Talking To Models During Shoot

[nang]

Hey,

I'm fairly new to the whole model shooting in a studio and I am unsure how to talk to them, get them to pose certain ways, when they get nervous being in front of a camera, etc. My style is more street photography where I don't necessarily have to get people to pose or relax so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Models are self loathing people, if you treat them like trash they will love you because they are trying to replace their long last daddy who was never around because he was hanging around models all day long.

[JFSanders]

Damn, Max. Could you put it a little more harshly. IMO, models have a few reasons for doing what they do. If you are paying her to be there then she is at the least doing it for the money. But no generalization will fit all of them. I would put it like this.

If you are not a great communicator then you have to compensate by giving written instructions. As in write a script of what it is you want to happen during the shoot. Describe each picture on paper. Then in your pre interview with the model go through the script. If she does well in the pre interview then send her home with a copy to practice with so she becomes comfortable with it. Then when she shows for the shoot you and her know where things are supposed to go. If she doesn't fit the script then you didn't waste your time setting up and such. Modeling photography is a team effort. If the model isn't in it mentally the pictures will suffer.

[PowerPix]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

models are self loathing people, if you treat them like trash they will love you because they are trying to replace their long last daddy who was never around because he was hanging around models all day long.

hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!

[RexK_Cozumel]

very simple really. Tell them what you want. if that does not work strike the pose yourself so they can see what you want. If that still does not work ask polietly if you can pose them yourself.

[windrider86]

Originally Posted by nang

Hey,

I'm fairly new to the whole model shooting in a studio and I am unsure how to talk to them, get them to pose certain ways, when they get nervous being in front of a camera, etc. My style is more street photography where I don't necessarily have to get people to pose or relax so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

All you have to do is be yourself. If you are nervous being yourself, be funny. Pretend you are someone else. Models do what they do because they look good and know how to present themselves in front of a camera.
Dont be shy, tell them your ideas, talk to them, after all they are people just like you! Ask them thier opinions, they may have some great ideas as well. Tell them you like what they are doing, compliments go a long long long way. If you work hard to make them look good, they will work equally hard to help you do your job!

Max-you are a dork

[WVCoalMiner]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Models are self loathing people, if you treat them like trash they will love you because they are trying to replace their long last daddy who was never around because he was hanging around models all day long.

PAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :::: Dr Pepper shooting all over the monitor ::::

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by WVCoalMiner

PAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :::: Dr Pepper shooting all over the monitor ::::

*hands WV a towel to clean up the mess on his monitor*

models are like you and i. they like to be treated like people. talk to them like you would want to be talked to and not as an object will go a long way.

we normally play music during a shoot. ask the model what types of music they like. put together a playlist. that will go a long way if the model thinks you're trying to make them comfortable.

now with that being said, if the type of music the model likes is the complete opposite of the mood you're trying to convey in your pictures then pick music that goes with the mood you're trying to invoke. let's say you're doing a victorian themed shoot. the last thing you'd want to play is punk rock or death metal hehe.

like others have stated, compliments go a long way. they like to know when they're doing things right. compliment them and even show them the picture. show them that you like the way their shoulders are in this picture but you'd like their hand in a different spot and explain it to them why. some models like that and others could care less but make the effort.

be ready to be silly and show them the pose. i look pretty silly trying to pose like a female but it gets a good laugh some times and shows them what i'm looking for.

have pictures of poses printed up or tear pages out of a magazine and show them the pose you want them to be in. you can even tell them, i like how this model has their arm so i want your arm to look like this picture but your legs like this picture, etc, etc.

watch your body language and facial expressions. they pick up on your mood. if you've got a pissed off look on your face the whole time then they'll pick up on it and it'll be harder for them to show a happy emotioin when all they see is tension and frustration.

have snacks and drinks (non alcoholic) on hand. nothing worse than a hungry thirsty model trying to work. actually the only thing worse than that is a hungry thirsty photographer and model trying to work. we normally have at least bottles of water or soda to offer the models we work with. another great photographer we've had the chance to work with has snack type foods like a veggie tray or cookies as well as drinks. it gives everyone a break and chance to just keep the energy going. the model could be in make up or wardrobe snacking and drinking while he's fixing lights and snacking.

the most important? don't touch the model without asking their permission. this goes for male and female models. last thing you need to find out is that the model practices muay thai after regaining consciousness because you were knocked out by an elbow when you surprised them with trying to move them.

alright, i'll stop babbling now.

[rpcrowe]

In order to communicate you generally need to know what you are doing and to have some constructive information to convey.

Just telling an amateur model, "pose nicely" and then getting angry because she doesn't strike the pose you want is not constructive behavior. It may work with top-line professional models but, it sure doesn't work with the average "girl next door".

I would study the basics of posing. Yes, rules can be broken but, without knowing the basics of posing you are probably not going to get professional looking imagery.

And by the way, despite the disparaging and sexist remarks offered earlier (which I hope were offered in jest), there is absolutely noting wrong or immoral regarding a female's desire to pose for a camera (I don't include pornography in this genaralization). However, if you have a deep seated morality issue with the female body, I suggest that you don't photograph females.

One suggestion however, humor is O.K. but, not humor directed at the model or her physique and don't be a clown. Females pose for varying reasons but, to be entertained by a comedian is usually not one of these reasons.

Additionally, try to look like you know what you are doing, even if you don't have the vaguest idea what is happening.

I could give you tips regarding posing but, that will take too much time and may bore other readers. Do a Google search using "photographic model poses" or "posing for the camera" or any search parameters like that and you will get a plethora of free information on poses and posing.
.
What simplifies posing is to learn the basics for the different sections of the body, legs, arms, hands, torso and heads, etc. Separating the individual parts may give you a better idea on how to deal with the whole.

[emtab]

Originally Posted by rpcrowe

there is absolutely noting wrong or immoral regarding a female's desire to pose for a camera (I don't include pornography in this genaralization).

Off topic, I know, but I can't resist. An interesting statement rpcrowe... is there something wrong or immoral with a female's desire to pose for a camera when the product is pornographic?

regards,
emtab