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When meeting a model (Shake, Hug, Kiss)
Well it's late at night, and I'm looking foward to shooting with a few models over the weekend and beginning of the week, provided I dont get weighed down by my classes (gogo BScBiol) and it got me thinking. The models I have dealt with have all been friends or people I know through friends, and when we first meet for the first time or for a shoot I usually give them a hug. Now, for someone I didn't know, in the interest of being professional I would probably opt out for the hand shake. But, from a models point of view, what I want to create is an atmosphere of trust and comfort, and the hand shake comes off as strict, formal and organized, and thats not necessarily what I want to portray in the photos. A hug on the other hand through the physical contact and embracing, creates that relaxed, warm atmosphere. The more comfortable the model is with me, the better the photos will turn out, it's about creating that trust, and comfort. Kiss? Meh, out of the question haha, I just put that in there so someone would read my thread haha. I think im cute lol... or at least that's what I tell myself in the mirror, it's not meant so allude to anything sexual, but to break the ice and discomfort some may feel when working with someone new. So my question to the all wise knowing MM community, what do you do, expect, or think about it? When you first meet a new model/photographer hand shake, hug? Comments, concerns... Happy discussions! Oct 07 06 01:31 am Link I've done all three. Completely depends on the chemistry. 9 times out of 10, it's a hug. When I initiate things, I always go for the handshake. Oct 07 06 01:36 am Link Sex unless I'm shooting a male model, then its just a "whats up?" Oct 07 06 01:39 am Link JM Dean wrote: Not quite established enough for that lol Oct 07 06 01:41 am Link 99% of the time I prefer the handshake, but before the shoot takes place. A handshake tells a lot about a person while still being extremely professional. Oct 07 06 01:42 am Link E|||B wrote: Ditto. Models I've never met I do so with a handshake, but a hug always seems to close the day. Francophones like me and some Europeans like to kiss both cheeks, but I don't think that happens too much in the US. Leg humping is absolutely out. Oct 07 06 01:43 am Link hump? Oct 07 06 01:45 am Link I think a nice handshake is best. Instead of coming across and friendly, a hug definitely might come across as sexual, even though you've stated that that's not what you want. Or it might make you come off as a bit strange and socially awkward. I know I've felt awkward when I was hugged by a someone I was just meeting and thinking: "Man, what's this person's problem? Are they drunk or something?" But a friendly smile and a "Hey! Nice to meet ya!" while shaking a model's hand should help the friendly environment you want to create Oct 07 06 01:46 am Link I like the handshake to start. One of my best meetings was when I met a photog for lunch and he brought with him some of his port for me to review (more extensive than what he had on MM) so I could get an idea. He went over his ideas and told me that before we even really started shooting he would want to just shoot me talking about my self and take some candid images to break the ice. It wasn't all that necessary when the time came to shoot b/c after just spending an hour talking about the pix in his port, past shoots, and good/bad experiences with photog/models I was totally comfortable. Needless to say when I left after shooting that night he got a big hug and my hope that we'd get the chance to shoot again. Oct 07 06 01:52 am Link lavive wrote: That was my hope Oct 07 06 01:53 am Link I could see from a models point of view how a hug could come off as too strong, it all depends on the context and chemistry I guess. Some girls I've talked to are hide under the rock antisocial types, Ima guess theyd prefer something more professional. But some girls, the outgoing, bubbly fun to be around types, the hug would break the ice. But yeah, what I like to do is run through some of the work I've done before, different scenes, lighting, makeup and clothing styles and go over what they want to portray, and I find that helps a lot. For someone just starting out its hard for a lot of people to take you seriously when you dont have an extensive portfolio built up. Also when you tell them you are going into pharmacy, teach 1st year nursing at a university, play league tennis and semi-pro baseball and used to give masage therapy at 22...lol... peeps are skeptical. Oh well, thats what I get for being a hypercompetitive overachieving bastard =/ Oct 07 06 01:54 am Link lavive wrote: Stick to the handshake. Anything more might be unduly construed as another achievement. Heaven forbid trite feats might fuel delusions of grandure. Oct 07 06 02:18 am Link I felt a bit awkward when hugged by a photographer after a shoot... Actually, really awkward. Maybe that's just me? Oct 07 06 02:23 am Link I honk boobies. I work hard to make models comfortable. Oct 07 06 02:26 am Link BlindMike wrote: Thatâs easy when you have an excuse like being Blind Mike Oct 07 06 02:28 am Link E|||B wrote: Usually before the shoot, it's a hand shake ... after it's almost always (either with a male or female model) it's a hug. Hugs are wonderful Oct 07 06 02:28 am Link The funny thing is, we photographers have seen what the models look like from their portfolio. They usually haven't seen us at all. If that's the case, you have the upper hand when meeting the model and you can choose how to greet them. But in my opinion I always go with the handshake and I try to make the best possible first impression. Oct 07 06 02:30 am Link I meet with mine in a Coffee Shop at any time before 7:00pm.  It's a public atmosphere, relaxed, and we can sit down to some nice coffee as we go over the papers and the details for the shoot! I start with a firm handshake and I am a pretty tiny lady so I have my bf close by somewhere for safety for myself. I do not give hugs because I'm not a very open person when you first meet me, I'm friendly but I keep my distance until I know more about them. I stay pretty professional and keep everything to business.Oct 07 06 02:30 am Link Valerie D wrote: Everyone is different. Oct 07 06 02:31 am Link most of the time when i ask a woman to model for me she throws her drink in my face Oct 07 06 02:32 am Link I shake hands before and after. before because i just met them, after because because I'm a dirty glamour shooter and baby oil stains. EWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Oct 07 06 02:34 am Link skae to say hi - hug to say good by kiss if you're both female  Oct 07 06 02:34 am Link lotusphoto wrote: Maybe that's cause you are giving the booby grab instead of giving the professional handshake prior to asking?? LOL... Oct 07 06 02:56 am Link Ransom J wrote: There'd be nothing to stain if you were nude too Ransom. Think about it. Oct 07 06 03:00 am Link High fives all around. Oct 07 06 03:04 am Link BronxBeauty8 wrote: I'm a female! Oct 07 06 04:50 am Link Squirm? Oct 07 06 05:51 am Link I typically don't hug anyone I never have met before, not sure why I would hug a new model. A handshake if anything at all, usually a hey ladies, the changing room is over there, help yourself to a refreshment, give a shout when you are ready, I will be around. Oct 07 06 06:12 am Link I think I start with a handshake....and then at the end of the shoot they get a hug. But there's no guarantee of that. Oct 07 06 06:16 am Link once i met with a photog and when he firsst met me, to tinroduce himself he tried to have sex with me. I said no. he said sorry he was just so happy to see me. i said still it was not the way i do things. so we had the shoot and afterwards to say goodbye he took off his cloths and tried to have sex with me again. i said no. he said he htought maybe it was ok to have sex as a way to say goodbye. i said no, it is not. he apologized again, got dressed, and then shook my hand. so i dont think it is right to have sex as a way of saying hello. Oct 07 06 06:21 am Link I reserve my hugs for my loved ones. Hugging is an intimate act. I wouldn't hug anyone in the office where I work. (Inappropriate as hell, and a bucket of trouble if unwelcomed by the huggee) How can hugging a model in the studio or on location be appropriate? It's just another work environment, and the model is in the role of either co-worker or employee. Oct 07 06 09:27 am Link Handshake before and after and nothing more unless the model initiates it and you are BOTH comfortable with the situation. I had a photographer hug me after and since I already had quite a creepy vibe from him to begin with, I haven't shot with him since. He does great work, but if I'm not comfortable during the shoot, how will I ever take good photos?? Oct 07 06 09:32 am Link A handshake is proper for first meeting, just like it would be in any business encounter. Depending on the situation, hugs may be appropriate for subsequent meetings, but let the model be the one to initiate. Oct 07 06 09:35 am Link Upon meeting a photographer I've not worked with it ususally starts with a handshake and ends with a hug. Oct 07 06 09:37 am Link Me , always a handshake ,,,,Any hugging or kissing to be initiated by them .....I find a fair number or French Canadian and Euro models are into the kissing thing ie on the cheeks , sometimes the mouth ... I have one model friend ( Jamacain ) who likes to punch me on the arm - as a sign of affection ( and she punches hard ) Oct 07 06 09:38 am Link E|||B wrote: agreed! a handshake is professional, which is the what the shoot should be, comfort and trust doesn't happen on the first date, it takes time to trust someone, and when you know that they are professional comfort will follow. Oct 07 06 09:39 am Link Rena wrote: Same here.. I always start out with a handshake. I find that the "two handed" handshake is friendlier than the standard handshake. You know, where you shake their hand and then place your other hand on top of theirs? Add a smile to that and that's all the warm fuzzies you really need to start building rapport and creating great shots Oct 07 06 09:43 am Link Rena wrote: Me too! Oct 07 06 09:47 am Link Usually a hi. unless I am being introduced it's a hi and maybe a handshake. I'm a hug person though so sometimes it's hugs after the shoot, or just a simple had a great time working with ya, drive safe, but I don't go chasing down the model yelling "hug meeeee" with my arms outstretched. That would be a funny vision though lol Oct 07 06 09:51 am Link Whatever you do meeting any person with the same familiarity level. Some you nod to, others get a hug. After a shoot, depending on how it went, I usually do hug the model or she hugs me. Again, depends on comfort or discomfort level. There aren't any rules about this and photo school had nothing to say about it. Now I'm old and fat and ugly, so if the determiner is how cute the photographer is, I should be waving at the models, but I like the affirmation that the shoot was comfortable and things went well as much as the next guy. If the model seems reluctant...well, I guess I'd have to back off. Interesting question. But you know, there's something really nice about a pair of boobies pushed against one's chest. Or back. -Don Oct 07 06 09:51 am Link |
