“Collages” are the new currency between aspiring photographers and content-stressed models. Both sides are looking for stop-scrolling images to grab attention as they rise in their respective industries. What happens when the image does not meet expectations? Are models expecting too much from burgeoning photographers who get free shots, or photographers who are blowing their skills up and not delivering results?
“Michelle, can I call you? You won’t believe this!” I grabbed popcorn and sat back when models and friends called me to vent. The stories that I have collected are in the range of entertainment to the point of absurdity. Last week’s story included a photographer who hung his camera on a crane and attempted to take an aerial shot as the wind blew the camera back and forth overhead.
I try not to laugh; I know it’s frustrating for aspiring stars. The truth of the matter is that I used to fumble in my own learning process. We all have. So far, at the age of 14 as a full-time photographer, I’ve tripped and failed a couple of times despite my ideas. That’s part of growth.
I look back at some of my previous work and break my heart. I have great ideas and a lot of passion, but I lack many important skills that I have learned one by one over the years. It is a process, and we must overcome all the mistakes of that rookie to reach the level of mastery of the profession. In this article, I’ll relay the most common anomalies that models share when working with rookie photographers and tips for improvement in each area.
1. Be persuasive and make the model feel comfortable
This is the most popular answer in my survey. In turn, the models presented the photographer as “clumsy” and it was difficult to feel comfortable in front of the camera if the photographer did not create a comfortable and positive atmosphere. Models express that when photographers don’t create a comfortable space, they have a hard time presenting their best work.
Advice
You can create a good atmosphere for your customers in a few simple steps.
- Play music. I choose my playlist based on the type of expression I want to extract from the model. Music instantly lifts the mood and infuses contagious energy into the space. Not every photographer is an extrovert, and if you’re not, this is a great tool for you. Music doesn’t have to be too loud or disrupt the environment you’re working in. You can launch a playlist and ask the model to put the phone in their back pocket as you film.
- Give positive feedback. Always. I never say negative feedback. The horror stories I’ve heard make my heart ache. If your audience doesn’t deliver what you want, criticism is not the way to get there. Try redirecting them in a positive direction: “Great, I took some pictures of that. Now, let’s try a different approach. I want you to…” Always redirect in a positive direction. . Also, if they do something successful, say so. “Oh, I love that look – so strong. Give me more. Looks great!” You want to empower the model. That’s how you will get their best work.
2. Have a developed mood board and creative ideas
Another recurring theme that models express is that beginner photographers often lack a developed concept for the shoot. Models have expressed time and time again that they are in situations where the photographer is asking them for guidance and ideas. Nichole’s Jasmine put it well: “Amateur photographers need better ideation. If they had contacted me first, I shouldn’t have been the creative director either.”
Same line, KJ added: “Make your photos more cohesive. Anyone can get a good shot, but cohesion takes experience. “
“Have a specific aesthetic for your brand,” Ann Neika added that photographers should work specifically with people who match their aesthetic.
Advice
An important part of becoming a photographer is finding your style. Artists also go through this process. We all know Picasso’s distorted cubist portraits, but earlier parts of his 79-year career include the Blue Age, the Rose Age, the African Period, Neoclassicism, Surrealism and the whole work of art are like a curious imitator with no direction. Part of learning what feels “you” most is trying things out. It is a natural process. The flip side of it is that people don’t know what to expect from you. A photographer who follows me on Instagram recently asked me for an honest critique of his work. He has some great visuals, smart ideas and a good skill base. What he doesn’t have is a defined style. After appreciating his positives, I told him, “If I’m thinking of working with you, I’m hesitant. Looking at your portfolio, I’m not sure I would. These images I love, images that I really don’t like and I worry about what will be delivered to me.” You may still be on a quest to find a unique aesthetic. your shot, but even in the process, be intentional about each shot as you start working on it. Have a defined idea, a specific style and an outline look that you want to achieve.
3. Understand your light
Shadows are trending these days. From the pages of fashion magazines to the feeds of sports brands, the pinks are in the spotlight.
However, it is not as easy as it seems. Many models are flawed in that they are being placed in patchy light, only to receive images with random hot spots and poorly placed shadows.
Advice
Balls are a great concept to play with, but as in all elements of design, you must use them strategically. Here are some tips for applying.
- Use highlights as the focal point of interest in the composition. Don’t randomly place highlights and shadows. Place your model so that the highlight falls on the point of interest.
- Exposure for highlights. If you overexpose an image, you won’t have pixels to recover from. When you’re shooting, always expose your image for highlights, and if needed, you can easily lighten shadows after shooting.
- You can still add light. Even if you are playing with natural-appearing shadows, sometimes the contrast is too strong. Try using a reflector to add a bit of fill light while preserving the shadow.
4. Be honest about your abilities
To show or not to show: that is the question. I have talked about this over and over again over the years. As photographers, we have a certain insecurity about showing unfinished work. Viewers do not always understand this process.
I was once on a food photography session, where we were working on a high-contrast, hard-shaded food editorial newspaper spread over a white tablecloth. The restaurant’s marketer passed me by and commented several times, “that seems too dark”. I explained to her that blown highlights are irreversible, and that exposure is essential to create highlights and brighten any shadows in the post. She couldn’t let it go. Likewise, models can be guilty of nitpicking. As photographers, we feel protective of our work. We don’t want to be judged on it while it’s still unfinished. For all those good reasons that exist, I’ve switched to allowing clients to view work while I’m shooting. I’m hesitant to show unfinished work, I know that most of my models really benefit from that feedback.
Tips
- Before I gave the model a quick glance, I limited their expectations: “A successful shoot means you’ll love one of 20 images. Five you’ll hate, a dozen mediocre and an image would be the killer.” This helps limit their expectations before you flip the camera.
Now that we’ve gone over the most common complaints from models, let’s revisit the original question: Are models expecting too much from burgeoning free or creative photographers? Photographers are exaggerating their skills and not delivering results? This is a difficulty. I believe that there should be space for growing photographers to learn and practice, even more so if they are shooting for free. Similarly, the frustration of models leaving work to collaborate is justifiable; they have the right to expect a certain level of ability. A model recently told me about a collaboration session where both parties split the cost of the studio rental for two hours, but the photographer, who has little experience with off-camera lighting, took an hour and two. ten minutes for precise lighting. I think Thurman Brown’s Very insightful contribution: be honest about your abilities during filming.
What is your opinion? Do you show pictures when you take them? If you identify as a growing photographer and struggle with some of these points (it’s okay, we all have), should you have space to learn and fail? If you are a model, what are your standards that photographers must meet regardless of their price point at the time?
The best part of the articles is in the comments section below! I would love to hear your thoughts.
