Eric212Grapher wrote:
If making sure you have the perfect outfit, schedule a paid pre-meeting to have fittings.

Asking for selfies of them in various outfits seems weird to me. If it works for you and the model, wonderful. Go for it.

Some models have galleries of their clothing for you to pick from prior to the shoot (or their traveling tour). Some of those galleries include them wearing the outfit. However, you will not know how long ago that was taken.

If you want the model to do additional work, compensate her for her time doing so.

Your scenario assumes this is a paid shoot and this is an additional tasking on the model.  In a TFP situation, much more common on this site and in the arrangements most of the photographers and models on here find themselves, isn't there some level of expectation that the model will assume some responsibility for making the shoot successful?  Simply asking for a cell pic of clothes really isn't taking up that much of anyone's valuable time. 

What may seem as someone asking additional things of the model, why is it unreasonable to see that the photographer has an expectation of needing this information?  If one is hanging, setting up or having to acquire specific backdrops in a studio, it's easy to see why seeing the outfits could best provide the photographer with the most pertinent information.  After all, planning on light outfits and having dark backdrops/roll paper or whatever prepared could all be wasted time, effort and money if the model shows up in dark colors.  In a paid situation, I would dictate what I need the model to wear to help create the vision we've discussed beforehand.  In that pre-planning stage, it would be imperative for the model to say whether she already possessed those articles or if they needed to be procured.  If the model needs to purchase something, that all comes into play with compensation.  Showing up the day of the shoot without a specified outfit that fit the agreed upon look could mean a lot of the photographers time and money had been wasted.  Doing so would be the equivalent of being a no show.

The creative process involves everyone, not just having the photographer adapt to whatever the model pulls out of her bag of tricks that day.

Rada-mila wrote:
I as a model always ask a photographer what outfits should i bring or if I should take smth to my taste. And I can even send some photos. But not like photos in transparent lingerie. Dresses and similar is ok.

But yes, I can totally get why she disappeared, cos models often get asked to make some “selfies in thongs” and stuff like that from creeps

I think it would be fine to ask for pictures of just outfits (alone, on a mannequin or on herself to her choice) so she can see u r not looking for a free sexy selfie and yes, surprisingly many people have mannequins at home ))

It isn't necessary to see the model wearing the garments in the photos. It might be nice, but often there are just so many of them that she would spend the day changing and shooting selfies. I'm more concerned about the cut of the garments and the colors and textures of the fabrics. For the most part, models don't bring clothes that don't fit them -- and if something is too large, it can be made to fit with clamps or clothespins.

Usually, I just ask the model to spread the garments out on something of a neutral color (white is good) -- a white table, a white bed sheet, etc. Mannequins are great as well.

It is helpful, however, if the colors are accurate. When colors pop in a photo, it usually involves the relationship of the colors on a color wheel -- complimentary colors, for example. But, for example, not all greens look good with all reds. One time, a model's wardrobe photos included an attractive turquoise dress, and I had just the right backdrop for it. However, when the model walked out of the dressing room, it turned out that the dress was silver.

Since silver is a neutral color (unless it's reflecting some other color), it still worked with that backdrop.

Btw, we don't usually start shoot planning with garments and colors. We start with things like genres, themes, sets and "locations" (although I've done a lot more shoots on studio sets than on location). But the available wardrobe is a factor in the genres we can shoot.

GianCarlo Images wrote:
You really can’t rely on the model to have a wardrobe dept.

Imo, that depends -- on the model, on the purpose of the shoot, etc.

If the shoot is for a client, the client provides the wardrobe. For purposes of this thread, I'm talking mainly about trade shoots with experienced models to improve their portfolios, mine, and often a MUA's. portfolio. While there may be an occasional exception, to me, the ideal trade shoot is one where all parties get several portfolio-quality photos while spending little (and preferably no) money on the shoot.

I've done (last time I counted) 18 shoots (only two in her studio) with a model who has a 3,000-square foot commercial studio with a wardrobe area that has more than 600 garments and more space that some photographers' entire studios. I've had models drive from near the Canadian border to St. Louis with 10 hand-selected outfits that she had never used in a shoot before. I've had models walk into my studio (before I started selecting wardrobe before the day of the shoot) with two suitcases on wheels, each full of clothes (usually badly wrinkled, because they're all crammed into too small a space).

Even a beginner model usually has a few really good outfits.

There used to be a good wardrobe stylist in St. Louis. That was several years ago.

I just checked for wardrobe stylists within 100 miles of St. Louis who have logged in to MM in the past 365 days. There are zero (just like the last time).

There are five clothing designers within 100 miles of St. Louis who have logged in to MM in the past 365 days. Four of them haven’t logged in in at least 8 months. The other logged in just over a week ago. He has a total of 5 photos in his portfolio.

For my style(s) of shooting, I think I can style a wardrobe better than most wardrobe stylists and clothing designers who have been in StL in the past 10 years – and better than a majority of the models I’ve worked with. Frankly, I find that scary as hell, because that’s not my area of expertise…

It's been a while since I've done a shoot. My wife has a serious health issue, and I closed my studio (temporarily, I hope) a few years ago.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
I suggest going to thrift stores and Goodwill.

+1
This is what I have done on numerous occasions.  My preference is Goodwill. You can get funky with your choices and it won't cost a fortune. I've purchase 2 complete outfits (skirt/pants, blouse) for less than $25 then give the outfits to the models if she wants them.
I also look for cheap costume jewelry, hats, scarves, etc. Cheap ... cheap ... cheap.  You help a good cause and you get outfits you want.

Philip Brown wrote:
yes, lovely.... in theory. Given unlimited budget and time.
Sadly, I have neither

If i were to do wardrobe, I would be really, REALLY picky about it.
Which would require either hiring a pro.. or me spending 2 hours fiddling with the clothing before taking a single shot

Philip Brown wrote:
I'm trying to be a bit more prepared and organized for shoots.
I work with the wardrobe the models have on hand.
So, of late, I've been asking them to provide pics of the wardrobe they plan to bring before the shoot.
A surprising number of them have flaked once I ask them to do this.
The most recent:

A model approached ME, for a collab.
After some back and forth, planning, I asked her for some pics of her planned wardrobe.
Her: "Oh, don't worry, I've never had any complaints"
Me: "I'd still like to make the best match between wardrobe and location. Its not a rush or anything, but I'd still like some wardrobe pics before doing a shoot"
Her: "I'll just find someone else"

???

Knowing the full details of wardrobe before a shoot, seems like just a smart and sensible thing to me.
Is this somehow outlandish behaviour??

Some photographers have asked for this beforehand. Most don't. She might have assumed you wanted pics of her wearing it, which might have felt like it was for your own personal collection rather than to prep for the shoot (you never know in this industry!). When this has been requested of me I've sent photos of the outfits laid out on the ground and that's always been accepted by the photographer requesting them so I've come to realise it's just some photographer's preference. It sounds like she was either assuming the worst or being lazy.

Based on the communication you've written above, I wouldn't have felt like there was anything untoward in your communication but I've had good experience with photographers who have asked for the same. Maybe she hasn't? In any case, if she couldn't accommodate quite a simple request, it just wasn't a fit. Never mind; plenty more fish in the sea!

Kelly Kooper wrote:
Knowing the full details of wardrobe before a shoot, seems like just a smart and sensible thing to me.
Is this somehow outlandish behaviour??
Some photographers have asked for this beforehand. Most don't. She might have assumed you wanted pics of her wearing it, which might have felt like it was for your own personal collection rather than to prep for the shoot (you never know in this industry!). When this has been requested of me I've sent photos of the outfits laid out on the ground and that's always been accepted by the photographer requesting them so I've come to realise it's just some photographer's preference. It sounds like she was either assuming the worst or being lazy.

Based on the communication you've written above, I wouldn't have felt like there was anything untoward in your communication but I've had good experience with photographers who have asked for the same. Maybe she hasn't? In any case, if she couldn't accommodate quite a simple request, it just wasn't a fit. Never mind; plenty more fish in the sea!