Posted on: May 22, 2017 at 9:04 am

If you’ve ever seen a professional model’s photoshoot, you probably walked away thinking it looked quite simple. Take for example this image of model Pooja Kumar, by Karthik Srinivasan (photographed on SONY Alpha 99 series). True, a seasoned photographer working with a professional model can make it look effortless. But it isn’t like that at all when you start out!

If you’re on your first few photoshoots, you are probably working with an amateur model. Here are a few tips on how you can get the best out of the shoot, from the model –

1. It is a good idea to pre-plan your lighting. A newbie model could only get all the more taken aback with you fiddling with a light right on top of her head! So have you lighting planned before hand, and change lighting setups while the model is changing outfits.
2. Learn a little about body language. You cant randomly pose a model, the positioning of the hands and the entire body should signify something. For example, a chin held high up could spell out pomp or attitude, while the head shying away from the camera could signify timidity or grace. There’s no right or wrong about it, it purely depends on the feel you are looking for.
3. Set the mood for the shoot. It may be a good idea to have some music on to relax the model.
4. Talk! If your model is the shy types, a shy photographer really wont help the cause. Put your model at ease by holding a conversation with her. At the same time, keep your mind on the lighting and composition!
5. Ask your model to breathe! Holding a pose for more than a few seconds can tense up the body, and that reflects on the facial expression. Ask your model to relax and breath easy…