1. Go Professional
Earlier than 2024 I loved collaborating with fashions free of charge utilizing the TFP (time for print) association. The mannequin will get free photographs for his or her portfolio and I get a free mannequin – a ‘win-win’ set-up!
Nevertheless, after just a few disappointing experiences, for my mannequin shoots in 2024 I made a decision to pay my fashions for his or her time – and I actually benefited from their skilled expertise! As ‘professionals’ they have been completely satisfied to take path too once I wanted particular poses for ebook cowl fashion photographs for instance.
Nevertheless, as professional fashions they didn’t want plenty of path from me – it was a case of pointing the digicam and capturing their performances as they moved from one unbelievable pose to a different. Professional fashions I labored with might additionally care for their very own make-up and hair and are extra keen to convey a number of outfits or equipment (comparable to scarves and hats) so you may make one shoot appear to be a number of (and add selection to your portfolio), and saved me additionally having to discover a stylist!
You might also profit from a professional mannequin’s expertise engaged on a number of shoots for a number of years. My last mannequin of 2024 – @olgasolomodel (Instagram) – gave me helpful solutions of the place I might place my on-location LEDs for a simpler lighting set-up from shoots she had beforehand labored on.
2. Be ready
Whether or not you’re you’re paying a mannequin for his or her time and expertise or utilizing the TFP methodology it’s important to be ready when planning a shoot. Some fashions may ask for a ‘temper board’ – a group of pics that present a theme that you simply’d wish to seize comparable to a Movie Noir Femme Fatale. The mannequin may have concepts that will help you flip your shoot’s idea right into a profitable actuality and push your photographs additional towards excellence!
For instance – I deliberate a Sixties-themed shoot with Maddy (@runway.vougish on Instagram) and my fast Google Search temper board impressed her to supply a Sixties Sixties-style gown full with a retro hat. She additionally utilized plenty of colourful make-up to match her outfit.
For a second ‘detective’ themed shoot with the identical mannequin, my temper board enabled her to decorate appropriately – along with her hair pinned up, minimal make-up, and a protracted leather-based coat that appeared nice when the wind caught it. Because of the temper boards Maddy appeared dramatically totally different within the two shoots. The detective theme was designed to supply photos to promote by way of a ebook cowl inventory web site – one other income-generating risk.
3. Attempt some new areas
I’ve achieved a good bit of studio capturing in my time and studios are nice for staying dry and comfy, particularly within the colder seasons. It’s simpler to manage the lighting too after all. I do lots of my Digital Digicam World product evaluations from the consolation of a studio. Nevertheless, all of my 2024 mannequin shoots have been on location.
Areas can add selection to your shoots. Take London’s Barbican Centre for instance – a preferred hang-out for photographers and for good cause. It has placing skyscrapers that add beautiful city backdrops to your posing mannequin. The Barbican’s multi-level walkways and corridors add depth and perspective to your portraits (and offer you unbelievable shapes in your background bokeh). It additionally has areas with vegetation and water which offer a very totally different backdrop with out the necessity to journey far.
Areas can encourage fashions to work together with road furnishings (comparable to partitions, steps, and even sculptures) resulting in extra dynamic and artistic poses than you may get within the studio. When capturing on the banks of London’s river Thames mannequin @layal.official began to spontaneously pose with some wall-mounted chains – which isn’t one thing I anticipated to be capturing!
4. Do not fret about your gear
I’m primarily an iPhone photographer because it permits me to journey quick and lightweight. Nevertheless, I all the time pre-warn the mannequin that I’m capturing with a smartphone in order that they aren’t upset by the shortage of a giant DSLR/mirrorless digicam (and contemplate me an novice!).
Fashions which might be accustomed to posing for a DSLR hear for the shutter sound which helps them know that you simply’ve snapped a shot and so they can change their pose. My most up-to-date mannequin of 2024 – @olgasolomodel – requested me if I might make my iPhone ‘click on’. It was clicking, simply not loud sufficient.
My resolution was to say ‘click on!’ after I took an image and this labored effectively. After some time, we received used to working collectively and I didn’t have to proceed impersonating a digicam shutter. I discovered that it additionally helps to level at which of the three iPhone digicam lenses I’m utilizing to assist the mannequin make eye contact within the photograph.
5. Inventive lighting will also be efficient outside
LEDs are a extremely efficient solution to take your 2025 location pictures to the subsequent degree. On my December 2024 Barbican shoot with mannequin/actress Olga I introduced a light-weight Harlowe Blade tube mild equipment to the placement. I used the tripod-mounted Blade 10 as a key mild and its little brother – the Bade 5 – as a key mild. I used the Harlowe app to rapidly dial the RGB lights to a cinematic cyan and teal colour for further environment.
The lights from the Blades helped intensify the form of the mannequin’s face and complement the accessible hall lights on the location. The Blades are additionally magnetic, so I used to be capable of connect the Blade 5 to a steel ceiling pipe for a dramatic high-angle mild supply.
6. Attempt a smoke machine
Administrators comparable to Ridley Scott use smoke so as to add texture and colour to empty areas within the body. Smoke machines such because the Lensgo Smoke-S Mini and the Smoke Ninja are transportable and reasonably priced methods to reinforce your location’s lighting.
On my final two shoots in 2024 I used smoke machines on location on the Barbican Centre with out setting off any smoke alarms (and so they use an natural oil to create smoke which is safer for the mannequin). I extremely suggest a smoke machine for a extra atmospheric look to your shoots. Simply just be sure you use it in an appropriately ventilated space (which is why I’d keep away from utilizing one in a closed studio).
7. Be respectful
When working with fashions it is all about being respectful – possibly contemplate a handshake somewhat than a hug. They know that they give the impression of being nice so I don’t want to go with them – it’s not a date in spite of everything.
Do not be overprotective of your photographs – even when they don’t seem to be all popping out completely, I discover it extremely necessary to indicate my fashions just a few photographs from my digicam’s show as we shoot to allow them to see that they’ll see how the shoot goes, really feel extra assured in how they’re being offered by you because the photographer, and that I’m pleased with their work.
If a mannequin asks to convey a pal or chaperon to the shoot – say sure. It’s a purple flag to them if you happen to say no. When mannequin Bella introduced a pal to our October 2024 shoot he was actually helpful at holding and positioning my LED.
I additionally keep up a correspondence with fashions after the shoot by way of social media. By inviting a mannequin to collaborate with one among your photograph posts on Instagram your work will characteristic on their feed in addition to yours, which may result in way more views if the mannequin has hundreds of followers. For extra recommendations on mannequin/photographer etiquette try my colleague Sean McCormack’s article.
