This goes out to you photographers interested in diving into the wonderful world of model photography. As you all may know, shooting with a human being as the subject requires a lot more of you as photographer. There need to be more communication and interacting than what's needed while shooting, let's say, landscapes or architecture. For this, you need to go one step further, and think about a lot of other important stuff besides using that new, cool camera of yours.

I've interviewed five very talented photographers from the deviantART community. I wanted them to share with the rest of us, some techniques they often use while doing model photography. So, pour up something nice to drink, make sure you're comfortable and enjoy this article.

The photographer's I've interviewed are (in no particular order) Silecia, BB-cide, Deelite, Gray-Line-Studios and last, but not least, sundayx. A big thanks to all of these people for sharing, because we all know, that sharing is caring.

The questions

1. What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?
2. Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery and tell me why you did what you did, what equipment you used, and so on.
3. Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?
4. As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?
5. Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

The answers

Silecia shared her opinions

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Question #1: What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?

You should respect the model´s expectations and try to combine them with your own. Show him/her similar photographies that you want to shoot, and ask for his/her opinion and his/her ideas - the results will be better if the model enjoys the shooting!

Question #2: Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery.

I usually take pictures at home and use table lamps as lighting (to get the light softer, I cover the lamp with a sheet). All of my work is then post processed in Photoshop.

Question #3: Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?

I am not that experienced, sorry

Question #4: As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?

Girlfriends, friends, yourself... When you show your best photos to your pretty friends, they will be very happy to shoot with you. If not, ask some buddies if they have some nice and obliging friends/girlfriends/boyfriends. Another way is internet - there are many model agencies out there.

Question #5: Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

There are many - look at my work, every one is done different. I am trying a lot of things, because I am still learning.

BB-cide wanted to share some too

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Question #1: What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?

I never have a fixed idea for my photos because it changes during the photo shoot. The most important thing is to have fun.

Question #2: Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery.

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For this one, I used direct sunlight. I know that the umbrella and the jump are cliche, but I really like it however for the natural location.

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For this one, I used artificial light, and a tripod. The photo is taken at my home. Pure fashion and color shots.

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And this one, artificial light, tripod and flash, taken at home. I wanted to express what I felt in that moment.

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And finally, for this one I used direct light. This is a shot for my final photography exam.

Question #3: Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?

You have to shoot every day and see a lot of other photos.

Question #4: As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?

The easiest way to find models is to use your own friends.

Question #5: Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

Concepts - lighting - editing.

Deelite also wanted to share some

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Question #1: What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?

I usually have a series of short conversations with the model to get a little insight of who she/he is, her/his limits, taste, what she's trying to accomplish for her modeling career and what direction she/he wants to go. The most important thing for me is not planning TOO much and letting the moment and the person inspire you. Different models inspire you in different directions. It's actually very interesting. However, I try not to repeat what the photographer before me did with the model.

Question #2: Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery.

You know, I think it's because to me the most important part of photography is composition. Just one photo as a sample:

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I think as a graphic designer that I am, it's all about manipulating the eye. Same principle with designing a brochure I do with photos. No special equipment or anything. For this shot I used one low powered cheap strobe on a softbox and that's it. I play with the f/stops until I get the amount of contrast I want. Shot a few till we got enough to choose from. The model gave me some really good poses for variety. The software was used to intensify the darkness, her skin tones and of course the light in the back. I also play with color variations. I should post the original photo... butnaaah!

Question #3: Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?

Don't let your model be the photo. In some cases it's fine, but no matter how hot the model is, make a great composition out of it. See beyond the person in front of you. Tricks? Play with lights, try different f/stop settings. Put the lights beside your subject instead of in front. Don't follow the rules. Seeing your model well helps. Study her/his smile and other features. Then, capitalize on the best feature.

Question #4: As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?

Start with relatives. Once you've got some good shots, upload them to a model networking site like Model Mayhem, models.com, etc. Put the word out that you'll do the photos for free in exchange for prints for portfolio (TFP). If your work is worth it, they'll come. Just make sure to sign an agreement with the models, treat all models with respect and put your heart and soul into it. Most importantly, have fun!

Question #5: Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

Composition, composition and composition. It doesn't matter if your lights are $10 or $10,000. It doesn't matter if you're shooting a wannabe model or Alessandra Ambrosio. Composition! At least that's my approach.

And then, Gray-Line-Studios shared this

Question #1: What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?

I still consider myself a novice photographer (have been shooting models for less than one year, and with good equipment for 6 months). I talk to lots of other photographers to get ideas from them.

It sounds cliché, but be prepared (bring backups for everything). Know the location, your equipment, props, and if possible the model(s). Show up on time (if not early). Models are usually late; use this time to review the location, ideas, check to make sure your equipment works (very embarrassing to have equipment malfunctions in front of the models).

During the shoot, talk to the models; keep the conversation light, some laughter is good. Play some music; it will set the mood so choose music carefully. Show them images while shooting, use the images to help the model understand the pose (works great with new models) and concepts you are going to attempt. Ask them for their input, I have had some models with great ideas! Make the model part of the creative process.

Question #2: Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery.

Examine the model's features and think what you want to emphasize and deemphasize. There is beauty in every model, it's just making sure you capture it.


Kat (the model) has such a natural beauty and a feeling of sophistication about her. In order to capture this, I thought a semi-formal dress with a nice background in traditional pose was the best idea for her. The room had too much light, so I had to block some of the windows to avoid blow out.

Mature Content

I was able to get three great models together for an extended day of shooting. I wanted to experiment with light and shadows. Using a single old style White Lighting 5000 strobe on a boom arm, a helper moved the light all around the models and we did several images. I liked the light and shadows best in this one.

Question #3: Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?

Always fill the frame with your subject, most cameras will capture more in the picture than shown in the viewfinder. So zoom slightly closer and learn the distance to what you can see in the viewfinder and what your camera captures. Purchase one good light rather than 5 bad ones. Lighting is a combination of what you can and what you can't see.

This is all based upon style, but I try to shoot so that I need to do as little editing as possible. My goal is to do a slight crop, color adjustment, put on the watermark and be done in about 3 minutes per photo. This sometimes means extra time setting up, adjusting the lights, etc. Let's say your shoot goes great, you could end up with 20 usable images, that extra few minutes setting up will save you hours of editing.

Question #4: As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?

Some people start with girlfriends, friends, relatives. Your male friends can also pose for you. Open an account on one of the modeling websites; skip the ones that require photographers to pay. MySpace is also a good place to find models. Look for a photo club and other photographers in your area. They may know some of the local models and sometimes there are "group" shoots (multiple models and photographers). Don't be offended by models who want to be paid, they are just trying to find a way to make a living.

Question #5: Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

Great equipment doesn't make a great photographer; great photographers make the equipment look great. Try something new at every shoot and don't be afraid to try something you feel is beyond your ability.

And last, but not least, sundayx

Question #1: What are the most important things to have in mind while preparing and performing a photo shoot with a model?

This very much depends on what kind of photography you're going after. Fashion photography would mean the clothing and makeup needs to be exact (I find the little details are what really makes the photo, so any subtle accessories that work are a must), whereas spontaneous or emotional photography would concentrate more on the lighting. Of course, the former is more commercial than artistic, but in both cases you should have a good backdrop (ie, *not* clutter on the floor of your bedroom, a bedsheet hung up is advisable).

Question #2: Are there any reasons you compose things the way you do on some shots? Pick a few from your own gallery.

The majority of my photography are self-portraits, so in terms of equipment there isn't that much variation. I either use a tripod with a timer or position myself in a way that I can extend my arm without it looking like a mySpazz shot. For composition in photos, the crop is one of the most important aspects; you *must* decide what should and should not be included in the photo, as everything that can be seen should serve a purpose.



As an example, I'll use Ma Guitare, Ma Vie (shown above). In this shot, the clothing was picked out carefully (for example, although only a sleeve can be seen from the top, I didn't opt for a plain black one, and the studded belt was chosen to match the theme and rings in the skirt, etc.), the lighting was chosen to make the model and guitar stand out from the background, and the colors were coordinated to give the general finish. Too much shown at the top/bottom would confuse the viewer's focus in the photo.

Question #3: Are there any common tips or tricks you can recommend to other photographers?

Most photographers who just started out can't afford a brilliant camera, and as a result they try to blame the quality of their photography on this. The beauty behind photography is that it's all imagination - if you can look at a subject and see how you can make it stand out, then you have the eye to make anything possible (rather than just pointing and shooting at anything).

Of course, there are some things you can do to improve your work when uploading if you have the right idea but not the equipment; for example, Adobe Photoshop is very useful with tweaking colours, lighting levels, cropping and adding a border to make it look more "finished". Without a concept behind a photo, however, no matter how much editing you do to it, it doesn't constitute as a photograph.

Question #4: As a less experienced photographer, it can be hard to find someone who'd like to act as a model for your photographs. What is the easiest way to find new models?

If you're confident about yourself, I'd strongly suggest using yourself as a model. This way you can find out exactly what type of photography you want to do, and there wouldn't be the problem of being nervous that a lot of photographers and/or models usually are. If there are only certain aspects of your body that you like, try doing photos focusing on them as experiments.

Otherwise, I'd recommend asking friends to model for you (those who are willing) or join a photography club.

Question #5: Name your top three techniques for this kind of photographing (e.g. lighting, composition etc.)

- Composition; what is in the photo and why, everything must have a purpose. This includes cropping.
- Focus; there's nothing worse than a good photo that's out of focus. Using depth with focus is also good to create various styles.
- Lighting; sunlight is my favourite as it's strong and shows colors well. Dark photos are harder to get crisp, but the use of shadows can bode very well on a well-thought-through photo.

So, what have we learned today?

This is not a "photographing models for dummies" walkthrough, this is just some guidelines to have in mind while doing model photography. Composition, lighting, focus and probably the most important thing, a concept. These are things you need to think about. Oh, and to respect the model, of course. That's essential.

Once more, lot's of hugs and kisses to the kind photographers who took interest in this, why not pay them all a visit?

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