Welcome to the Model Tips section.
This page has been created to provide information about the modelling world and answer some of the more common questions.
If there is something that we have not covered or you have any specific questions please email us.
If it is necessary for you to cancel a shoot it is important that you notify the photographer as soon as possible. Be mindful that on an average professional shoot the photographer will have booked not only the location and the clothes but also a team e.g. stylist, makeup artist, photo assistant. There is a possibility that if the cancellation is at the last minute the photographer is still going to have to pay for all the services they had booked. This effectively turns your shoot into a very expensive non event. This could soon earn you a reputation as a time waster.
The only excuse for a last minute cancellation or a “no show” would be a family emergency and we do understand that these occur but be aware that photographers do not like being taken advantage of or played for the fool e.g. generally most people do not have more than two nans or pops! In the past we had a model that, according to different photographers, had already lost her nan four times.
We think it is necessary to discuss complaining in this section. Shooting often takes place in extremes of weather however if you continually complain about the heat or cold it will affect both you and others mentally. The more you complain about the cold the colder it will feel! Our photographers are very patient people but continual complaining about things that can’t be changed wears thin very quickly. Try your best to cope with the situation and “get on with the job”.
If there is something fixable that you’re not happy with by all means bring it to our attention.
The law states that unless a photographer expressly signs away his right then he owns any photos he shoots. Even if you are paying the photographer he still owns the copyright to those images. Your costs cover his time and expertise. While the photographer can’t publish those images without your permission you can’t publish them without his permission. In this situation it is necessary to complete a model release form.
As a general rule a photographer will not give out high resolution images/negatives. It is possible to come to an arrangement with a photographer beforehand but generally this is not the procedure.
Be mindful that the first thing people notice when looking at a photo is the face. Our faces are the mirrors to our soul and this is more obvious in a photograph. The look you want to avoid is the flat face i.e. one devoid of emotion. You might have the sexiest, drop dead gorgeous body but unfortunately that will be overshadowed by a flat facial expression.
As a model there are four basic facial expressions that you need to deliver. You need to be able to smile, pout, grin and display that sexy “soups on” look. Once you have these four facial expressions mastered you are half way there. Use your mirror to practice.
Once you have mastered the art of the facials you can move on to learning figure posing. Similarly to facial expressions, figure posing can mean the difference between an alright photo and a great photo.
Take some time to review other models in magazines and then practice the ones that appeal to you until you are comfortable with them. Always remember that the easier you are to pose the more the photographers will want to work with you. Personally my favourite models are those that can basically pose themselves as this frees me up to be more creative in the photography process.
Never be scared to try your own poses in front of a photographer. You will be surprised how the photographer responds to your initiative and how much better the shots will be.
Go find that mirror and get posing now.
Your main goal may be to have an income from modelling but never lose your ability to have fun.
Every photo shoot adventure should be fun. Relax, be yourself, and you will be surprised how easily the shots will flow. I know my best shots are created when the models are willing to share a fun experience while the more serious models don’t achieve their full potential.
Remember YOU are the centre of attention so go for it, lap it up. Relish in your new found stardom!
A happy model is a good model and a good model helps create the best shots. Photographers love models that constantly produce good shots.
New models are often curious about the fees they can charge. There are a few factors to be considered when answering this question. If its a job that is going to give you good exposure such as magazine work for Ralph, FHM etc then maybe you will be working for free.
For the average photographer that has requested to shoot you I would recommend starting off at $250 for four hours or $400 for an eight hour day. Generally your hourly rate should be $80 an hour with make up supplied by the customer/agent. Try to insist on a minimum number of three hours and request payment up front – unless you are totally confident that the payment will happen. This is to prevent you travelling to a job (sometimes a reasonable distance) and then only being paid for one hour.
TFP - Time for prints.
This is exchange of your time for a photographers time. You get prints for your portfolio and the photographer gets some photos to use on his website/publications/portfolio etc. It is very important that before the shoot you agree how/where the photos can be used. You need to agree which photos will be provided to you at the end of the shoot and clarify the full use of the photos that he is taking. This is to prevent the situation where the photographer has what you would consider a set of bad photos and you have given your permission for him to use randomly. Any commercial use of the photos also needs to be agreed upon as well as there is a chance that you could be earning a fee for being the model.
TFSOP - Time For Share Of Prize Money.
This is a simple situation where you enter a competition with a photographer and if you win you split the prize money. If you lose you get nothing.
A Model Release Form is an agreement between the photographer / agent / company and the model. Model Release forms should be read very carefully and should only be signed if both parties agree. Not every photographer uses model release forms, but the ones that do will generally insist that you sign it. Don't feel pressured, ask to have a copy emailed to you before the shoot so you can read over it. Ask any questions before the shoot. If in doubt, ask the question. Better to get an answer up front than be disappointed on the day (or even worse be ripped off!!).
Nothing motivates me more than an energetic girl who has some of her own posing ideas. More motivation means better shots. If I have a really flat model who just doesn't have any of her own ideas and is scared to pose or to be herself then the shots are never as good. If I have to pose every inch of a girl for the entire shoot to get a good shot, then that takes a lot of the creativity out of the shoot. Photographers will respond very well to a model who knows how to pose and is willing to give things a try. Don't ever underestimate your ability to motivate the photographer. I recently had a shoot with a really flat model, a really non motivating girl who just killed any possible creativeness. Everything was too hard for her and she didn't really try. That left me feeling a little worn out mentally. However the next model I was shooting that day was really into it (the exact opposite) and she really motivated me back to being creative and before we knew it we were getting some of the best shots of her portfolio. It's all about personality and motivation. If your'e sensing the atmosphere is flat then have some fun, do some spontaneous poses, be a bit nutty, have some fun!!!! I can assure you, the photographer will appreciate it very much and your photos will be much better as a result.
I think personality is the most important ingredient for any model to have. I have seen many models over my time and I can remember the ones with the stuck up personalities like it was yesterday. It's very important to be down to earth and approachable. No one wants to deal with a model with an attitude, no matter how cute or sexy she is. There is always another cute sexy model down the road with a great personality, so remember this, always say please and thank you, and never ever swear. If you can see the photographer busily packing up everything, offer to help, he will most probably thank you and decline your offer, but people like the fact that you're keen. . It goes a very long way in my book. That's just a few simple tips for making a good impression on a photographer / agency. Photographers and agencies that like you will give you more work. Personally if I like a girl I go out of my way to see she does well. If she is not a nice girl or painful to work with, then I put her to the bottom of the work queue (the less I see of her the better). This pretty much goes for all photographers.
Although a lot of jobs will provide everything you need for a shoot, always ask if anything else is needed. If you're not sure, then just bring the props along anyway. Props can be basically anything that would look good in a photo (an old hat, scarf, toys etc.). For example I recently photographed a girl in a farmyard barn. I brought along the hat and the boots and asked her to bring along old jeans and an old shirt. She also brought along a really old think rope too. The final photo looked a lot more real because the viewer can look at that photo and relate to is. She was standing in the barn, hat tipped down, cute smile, boots, old clothes and holding an old coiled piece of rope. The viewer knows exactly what is going on in the photo and it looks "real". Never under estimate the value of good props.
It's very important to prepare for a shoot the day before. Good preparation can mean the difference between a good shoot and a great shoot. It's very important to do any personal grooming the night before. Hair should always be washed the day before a shoot and any shaving should also be done the day before. Shaving on the day of the shoot can cause skin irritations and red marks that really show up in photographs. It's also very important to wear loose clothes to a shoot. You don't want to arrive there and have jean and belt marks all over you. Those marks take at least an hour to fade and often longer. Wear loose clothes so the shoot can commence straight away when you arrive. If a makeup lady has been supplied don't wear any makeup to the shoot at all. It just slows things down as the makeup lady has to remove your makeup before applying the real stuff.
Some photographers will definitely take you out of your comfort zone. That's not always a bad thing as it helps you expand your portfolio and discover new things about yourself. However there are times when it's just too much and you need to say no. You need to convey this message in a manner that doesn't upset the photographer or more importantly the mood of the shoot. Simply suggest another idea. However If the photographer keeps down that path that your'e just not happy with, then just tell him straight. As a photographer I MUCH prefer a model to say what she does / doesn't like rather than beating around the bush all day and wasting my time.
Models often ask me how to spot a good versus a bad photographer? The answer is very easy. Ask to see his / her work. If you like what you see then you can book a shoot and have a fair idea that the photographer is going to get you the results you want. If the photographer won't show you his work or you don't like what you see (remember the photographer will always show his best work - so you can pretty much assume it doesn't get any better than what he is putting forward) then don't book a shoot. Tell him straight out you don't really fit his style and thank him kindly for his inquiry and his time.
We shoot a lot of girls and I can tell you, almost every girl wishes she had brought something along to a shoot that she left at home, her favourite hat, her knee high boots, her little blue skirt etc. etc. So if in doubt, bring it! You are much better off to bring way too many clothes than be left scratching around for clothes you just didn't bring. Clothes should always be ironed before a shoot too. That's very important. Wrinkles in clothes look tacky and take away from the natural beauty of a photo. Always bring shoes to match your outfits and have some variety so that you and your photographer can have some choice. Always bring some touch up makeup (including lip gloss) and always bring combs or brushes to a shoot. You never know when the wind is just going to kill your perfect hairstyle. Be Prepared!!! Always bring a bottle of water and a big towel too. The water is for your thirst and the towel is for your privacy. I always turn my back when a model is getting changed but not every person gives you that courtesy. A BIG towel can often be the difference between you getting changed privately and the whole world seeing your buns!! Bring that towel!
A lot of models ask us if they can do their own makeup for their Photoshoot. We always prefer they go and see my makeup lady and have their makeup done properly. Good makeup can mean the difference between a successful shoot and an average shoot. It's money well spent. You go to all the other trouble to get everything else just right and then your makeup lets you down. Don't risk it, book into the makeup lady! We promise you that you won't regret it.
