Commentary
The models featured on the previous pages range in age from their early 20’s to their early 40’s. All of them were paid for their time while modeling according to their experience.
One of the models was a professional. Two of the others worked as models when the they had the opportunity. The remainder had no modeling experience but the did an amazing job of modelling despite that. It was almost like they had a modeling gene that made their poses very good.
I tell each model that they do not have to do any poses, or wear any outfits that they are not comfortable with. If the model is uncomfortable then photos will reflect that.
During a modeling session, for the most part, I give very little direction to the models in terms of poses. They often seem to have an innate sense for giving me wonderful poses. That takes a lot of pressure off of me and makes the shoot go a lot quicker.
Typically I will just give them one basic direction such as, “sit on the stool and lean forward.” After that, most of the models will take it from there and give me 5 or 6 more poses of their own volition that just pop into their heads without seemingly thinking about it.
Of course every pose isn’t wonderful. That said they always do a lot of good poses and a few that are amazing. I just have to keep clicking the shutter button to make sure I don’t miss them.
Some poses are just really cool because of the shape and contortions they can get their bodies into. When you see a body in a particular shape that you don’t normally see every day, it catches your attention and your gaze. I would love to shoot a ballerina because of how flexible they are and the contortions they can get their bodies into. Not to mention getting a shot of a dancer in mid air.
Apart from interesting body poses, the most important thing are to capture the eyes and the expression on their faces. The eyes lead the facial expression and that is what either makes or breaks a good photo in most cases.
The models with no experience often don’t realize this. Sometimes their heads just aren’t into what their doing which can lead to a rather dull facial expression. This is a opposed to a blank expression which can be very good if their is something in their eyes which catches the viewers atention and that may provoke some sort of emotion in the viewer. While the pose a model is in certainly contributes to the shot, it’s the eyes and the expression on their face that makes a mediocre image into a really good one.
On occassion I will have session with the same model more than once. The second or third shoot is a night and day difference from my first shoot with them. They are much more comfortable and relaxed and that shows up in fluidity of their poses and most importantly in their faces. It’s simply because they have come to know me a bit and what to expect in the shoot, which leads to a feeling or security and comfort.
Above and beyond their modeling experience or talent, the best part of doing a photo shoot with these people is the experience of them. I have not shot a model I didn’t personally like. It’s so interesting to get know the model. A photo shoot should not only have a specific purpose, but it should also be fun for both the model and photographer.
If it’s not fun, what’s the point in doing it.