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Lesson Info
8. Tips for Talking to Models
Lessons
My Story
08:45 2Workshop Overview
01:40 3My Gear
10:22 4Pitching A Client
13:05 5Pre-Pro Planning
11:32 6Scouting A Location
06:53 7In the Field: Shooting Story Shots
04:40 8Tips for Talking to Models
05:51Lesson Info
Tips for Talking to Models
Hey guys, my name is (indistinct). I've been working with Andrew for years and spent a lot of time, both in front and behind the camera. If you can establish a flow and be on the same page with your model about what the intention is behind your images, the whole shoot will go a lot better. These are just five things that I've noticed working with a variety of photographers and directing models myself to make that process a little bit easier. So, one of the first things that you wanna do is break the ice. It can be a little bit awkward working with someone on a shoot that you've never directed before. And one of the things that I've found that helps is to tell your model to overexpress at first. Big emotions, big expressions. Just bringing the energy right off the bat. It's a lot easier to have your model dial the energy back down later in the shoot than to try and be ramping the energy up during the whole thing. Also, bring the energy as a photographer that you want your model to have ...
in front of a camera. If you seem comfortable and confident, your model will be able to pick up on that and carry that energy to reflect back to you. Also, especially at the beginning of a shoot, be encouraging, show your model what's working and what's not working, and don't be afraid to voice your opinions about whether it's matching your vision for the shoot or not. Show them images of poses that are working and even images of poses that aren't working. We can't read your minds, but if you show us your style, we can definitely learn to adapt to it. My second main tip is to share your vision. Mood boards, sketches, reference photos, all of these things will help a ton to help you and your model get on the same page about what the goal is for the shoot and what the feeling is that you want the images to express. For example, something like this, where we're shooting products, I'm gonna model a little bit differently to showcase the jacket and the backpacks than if it was a shoot for shoes or journals, or if it was something totally different and conceptual and editorial. You wanna make sure that your talent knows what the overarching goal of the shoot is, so they can try and match that with the way that they're posing. One of the best tips that I've personally received in order to convey authentic feeling, whether it's a product shoot or something more conceptual, is to have a mental library of memories that go with certain emotions. So for example, Andrew often likes to have kind of a nostalgic, happy vibe for his photos. And so, thinking of a memory that actually makes me nostalgic and happy, will bring an expression and that glimmer behind the eyes that you can't get if you're just smiling and gazing off. As a photographer, you can help your model get more depth of feeling by suggesting that they think of a memory that actually makes them feel like the feeling that you're trying to capture. If it's nostalgic, ask them to think of something that actually makes them nostalgic. This will bring that extra little glimmer behind the eyes that you can't get if you're just directing your model in different poses. My next main tip, and one of the biggest and most important ones is movement. And not only movement, but the different types of movement. So, for example, one form of movement can be achieved by telling your model to do kind of stop motion movement between your shutter clicks. This can be used when you really like a pose but are trying to capture subtle differences in light and angle. And so, basically, every time the shutter clicks, your model just changes a tiny bit. So you get the same pose but variation in the details. Another form of movement that is really valuable is big expressive movements. Have your model laugh, run, dance. All of these things will allow you to capture the in between moments that can make a photo seem a lot more natural and a lot less posed, if that's what you're going for for your shoot. Along with stop motion movement and big fluid movements, natural movements are really good to incorporate as well. Have your model, put their hair up or open a book or take a jacket on and off. These will also let you capture slightly posed images that feel really natural. Another tip for you guys, whether you're just starting off or already deep into photography is to pay attention to the details. This is especially important if you're working on a product shoot like this but don't have a stylist who's watching the model and making sure everything looks good. Does the model have a hair tie on their wrist? Is the hair really messy? Is a jacket a little wonky or untucked? If you pay attention to the details during the shoot, it'll save you time editing afterwards. Another way to have any pose feel more natural is to have your model inhale and exhale during the pose. This is just another way to bring a little bit more depth and relaxation to whatever pose or feeling you're trying to convey through your model. My last tip for you guys is to let loose. Once you share your vision and the feeling that you're trying to get from the shoot, let the model kind of freestyle pose. Some of the best shots can be totally unplanned. The synchronicity between the inspiration of the photographer and the inspiration of the model in whatever landscape they're working with. Directing is really helpful, but over directing is not helpful, and letting your model find their own way to engage with whatever feeling you're trying to convey, can allow you to see moments that you hadn't thought of but really like. Once you see poses that your model or you have thought of, then you can go into the more subtle directing, stop motion movement, breath, and all those kind of things to take the image to the next level. So, those are my five tips for you guys to just make working with your model easier and more seamless. Break the ice, share your vision, pay attention to movement and details, and let loose. Thanks for listening and happy shooting.
Class Materials
Bonus Materials with Purchase
Ratings and Reviews
Romain Dancre
Concrete Examples & Lots of Value Really interesting workshop with a real experience and real photoshoot. We get to understand the whole process of Andrew and his way of thinking and acting and this is super interesting to learn about!
Robert Ransley
Simply outstanding!
Adriaantje Buijze
Practical and useful! Finally, this workshop does not leave you with theoretic principles but actually provides you with practical to do's / to go about's if you want to grow further into a career of photography for brands.