Skip to main content

The Anatomy of a Photo Shoot


This great topic given by Glamour from YM.com will take a closer look at what models do 110% of the time: photo shoots. Whether you've done one before or not, it's important to know how a typical photo shoot operates. No photo shoot is always the same but there are a few basic elements that are always present.

Photo shoots can be as short as an hour and a half to two hours or as long as 4-5 hours. Most shoots rarely go past that, but it has been done before. But in general, expect to be shooting for no more than 4 hours. There are many factors that contribute to the length of a shoot, including weather conditions, loss of natural sunlight, delays in setting up, and moving to different locations, to name a few.

Pre-shoot: After arriving at your shoot location, you'll need to be prepped for your shoot in hair and makeup. There may be times when you'll have to arrive "camera ready" and in those instances, you'll be in the comfort of your own bathroom doing your hair and makeup.

But if you're being prepped at the shoot, expect to be sitting in the chair for a while. While your hair is being curled, set in rollers, brushed, etc., the makeup artist will apply your foundation, powder, eye shadow, lipstick, etc.

Next comes your first outfit of the day. You'll get dressed and the stylist will make sure that everything fits and is in its proper place. He/she will give you a once-over to make sure that you have the green light.

During the shoot: You better work it! Obviously this is the meat and potatoes of the process. You'll be striking your poses and may be required to change in and out of clothes, while having your hair and makeup retouched if needed. There may a change in location where you'll have to pack your belongings and set up shop somewhere else.

Post-shoot: Now that the work has been done, you can get comfortable in your favorite pair of sweats or jeans and get a snack or drink of water. If you're lucky, your photographer will let you get a sneak peek of your shots. After all is said and done, you thank your photographer and crew and go home to prepare for another photo shoot all over again!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks ...