A. I. Studios wrote:
Looks like no matter what you say nowadays, is WRONG!

What is the right way to tell a model to dress sexy for an outdoor shoot or any shoot for this matter.

Thanks

With a Moodboard, lookbook or in images.

Show the Model the look You are attempting to achieve.

A. I. Studios wrote:
Looks like no matter what you say nowadays, is WRONG!

What is the right way to tell a model to dress sexy for an outdoor shoot or any shoot for this matter.

Just say it.  Don't let the pussification of the world make it complicated to explain or describe your shoot. 

And, moodboards help too.

bshaw811 wrote:
I actually prefer that the photographer e-mail me some pictures that show what sort of concepts he's looking to create. If those happen to be in a short-dress, lingerie or nude, I know what I need to deliver. Doesn't take any words

I have to disagree with this "Doesn't take any words"

If i am discussing a shoot with you and I specifically say "There will be no topless, no nudes" and I send you a sample pic of one of the poses that I want, in the pic the model is topless. To me I am looking at the pose and believe it or not the pose can be done in a scuba suit covered from the neck to the toes. i have done this a couple of times and gotten this response  something like "I don't do nudes. Sorry but I don't want to shoot with you. You want nudes but are not being honest about it."  WTF

TouchofEleganceStudios wrote:

I have to disagree with this "Doesn't take any words"

If i am discussing a shoot with you and I specifically say "There will be no topless, no nudes" and I send you a sample pic of one of the poses that I want, in the pic the model is topless. To me I am looking at the pose and believe it or not the pose can be done in a scuba suit covered from the neck to the toes. i have done this a couple of times and gotten this response  something like "I don't do nudes. Sorry but I don't want to shoot with you. You want nudes but are not being honest about it."  WTF

The model's assumption is reasonable enough. Although I wouldn't suggest sending nude images as descriptions for poses desired in a non-nude shoot, if it were absolutely necessary I'd suggest being specific with a disclaimer. For example, "please disregard the nudity in the third image, it's the only image I could find to describe the pose, as I mentioned all work will be clothed."

Jeffrey M Fletcher wrote:
The model's assumption is reasonable enough. Although I wouldn't suggest sending nude images as descriptions for poses desired in a non-nude shoot, if it were absolutely necessary I'd suggest being specific with a disclaimer. For example, "please disregard the nudity in the third image, it's the only image I could find to describe the pose, as I mentioned all work will be clothed."

Actually that is almost exactly how I put it
Instead of "please disregard the nudity" mine said "please ignore the nudity in the image"

People need to use some common sense. For instance I want to do a fashion style shoot at Old Town Pasadena the model on the stairs front main entrance with this pose

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44259197


The model responds "I don't want to do a western shoot"

If I send a model this pose are you saying that it cannot be done on a sofa:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/43607169

It is about the pose

TouchofEleganceStudios wrote:

Actually that is almost exactly how I put it
Instead of "please disregard the nudity" mine said "please ignore the nudity in the image"

People need to use some common sense. For instance I want to do a fashion style shoot at Old Town Pasadena the model on the stairs front main entrance with this pose

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44259197


The model responds "I don't want to do a western shoot"

It is about the pose

Your message is not clear. Ignore the nudity is fine, but what about the scene?

Better might be:
I want to shoot here: https://cbsla.files.wordpress.com/2010/ … .jpg?w=420
With you wearing this: **insert catalog outfit or whatever**
And your arms, legs, and head posing like this: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44259197

We cannot expect models to be mind readers. You send them an image, and that's the image they think you want to duplicate. And if an image is truly worth a thousand words, perhaps dozens of words, if not hundred(s) are required to extract the abridged story from that sample image.

Now, the problem I would have with your message, assuming you gave me the location and outfit and pose is whether we are going to get one look and pose. "click. We got it. Thanks." Personally, I'd save the exact pose for the shoot. Show the model the pose on my phone. Then any confusion about nudity or scene is totally erased. Unless the pose requires a contortionist, most models can get a simple pose done without practicing days before the shoot. Plus, you asking them to change the pose is no longer outside the prior agreement on the one pose you stated.

Eric212Grapher wrote:

Your message is not clear. Ignore the nudity is fine, but what about the scene?

Better might be:
I want to shoot here: https://cbsla.files.wordpress.com/2010/ … .jpg?w=420
With you wearing this: **insert catalog outfit or whatever**
And your arms, legs, and head posing like this: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44259197

We cannot expect models to be mind readers. You send them an image, and that's the image they think you want to duplicate. And if an image is truly worth a thousand words, perhaps dozens of words, if not hundred(s) are required to extract the abridged story from that sample image.

Now, the problem I would have with your message, assuming you gave me the location and outfit and pose is whether we are going to get one look and pose. "click. We got it. Thanks." Personally, I'd save the exact pose for the shoot. Show the model the pose on my phone. Then any confusion about nudity or scene is totally erased. Unless the pose requires a contortionist, most models can get a simple pose done without practicing days before the shoot. Plus, you asking them to change the pose is no longer outside the prior agreement on the one pose you stated.

You are taking things out of context. That is merely a sample of one pose for the shoot. It was an example. What you are expecting is for me to share an entire conversation about the shoot. For instance I am in the midst of planning a shoot at a studio with a baby grand piano. That same pose can be done with her back to the piano. We are discussing a pose not the entire shoot! Or do I need to post the outfits that she will be wearing here, including the colors and her make up and hair. Can we just focus on the pose as an example.

Alexandra Vincent wrote:
In other words, send example photos. "Sexy" means something different to literally everyone.

Exactly this. "Sexy" is one of those nebulous words like "glamour" that means something different to everyone who uses it. It is best to describe in plain English exactly what you are looking for (or send sample photos if you have them). And don't be shy about asking for exactly what you want. If it crosses the model's limits it is better to find that out during the pre-shoot communication. One thing models hate more than anything else is the "bait and switch" where the photographer leads them to believe the shoot is about one thing, when it is really about something else.

TouchofEleganceStudios wrote:
If i am discussing a shoot with you and I specifically say "There will be no topless, no nudes" and I send you a sample pic of one of the poses that I want, in the pic the model is topless. To me I am looking at the pose and believe it or not the pose can be done in a scuba suit covered from the neck to the toes. i have done this a couple of times and gotten this response  something like "I don't do nudes. Sorry but I don't want to shoot with you. You want nudes but are not being honest about it."  WTF

its not unreasonable.
As a photographer, these days you are expected to be passing familiar with photoshop or equivalent.
Slapping some fake bikini or something over her is expected to be within your capability.
The fact that you didnt do that, can suggest to the model that you actually want to do nudes.

Philip Brown wrote:
its not unreasonable.
As a photographer, these days you are expected to be passing familiar with photoshop or equivalent.
Slapping some fake bikini or something over her is expected to be within your capability.
The fact that you didnt do that, can suggest to the model that you actually want to do nudes.

One thing about me is that I have been a member of Model Mayhem in good standing for over 12 years with an excellent reputation. Not one complaint from a model in all that time. There is a reason for it. I am ALWAYS straight with models. I read every word in their profiles. What you are saying is no different than model who says "I don't do nude" yet has nudes in her pictures. She said I don't do nudes and I respect that so I NEVER ask.

As far as photo shop if i remember correctly there are Retouchers on Model Mayhem. Perhaps you expect me to do make up and hair too. I am not interested in retouching, doing make up, hair or designing clothes! It says in my portfolio that I am a Photographer.

A. I. Studios wrote:
Looks like no matter what you say nowadays, is WRONG!

What is the right way to tell a model to dress sexy for an outdoor shoot or any shoot for this matter.

Thanks

I don't tell a model, "You need to ______.". I say, "I want to shoot ________.". The goal is to be clear, without being demanding.

When arranging a shoot, I tell the model what I am going for. I am specific so as there are no surprises at the shoot. If a model has a problem with what I am looking to do, she will tell me.

TouchofEleganceStudios wrote:
You are taking things out of context. That is merely a sample of one pose for the shoot. It was an example. What you are expecting is for me to share an entire conversation about the shoot. For instance I am in the midst of planning a shoot at a studio with a baby grand piano. That same pose can be done with her back to the piano. We are discussing a pose not the entire shoot! Or do I need to post the outfits that she will be wearing here, including the colors and her make up and hair. Can we just focus on the pose as an example.

How can I be taking things out of context when you provided no such context? You seem to think the models can read your mind on the limited aspect of the image and your discussion. I am expecting when you post to the forum here about a miscommunication issue for you to provide the full context of the conversation leading to the miscommunication.

You do not need to post the entire conversation, but rather summarize it here. Did you send the model examples of the location and fashions you were interested in? Or did you jump straight to the pose thinking she should already understand all of that?

Not a photoshopper? Draw a black bar over the example model's breasts.

FIFTYONE PHOTOGRAPHY wrote:

With a Moodboard, lookbook or in images.

Show the Model the look You are attempting to achieve.

Excellent response, because "sexy" means different things to different people

bshaw811 wrote:
I actually prefer that the photographer e-mail me some pictures that show what sort of concepts he's looking to create. If those happen to be in a short-dress, lingerie or nude, I know what I need to deliver. Doesn't take any words

This makes the most sense. Just asking someone to dress sexy is very vague. it's just too subjective. Emailing examples of what you're looking for is the logical thing to do since asking someone to read your mind is asking for misunderstanding and disappointment, not to mention an unnecessary stress and burden on the model.

Besides that I see no problem in informing a model your idea requires sexy, or nerdy, or sporty, or whatever your idea requires.