shooting for a model's portfolio

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07/20/2008 09:04:52 AM · #1

Hi all,

Tomorrow I am shooting natural-light, outdoorsy shots for a p/t model. I'm not afraid of the shoot itself, they know I'm not a seasoned pro and I am charging them a nominal fee in hopes that I can get some work via their agency once they see my shots. We're shooting for her comp card and portfolio. I modelled a bit too, way back when contact sheets were still being used.

So I need to know a couple of things:

a) Should I shoot in RAW or jpeg? I am planning to shoot RAW, cause it seems to make the most sense; and

b) I know the pics are now burned onto CD and given to the agency to pick and choose from. Apart from deleting any pix that are obviously oof, blurry or otherwise not good enough, do I submit everything I've shot? and

c) Do I offer to PS the shots the agency chooses, or will they assume I'll do it anyway? Or do I lightly PS all the shots?

In terms of equipment I am using my default stuff, the Nikon D40 and the 18-200 mm lens. Again, bulk of the shots will be outdoors.

Any hints or suggestions greatly appreciated.

thanks, Susan

Prof_Fate

07/20/2008 09:40:39 AM · #2

If the images are for a portfolio then generally you, or the model, pick they shots that best show the 'look' the model wants to show - the more 'looks' the better as that makes eligible for more work doing more varied things. It also give them some posing practice, new, updates shots to show around. It's mostly advertising for them.

TFP is common- they work for prints. If you're charging them (based on your questions about raw vs jpg) then they're very new to this or they wouldn't be coming to you - nothing personal, but modeling like a lot of things in life is about connections. A 'real' model photographer has connections with catalogs, agencies, etc and can give an aspiring model a foot in the door.

You'll want professional makeup and hair done before the shoot - it makes all the difference in the world.

Here are some shots from a modeling workshop I took last April. Simple works best - the idea is to show off the model - their face, body, shape - NOT the background and props.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/20/2008 09:54:30 AM · #3

a: Shoot what works best for you.

b: Put the photos on cd that represents your model and you the best. Most of the time I take Â± 100 photos from a model and 10 of them will be on the cd.

c: you deliver finished work, so yes, make them the best, with PS if that's neccesairy.

But this is the way I work, I would never deliver un-processed photos, or choose photos that don't represent me best :)

TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/20/2008 12:09:58 PM · #4

D: try really really hard to get all of the shots with the model looking AT the camera. This is for her portfolio, something to sell herself with. If you look through magazines, the times when the model is not making eye contact is the times where they are selling other things like earrings or necklaces. When she looks at the camera, she sells herself.

Modeling agencies will want photos of her with her hair up, smiling, her hair up, not smiling, her hair down, smiling, her hair down, not smiling. Then ~ 10 full body shots (make sure one is swimwear). In other words, show a different style/mood in every shot but keep the chosen shots to only the very best of the lot. No one wants to wade through 50 photos when choosing a model. Don't PP out any moles, etc... the agencies want to see what they are getting. :)

I hope this helps :)

ETA: Do what prof says, hire a Make up Artist. You will NEED one, esp if she is serious about being a model.

Message edited by author 2008-07-20 12:11:24.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/20/2008 12:10:47 PM · #5

Thanks to everyone for your input, greatly appreciated!

I know I have a long way to go to becoming a pro photog of any caliber; basically I'm doing the shoot primarily for her and secondarily for me.

I'll make sure I build in a block of time for us to sit down and go through the shots, then PS em as needed.

Again, thanks very much!

Susan

Message edited by author 2008-07-20 12:11:23.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/20/2008 12:14:53 PM · #6

Oh, about makeup artists, over here some are willing to work TFP. We have Dutch forums where you can arrange an appointment with model / photographer / makeup artist / stylist.

I have no clue if there's a forum like that in your neighbourhood, but it's worth the try.

Model mayhem perhaps? I don't know.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/20/2008 12:21:37 PM · #7

Originally posted by TCGuru:

Yes, thanks for the hints on eye contact with camera, length of shots etc. She already has quite a few other looks in her book, studio and more corporate stuff; they've seen my work, so they have an idea of how I shoot.

When we discussed hiring a makeup artist, she opted to do her own hair/makeup, and as we are shooting for a very natural look, I think we'll be OK this time around. When I was learning modelling a bazillion years ago, we had to be able to do our own photo-ready makeup, so I can probably help her a little with that too.

But again, thanks very much for the input, we'll see how it all pans out! The forecast for the day of the shoot is overcast/rainy, so that gives us some nice diffuse light to work with.

Ummm, pardon my iognorance, but what's TFP? 'Trade for prints' or similar?

Message edited by author 2008-07-20 12:23:07.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/20/2008 12:25:51 PM · #8

TFP = Time For Print

TFCD = Time For CD

But when you say TFP, a cd works also ;)

That way all wallets can stay closed, everyone pays their own costs. You get their time, they get your prints :)

Message edited by author 2008-07-20 12:27:34.

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

07/20/2008 05:49:55 PM · #9

Thanks Hanneke! Again, the fee is very nominal...when I was modelling I was always happy to shoot with student photogs from the local college, for a flat fee, to cover cost of film and processing.

So I'd pay say $75 Cdn and get 3 rolls of 36 worth of shots to choose from. Or rather my agency would :-)

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

07/20/2008 08:51:51 PM · #10

Originally posted by snaffles:

a) Should I shoot in RAW or jpeg? I am planning to shoot RAW, cause it seems to make the most sense; and

This is a workflow question. Go with what's most comfortable for you.

Originally posted by snaffles:

b) I know the pics are now burned onto CD and given to the agency to pick and choose from. Apart from deleting any pix that are obviously oof, blurry or otherwise not good enough, do I submit everything I've shot? and

You can either create a contact sheet of the keepers or you can start editing and select a few to send for proofing. Either way, be time efficient.

Originally posted by snaffles:

c) Do I offer to PS the shots the agency chooses, or will they assume I'll do it anyway? Or do I lightly PS all the shots?

More often than not, unretouched images won't be usable by the agency. Again, be time efficient - either let them choose, or be fast with the ones that you do decide to edit and send them.

virtuamike

Nikon D2X

Carl Zeiss 35mm ZF f/2.0 Distagon T

07/20/2008 09:05:31 PM · #11

Originally posted by TCGuru:

I disagree - looking into the camera or away and hair up or down and smiling or not etc really should depend on the look and concept. If the shot doesn't call for it or if it's not flattering for the model then taking major variations of it and forcing things would just be a poor fit and a waste of time. I do agree that the shots should be about and sell the model, but I don't agree with the shotgun approach of getting different looks (plus it makes it very hard to establish consistency and continuity). I also agree that MUA is essential (along with hair and wardrobe).

As far as agencies go, they don't expect that many looks per shoot (I do about 3-4 per shoot, rarely more than that). They'd rather see well executed, well produced images.