Forums > Critique > Improving as a model

Model

sillykitty

Posts: 37

London, England, United Kingdom

So I do primarily nudes and fetish work (which I'm pretty happy with) but I've started to wonder recently if I'm not pushing myself hard enough. I've gotten a little feedback here saying that I should do more glamour and elegant photos, and that my profile seems to lack direction.

I feel like I'm at a little bit of a loss on how to improve and sharpen up my port. I like doing nudes/fetish so for me having just those kinds of images isn't a problem but maybe I'm just satisfied with the status quo?   

Does anyone have any advice or critique? Its not really about trying to get more work, that hasn't really been an issue, its more about being the best I can be.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Sep 09 14 05:56 pm Link

Model

Victoria Ellis

Posts: 129

San Diego, California, US

Look up a photographer who will work with you on your ideas. Someone who shoots a completely different style so you can try something new. Invest in some red lipstick and lingerie, and do a variety of casual, fashion, elegant, whatever you feel like doing.

Sep 09 14 06:09 pm Link

Photographer

Random Image

Posts: 335

Pocatello, Idaho, US

I am going to be honest, and it might hurt a bit sad

You are very cute, and take cute nude pictures.

But you are coasting on the fact that you shoot nudes, and lots of photographers want to shoot nude models.

You need to work first and foremost on your facial expressions.  Secondly you need to become more aware of your body, and how you present yourself to the camera.

Become a GOOD nude model and you will find that other areas of modeling fall into line rather easy.  Too many models confuse taking off clothing with talent and the kind of skill that comes from hard work and dedication.

But you are off to a good start, keep at it!

Sep 09 14 06:13 pm Link

Photographer

Eyesso

Posts: 1218

Orlando, Florida, US

Some thoughts....

What a model wears or doesn't wear is of little significance.  Modeling is ACTING, so you have to convince the view (in a single frame) that you are something deeper, more mysterious or fantastical than the actual you.  Good modeling is an act of transmutation.....which is as simple and complicated as taking a good picture.  The idea is to see a picture and instead of saying "oh, that's me", saying "woah...that's me?". 

Here's a model I worked with.  You would never guess what she is like based on her pictures.  But that part doesn't matter, cause her pictures speak for themselves.  https://www.modelmayhem.com/1227596

Sep 09 14 07:39 pm Link

Model

sillykitty

Posts: 37

London, England, United Kingdom

don't worry Random Image, it wasn't harsh

I've gotten a lot of food for thought here, and a good starting point. I have a few shoots coming up that are pretty varied; that'll give me a chance to try new things out and experiment.

I think I've been going into shoots feeling more like a prop than an actress, which may not have been the best approach. I can do a lot more to work with the photographer to get more emotion and narrative out of each shot. I have a feeling it'll take a lot of practice to transform myself!

Thanks again for the comments, I'm feeling fired up! >= )

Sep 10 14 12:40 am Link

Photographer

sospix

Posts: 23762

Orlando, Florida, US

Variety is a wonderful thing  .  .  .  wink  Even if you've found a genre you enjoy, it's always good to branch out and explore  .  .  .  doing some light fashion, glamour, urban, etc, should give you a chance to expand your modeling abilities, and add to the quality of your images, whatever the style is  .  .  .  as you mentioned above, having some props to play off will give you a completely new approach, it will push you to incorporate the mood, and styling of a particular shoot, making you more aware of angles, hand positions and facial expressions  .  .  .  wonderful to see a model not willing to sit on her laurels, but, push some boundaries  .  .  .  usually happens the other way round, fashion based models wanting to expand into fashion or art nudes, but, great to see either direction  .  .  .  hope you enjoy your new directions  .  .  .  keep me in mind if you're ever in Florida  .  .  .

SOS

Sep 10 14 02:41 am Link

Model

Figures Jen B

Posts: 790

Phoenix, Arizona, US

sillykitty wrote:
So I do primarily nudes and fetish work (which I'm pretty happy with) but I've started to wonder recently if I'm not pushing myself hard enough. I've gotten a little feedback here saying that I should do more glamour and elegant photos, and that my profile seems to lack direction.

I feel like I'm at a little bit of a loss on how to improve and sharpen up my port. I like doing nudes/fetish so for me having just those kinds of images isn't a problem but maybe I'm just satisfied with the status quo?   

Does anyone have any advice or critique? Its not really about trying to get more work, that hasn't really been an issue, its more about being the best I can be.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hello,

Just because someone else thinks you need more elegant or glamour photos doesn't mean that you have to abandon your genre of choice, (fetish/nudes.)

Check out other portfolios of photographers and models you like. Shoot with people who you think are amazing. Try to push yourself in shooting with photographers, make up artists and stylists who are also trying to push themselves and grow. Try to represent your best work and not just work that was fun to shoot but doesn't show you growing. Even shooting that was fun can be a lesson but, the works don't always reflect it.

Jen

Sep 10 14 03:24 am Link

Photographer

Account Dead dead dead

Posts: 243

London, England, United Kingdom

Hi kitty,
We've swapped a few emails and are talking about shooting when you return to London.

What Eyesso says is bang on:

Eyesso wrote:
What a model wears or doesn't wear is of little significance.  Modeling is ACTING, so you have to convince the view (in a single frame) that you are something deeper, more mysterious or fantastical than the actual you.  Good modeling is an act of transmutation.....which is as simple and complicated as taking a good picture.  The idea is to see a picture and instead of saying "oh, that's me", saying "woah...that's me?".

Read my 'About Me' section and I say the same thing. You need to be able to show expression and emotion to vary the work you have in your portfolio. You say that you "feel at a little bit of a loss on how to improve and sharpen up my port" but you've got to engage with a photographer that's going to be able to improve your range. If this means you have to do TF for the next five shoots then that's the investment you need to make.

Hopefully you can have this kind of discussion with me when you get back to London and we can shoot something wonderful.

Best
K

Sep 11 14 06:21 am Link

Photographer

Lallure Photographic

Posts: 2086

Taylors, South Carolina, US

How many looks are you doing per shoot? I am seeing 6 panty looks out of only 9 photos.

Yes, you need much more variety of looks on your page.

I like number 4, 6, and 8, the best. Number 2 could have gotten there, but the garment needed to go to above the knee, and the expression needed to be detached.

Sep 11 14 04:15 pm Link

Model

sillykitty

Posts: 37

London, England, United Kingdom

I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who's contributed to this thread! I was pretty nervous to ask for critique but the feedback has really given me a lot of direction.

Sep 11 14 08:07 pm Link

Model

MatureModelMM

Posts: 2843

Detroit, Michigan, US

Sometimes you can actually get helpful comments without anyone being rude.

You are simply beautiful, and certainly have the body and figure for nude art modelling. At your age, I have to agree with the others who are encouraging you to also try other things. Art nudes are wonderful, and nude models tend to get more work than those who don't do nudes, but you should explore all the options.

Two words that bear repeating: expression and emotion.  Work on presenting poses with expressions like you were an actress on stage in a play. Use body language as well as facial expression.  Practice in front of a mirror, or with friends, have someone snap some quick photos that you can put up on the computer screen to see exactly how you are doing.

I wrote this a few days ago when someone asked a similar question, and I can tell you that it worked for me, I highly recommend trying it:

If you want to know for sure what's going on with your body in various poses then you should get naked whenever you practice, even if you are never planning to do those poses in the nude. This was the single most important thing that I learned about practicing poses decades ago, and I guarantee you it works. The reason for doing this is it allows you to see how every part of your body changes shape and appearance as you relax or tighten muscles and move around. Lock your fingers behind your head and watch what it does to the size and shape of your breasts.......tense your stomach muscles and see what it does to the shape of that area, same thing with hips, butt, thighs. You will quickly see that moving, tightening, or relaxing one body part affects others in ways that you might not have realized. Once you see how everything interacts, you will understand how a pose looks to someone standing in front of you.

Combine that with presenting various expressions while holding each pose, and you will see that you can change the look of the pose very easily with a facial expression or body language.

I always use this photo which I did a few years back with another MM art nude model as an example to show others some possibilities on how to present expression, body language, and emotion: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/21822351  18+

For another completely different pair of expressions and body language, check this one out: https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/27800803  18+

Sep 11 14 08:17 pm Link

Photographer

F O R B E S

Posts: 576

New York, New York, US

You need to work on your facial expressions and your poses. And also work with a photographer who does quality work and has a clear vision that could elevate you and your look to another level. Your work so far is ok. But it will be better when you work with people with a vision and after a while you will start to figure out which direction you want to go.

Sep 12 14 07:25 am Link

Photographer

Michael McGowan

Posts: 3829

Tucson, Arizona, US

There are some pretty darn good photographers doing fetish and nude work in England. Why not look them up and work with some of the best in the business? Surely you'll learn lots of tips from them ... and wind up with some exquisite photos to show in the meantime.

Sep 12 14 07:36 am Link

Photographer

4 R D

Posts: 1141

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Looks like you are too new to this to worry about receiving feedback. Just try to shoot as much as you can with the best photographers you can find. You have a beautiful body and the disposition to work and learn and improve. You will be fine. Wish you could pose for me!

Sep 12 14 10:33 am Link

Photographer

Toto Photo

Posts: 3757

Belmont, California, US

I would agree with those who've suggested you would do well with glamour.

The only way I know if I'm complacent is to try something new and see if I like it.

Corsets would cry for one chance at your waistline.

You'd excel at broken doll.

I was going to say ignore all advice, including mine, if you're happy enough with nude and fetish, but you seem to want to experiment with other genres, I'd encourage that. Then, if the shoe doesn't fit, show your feet smile

Sep 12 14 10:49 am Link