What I hate about shooting with models

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

12/08/2009 09:56:18 AM · #1

I've learned that there are two main things that I hate when shooting with models. All that can be fixed by me, but I still hate it.

Pre-shoot: I hate models that don't research what type of shoot you are doing. Nothing like saying we are going to shoot _____ style shots and the model agrees and is excited. Then on the day of the shoot...."wait, that involves nudity?" or "I'm supposed to be sexy?" And then the shoot is ruined. You would think that if I said the style ahead of time, they would look it up online so they know what to expect and/or they can practice the pose/look.

During/Post Shoot: I'm really starting to hate when I'm leaving a shoot or looking at photos and saying "that was a great shoot. These shots look great (and here is the line that's killing it!!). These photos won't require much editing." Because all the shots that I don't think will require much editing...ending requiring the most editing...and lengthy editing at that! There is always that hair on her arms and stomach...the slight mustache. The more perfect you think the model is, the more crap you find on camera that you gotta edit out....prolly because you want her to be just as perfect as you remembered her....

yeah..that's my rant for today. Feel free to add some things that you hate about working with models.

Louis

Nikon D800

12/08/2009 10:18:54 AM · #2

Originally posted by albc28:

You would think that if I said the style ahead of time, they would look it up online so they know what to expect and/or they can practice the pose/look.

I think you're expecting way too much of people. Absolute clarity on the type of shoot it is would have to come from you, particularly if they are nude or erotic.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

12/08/2009 10:31:53 AM · #3

Its mostly just the unreliable ones that piss me off.

Or one that has contacted YOU, and you start setting up times and dates and all of a sudden in the middle of emailing and making plans you dont hear from them for days.

merchillio

Nikon D80

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/08/2009 10:37:59 AM · #4

Originally posted by Louis:

Originally posted by albc28:
You would think that if I said the style ahead of time, they would look it up online so they know what to expect and/or they can practice the pose/look.

I think you're expecting way too much of people. Absolute clarity on the type of shoot it is would have to come from you, particularly if they are nude or erotic.

I always do a pre-shoot meeting, or at least email conversation, to make sure everybody knows what's coming up.

12/08/2009 10:56:38 AM · #5

Originally posted by dknourek:

haha...Oh man. I've had those too. And then they email you two weeks after the shoot date and want to try and set it up again.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

12/08/2009 10:58:31 AM · #6

Originally posted by Louis:

This is true. Which is why I've start clarifying for them. But if I say Front or Loaded magazine style....you would think that before they even say they are interested in shooting that style, they'd go and take a look at the magazines to make sure it's what they are interested or can do.

Louis

Nikon D800

12/08/2009 11:01:32 AM · #7

If you say that and they say "Cool, I'm excited," yeah, I can see the frustration.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

12/08/2009 11:03:36 AM · #8

Perhaps rather than saying, "I'm shooting in ABC-style." ask them, "are you familiar with ABC? If not you can look at blah, blah, and blah" to get an idea of the shots we will be doing."

rossbilly

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/10/2009 04:28:43 PM · #9

Why not deliberately ask "What are your boundaries?"

Spell it out in short phrases.

Less chance of confusion.

Somewhere, there are models griping about the photographer who didn't specify nudity in advance. ;)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

12/11/2009 09:11:52 AM · #10

I think people confused my statement as meaning only nude. It was more referring to photographers putting out a casting for a specific style or contacting a model for a specific style. The Model saying "yeah I'm interested and excited to shoot that" then getting to the shoot and saying "oh...I'm not into that style".

Lets take it from nude approach. Let say you post a casting saying you are looking to shoot a Edgy Gothic Fashion shoot. You get a reply from a great model who you think could make the shoot interesting. She says she's very into shooting this. She can't wait to shoot it. You schedule a date and discuss clothing, hair, and make up. What type of posing....and then the day before the shoot (or even worse at the shoot), she finally decides to look up what Gothic is...and comes back "oh..that's not a style I'm really interested in shooting". That's frustrating.

I modeled before...if a casting lists a particular style, before you reply to the casting, you should see if you a) like the style b) are comfortable shooting that style and c) if you can fit the mold of that shooting style. Its completely different if a photographer says "hey lets shoot" and then you get there and discover they want to shoot a style you don't like...but if you reply to a casting for a certain style or the photographer lays out the style way ahead of time...you need to do research on that style.....especially so you can know what type of posing you should do.

rossbilly

Nikon D200

12/11/2009 02:27:19 PM · #11

anthony, I didn't mean only nudes, but just an example of how more info is needed. The important part is to CLEARLY communicate what you'd like.

Just an example, but sometimes I get a chance to travel to other cities. When time permits, I work with models from that city. After initially choosing models (AND they agree to a shoot), I talk with them & explain exactly what I'm looking for, describe the garments / wardrobe that is needed, etc.

In other words, don't leave room for ambiguity.

Could you type out what your plans are, then email it or post it online for all of the prospective models?

(Not intended to say you are 'making a mistake' of some kind. Just trying to think of suggestions that might help.) Good luck. :)

dmadden

Canon EOS-40D

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM A

12/14/2009 12:24:50 PM · #12

Only thing I hate is they have'nt released the cybernetic organism super model. Like the cyborg girls in Battlestar Galactica(MMMMM YUMMY). They could manufacture them in china :)