Sessions
A “session” refers to an outfit and lighting/setting change, i.e., a completely different look, and yields between 50 and 200 images each. I don't charge by the hour because I don't want you to pay for the time I spend changing the lights or the time you spend changing clothes. You can make minor outfit changes and I can make minor lighting adjustments within one session at no extra charge.
Customers seeking a model portfolio do at least three sessions, typically formal wear, casual wear and swimwear/lingerie. For comp cards, most models do five looks. Each session will include headshots, top half of the body, and full head to toe body shots, as well as seated or lying down. That way you have every angle in each outfit. Of course you can shoot in as many different sessions as you want to pay for, and for each outfit I will use backgrounds and lighting to compliment your clothes.
If we were shooting an advertisement for a clothing designer or boutique we would be using their clothes and a stylist would choose what you wear. But this shoot is for you because you are the paying customer and so you get to decide what to wear and how to look. If you are not sure what looks to create, pack a suitcase full of everything and we will decide together what will combine with the setting to create fabulous images.
Guests
I welcome clients to bring a friend or family member to shoots rather than show up alone -- at least for the first meeting. Some models may be more comfortable without their friends or family present and watching the shoot, some may prefer to have them. Having a guest give feedback on what looks good can be helpful, just please advise your friends not to chit chat while I am shooting.
Most of the time mom's are a great help at a photo shoot selecting outfits and being encouraging and boyfriends can make a good grip (assist me in carrying equipment). But on very few occasions I have had controlling mothers and jealous boyfriends who make the experience for the model unpleasant. So I am fine with you bringing a guest, but I don't insist on it if you would prefer to not have the company. Mostly we don’t want to have other people in the room gawking and talking while we work. Anyone under 18 must have a parent present at all times.
Again, this is a paid shoot and you are the customer. But understand that if I were paying you or any other client hired you to model for them, you would not bring friends or family in the same way that you don’t bring your boyfriend or mom with you to work. In general, photo shoots are not social activities.
Hair and Makeup
The average cost for a MUA (make-up artist) and hair stylist is $20 - $35 per session (depending on stylist). Let me know if you want one and I will arrange to have one at the shoot. Having a professional make-up artist and hair stylist will greatly aid in the overall appearance of the images as well as help you feel like a professional model. But I understand that it can be costly and many women like to do their own hair and make-up or have a friend do it. If you choose to do your own, here are a few tips:
• Go heavy on the eye liner and mascara. Use either a neutral eye shadow or bring a color that matches a particular outfit that you want to shoot in.
• Extra blush and foundation is good, as long as the color is not drastically different from your natural skin tone (we want the color of your face to match the rest of your body).
• Go heavy on the lipstick – use a bright red or pink, but not a dark color unless you decide to use the same dark color eye shadow or clothes.
• Body lotion and baby oil to create a shine is fine, but you must be very careful not to spill it on backdrops, clothes and so on.
Wardrobe
I suggest that you bring a variety of outfits, from casual and club wear to formal dresses to swimwear and lingerie – whatever you are comfortable wearing and want to shoot in. I will help you select what pieces to put together but will never insist that you wear (or not wear) something that you don't want to shoot in. Here are some basic guidelines:
Avoid anything with text on it. Abercrombie and Hollister are not paying us so I am not going to promote them for free. But if you really want to, I will shoot you in those outfits. Still, clothing with text is difficult to shoot and puts the emphasis on the product, not the person. Avoid patterns such as plaid and stripes (especially in swimwear). I prefer solid colors, but again, if you have an item of clothing with patterns that you want to shoot in, I’m not going to refuse to shoot. Denim is good, lace is fine and other materials with texture such as fur look good in photos.
Bring both a black and white bra (plus any other color if you want to shoot in lingerie) and a strapless if you have one to go with whatever tops you wear. We can enhance cleavage with gaffer’s tape. Wear a thong if you plan to shoot in leggings or other tight fitting pants that would reveal panty lines. Brand names on waist bands are acceptable as long as the logos are not too big.
Again, Victoria's Secret is not paying us to promote their clothes, but I understand if you want to wear a popular brand and that is fine. The Playboy Bunny or example is a popular and recognizable logo, but if you shoot a trademarked image, you are limited to what you can do with the photos for non-personal use. When I shoot a magazine ad, the logos are sometimes the subject of the photo and the model is merely the mannequin for the outfit. But for a model portfolio or personal photos, YOU are the subject of the photos and the clothes are to enhance your image. Text and logos distract from that purpose.
Tattoos should either be completely revealed or completely covered. If you have tattoos, avoid clothes with straps that cover the art work or wear something that completely hides it.
Bring a variety of shoes and other foot wear such as boots or sandals. Heels are great because they help with posture. Shoes with ankle straps always look good. Feel free to bring jewelry and other accessories, but nothing that is very expensive. Hats, headbands, scarves, purses, and so on are fine.
What NOT to bring
NO gum and NO smoking in the studio at all, and NO food or drinks in the shooting area. These items should be kept away from your clothes and my equipment.
Please keep cell phones turned off and put away. It's very distracting to be shooting when some annoying ring tone goes off. Since I don’t charge by the hour, I don’t want to spend my time hanging out while you chat on the phone. If you feel that you need to be reachable or want to take a break to return calls, that’s fine, I just don’t want it ringing while we are working. Think of it as visiting the salon or dentist. You wouldn’t whip out your phone and chit-chat while getting your hair styled or teeth cleaned.
Also, no other cameras shooting the set. My studio equipment and lights are part of my product and services. Therefore no one else will be allowed to use their personal cameras with my set up. This is a standard practice in studios.
Food and Drink
Some models don't like to eat before a shoot because they are afraid they will appear bloated. I disagree. You will only feel bloated if you eat a heavy meal like fast food and drink carbonated beverages. More importantly, you will be in a good mood if you are not hungry. So eat first, even if it's just a light snack.
Adjacent to my studio is a food mart and there is a small office size refrigerator in the studio. Feel free to bring bottled water or pick something up next door. I do NOT serve drinks in an open or opened container to customers and I do NOT serve alcoholic beverages.
Hygiene
Some of this goes without saying, but please be completely bathed and clean before a shoot. Legs, armpits and pubic area should be clean shaven or waxed with no “5 o’clock shadow” or stubble. The use of lotion to avoid dry, chapped skin is encouraged. An expensive facial and body wax is not required, but doesn’t hurt. Spray on tan should be used cautiously as we don’t want some surfaces darker than others or getting clothes stained.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
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