Written by: Kristin Mulligan
Whether you’re shooting for Vogue or your hubby’s naughty birthday gift, here are 7 steps to ensure you get the best photos possible on your path to becoming a model.
1. Prepare your body – The week before your shoot, drink plenty of water and herbal teas, amp up your cardio routine, exfoliate your body for an even skin tone, use a pore cleansing masque to clear your skin, eat a clean diet consisting mainly of fruits, veggies, and lean protein (protein bars and nuts are great and quick!), make sure everything is well-groomed, and get plenty of rest!
2. Prepare your mind – Surround yourself with positive people who will support your modeling venture. Post positive affirmations in places like your bathroom and car where you will constantly be reminded of why you are making the sacrifices to ensure the shoot is a success. This industry can be taxing at times due to the amount of criticism involved, so you have to make it your responsibility to keep your mind and spirit upbeat and positive. If your mind is not right, it will affect the rest of your life negatively, so make that your top priority!
3. Prepare your Model Bag – Every model has her bags of tricks to take to the shoot! Target and Walmart have easy trial-sized products that you can pack in your bag of goodies. Ulta often has great combinations of the makeup essentials packed into one caboodle. This checklist should help you remember all of the essentials:
A. Hair Products: comb, brush, hair spray, straightener (it helps if it can curl as well).
B. Makeup: foundation, mascara, variety of shades of eye shadows and lip shades, makeup remover wipes, face lotion with oil-free SPF (to prevent your face from looking shiny), nail polish remover, Q- tips, wash cloth.
C. Wardrobe: nude undergarments (line-free underwear is best), changing robe, at least one pair of great fitting jeans, variety of basic colored heels, and anything else the photographer or client has specifically asked you to bring.
D. Nutrition: pack water and healthy snacks, such as lean proteins (protein bars and nuts) so your energy levels stay steady.
E. Comp Card and portfolio.
4. Practice Poses – Depending on the theme of your shoot, you should have a few “go-to” poses and facial expressions that you are comfortable with and come naturally to you. As cliché as it is, practice makes perfect. Critique your poses in front of the mirror so that you know exactly what you look like as you move. Muscle memory is used by athletes, so why not use it for modeling too? Flip through magazines to get ideas. Many people in the fashion industry have an “idea book” full of photos with poses, hair and makeup styles, and wardrobe ideas that they like. During the shoot, you will need to make an adjustment for every click of the camera, so be ready for that!
5. Work as a Team Member – Shoots take an entire team to make a vision come to life, so come to the set early and ready to work and maintain a high level of energy. Make sure you know the goals that the photographer and client are trying to accomplish, and model your moves after those goals. These goals could be to sell a certain clothing line, showcase a makeup line, portray a certain character for a commercial, etc. Check in with the team occasionally to ensure the images are in line with the vision. Know your role and fulfill it the best you can!
6. Be Aware of Lighting and Your Mark – Know where the light sources are during the shoot, and adjust your poses accordingly. In some shoots, the photographer will have a certain mark for you, so use this as your “home base” to center your moves around.
7. Relax and Have Fun! – Yes, you are expected to be a jack of all trades as a model, and you have a ton to think about during the shoot, but try your best to have fun with it all. Your attitude comes across in the photos more than you may think. Positive energy and chemistry between the whole team ensures that everyone is communicating effectively and having fun while working hard to produce a successful group of images!
There you go! Hope those 7 helpful steps will help you on your path to become a model!
Enjoy!
