Gemini Model & Talent Agency

Photoshoot

TIPS FOR A MODELLING PHOTO SHOOT

Follow the tips below to help make your modelling shoot a success.

1. Be on time.  Punctuality is always important at every photo shoot.

2. Safety Tip: If you are not taking anyone with you to the photo shoot, let someone know where you are.

3. Bring several outfits to showcase your many fashion styles.

4. Take your own make-up to the photo shoot, even if there will be a make-up artist. (See Make-up Essentials)

5. It doesn’t hurt to get references from the photographer’s other clients.

6. Never feel pressured to do anything that you do not feel comfortable with at a photo shoot.

7. There should always be a signed release at every photo shoot.  This should specify where and how your images might be used.

8. Make sure you are well-rested, especially if a lot of travel is involved. You need to look and feel rested and fresh.

9. Always present yourself in a very professional manner whether it be your first or 100th photo shoot.  Photographers are often well-connected in the modelling industry and reputation is important.

10. Keep your modelling portfolio updated with the latest fashion and clothing trends.   One image isn’t going to make you modelling career.  

11. Communicate with the photographer as much as possible.  He/she should know all your expectations, suggestions, and ideas.

12. After the photo shoot, get input on which photos are best. Not just from the photographer, but also from friends, family, your agent, and any other industry professional.

FASHION STYLES

Make sure the photo shoot includes different fashion styles.  Remember your modelling portfolio and comp card need to show a diverse set of photographs and poses. These same fashion styles are also needed for modelling jobs, so knowing them will help you figure out what type of modelling you might fit into.

If you are interested in perfecting all the techniques, and learning more about different fashions, you can go to a modelling school. You will get additional training on posing, photo tips, walking down the runway, and a lot more.
 

1. Do not contact the casting staff, modelling agency, photographer or prospective client after the modelling go see.  They’ve seen what you look like and have your contact information.  If they want to hire you, you will hear from them.
    

 "TFP", TIME FOR PRINTS, TRADE FOR PORTFOLIO, TEST FOR PRINTS

Professional photographers can be expensive.  Some photographers and models do a TFP session, where no money is needed.  TFP means that the prints from the photo session can be included in the modelling portfolio as well as the photographer's. 
A lot of beginner models engage in TFP’s to build up their modelling portfolios.  It does not mean that high quality images and great prints are not produced.  Many photographers like to work with lesser known models whose previous work or look they find interesting.   Modeling portfolios contain photographs from TFP sessions all the time, and have gotten callbacks from agencies and fashion editors.

PAID TESTS, TFP OR TEST FOR PRINTS
 

“TFP” is also used for a similar idea known as a “test” for prints.  A “test” is a shoot where the photographer isn’t taking his usual fee from the model.  However a somewhat established photographer (and anybody else involved like a makeup artist or stylist) may be paid a nominal fee for their time and effort, which is a small percentage of what they’d normally get for that level of photographic performance.
Some models will agree to pay a reasonable fee for testing with an established photographer to add to prints to their modelling portfolio.  A photographer with a day rate might do a paid “test” for a few hours and only ask for a reduced compensation if the model wants the right to use the pictures in her modelling portfolio. (If the model doesn't want the pictures, she obviously is not going to pay anything.)

WHAT TO EXPECT AT A TFP SHOOT

1. A friendly, professional photographer. Even if the photographer is an amateur, or a beginner, they should act and look professionally, and treat the model as a valuable client.
2. Expect high-quality prints. Do not settle for  “second-class” photos. Only the best prints should be added to your modelling portfolio.
3. A signed release specifying how many prints the model is to receive as her compensation.  Prints for a modelling portfolio are not cheap. The photographer should offer a reasonable quantity.  If the images come in digital form, remember that the photographer is the primary rights-holder. Most TFP releases provide that the model may only use the photographs for self-promotion and may not sell or relicense them.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR A TFP SHOOT

• Show up.  Some models believe that since they are not getting paid, they have no obligations to show up to a scheduled TFP shoot.  However, a photographer has committed to the shoot could have scheduled something else.  A no-show model is wasted time and opportunity wasted, and both of those have a very real monetary value.  The world of photography is surprisingly close-knit and models must depend on their reputations.  If they are dependable, they are more likely to get call-backs and referrals.
• Know what’s expected.  This should be agreed to ahead of time and both photographer and model should honour the agreement. Specify whether “implied shots” can be included or “no nude shots” at all.   However, if the session is going well and you are both comfortable with each other, you may decide to “kick it up a notch” and do a lingerie shot.  Either way, both the photographer and model should agree. never feel pressured to do anything that you do not feel comfortable doing

BASIC POSING AND PHOTO TIPS FOR MODELS

Most beautiful photographs don’t come naturally even with the most beautiful models. A photographer can give you some photo tips and guide you through a variety of model poses throughout the photo shoot. But whether you aspire to appear in print magazines or do high fashion shows, these modelling poses and photo tips will help you achieve more perfect photographs.

1. Breathe
   Do not hold your breath for a modelling pose; always remember to breathe and appear at ease.
2. Posture
   Keep your back straight and your shoulders up. Slouching affects the mood of the photograph and enlarges the appearances of your stomach. Flex your stomach muscles. This will make your abdomen appear more toned despite your weight or state of shape.
3. Limbs
   When posing, make sure to differentiate your arms and legs with asymmetrical poses. If you have one arm long and straight by your side, make sure the other arm is bent. The bend will make the modelling pose look more real, less artificial. Continue the asymmetry to your legs. If one leg is locked straight, give the other leg a casual bend.
4. Camera
   Do not always look directly into the camera. To enhance the quality of your photo shoot, look away from the camera with a mix of head and eye poses. Your head and neck can remain stationary  and your eyes can do all the work. Look off to the right or left side.  Tilt your neck. Try different facial expressions.
5. Sitting Poses
   Don’t slack off during sitting poses. If you are sitting down or reclining, put your weight on the back of one thigh, rather than distributing your weight equally on both thighs. This pose will result in a slimming effect!
6. Cleavage
   While leaning forward bring your arms together at your waist, keep your arms straight at the elbows and clasp your hands together below your waist, or simply cross your arms.  When leaning backward, raise your arms about your shoulders and head, keep your arms apart. Both poses will help maximize your cleavage.
7. Smile
   To add variety to your modelling poses, try switching up your smile with a cute frown, a bratty bout, a friendly laugh, or even an edgy scowl. Your facial expressions can make or break your modelling poses.

the Four Basic Posing Styles

Everyone has an idea of what a professional modelling photo shoot is like: an impossibly beautiful woman taking direction from an excited photographer, with a wind machine and bright lights. While this might be the case in the very top tiers of the modelling world, the vast majority of working models know that this is rarely the case. No matter how naturally striking you look, it won't mean anything in front of a camera unless you know how to present your best angles. Everyone has seen a terrible picture of themselves and wondered how they came out that way. They've also seen fantastic pictures of themselves, and wondered how they could recreate that look. The answer is that there's a skill involved, and it's one you need to learn if you're going to make it as a model

While supermodels might get to lay back and let the photographers do the work once they've made it to the top of the modelling world, aspiring models still have a long ways to go. For the most part when you're starting out and getting headshots and sample photos taken, you'll be working with photographers who don't know the first thing about modelling and fashion photography. It's up to you to show your star potential. Furthermore, professional runway and promotional models don't get any outside guidance when they're working, so they have to use their modelling skills to show off their best look.

Luckily there are some basic tips you can learn that will set you on the right path in your modelling career. For starters, there are four basic types of poses that you'll need to know to start building your portfolio and working with professional photographers. They are:

• The Lifestyle Pose: These kinds of shots require the model to candidly recreate an everyday moment, usually in a domestic or personal circumstance. Think of a baby shampoo commercial where the mother smiles to herself while drying off her laughing (and tear-free) child.

• The Movement Pose: Think of this as a sort of Action Shot, where the modelling is involved in a physical activity like running or swimming. These usually involve the "real" use of a product like a tennis shoe, but can include something like drinking a beer at a party while having a good time.

• The Portrait: This type of shot focuses on the face and shoulders, and can be extremely close-up. The emphasis is placed on minute facial expressions, skin, and eyes, so you need to be ready for the photographer to literally get in your face.

• The Full-Body Shot: These are pictures that feature the model's whole body, usually to display clothing (or lack-thereof in the case of swimwear), cosmetic products, hygiene products, and so forth. Here the arrangement of arms and legs, posture, tone, and broader body gestures are important.

Each of the four types of posing requires its own specific skills and uses different tricks of the trade.