Shooting models is quite a bit different than shooting actual people. A professional model knows how to work the camera and has the abilities to move and pose for each shot. Where beginner models and inexperienced people have no clue. You have to pose them or try and get a lifestyle photograph out of them.

Many people are afraid of cameras and freeze up when you try to work with them. You have to get their trust and show them it’s not like getting a tooth pulled and can be a lot of fun.

Working with models

Working with models, especially professionals is a charm and I find it to be a lot of fun creating images for fashion, advertising and modeling portfolios. Models need portfolios to become wanted for the talent agencies and advertising agencies.

In the beginning of their career many models will work free or will hire a photographer to shoot a portfolio for them. It’s hard to get an agent if you don’t have work to show and it’s hard to get work if you don’t have an agent. It’s the classical catch 22! Going from job to job you build yourself a portfolio, if you’re lucky enough to get all the work.

If not you have to build a relationship with a photographer or two. Once you get an agent that is well known and has the contacts you just might be on your way to a professional career. Do note that just because you get an agent does not mean you will be working. You have to have what it takes to be in this profession.

Model For Motorcycle Ad

Shooting with models

A lot of models will do pretty much everything you say to get a great shot. Some models will even help you and offer their expertise as you’re subject to get that shot. If you let them know they need to move as you shoot a professional will give your body language and facial looks that will continue to change as you click the shutter.

Some clients have a storyboard or an idea of what they want and the model has to do the pose or look in order to please the client and make the job work. In this situation if I and or the model have other ideas I will get the shots the client wants and then give them a few more ideas of what I see as a creative idea.

Sometimes the clients will use your ideas and sometimes not. The thing is being creative like that shows the ad agency and the clients that you are creative and they will want to work with you again, especially if they don’t know what they want.

Corporate Model: Man With Sleeves Rolled Up

Working with the average person as a model

Now with digital cameras you can take hundreds of photos and keep on shooting till you get the shot you need. Sometimes what I will do is continually shoot while the real person does not realize that I am to get a true or realistic shot without them knowing. It doesn’t always work and saying that you really have to get their trust and make them feel comfortable to get any kind of usable shot.

If you pose them and they feel uncomfortable they will look uncomfortable and it will show. I try to stay away from working with the inexperienced if possible and only use professional talent but there are times where this is not possible and it becomes a real challenge. If you have to use real people and not professional models I suggest you make them comfortable and strike up a conversation with them to make a bond.

Then explain what you need and try working with them on a professional level. It’s not like getting a tooth pulled so it is generally pretty simple. You can always show them your playback of the shots so they get an idea of what you are looking for.

Young Model Posing