First Model Shoot Saturday! Tips&Tricks?

[Derrel]

Amateur Model Tip #1: Book three different models, NONE of whom know one another or associate with one another, so that come shoot day, you'll have an 80% chance of having at least ONE model to photograph. Unless the model has already PAYED you to shoot, the chances that a wanna-be model on a TFP or TFCD basis will show up are, well, not good...

 

[mishele]

Wow....sorry to hear she was a no-show Trev!! I was lookin forward to seeing what you came up w/. Better luck next time.

 

[Tee]

... the chances that a wanna-be model on a TFP or TFCD basis will show up are, well, not good...

Or not exactly as they appear in their portfolio (i.e., much heavier) which is what I experienced yesterday. Win some/lose some.

 

[Trever1t]

It's just a TF shoot but she did contact me yesterday afternoon and explained what had happened and expressed interest in rescheduling next week if I was still interested.

Thanks Mishele, yeah, I am curious to see what I can do with a stranger in contrast to having only shot my wife or a few couples.

 

[Iron Flatline]

Rebook, try again, keep at it.

 

[Crush]

Oh I can do some splain'n

I don't feel leaving a comment on her Port will be appropriate and she could just delete it anyhow but there should be some sort of "reputation" system on MM! I'm a little whacko but I'm good to my word, ya know? What's a matter with people?

Yeah I wouldn't take the models too seriously. Just expect them to flake out and if they show up they show up.

Myself I made sure that the models were close to me locally and if they flake I'll just keep the door open and say that it's no problem.

When it comes to the photographer/model relationship, I think the photographer is the one who ultimately has the 'greater load' or 'shorter end of the stick' when shooting TFP work.

I actually put out a casting call and have about 5 potential models willing. I have 2 favorites that I want to shoot. In a 2 week window, I'm expecting to get only 1 of them actually show up. Wouldn't be surprised if none did. I can't hold it against them though. They are much younger than me and are in a totally 'different world' in their mindset and world outlook than I am.

 

[Kal3ido]

It might be unique to me... But when I am photographing someone (especially someone I am not familiar with) I freeze up and forget all those great ideas I had a day or so before the shoot. To help me out I carry around a fat lil notepad and when I think of something good I write it down or draw a diagram of it. But that is just me. For some reason I just can't be creative around people! Frustrating. Unless of course I'm a couple long Island iceteas in...

I do the same thing. Have so many ideas. But once I'm in front of them ready, I forget them all. Then when it's done and I'm at home I remember them all. Hopefully I get over it. I'm also not one for giving much direction.

 

[livingeyes]

Be confident. Have a plan on what you would like to achieve and work with with diligence.

 

[12sndsgood]

It might be unique to me... But when I am photographing someone (especially someone I am not familiar with) I freeze up and forget all those great ideas I had a day or so before the shoot. To help me out I carry around a fat lil notepad and when I think of something good I write it down or draw a diagram of it. But that is just me. For some reason I just can't be creative around people! Frustrating. Unless of course I'm a couple long Island iceteas in...

I do the same thing. Have so many ideas. But once I'm in front of them ready, I forget them all. Then when it's done and I'm at home I remember them all. Hopefully I get over it. I'm also not one for giving much direction.

know that feeling well.

 

[tingeliM]

Well, I have only had a couple of shoots with my friends, but I've found that planning is one thing that makes it whole lot easier for everyone. When you know what you want, you can be more confident and you know what to ask from the model. The planning part is also fun, when you get all inspired and write stuff down.
Props also make it easier for the model to pose and be more relaxed, and that makes your directing job easier also.

 

[Ulriksen]

Sorry, to hear that she was a noshow... But thanks for posting the thread, I got some great advise here! I am shooting some of my friends in a few days and I haven’t really done any model shots... I am more of the nature photographer, but I «need» to learn it!

 

[Vtec44]

well after 15 emails back and forth....looks like she's a noshow. Call not returned I expected this from my reading that it's pretty common for Models AND Photographers to leave one or the other hanging but oh well.

What do you do when a model from MM noshows, do you leave feedback or just move on?

I had something similar happened to me, booked 3 models and two called to cancel the day before. The last one confirmed but didn't show up. I moved on.

 

[photo guy]

Do a model call in the area and set up with multiple models in case most don't show up or call and cancel. Try to have a back up plan with some friends or relatives if you had to get a permit to shoot in the area so your money doesn't totally go to waste. At least this way you can still pick up some experience.

 

[DiskoJoe]

It's just a TF shoot but she did contact me yesterday afternoon and explained what had happened and expressed interest in rescheduling next week if I was still interested.

Thanks Mishele, yeah, I am curious to see what I can do with a stranger in contrast to having only shot my wife or a few couples.

You'd probably do fine. My first photoshoot was with a stranger I met walking down the street one day....
Jessica Wahlquist - No Flash Photo Shoot - a set on Flickr

 

[GlmImaging]

Just wanted to also share my "first time" experience with a model last August, I decided to go with the approach of shooting an experienced model and gave her a "high level" of direction by reviewing images in my iPad. This allowed me to get some good shots and also I now use these as a reference for other model shoots whilst I work on my direction skills!

You can see a couple of my shots from my first session here : ModelMayhem.com - GLM Imaging - Photographer - Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

The model is the one in the first large image and also on the avatar...if you click this you can then see more shots we did in my port. I found that once you get your first out of the way, the rest become much easier!