Posted By DJ Foothill:I have learned that if EricMuss is
involved it's probably going to get out of hand VERY quickly, and has no
real hope of ever becoming serious again.
This is true. I joke around a LOT. But, to give a serious answer to this thread ... I just did.
What I mean by that is - constantly joking around IS a serious answer to "how" you get a model to pose well.
There are no "10 things" you can do to help pose a model. No. The way you get a model to pose well is for that model to be comfortable with you. Period. That is the case with all models. Male or female. Amature or professional. Doesn't matter if he/she has been a model for 5 weeks or 5 years. If the model is comfortable, they will do great. If the model is tense, they will suck.
Now, it is usually easier for more-experienced models to reach that comfort-zone on a shoot. So, if the model is NOT very experienced, just be extra casual. Keep things fun. Lighthearted. Be encouraging. Tell them when they do something you like. If they do something you do NOT like, reinforce it with a positive comment.
Don't say, "Don't move that way, it looks bad..."
Instead say, "It looks better if you do this instead..."
I don't care if you're doing a sunshine and laughter shoot on the beach, or a dark gothic brooding clothing line, or a serious dignified fine art nude, or crazy off-the-wall porn. No matter HOW serious or carefree the final images are, the shoot itself should ALWAYS be fun and laughter.
Doesn't matter if it is for your own portfolio or for a multimilliondollar client. Keep. It. Fun. That will keep you AND the model relaxed and will always help you get better shots.
(See, I can give serious answers sometimes ... And other times, my answers are more like this ...)
Posted By Venus:Like they say...get on your knees...I get
on my knees.
... No, no. Don't stop there. Please continue. First you get on your knees ... and then? ... Yes? Yes?! ...
(wipes off sweaty, coke-bottle glasses and dabs forehead with ratty hankerchief)
