Posing for Photo Shoots Requires Concentration

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When new models think of photo shoots, they envision a model posing rapidly, which flash strobes popping off every few seconds. While many experienced models can pose this way for fashion shoots, Campus Men tends to encounter students who need guidance because they lack modeling experience.

One Pose at a Time

When working with new models, we find it is better to capture one photo at a time, rather than rapidly firing off the camera. Models concentrate on finding a flattering pose before the photographer captures the image. Then the model tries another pose, which the photographer captures, and so on. This may involve holding still for 30-90 seconds, much like a statue.

Our photographer learned everything he knows about photography by observing veteran photographer Paul S. Ross of Columbus, Ohio. Ross used this one pose at a time technique frequently with his swimsuit models.

Ross posed his models intricately among roses, bananas and lily ponds. Every prop that appeared in the photo was positioned perfectly. Nothing was left to chance. His photographs became like paintings. If a model moved, the photo could not be captured. Sometimes girls would hold still for hours!

He took the need to remind his female models not to move to the extreme. He ordered pin-on badges that read "Don't Fuckin Move" after the girls he photographed joked about his frequent use of the "F-bomb" during photo shoots.

So Paul gave these "Don't Fuckin Move!" badges to his models before a shoot as that extra reminder of what would be expected of them when they stepped before his camera!

Becoming Distracted Ruins Photos

If an inexperienced male model allows himself to be distracted while posing, he can lose potential good photos. Models need to pay extreme attention to the photographer's direction and ignore everything else while posing.

When a model gets out of position, looks away from the camera, or relaxes his body, he causes the photographer to go back to square one. Time is wasted and good photo opportunities are lost. It makes your photo shoot last longer than needed.

Posing during a photo shoot is a job that you need to take seriously. You waste the photo crew's time whenever you lose focus from your job.

Often times there is little time available to capture that "perfect shot." If the sun is setting, a photo crew might have as little as three minutes to capture all of the photographs possible for the day. So, in the time you take to relax your position, look away, and then bring your attention back to the photographer, the photo shoot could have been completed.

The model is posing, getting into perfect position for the scene. Then someone walks by. The model looks over, moves out of position and loses that "perfect" pose that took him five minutes to find through experimenting with different poses.

Absolute Privacy Uncommon Outdoors

It is nearly impossible to have absolute privacy outdoors. A photographer cannot eliminate every possible distraction at a shoot. It is unlikely your photo shoot will be held at a deserted island. It is not cost effective. If the photo shoot is held outdoors, it is common for a bystander to walk by.

Models should not move out of position simply because someone is walking their dog nearby. They need to ignore everything other than the photographer.

Bystanders Are Curious

How often do you walk your dog by your neighborhood park and walk by a photo shoot? Photo shoots are unusual occurrences. People are naturally curious. Photo shoots are kinda cool. Bystanders go home and tell friends they saw a guy getting photographed Ð because it is unusual! So, bystanders are not thinking you look stupid, they are wondering if you are a famous model. They think you are cool Ð not stupid.

Sports Themes Photo Shoots

When the theme of your photo has an athletic theme, your shoot might be held at a sports facility or park. After all, sports are usually take played there. However, ball parks are usually public areas. They are often in use. For example, one of our past shoots involved a volleyball theme. So, we gathered models and props and head out one early Sunday morning to a high school volleyball court. In the midst of a shoot, a team arrived to hold practice. We were forced to end the shoot!

model in summer school

Studio Shoots

Studio shoots offer more chance for privacy. However, it is the creativity and unique setting available at an outdoor location are not possible indoors. A shoot can still be interrupted during a studio shoot.

If the UPS man comes by the studio, don't look over. If a maid spills a bucket, don't look over. Your only job during the shoot is to pay attention to the photographer.