1st Time Photo Session Tips for Models
By Jean-Pierre D'Zahr

If you're an aspiring model or actress, and are preparing for your first photo session, here are a few tips to get you started and make that first photo session a real success.

In the 24 years of photographing people, and models, I've come across models that can move naturally, captivate, and deliver a range of expressions. Seasoned models have been able to deliver 30 or more shots out of 36, making it difficult to pick which ones to use, they are all GREAT SHOTS!!

In other words, models that are not prepared, or models that don't know how to move or pose, in front of a camera will get 1 or 2 shots acceptable out of 36 shots taken.

The more you understand what to do, and how to do it, the better your pictures will turn out. Yes, I give some direction at the photo session, but nothing beats experience in front of the camera itself.

Your goal ultimately is to have as many great shots of you, so that the client or your agent has trouble deciding which ones are not good.

That said, here's some advice I give all beginners, especially if they've never had any training. This advice is not intended to replace any training that you can get from professionals, but it is a quick and easy way to try out if you're a good candidate for a model look.

1. It's always great if you have some fashion sense to begin with, and that you actually love fashion, art and photography.
    
2. Your personality needs to be that of an extrovert. Maybe even a little bit of an exhibitionist attitude in front of the camera.
    
3. To get you to that level you'll need to do some research. Yes, FUN stuff. Pick up 6-10 fashion magazines, for your age of course, and start reviewing them and looking for your favorite head shots, 3/4 length shots, and full length shots. Then tear them all out and group them into studio shots and location shots. Then break them up into Color and Black and White shots. Start looking at these pictures as a critic, and look for good expressions, and then also look at the photography and see if you like the style or lighting of the photography.
    
4. Now you should have anywhere from 50-100 photos that you've torn out of magazines. Find the photos you think best suit you or that you feel you could emulate, copy or do.
    
5. Take those best shots and place them in front of a nice large mirror and see if you can pose like the models in the photos. Yes, this sounds corny but take my word for it, it really works. I've had many beginner models practice in front of the mirror and then come in for a photo session and you can really see they did practice and were ready for the photo session while others came in and were clueless about how to move and express themselves in front of the camera.
    
6. Understand that the more animated or exaggerated you can be in front of the camera the more the photo session will generate great shots. Now this does not mean you need to be a robot and start stiff posing, it really means being able to flow naturally from expression to expression and with body movement. I find that most people have good head shots, but have trouble with posing 3/4 and full length, not knowing how to stand, move their hands, or even walk in front of the camera for 36 shots. Can you?
    
7. Have you ever seen a magazine layout featuring one model within 10 photos and in all 10 photos the model has the same expression. Well that probably was the last time that model was hired from that magazine. So don't bore the camera, or the viewer.
    
8. If you can develop a number of expressions, and attitudes, in your portfolio, people reviewing your photos will say things like, he is or she is very talented, moves well, is a natural and has a lot of personality. When you have these photo traits you'll stand out of the crowd. A Great example of having a great range of expressions and attitudes is model/actress Angelina Jolie. She's not afraid to make a daring expression with her face or body and that's what makes her so bankable. She can ham it up!
    
9. Prepare as much as you can.
    
10. Get the right clothes for your photo sessions. What you have at home will NEVER work! You'll need a complete new or other wardrobe and that's why I always recommend using our Wardrobe Consultants to go shopping with you and pick up the right clothes for the photo session. WHY? There are many reasons. Some outfits don't photograph well, some outfits should be shot in color, others are great for Black and White. Also bring all your favorite magazine tear sheets with you to show the Wardrobe Consultant what kind of look you're going after for your shots. She'll know where all the right outfits are around town and make your job a lot easier. Accessories are the finishing touches to any photo. Make an ordinary outfit into something fabulous with just the right accessories. Jewelry, hats, scarfs. belts, shoes, are all important ingredients to a captivating fashion image. Without these ingredients in your shots you can look just plain and ordinary. Yes, you're probably thinking OH this is TO MUCH but guess what, if your first photo session does not turn out GREAT what do you think will happen next? If you're going to try out you'd better be prepared to do it right and give it your BEST. Those who want to be models that did not prepare properly ended up giving up even though they may have had an opportunity to get to the next level of being represented by an agent.
     
11. Making the cut with an agent is not easy when you're competing with 100 other WANNABEs each week. An Agent is always looking for something different or a real standout so develop your look that’ll grab their attention.
     
12. Now don't worry about how good you will look. Just follow the instructions that one of our Top Industry Makeup Artist Mary Erickson gives in the following link. Whenever you shoot with any photographer I recommend you have your hair and makeup done at the studio. There is good reason for that, you'll get the latest commercial and beauty look and treatment from the professionals.
    
    MAKEUP TIPS LINK
    
    Last thing - Always come to your photo sessions on time, and with a positive (good) attitude. Try leaving your problems behind and by all means have GOOD TIME being in front of the camera - it's your moment so take full advantage of it.
    
    If you have any further questions just contact me at the following link.
    
    CONTACT LINK
    
    
    BEST WISHES
    Jean-Pierre D'Zahr