A Girl and Her Toys

When approaching a model shoot there are all sorts of ways to go about it.  Ultimately the right way is whatever way gets you some good photos.  The wrong way is whatever results in boring photos or photos that don’t satisfy the client.  That’s assuming you are trying to please the client.

Some models are self-starters and don’t need much help to create good photos.  Music also helps.  If you are like me however and have “unique” taste in music then you need to be sure to use music the model is going to be able relate to and shake some booty to.  The music that grooves my thing don’t really do much for the average 19 year old girl.

I find a good tool to employ is props.  When going to a shoot always take some fun props with you.  I’ve got some regular items that I bring along.  When I went to A Penny for Your Picture, the model shootout organized by Northern Colorado Professional Photographers (okay, it was really organized by me but under the umbrella of NCPP) I took along these items.

Essential Props for a photo shoot.

Let me mention that I’m not saying this model needed props to shake her grove thing because she doesn’t.  I am saying that props help even an awesome model like Cassie take things to a new level.

What did I tell you about standing around in my kitchen?!

I've decided to end our relationship. Thanks for coming. Too bad I didn't.

Whatever level your model is at props can help her or him take things to the next level.

1. Props help solve the problem of what to do with the hands. Everyone has that problem in front of the camera at some point.

2. Props help tell a story not only for the person who views the photo later but also tell a story for the model. Once she has a story she can play out that story and become that character.  Having this sort of motivation gives the model a direction to move in.  It’s always easier to tell a story when you have a story.  Obvious?  Probably.

3. Props can evoke emotional responses – be they faked or real. Give a water guns to 3 models and let them go.  Put a pail of animal intestines in front of a vegan.  You’ll get real emotions.

Pick up and take with you some small props that are easy to transport.  Also pick props for each shoot that fit in with the location and situation such as my frying pan and spatula which I took along because I knew I was going to have a kitchen available to me.

And make sure the weapon is unloaded. But just in case tell the model to only point it at other photographers, not at you.

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BoP Episode One: Placement of the subject and cropping.

BoP Episode Two: Sunlight and photographing people.

Tuana Hair Design at 2010 Hair Raisers