Dear Models,

So often I look at your pictures and where you are trying to look sexy you look mean or bored or scared.  What are you feeling inside while being photographed?  If you are scared or uncomfortable, it will show. 

So, my advice is, try to enjoy being photographed.  Don't worry so much about how you look, instead try to monitor how you are feeling.  If you feel sexy, or happy or in love, or in hate, it will come out.  With a little pratice, you can control you emontions while on set.

Also, look at your posted collection.  Do all your images have the same expression?

Sincerely,

Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com

great point, it really shows if they are hating the shoot.

Sometimes models have braces and don't want them to show.

Great advice.

good advice, really made me think! Have a great day and thanks again for openning me up to my work and for future photoshoots.
michelle

That's so true... but everytime I try to look sexy, I end up looking werid... is that because sexy shouldn't be my aim?

hmmmm... *ponder ponder*

I know..  I come out horrible in the pics where I'm feeling self conscious, and can really see the difference in the pics where I felt relaxed.  Facial expression are something I have trouble with though, so I def. have to keep working on that...

That's so true... but everytime I try to look sexy, I end up looking werid... is that because sexy shouldn't be my aim?

Looking sexy can be your aim.  Human emontions are complicated, multi layered and we seldom feel just one emontion at any given moment.  In some areas, like high fashion, looking sexy is very important.  But in many other areas of modeling, like commercial shoots, there is a need for many different types of emontions.  If you only portray sexy, then you are limiting your career to just "sexy" gigs.

I have worked with some models who can only show sex, and that is what they will be doing.  Other models have wonderful inviting smiles, others can show wonderment, awe, inner peace, etc.  The best models have a full range of feelings that they can emote.

The key is to make your feelings look sincere.  If you are uncomfortable or not feeling sexy, your pictures will show it.  Moniter your inner feelings while shooting, they are what is really showing up on the camera.

One trick I often try with a new model, is the have him or her explore the oppsite emontion for a while.  Example, if I need a great smile and will have them show me hate or have them scream for a while to get those feelings out and let the real smile in.

Zave Smith
www.zavesmith.com

zave, i think better advice would be tell all the internet models they get naked when they walk in the studio and have coffee with you naked and get comfortable with you and then you can all be very comfy and warm and cozy by the time of the shoot and they will smile. I have found that models have a much better time smiling when they are the only one in the room naked. Especially if the jealous boyfriend escort they brought to the shoot is telling them how great they look while they are naked in front of you. Try it sometimes, except on the old ladies. Have the old ladies wear a thong to cover up and then they will smile more also.