Working with Models - DPChallenge Forums

Leica 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 Vario Elmar-T ASPH

06/15/2011 03:24:16 PM · #1

So... There are only so many people that i actually can stand to shoot that are some what up to getting in front of the camera. except now one of them moved so she isn't an option any more and her mom was getting weird about the having the daughters pics online. which you know... whatever. Although i did a recent shoot and it was great and i learned a lot while doing it. but my question is, how do you get your model to open up and not care and just model!? especially when it is just you the camera and the model. NO ONE ELSE!

I'm just frustrated because the model is beautiful and photogenic, she just is very timid and afriad to let go when in a serious shoot. actually the shoot doesn't even have to be serious. she just cant show her personality at all infron the camera.

HELP!!! anyone???

Message edited by author 2011-06-15 15:24:22.

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

06/15/2011 03:55:50 PM · #2

Drink.

Seriously, get her to relax as best you can. casual chat, some light drinks, music is good too.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

06/15/2011 04:05:04 PM · #3

Originally posted by MAK:

Drink.

Seriously, get her to relax as best you can. casual chat, some light drinks, music is good too.

She's a tad under age for that. ;D

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

06/15/2011 04:08:31 PM · #4

I think the thing is, no matter how photogenic someone is, if they're not comfortable around a camera you're going to have a hard time getting shots. Is this person a friend? If so, make it a friendly type do your normal things type shoot. Get her more comfortable. Then expand from there. I think the best models are the ones who really want to be in front of the camera.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/15/2011 04:08:36 PM · #5

LOL but my friend is 21... so tech. she could ;)

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

06/15/2011 04:08:54 PM · #6

I find people are tense when they feel you are taking pictures of them, that they are the subject of your inquiry, as if you are going to expose some secret place. I like to start off by having the model(s)play, look left, look right, look angry, look sad, look cold, look hot.Show them the shot you just got on the LCD and elicit ideas on what you should do next. Once they are working with you to create an effect, then you two are a team, and the awkwardness will disappear.

06/15/2011 04:10:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by Kelli:

ahhh yes :) but around here everyone that i like to be around or really know, doesn't like to be infront of the camera... most of them are camera shy. which is kinda hard when your an aspiring photographer and you have no willing and good models >.< grrrrr...

06/15/2011 04:11:28 PM · #8

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

....never thought of that... i guess thats why i have the DPC community :)

06/15/2011 04:30:17 PM · #9

This is a common problem, actually. There is a silver lining in this specific situation that I'll get to in a second.

Most people that most of us know and have access to as subjects are also people who don't spend time in front of a camera very often, nor do they want to, and often they really don't want those pics online.

The tricky part is to find someone who is a model, or wants to be, or someone who is a performer of some type (actor, musician, dancer). Aspiring models are open to suggestions, and want to spend as much time as possible in front of the camera--they have more patience for experimenting with lighting, etc. If they are under 18, you will certainly need to consider that you'll need their parental unit's permission, and especially so if you want to post their pictures in an online gallery. Getting a signed release from the parents is a good practice to develop, since you are not dabbling, but are serious about doing photography professionally.

The "easy" answer that you may hear for finding models is Model Mayhem. But a lot of cautions apply, as you likely well know. It isn't as easy as it may seem at first: basically you are dealing with strangers, which has some inherent risk, female models often want to bring along their boyfriends or other people (more strangers), so you would want to consider a BUNCH of safety related issues before going that route. Not to mention that MM is sorta famous for No Show models, which can be frustrating. I don't recommend this in your situation.

Perhaps you know someone in the acting group at school, etc.?

Now, for people whom you have to shoot who are nervous, tentative, shy: the silver lining here is that this is very good practice for you in dealing with most of the people in the future: most folks don't want to be in front of the camera, or at least not for long, and will be uncomfortable. Plus, even if you shoot someone who is interested and willing because they want to be a model, they are not an experienced model yet, so will need direction, etc.

There are a lot of things that can help: Be relaxed and easy going yourself--if you show any frustration or impatience with any aspect of the shoot, they will pick up on it and internalize it. If you chimp a shot, realize that you messed up a setting, or something, make a face or sound they can think that they are doing a bad job. Collaborate with them, show them some shots as you take them, show them how/why to move their arm a certain way by showing them on the shot. Pull some pages out of magazines, use them to guide the posing, or work with them to mimic the shot, experiment with lighting, etc. If they have an idea for a pose, try it, shoot it, move on even if you don't like the idea. If their pose is not working, take the shot, but then pause and say something like "I think we got that look, now, so let's try something else." BE RELENTLESSLY POSITIVE. All the time.

Give positive and constructive feedback during the shoot: "I like that! Awesome. Beautiful. Wow!" When you don't like something, say something positive to fix it: Instead of "don't hide your arm behind you" say "can you bring that arm around so I can see it, oh, right there, that's perfect, hold that for me please".

If it is someone you don't know well, talk to them as you get set up, find out things about them, ask questions about them (their job, classes, pets, hobbies, whatever).

I'm sure you will get lots of ideas in this thread, so I will stop typing now.

Post Approved Pics when you have some!! :D

06/15/2011 04:36:26 PM · #10

WOW!!! Thank you

chromeydome!!

That is very much appreciated! I do have about 6 or 7 shots from about 100 that actually somewhat work. Although i'm thinking about entering one in the FS and i dont want to give it away. Would you like to see some in a PM?? any thoughts and comments would be appreciated :)

06/15/2011 04:42:13 PM · #11

Just to add another idea, something that I do regularly: I exchange emails, phone calls, etc, with the model well before the shoot: we talk concepts, wardrobe, send pictures from magazines, etc, back and forth, and basically collaborate Before the shoot. Sometimes we meet in person just to look at ideas, plan the concept ahead of time. So we are both excited and enthusiastic before we even start shooting, we both have an idea what is going to happen at the shoot, and our shoot time is more productive. Often, we'll veer away from the original plan as we stumble across something that is working even better.

Negativity is the enemy of Creativity. Positivity about the concept ahead of time, enthusiasm, encouragement all lead to a better shoot, and the environment then is comfortable and open to creativity, which is when the magic happens and you'll do shots that were not a part of the plan that will be far superior to the original intent. Plus, your friend will be excited and looking forward to the shoot, thinking about it ahead of time, and be ready to get it started. If she is showing up with no idea what is going to happen in terms of the shoot ("let's just get together and do some shootin" sorta thing), she arrives with questions in her mind rather than ideas and excitement.

Message edited by author 2011-06-15 16:48:58.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

06/15/2011 04:51:21 PM · #12

Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

...! I do have about 6 or 7 shots from about 100 that actually somewhat work. Although i'm thinking about entering one in the FS and i dont want to give it away. Would you like to see some in a PM?? any thoughts and comments would be appreciated :)

Sure! I promise NOT to vote on any image of yours that I may recognize in the FS. If you need a "real" email to send the pics, PM me (but maybe pics can be sent in PMs now, I dunno)

JamesA

Nikon D800

06/15/2011 04:57:55 PM · #13

Work in a team, its always easier that way and makes everyone more relaxed. You could also ask the model to bring someone along they feel comfortable with to help out?

06/15/2011 05:05:17 PM · #14

I actually talked with her a lot about the concept that i had in mind. it started about 3 weeks ago :) lots of pictures were sent and talked about and we both were very excited about doing it. I really like a couple of the shots that became finals. :) i will send the PM now :)

fotomann_forever

06/15/2011 05:16:25 PM · #15

Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

how do you get your model to open up and not care and just model!? especially when it is just you the camera and the model. NO ONE ELSE!

I'm sponsored by Jagermeister. :)

Seriously, if you're nervous the model will be. Do some less demanding stuff until (s)he gets more comfortable. For my more amateur models, I have them start in my least favorite wardrobe.

Also, have you tried www.modelmayhem.com?

06/15/2011 05:19:26 PM · #16

I have heard about MM and had a profile on there before, but there was SO much spam that came my way, i didn't want to deal with it any more...

And i have to ask, why do you have your models start in your least favorite?

fotomann_forever

06/15/2011 05:26:00 PM · #17

Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

And i have to ask, why do you have your models start in your least favorite?

To give them a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, before we start shooting more seriously. It really only takes about 10 minutes before they quit being gun shy.

albc28

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/15/2011 06:12:59 PM · #18

I work with a lot of models...many of them are new. Before we get into finding models...lets talk about how you are shooting the friends that you have working with you.

If the models you are shooting are uncomfortable in a photoshoot type setting...take the photoshoot type setting out of it. Now I know that seems hard with the camera, the lights, the background, etc....What I mean is have conversation, enjoy some music, make it a fun occasion. Sometimes to get the seriousness of the shoot, you have to take the seriousness out. Have fun while shooting...make it seem like you are hanging out and there just so happens to be some photography equipment in the room. If it is a new model that you don't know...you have to develop that somewhat personal relationship. It's hard to be comfortable with people you don't know. You have to establish a conversation before the shoot...during the shoot show them some of the photos and where they are going. Don't be afraid to laugh at something funny that was shot or that you did while trying to shoot. Make sure they are comfortable. Models need constant reassurance...and I mean CONSTANT. Every few seconds remind them of how good they look or how good the shot was...And sometimes you just need the second shoot to really make them loosen up. I can tell you this...if the model isn't really into the theme sometimes it's hard for them to fake it...which makes them even more uncomfortable because they know it's noticeable.

Also whoever said they have the model wear the least liked outfit first...is dead right. For myself...I know my first 20 or so photos are crap...I've already marked those as delete before I even push the trigger. I also know she's not comfortable and she'll ease up as we go along. So many times I'll either pick the outfit I like the least or tell them to pick whatever they want so they are comfortable with what they are wearing during the first set...the second set is where I put on the best or most desired...and the third set is my second favorite because I know eventually she will wind down (and that's if we even make it to a third).

As for finding models...I've found that model mayhem does work. The better you get, the more interesting your concept, the higher the chance your model shows up. There are several that wont....but most times they will. There is also OneModelPlace where you can find more serious models.

06/15/2011 06:26:12 PM · #19

The end title sequence of the first Austin Powers movie, with Mike Meyers shooting Elizabeth Hurley is GREAT for a number of reasons (that include Elizabeth Hurley, Elizabeth Hurley...) but some winners for me are

"Ignore me doing this!"

"Yes! yes yes...... NO NO NO!"

Message edited by author 2011-06-15 18:36:47.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

06/16/2011 07:29:10 PM · #20

HAHAHA!!! thanks everyone that has posted a reply so far. It has helped me out a lot :) you have given me some great tips and suggestions for me to use in my next shoot... which i have no idea when it will be... =(

JamesA

Nikon D800

06/17/2011 08:26:23 AM · #21

Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

Now! Go take some of yourself :)