Don’t Just Stand Still and Look Pretty – Perform!

It’s funny how as I work with more models – some with no experience and some with more experience I’m noticing that some of my models just stand there and look pretty.

Don’t get me wrong 99% of the time that works and makes some great shots. But when a model performs and gets way into the mood of the shoot or concept you don’t end up with great shots, you end up with amazing shots!

For instance here’s the Flickr Superstar Briana shooing with Don Giannatti. They put together this video including all photos, not just the good ones so that we can see the whole process and how much versatility she got with just one single look.

No, really – watch the whole thing. Briana glides almost seamlessly between poses. Why? Because she has lots of practice.

Thought us girls know that she’s merely just doing what we all do in front of the mirror in a dressing room – let that silly side of you come out with your photographer.

You have to slow down the dance into separate poses but it’s about creating seamless transitions. Take a starting pose and change one thing, arms, expression, shoulders, hips etc. Then change one other thing for the next shot and so on.

Your photographer will be thankful they have such a creative model to work with and will probably want to work with you again or refer you to their other photographer contacts. As a rule – all the photos never look perfect so just roll with the punches and give it your all!

New** Recommended Reading

Someone turned me on to this eBook, Let's Model: Your Complete Modeling Guide, and for under $20 it’s wonderful it’s got lots of really helpful tips for new and aspiring models. It’s the kind of ebook that I’d like to email to all of my models before I work with them!
– Terri Ann