Let’s Shoot ~ Shooting Info
We have been shooting models since mid 1960’s and understand glamourphotography and agency modeling for glamour as well as any agency or any photographer. We love working with other photographers Male or Female and love shooting small promo video to Cable TV shows.
We were fortunate that we learned about agency modeling when one of our best friends sister was working for an agency and when I always had my camera and shooting her horse started taking pictures of her. The model had a great smile, hair, complexion and lots of nice clothes. Her brother would bring out her portfolio and even at a young age, notice great shots to not so effective / not so great shots.
If you were a model, everything was real except those with hair extensions. No injections, implants, tattoos and noone had belly button rings.
My brothers best friend’s sister was also a model for the FORD Modeling agency and pretty much moved to New York but kept a few portfolio books at her house and saw all of those and immediately just new at a very early age what was a great pic to any that were not.
Back in the days of film however you did not have the INSTAGRAM “I’m a model photographer” because they bought the equipment. If you were a model photographer you knew 20x over the typical INSTAGRAM photographer because you were going to pay for film & developing. 24 Images were going to cost alot so you best have worked out with the model exactly what they were going to wear and pose.
Many models today don’t even like to talk on the phone prior to the shoot and we will not shoot with unprofessionals just looking for a few likes. We like to have fun, but we don’t do anything half ass. We go over completely what you like to do, what to wear, bring etc to every shoot.
For example not a professional model on earth wears bra’s and undergarments to a shoot. Wearing one says the model AND photographers are half ass and don’t care about a professional look for a keg look, wrinkles, creases, bra straps, no human curves destroy the whole idea of a professional shot. Which is why real clients or agencies don’t allow them and haven’t for over 60 years anyway. TV work on the other hand go with bras and when they don’t like Jennifer Anniston on Friends the networks hear about if from the home bippies.
A few pointers relating to modeling:
Don’t use your real last name.
Decide on the styles of modeling you like and how G to PG you want to shoot.
We suggest not giving times of dates if a bartender or social jobs when you work or where and time. It’s dangerous and can be read by any stranger.
Every pro photographer AND model should talk on the phone prior to a shoot. We just watched a video about meeting for coffee before hand. That’s the last model or photographer you want to work with. When they can interface with people we’ll shoot. If they wanted to come by the studio to meet us in-between shoots that was fine. But a phone conversation for normal people should answer all questions AND if you and the photographer know the questions to ask, set you up for a great shoot.
Models should ask for many get upset when they find out a photographer will give them only 8 images from their photoshoot. Be sure to ask prior about the hours, location of the shoot. Cost, Pay or TFP. Ask about the theme and outfits to bring along with makeup. Be clear if your makeup skills are weak for great makeup to foundation is critical for every image shot.
Every model will need to sign a model release by any and all pros so models need to bring photo ID’s for ever shoot and if under 18 bring a parent or guardian. We don’t shoot minors for over 20 years for we shoot TFP if we decide to shoot with the model. Under 18 has so many drama in divorced parents, child not liking the idea of being 17 when they are 20. Plus a minor is not liable for their contracts to model release so why not just shoot with 18 and older unless you are making a living from babies, families, high school images, etc.
We only shoot with models who are looking to be a professional which includes:
Short fingernails, long fingernails are never worn except Halloween or Cosplay images.
Don’t wear foundation for your face unless a master. A foundation darker than your face will ruin every image leaving you with a fake, mask wearing look.
No belly button rings. Belly button rings are only worn by beginners and allowed by photographers just shooting to shoot. No pro would allow them.
No bra’s and undergarments unless you are shooting lingerie for it’s about as bad as you can get for a horrible joker look. We don’t wing anything. We want you excited that you learned and have superior images shot and posed correctly.
No rings, never wedding bands or engagement rings unless doing a bridal shoot. No rings are worn for obvious reasons by any pro unless you are doing PUNK or biker themes. If you are shooting true fashion then you aren’t shooting for you but the outfit and then the client will choose the rings for they might set the mood for their concept.
Dark blue or black eye shadow is a must unless you are shooting a specific concept theme that includes a specific color. Otherwise only Dark blue or black to a mix work for you need your face to stand out without overpowering but you need colors that match every outfit you wear. Pink, green, brown are going to ruin a shoot with several outfits. Your eye shadow needs to match.
Nail colors for a non specific theme should be clear, flesh color to white tips, dark red or maroon. Blue, robin blue, orange are going to give a weird look and a non professional look in most outfits. Just ask your photographer and send a screen shot so you are all set!
OUR STYLE
Most of our shoots are 5 to 6 hours in length. If a model is coming with a guest be sure to let your photographer know. We have had disasters with model guest stealing from local businesses. Trying to steal our outfits, drunk, drinking, smoking pot. Any model guest needs to be 18 or over and just let us know and all is good.
We review themes and comfort so you are having fun and shooting at your pace. A model just had a video where she was being harassed by a photographer for not shooting lingerie. We have heard this hundreds of times but one more reason the model needs to be professional and be sure there is a meeting of the minds prior. If the shoot is a paid shoot have it in text with time and style with pay for we have models we shot with or know who travel 5 hours and then the phone goes dead or style of shoot has changes from a verbal agreement. For paid shoots have a text or email so you are covered.
Typical question we ask:
How long have you been modeling?
Modeling goals?
Shooting for fun, a part time career or a full time career?
Any interest in acting? (We teach acting to script writing too!)
Looking to sign with an model agency?
Are you looking to be in any magazines and if so which ones?
Do you have support from boyfriends to parents for your modeling?
Do you have your own car or transportation?
We go over outfits to type of outfits so we are on the same page and no surprises.
We have a stretch dress that works awesome for changing outfits when shooting outdoors.
Read our reviews, ask any questions you have, always gas up and pack the NIGHT BEFORE, check your tires that you don’t have a flat in the works. Bring water to snacks to stay fresh in addition to anything we may grab someplace.
Models who have had several shoots will find they learn more in one day than their whole career. We are the real deal and know A to Z hot to train a model to become a Supermodel if they have the potential or train ANY Supermodel on glamour. We shoot agency fashion but not high fashion. We subscribed to almost every fashion magazine for decades as did my friends sisters in the 60’s. We know bad fashion but don’t have a massive studio or designer outfits to do high fashion shoots.
Glamour we know every agency image or magazine image and know what is effective, in-effective and how to shoot it as good or better. We have a designer clothing selection second to noone in New England we have ever heard of. Noone anywhere actually. Between us and our friends we have around $180,000 in outfits. What you wear is critical. If you are posed ineffectively or have the wrong hair style to makeup you just lost an opportunity to succeed. We teach models how to best utilize their modeling ambitions so they work for them.