JadeDRed wrote:

This one seems a little odd to me, as the photographer, i.e. the one who is actually looking at us, it makes more sense for the photographer to point this out than for the model to be constantly checking up on it.

Yes and no. Its surprising the difference the things a female eye sees vs a male eye (forgive the generalisation but most photographers here are male).

And its surprising the things that the photographer misses 'cause he's balancing light intensity and direction, shutter speed, aperture/depth of field, height/angle, composition, being nice, smiling, engaging in conversation, keeping the model comfortable,planning muffin breaks, etc etc etc - who says men can't multi task!

ShotbyRon wrote:
Great advice! Nothing drives me crazy like #7.

Some newer models seems to think we are magic and photoshop is some one click instant beauty program. I once had a new model show up to the shoot wearing no make up, hair wasn't done at all. I guess she just left work and was running late. In a situation like that, I would have been ok with her being an hour late! I was being paid, so I just rolled with it. But I had to put in double the time doing post work and still didn't get one useable image. I sent what I could somewhat save. Client was unhappy and thought I should just re shoot her for free. SMH

If this is shot for a client wouldn't it be prudent to actually have an MUA and hair stylist on hand?

Plus putting make up on before getting to the shoot at least in my experience is a very bad idea, especially if a model was at work.

When I show up at a shoot it's clean face and un styled hair unless it was agreed prior to a shoot that it will be done and my drive is not one hour (usually it's at least one hour).

Valerie Eve Mercer wrote:
8. Check your make-up - smudged mascara, lipstick on teeth, poorly applied foundation are actually worse than wearing no make-up.

New models, don't know how to apply makeup for the lighting.
I learned to always have a MUA there, especially new models. I will get a MUA from Craigslist. Most of the time its only $25-$35 per model, and with any new model, it helps there confidence, and prepare for the shoot.

Ultra Shot Studios

Arielle Laurito wrote:
Valerie it seems to me that you want your models to look perfect since you say that post processing isn't your favorite. Some of the things you mentioned to do before a photoshoot is outrageous. I'm sorry but the things you expect models to do just seems too much its like your telling every model that they have to look perfect so you don't have to post process at all. I know you said that you do post process but if you are still fairly new to photography you should be doing everything you can to learn post processing more and not expect every model to come in looking like a barbie. I'm just saying that you should think of the things you need to do to make them look good. My fiance is a new photographer he has been doing this for a year now and he spends time on photos. He doesn't expect everyone to look perfect. He's learned a lot and can make anyone look good and he enjoys the post processing part. You have to enjoy every part of photography and the post processing is a pretty big part of photography its the finishing touches. You expect so much from models you also need to expect things from yourself.

Nothing Valerie said was outrageous at all. She wants a model to show up well groomed, on time with clothes that can be shot in e.g. those that aren't wrinkled or stained and ready to work. If your boyfriend can make anyone look good and likes editing that's great but I'm sure that even he has his limits and that if a model showed up for a swim wear shoot with hairy legs, visible tattoos she hadn't mentioned and make-up that looked like it got applied the night before that even he would have some reservations. And while I realize that sounds extreme I once had a model show up on set who was unrecognizable from her photos thanks to retouching-her skin was paler, her hair was limp and oily and a different color and she was much thinner. She's the reason I now request a recent unretouched photo. I've also had a model show up on set with a terrible breakout that she expected the photographer to fix in editing as well as those who failed to mention things like synthetic hair weaves...I could go on.

Models as a whole need to understand that it's not up to retouching alone to make sure that they look picture perfect and that developing good habits is not the same as being expected to be flawless. Consider that it's much simpler and takes less time for a model to do things like remove chipped nail polish with nail polish remover than it is for a photographer to fix it in post. The same goes for things like clothes with lint on them or food in teeth. Also as a side note if there's a hairstylist and/or MUA on set they generally don't like to deal with things like filthy hair or tattoos that they may not be prepared to cover and as a wardrobe stylist I require models to show up with seamless and/or flesh toned underwear because the cost of providing it would get ridiculous since those aren't pieces that can be reused.

If a new model can't be bothered to maintain basic hygiene, take some time to practice posing (which by the way can only be fixed in post with the aid of a master retoucher who can seamlessly move body parts) and own a few key pieces then quite frankly she isn't worth shooting with especially in a TF situation.

amb300 wrote:
What about advice for male models?

Honestly, a lot of the advice is the same. Be well groomed. Be on time. Understand how your body moves. Understand how release agreements work and be realistic about what to expect from a shoot.

Scarlett de la Calle wrote:

My advise would be to make sure you wear seamless undies before a shoot and no bra. I never wear a bra to a shoot though I may pack a few incase they are required underneath or they want to take images of lingerie. Also all clothes worn to the shoot should be loose fitting or items that wont leave marks on skin. The top you wear if hair and makeup are being done at the shoot should be able to be pulled over hips to take off that way or unbuttoned so makeup doesn't get smudged and hair doesn't get ruined.

Yeah and if you're shooting nudes sleep nude the night before and don't wear bra, socks, or Underoos TO the shoot.  Just free ball it until after.  Or you'll have lines.  Just sayin'....

amb300 wrote:
What about advice for male models?

Don't show up smelling like a foot.  Srsly.  Nothing is grosser than having a coed gig and you gotta work close in each others bubbles and you're distracted all day wanting to flog the boy with a loofah and some lever 2000.  Srsly.