yllus
Elite Member & Lifer
I've not got a whole lot of experience shooting models non-candidly, but I've got a little. So in this thread I figured I'd share a little of what I know/have read, and see if you guys can help contribute the rest. So here goes.
1. Before you head to your photo shoot, pick at least ten poses you really like from fashion or glamour magazines, or poses you liked from photo shoots you've seen done. Cut them out or sketch them for reference in person. Think about how you would explain to the model how to mimic the pose - where to put his/her hands, to tilt their head this way or that, to lean in or back.
Here's a classic female pose. Since I'm a cheapo, I just pull inspiration from a stock image website by searching for words like "pose".
2. Ask the model to think of five poses he/she think really bring out the character within themselves. Tell them to be dramatic with it. Intersperse these poses with your own. I tend to find this builds rapport and lets the model feel like the lens isn't a one-way device - they can take a turn in controlling the scene too.
3. Don't launch right into a shoot. Unless seriously pressed for time (never been the case for me, but bound to happen), I spend five to ten minutes talking to the person about themselves - if they're in a relationship, have kids, how many siblings they have, what countries they've lived in, et cetera. Share in turn parts of yourself regarding these topics too. It builds rapport and makes them more comfortable. Personally, I pull a chair right up beside them so I'm in their slightly awkward personal space. Be nonchalant about this and keep a warm friendly smile on your face as you talk about whatever and they'll quickly relax and get used to you being close, so when you're a bit far off and shooting it's all the more comfortable.
4. Chin up, chin down? "Don?t always look straight into the camera. When you cut your eyes to the left or right, you create an air of mystery. When you look up and away, you are annoyed. Tilt your chin slightly down and look straight ahead for a sexy look."
5. Use a lens that doesn't have you right up in their face with a blazing flash. It seems like it disorients people or something... Their eyes keep tracking you all over the place. I haven't quite figured this one out in my head yet.
Heavy inspiration from Secrets of Model Posing by Bob Pardue.
1. Before you head to your photo shoot, pick at least ten poses you really like from fashion or glamour magazines, or poses you liked from photo shoots you've seen done. Cut them out or sketch them for reference in person. Think about how you would explain to the model how to mimic the pose - where to put his/her hands, to tilt their head this way or that, to lean in or back.
Here's a classic female pose. Since I'm a cheapo, I just pull inspiration from a stock image website by searching for words like "pose".
2. Ask the model to think of five poses he/she think really bring out the character within themselves. Tell them to be dramatic with it. Intersperse these poses with your own. I tend to find this builds rapport and lets the model feel like the lens isn't a one-way device - they can take a turn in controlling the scene too.
3. Don't launch right into a shoot. Unless seriously pressed for time (never been the case for me, but bound to happen), I spend five to ten minutes talking to the person about themselves - if they're in a relationship, have kids, how many siblings they have, what countries they've lived in, et cetera. Share in turn parts of yourself regarding these topics too. It builds rapport and makes them more comfortable. Personally, I pull a chair right up beside them so I'm in their slightly awkward personal space. Be nonchalant about this and keep a warm friendly smile on your face as you talk about whatever and they'll quickly relax and get used to you being close, so when you're a bit far off and shooting it's all the more comfortable.
4. Chin up, chin down? "Don?t always look straight into the camera. When you cut your eyes to the left or right, you create an air of mystery. When you look up and away, you are annoyed. Tilt your chin slightly down and look straight ahead for a sexy look."
5. Use a lens that doesn't have you right up in their face with a blazing flash. It seems like it disorients people or something... Their eyes keep tracking you all over the place. I haven't quite figured this one out in my head yet.
Heavy inspiration from Secrets of Model Posing by Bob Pardue.
