Preparing for a Glamour Model Shoot
Image made with EF 135 f/2.5 SF lens at f/3.5 with 1/200th and ISO 200 using natural light using no reflectors.
Models Don’t Have to Look at the Camera: To show a model how I want her to stand, I put myself in the pose but let her give me her interpretation, which is always much better.
I occasionally get calls and e-mails from models and aspiring models requesting tests shoots but there’s only so much time available. To streamline the process, I e-mail them a Model Data form before an interview or shoot. The form asks their name, address, and what hours and days she’s available for photography sessions. I also ask what kind of modeling styles she’s available for during the test shoot—not later. The following styles are listed on the form: Maxim-style, Fashion, Lingerie, Swimwear, Business, Artistic Nude, Casual, and Glamour. Potential models are requested to check all that apply
I have found the Model Data form to be indispensable but it’s not perfect. If you need a swimsuit model and she isn’t interested in posing for those kinds of images or her availability and your schedule aren’t compatible, you save time and effort by not scheduling an interview or test shoot. It’s a good idea to look for inconsistencies in the answers. One model I interviewed checked Maxim-style but not Lingerie and when I asked her why, she said the magazine she saw didn’t have lingerie shots in it. Maybe she though I meant Popular Mechanics. One model checked ”nude” but during the interview when I asked her how comfortable she was posing for these kinds of images, she said “not today!” I never did find out what day, so it’s important you ask that models answer all questions honestly. Yet only about 60% of the models who call or e-mail ever return the Model Data form.
You can’t rely on forms to do all the work and during an interview I’ll spend time with the model talking with her about the kind of photographs I like to make but more importantly what she kind that she in interested in. When you find an overlap in these interests is when you’ll have the possibility of creating great images together.
Joe is the author of “Joe Farace’s Glamour Photography.”
