Being a photographer is simple, look at my formula above! Ok, so most of you probably realize that isn't how it goes down for most people, but today I am here to explain my personal experience in working with models. There are many different types of models out there, the person you decide to use is very important to your project! I'm not saying that you have to use one specific look, size or gender, but make sure you cast the right person for the idea you have in mind. When we first start out with photography, its easy to jump on a website like model mayhem to start blast emailing every model you see, trying desperately to build your portfolio and have a quantity of pictures in a short amount of time. If you have this frantic urge, your should probably start off shooting something calm and peaceful like a zen garden landscape or take a cold shower. Once you have learned a little patience, you can start fresh and begin your career/hobby as a portrait/fashion photographer. Sites like model mayhem are great, I have actually met a lot of awesome people through there and learned a lot about my camera and photography in general by doing test shoots with models who were also just starting out. This is better than going straight for the top and asking your wish list models to shoot with you while you have no idea whats going on with your end of the camera. If they do agree to shoot with you for some reason, you are only going to frustrate them with your lack of knowledge, professionalism and quality in final print. Again, work your way up! Unless you have a mentor instructing you on camera settings, lighting and framing of course.

I also wanted to discuss the dynamic between the photographer and model that needs to be created for a shoot to work smoothly.  First, realize that the model who just showed up to your photoshoot is not someone to be intimidated by! He/she is not the IRS and you have paid your taxes (hypothetically). The mere fact that this person has agreed to shoot with you probably means that they have reviewed your portfolio and like something about it. As long as you can re-create that quality or hopefully do even better this time, you are good to go! Again, this is why you need to make sure your vision is clear before going into a shoot that you organize. Things will naturally evolve, a pose may inspire you in a different direction but thats ok, go with it if you are both feeling the idea! One thing you want to avoid though is having an idea in mind and springing it on the model half-way through the shoot. This mainly refers to shooting nudes or anything that would potentially be an uncomfortable situation between you and the model. I have heard horror stories just from talking to models over the past few years of these creepy situations they were put in, and at the time, the photographer probably got over-confident and thought it was like putting his coat over a puddle for his lady to safely cross. NO! Chances are if you are still reading this or part of *hopefully* what my target audience would be, you would never be that much of a creepster anyway. But I still have to put it out there because model/photographer relationships can make or break your photo-shoot. If one of you feels awkward, it is going to show in the image. Sometimes people just don't click, thats fine! It doesn't have to end up in a long lasting friendship where you go get mani/pedis together before your next shoot! But as long as you can have an understanding between the two of you and no one feels left in the dark (no lighting pun intended), you should be able to freely communicate to one another during the session for it to go smoothly.

If you are still somehow looking at the photos above and reading this, congratulations! That's impressive and disturbing all at once. But, lets re-direct our attention to the picture of Linda Chiriac setting up the lights for our most recent shoot. I obviously couldn't have placed the make-shift foil snoot as well as Linda, but it was a great bonding moment when she came in to take over. I explained to her why I was changing the lighting up a little, I needed a more focused beam of light vs. the wide spill I was getting from the standard reflector. After rummaging my cabinets for some tin foil, I started to construct my new cone (patent pending). Linda is a trooper anyway, so she jumped in and started helping, I could tell that she knew exactly what I was going for so it was great in two ways: first, she did it for me, secondly, it helped her understand where the light was coming from and what it was going to achieve if she stood in front of it correctly! We can direct our models all day long, and of course there will be some of that because they don't know what the camera is seeing exactly. But getting upset at them because they turn their head away from your precious 5 minute snoot isn't only counter-productive but its like calling action to an actor who hasn't received a script.

In conclusion, don't stress out over this. We chose photography because its more fun than whatever you used to do for a living, or its a great escape from your current full time job. The career part will evolve if you keep practicing, perfecting your lighting techniques and put some hours into your photoshop skills! I have personally made some great friends through this industry and can probably count the less than desirable instances on one hand. Be respectful, creative and go make some art!

Make sure to check out the extremely talented Linda Chiriac, she also does hair and makeup!
http://www.beautybylindachiriac.com/

Special thanks to Amelia Dinmore (Nightmare) as well for being colorfully amazing!
http://www.facebook.com/AmeliaNightmare

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