This usually includes the headshot on one side and 3-5 images on the other. These other images will generally show a full-body shot, waist-up shot, and the others are up to your needs. Unless you are a porn model or porn star, do not put nude or semi-nude pics on your zed card. Have any more questions? E-mail me Modeling Links for Vegas Email Sinister Photo Back to Table of Contents |