Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
I'm a cinematographer from maryland but never photographed a model.
Is there any advice for working with my first model?
My tendency is to withhold compliments out of fear for being interpreted as unprofessional.
I don't want to tell someone how hot they are and make them uncomfortable. but i do I want to motivate them and make them feel sexy for photos. How do you walk that thin line?
Photographer
Mark Salo
Posts: 11724
Olney, Maryland, US
Complements are essential. Complements boost the model's comfort level and make her feel good. If you don't compliment her, she will assume that you are dissatisfied and she will be discouraged.
Don't say "hot" or "sexy" right off. Probably not at all on your first time with her. You will certainly begin to sense what motivates the model: Oh wow, these shots are really great. You have beautiful eyes. Your hands are graceful. Etc. Don't use an over enthusiastic tone of voice.
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
Mark Salo wrote:
Complements are essential. Complements boost the model's comfort level and make her feel good. If you don't compliment her, she will assume that you are dissatisfied and she will be discouraged.
Don't say "hot" or "sexy" right off. Probably not at all on your first time with her. You will certainly begin to sense what motivates the model: Oh wow, these shots are really great. You have beautiful eyes. Your hands are graceful. Etc. Don't use an over enthusiastic tone of voice. This was my intuition - basically just read the room and use your sense.
nice to hear i am on track and also good to hear specific tips though thanks!
Photographer
Bob Helm Photography
Posts: 18904
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, US
Models need positive feedback, even the best of them. Mot experienced models can go through an number of poses and expressions without any guidance but interaction produces better results.
Of course that assumes it is genuine and to just complementing their body.
Photographer
FFantastique
Posts: 2535
Orlando, Florida, US
I am far from normal.
I typically request that model bring an escort, agent, manager, SO, hair, MUA, assistant, spouse, etc.
Then I can discuss/run some of this thru him/her and I can gauge what works and what doesn’t.
It can be complicated to communicate with the model for the camera and not for the photographer as a person.
Script it out in advance.
Ask how they like to be directed.
I sometime ask explicitly, “Do you take compliments today?”😊
It may be a bit formal but one model told me that her 70-YO tog wouldn’t come within 5’ of her without her permission—and this was decade before COVID!
One shoot I had no assistant and the model didn’t bring her SO as requested. I was not excited about closed set with no oversight. It’s a crazy world.
At the end she said “Thank you for treating me with respect.” I was frankly speechless. What were her other shoots like that prompted that?!
If you have the right mindset, you shouldn’t have too much problem communicating.
Operative word SHOULDN’T! 😉
Photographer
63fotos
Posts: 534
Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Hire an experienced model.
Photographer
Mark Salo
Posts: 11724
Olney, Maryland, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
This was my intuition - basically just read the room and use your sense. No, read the model.
And, I don't need a third person to tell me if the model is comfortable.
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
I spent a couple weeks thinking about setups. The night before I covered two of my walls floor to ceiling with negative fill. Then that morning I contacted her and she said she was put on the work schedule and canceled on me. IDK when she got on that work schedule but she didn't even bother to tell me until I emailed her that day  Spent so many hours the day before would have been nice to haves some common courtesy. I bought some dresses on stuff off amazon and I guess I'm just gonna be my own model from now on. Super lame. I don't like people. I dropped my car off for its first oil change, brand new car, they crashed it at the dealership after oil change this week. I do not trust anybody to do anything and they prove me right every time.
Photographer
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Posts: 6597
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
I'm a cinematographer from maryland but never photographed a model.
Is there any advice for working with my first model?
My tendency is to withhold compliments out of fear for being interpreted as unprofessional.
I don't want to tell someone how hot they are and make them uncomfortable. but i do I want to motivate them and make them feel sexy for photos. How do you walk that thin line? You don't 'walk the thin line', not on a first set with a new Model. Explain the shoot fully and what type of images You want from it. No surprises, don't push boundaries.
Expect discomfort, nervousness and Deer in the headlights looks.
oh, and never invest a lot of time or energy on an unproven Model. The first set is always the most difficult, keep it simple.
63fotos wrote:
Hire an experienced model. Sound advice.
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:
You don't 'walk the thin line', not on a first set with a new Model. Explain the shoot fully and what type of images You want from it. No surprises, don't push boundaries.
Expect discomfort, nervousness and Deer in the headlights looks.
oh, and never invest a lot of time or energy on an unproven Model. The first set is always the most difficult, keep it simple. I talked to her for like a month lmao.
She was an experienced model its just that nobody gives me even the slightest bit of respect.
And i gotta put some time and energy into it or i wont get anything out of it.
She said she worked with a photog the day before and he was insisting she masturbate on camera and she walked out and i'm thinking to myself... well that guy probably has a lot of friends and works with a lot of models and that is the guy that you decided to give your time to. Meanwhile I am the guy you canceled on, the respectful lonely one. You have legit reinforced his behavior and punished me. You are the problem.
Photographer
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Posts: 6597
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
She was an experienced model its just that nobody gives me even the slightest bit of respect. You're preaching to the Choir.
Photography 101
There's an old quote: 'those who give respect get respect'. Focus Your energy on someone who wants to create, finding them is the challenge.
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:
You're preaching to the Choir.
Photography 101
There's an old quote: 'those who give respect get respect'. Focus on someone who wants to shoot. Well I suppose young beautiful women in america are the most privileged spoiled people on the entire planet.
I guess it makes sense that they are mostly disrespectful shitheads that can't give you a simple heads up about cancelation.
I had made a deal i would create an acting reel for her if she helped me create a photog portfolio.
thought she did actually want an acting reel.
Photographer
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Posts: 6597
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
I talked to her for like a month lmao. Was this someone You actually know or an 'internet Model'?
There are fake personnas out there and fakes will always cancel .
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:
Was this someone You actually know or an 'internet Model'?
There are fake personnas out there. Hmm I never considered catfish for modeling jobs lol. How bizarre but I guess its possible.
I didnt meet her in person just would email once a week or so brainstorming ideas before finally setting a date.
Photographer
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Posts: 6597
Uniontown, Pennsylvania, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
Hmm I never considered catfish for modeling jobs lol. How bizarre but I guess its possible.
I didnt meet her in person just would email once a week or so brainstorming ideas before finally setting a date. Sounds like You might have been Catfished.
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:
Sounds like You might have been Catfished. Oh god someone else is even more bored and lonely than I am?? What is the point of that.
I was catfished once in a romantic relationship but at least she got money out of me and it was way cheaper than a phone sex line. I walked away feeling like I got decent value for my money.
Photographer
Jefferson Cole
Posts: 133
Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
You are not the President, so no, the World is not conspiring against you.
The dealerships insurance will cover the necessary new car repairs.
Forget the one model flake you have encountered, there actually are other models on here you could contact.
When motivating others to work with you, a more positive outlook will prove more effective.
Photographer
63fotos
Posts: 534
Flagstaff, Arizona, US
Spent so many hours the day before would have been nice to haves some common courtesy like common sense, that seems to have gone by the wayside.
Photographer
Mark Salo
Posts: 11724
Olney, Maryland, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
Spent so many hours the day before would have been nice to haves some common courtesy.
. . .. I don't like people. This is typical. We have heard that 1 out of 20 show up.
Doctors, dentists, etc. have this same problem.
Don't worry. Be happy.
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
I dropped my car off for its first oil change, brand new car, they crashed it at the dealership after oil change this week. Now THIS is a real bummer!
Someone ran into the back of my wife's car. Did $6,000 damage.
I feel your pain.
Photographer
Fleming Design
Posts: 1380
East Hartford, Connecticut, US
Remember, photography is about light. If you don't have sufficient light on your model she will just be a dark, featureless blob. If your flash doesn't fire, don't still show the shot just because "it would have been good"!
Filmmaker
Sean Michael Foster
Posts: 31
Odenton, Maryland, US
Mark Salo wrote:
This is typical. We have heard that 1 out of 20 show up.
Doctors, dentists, etc. have this same problem.
Don't worry. Be happy.
Now THIS is a real bummer!
Someone ran into the back of my wife's car. Did $6,000 damage.
I feel your pain. Yeah it was definitely a bummer especially when they were still charging me for the oil change!
IDK why the managers don't just step in automatically for something like this and you have to call and complain but whatever at least the manager did finally step in. And they waved the oil change and got me a loaner that I'm driving so they have done right by me.
Photographer
Garry k
Posts: 30129
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
I talked to her for like a month lmao.
She was an experienced model its just that nobody gives me even the slightest bit of respect.
And i gotta put some time and energy into it or i wont get anything out of it.
She said she worked with a photog the day before and he was insisting she masturbate on camera and she walked out and i'm thinking to myself... well that guy probably has a lot of friends and works with a lot of models and that is the guy that you decided to give your time to. Meanwhile I am the guy you canceled on, the respectful lonely one. You have legit reinforced his behavior and punished me. You are the problem. I dont think She reinforced his behavior by leaving the set ... And I hope that she spreads the word about how he treated her to others
You will get respect from Models ( but maybe not every model ) If You can Pay them something for thier time . provide them with images that they like and can use and treat them with respect during shoots with them .
Photographer
Garry k
Posts: 30129
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
I talked to her for like a month lmao.
She was an experienced model its just that nobody gives me even the slightest bit of respect.
And i gotta put some time and energy into it or i wont get anything out of it.
She said she worked with a photog the day before and he was insisting she masturbate on camera and she walked out and i'm thinking to myself... well that guy probably has a lot of friends and works with a lot of models and that is the guy that you decided to give your time to. Meanwhile I am the guy you canceled on, the respectful lonely one. You have legit reinforced his behavior and punished me. You are the problem. I dont think She reinforced his behavior by leaving the set ... And I hope that she spreads the word about how he treated her to others
You will get respect from Models ( but maybe not every model ) If You can Pay them something for thier time . provide them with images that they like and can use and treat them with respect during shoots with them .
Photographer
Garry k
Posts: 30129
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
too much pre shoot talk is often not that productive as well
Just tell he You like her Look an wish to do a shoot with her ( your chances will be better if you offer to pay )
Provide her with a Strong Mood Board regarding the theme and style of the shoot
but she will need to see ( from reviewing your portfolio that you can reasonably achieve shots that similar to the mood board
If You cant then build up your portfolio to that level before approaching Models that you dont know
Photographer
Kuttlefishfoto
Posts: 87
Vancouver, Washington, US
Sean Michael Foster wrote:
Then that morning I contacted her and she said she was put on the work schedule and canceled on me.
IDK when she got on that work schedule but she didn't even bother to tell me until I emailed her that day It's a bummer your model fizzled out on you last minute as I can totally relate, as mentioned by others, it's pretty much the defacto standard now days. I've experienced the same over the years with upwards of 3 of 5 models typically falling out on scheduled shoots every month, irregardless if its pay or trade. It's just the way things are. Hell, one time I had a 3-day weekend and a model scheduled each day, they all cancelled or went totally nonresponsive to email/messages. I don't even get agititated with flake thing anymore, just brush it off and move to the next opportunity. When it comes to bear with the right person, it will be a beautiful thing!
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