10 Tips on How to Pose and Work with a Model

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Here’s what I use

Working with a model, specially for the first time can be quite intimidating. Will it be awkward? How are you going to pose her? What if you don’t know what to say. What if you don’t get any good shots?

This video has 10 tips to get you started!

Tip #1: Get to know your model first! Spend a small amount of time either a day or so before, or a few minutes before the shoot getting to know your model. This GREATLY helps break the ice and make the photo shoot much smoother and easier.

Tip #2: Tell the model what the shoot is about and the style you’re going for. If you tell a model a certain look or style and then completely change it when they get there, it can mess things up. It might also make the model uncomfortable. Best way to handle this is to tell the model what you plan on doing, what outfits you want to shoot, etc. This way they can be prepared and suggest things that might make the shoot better.

Tip #3: Work with your model. This is important because if the model, or the photographer is “hardheaded” or “set in their ways” it can cause an uncomfortable working relationship. For example, if the model “knows best, knows her looks, knows her poses” and is not willing to accept direction from the photographer, she probably won’t get booked again. On the other side, if a photographer “knows best, doesn’t listen to the model’s ideas, or is set in their ways” then the model can get rigid and the photoshoot might not progress well. If the photographer and the model work together, they will be able to help each other and create some amazing stuff!

Tip #4: Communication during the shoot. If you take pictures of your model and don’t talk to them, it can be awkward. The model won’t know if they’re doing something right or wrong. They won’t know what to change or do differently and this is no good. As a photographer, you should always be communicating with the model. Whether it’s simple encouragement or acknowledgments. This will make it much smoother and the model will be more relaxed and easy going. Plus, everyone works better with encouragement and approval.

Tip #5: Give Direction in Steps. If you give your model too many instructions at one time, they can get overwhelmed. It’s easier to build on direction. Plus, it helps you create new poses that you might not have thought about and allows the model to be flowy and relaxed.

Example: Bend your knee. Take a picture. Shoulder back. Take a picture. Look a little left. Take a picture. And so on!

Tip #6: For harsh light, position the model with the sun behind them. This way the sun highlights their hair and gives you a nice even light on their face. The harsh light will not be on their face. Or you can find shade. Its easier to shoot in shade because the light it even.

Tip #7: Relax the jaw. Having a tense jaw can cause ridges in the jawline and look bad. Having the model relax the jaw can give a natural smooth look. If you tell your model to part their lips slightly, just to the point of showing slight teeth, it can give a natural relaxed look.

Tip #8: Fill the Frame. When shooting outside you foreground or other elements to fill the frame. Having negative space which doesn’t add or have purpose in the image can just detract and make the image look empty. By using items to fill the negative space it makes for a much nicer composition.

Tip #9: Lenses that I suggest are a 50mm or higher. I personally like using 85 – 100 mm lenses with a very small fstop (wide aperture). This allows for a nice angle of the face and very crisp bokeh and shallow depth of field.

Tip #10: Focus on the Eye. When doing close up portraits make sure to focus on the closest eye to the lens. As most people’s attention is drawn to the eyes in an image, if the eye is out of focus is can ruin the photo.

BONUS TIP: The only way to get better is to practice. Ask your friends to go shoot or message models or people on Instagram

#ExploringPhotography #Models #Portraiture