|
Forums >
General Industry >
Running your model into the ground
I have a background in photojournalism and since turning my back on the news, I've noticed something: When I shoot with a model â like most people â we work our asses off. About an hour or so into the session, I've noticed that the models are a bit "wilted." Why? Before we shoot, I insist that the girls hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. We live in a desert and and that could be part of it. I also suggest eating a good meal to help keep the energy up. On location, I typically bring an ice chest with water, and cubed fruit. I'm wondering if anyone has seen this issue happen before â and what have you done to overcome the energy drain? Apr 24 06 04:18 pm Link um...why do you think so many models are on coke?  Apr 24 06 04:20 pm Link Christopher Bush wrote: Geez, I always thought the models used DIET coke! Apr 24 06 04:22 pm Link Guilty as charged. If they're lucky my models only get tired. I'm nice though. Coffee, smoothies, juice, water, soda, etc. Apr 24 06 04:24 pm Link Keep working. Usually they'll get a second wind after three hours. Apr 24 06 04:24 pm Link fuck... dp Apr 24 06 04:26 pm Link Its is an energy draining process... just make sure you have plenty of food/ water/ caffeine beverages, etc... Also, a fan or some cool rags never hurt. Just try to keep them comfortable and focused. I have found once I take that first "take ten" most of the time... thats when the creative enegery starts to stale... so keep them on their toes as long as possible. Apr 24 06 04:27 pm Link I have to say that the "drain" usually does hit at about a solid hour in. That's a good time to change up the wardrobe (again) or switch locations. Usually all I need to get a boost is some water and a few minutes of down time. The short 5 or 10 minute drive to a new location may be all she needs to bounce back. And y'all are SO wonderful for providing water/caffeine/fruit.....AWESOME, thoughtful gesture! I know for a fact that it is much appreciated. Apr 24 06 04:38 pm Link Nice to see a photog who notices/cares! Apr 24 06 04:44 pm Link I've only worked with one person so far. And we started at about 8:00 a.m. Mid day I was tired and hungry. And we went for me to grab a bite to eat. I offered to buy her something to eat or drink. She refused. She seemed fine the rest of the day. But as many have pointed out she is under weight . Apr 24 06 04:49 pm Link Claire Elizabeth wrote: Claire, photographers, sometimes, are also human. We can care. Apr 24 06 04:53 pm Link Claire Elizabeth wrote: I would hope that most photographers notice and care about the models with which they shoot. But I guess some of you have seen some real jerks. Apr 24 06 04:53 pm Link or work in alocation taht isi't a desert. and not during the peak of summer.  Hoenstly if the high temp is 80 or igher I wouldn't shoot past ten or before 4,becuase I'll be wilting in an hour. Apr 24 06 04:56 pm Link lll wrote: We are? Apr 24 06 04:56 pm Link Yup...I get rather drained after an hour or two. Doesn't take much to me back going tho. Just a few minutes and some water and I'm good to go. Apr 24 06 04:59 pm Link lll wrote: We can? Apr 24 06 05:01 pm Link When I worked in the newz biz, I would get tired, on fashion shoots, but unfortunately, you have to overlook how you are feeling and work through it. Years of chasing cops and firefighters along with fighting with jerks on the street make it easy to categorize your own energy level as minor. I was shooting last night. Laura W (the goddess of pose) started to wilt. Compounding the issue was an unexpected temperature drop. I think we went on for another 90 minutes. By the end we were both pretty tired (well, I know I was). It's funny, I've served wine to models to help them relax and get in the groove â I never thought of Red Bull. I tell people that my photography mere uses a camera to express myself â It's all about people. KatieK in Kansas (I wish you were closer to my area code), and Claire Elizabeth â and everyone else who works with photographers â if the photographer isn't paying attention to you, you shouldn't be paying attention to him. Apr 24 06 05:26 pm Link Hmmm... for me, the optimal staying time is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, before I need a break. After that, 1 - 1/2 hours. When I do take a break, I can't drink too much of anything (instant bloat-o-rama!), and generally have a protein-based snack, or something else that won't puff my belly - fruit and juices are my favourite, but I just can't consume those on the day of a shoot at all, until it's done :-P Personally, I really like to work my ass off; focus on the concept... nasty as this may sound, I find it rather tiring and distracting when the photographer makes too much friendly chatter, especially during a serious set of photos. Takes all the more time to regain my composure... find my character's "motivation" for the current look and setting... however, after a job well done, I'm interested in all that! I try to get this across well before a shoot, and in my portfolio. Some like my work-now-fun-later approach; some prefer a more "laid-back" model - fair enough; they may as well be warned :-) So the solution to the OP's problem seems to be, to discuss pacing and dynamics before getting on either side of a camera. Pay attention to the conditions under which you work best, make your expectations clear, and... try to be as receptive as possible to the other person's quirks and preferences :-D Now to find that "bloated bellies" forum... ~Sabina Apr 24 06 05:30 pm Link They can't wilt if you bind them tightly enough. Apr 24 06 05:34 pm Link I have to agree that it is so refreshing when I have a photographer that pays attention to how I am feeling and what I might need in the way of something to keep me going. Modeling takes more energy than I expected, and a lot more than people give it credit for sometimes. Its always nice to have someone watch out for you. I tend to get into a groove of serving the photographer and forget to pay attention to how I am feeling. Then I hit the wall and its all over and I *have* to stop at that point, which is bad! Thanks for looking out for your models, thats classy! Apr 24 06 07:00 pm Link NC17 wrote: I'd like to say, "Thank you," but honestly, I don't think I look out as much as is being alluded to. Apr 24 06 07:13 pm Link I have no money, so no snacks. I usually have to tear everything down afterwards, as well as put everything up first. I know models get tired, but I promise it is nothing to what I feel Star Apr 24 06 07:32 pm Link I always provide bottled/sealed water and canned soda during all shoots. and provide lunch either during or just after the shoot. seems just polite thing to do. models are human and need refreshment at times. but then, as a kid when anyone came to our house: first thing my parents said was "have something to drink". maybe thats where I got the habit? Apr 24 06 08:04 pm Link The models I've shot with have a lot of variance in endurance levels. Some like breaks, some do not. I've had shoots from 1 1/2 to 8 hours. The signal to quit is a glazed look in their eyes. When I see it, I know it's time to quit even if the model wants to continue. I always make sure refreshments are available. Some accept, some don't but they are always available.... Apr 24 06 08:28 pm Link Dang! dp.. Apr 24 06 08:28 pm Link Star wrote: I'm with ya, Star. I try to have something on hand (though I didn't tonight). After shooting all night, my back is baked. This life doh, is bettah dan workin' fo da man. Apr 25 06 01:33 am Link |
