Planning for a model shoot! - DPChallenge Forums

01/24/2006 11:48:56 AM · #1

A question to those who do studio model shooting. How much planning do you put into the shoot in regards to posing of the model? Is it something you have worked out or do you just see what happens at the time? I have a shoot in a few days and I'm finding myself sketching ideas for poses that I want the model to work towards.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/24/2006 12:05:29 PM · #2

From personal experience... the answer to this question revolves around two key pieces of information.
1. If you have a very specific image in mind, you may want to preplan the poses and the lighting. If you are focused on a mood and concept you may choose to explain these to the model and allow him/her to add their own skills to yours and see how the shoot evolves.
2. A talented model will bring poses and expressions to a session that you may not have even considered, in this case the collaboration may be stronger than your independent ideas. A new and/or less talented model may simply rattle off some stale glamour poses... in this case you need to take control. I usually try to have a stack of poses (magazine pages from dissimilar shots) ready in case I need to say "try this".

My style is to let the model work while I focus on light and composition but I know others that prefer to control every aspect of the shoot.

01/24/2006 12:10:59 PM · #3

Great! Thanks for the tips there Nusbaum!

fotomann_forever

01/24/2006 12:21:42 PM · #4

IS this a portfolio shoot for her?

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/24/2006 12:27:23 PM · #5

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

IS this a portfolio shoot for her?

No, not at all. It's really more for fun more than anything too serious!

fotomann_forever

01/24/2006 12:29:25 PM · #6

Originally posted by Makka:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
IS this a portfolio shoot for her?

No, not at all. It's really more for fun more than anything too serious!

OK, was just checking... most models want at least 1 head shot and 1 full length shot and the something more creative for theier portfolio...

But, hey, just let it flow and most of all have fun.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/24/2006 12:30:15 PM · #7

I tear pages out of magazines that have poses I want to try or that I think work particularly well, all of the pages are in a notebook. Sometimes I let che client flip through the notebook and pick poses she might want to try, but more often I just use it for inspiration and so look through it a few days before a shoot making note of poses that work well for my client's body type/purpose/etc.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/24/2006 12:40:59 PM · #8

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by Makka:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
IS this a portfolio shoot for her?

No, not at all. It's really more for fun more than anything too serious!

OK, was just checking... most models want at least 1 head shot and 1 full length shot and the something more creative for theier portfolio...

But, hey, just let it flow and most of all have fun.

foromann_forever has a good point. As I suggested before, I don't plan poses in advance, but I do have a general plan about the types of shots I want. Headshots are 'easy' because of the close crop, but you have to nail the details to be successful. Full body shots can be challenging because you need more room and the model has to work his/her entire body. The photographer has to watch that hands and feet don't get cropped. I usually have a short script of shots that I want and key points for me to remember.

Message edited by author 2006-01-24 23:57:48.