Most models have the professionalism and experience to understand the requisites of pre shoot preparation, however some don’t! Turning up looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards is unhelpful……..

The following list is aimed at giving a little advice to help inexperienced models prepare for a shoot. Feel free to add your own pre-shoot advice, hints and tips. 

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Week leading up to shoot

• Shave legs, armpits and appropriate areas at least 2 days before the shoot to prevent rashes and inflamed areas.
• Wash and Iron Wardrobe, polish shoes, boots etc and pack into a suitable case or bag. Leave the tesco’s carrier bag at home.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid tea, coffee and red wine as much as possible.
• Apply fake Tan at least 4 days prior to shoot (if needed, if not don’t tan) streaky patchy tans are unsightly.
• Colour hair at least a week before shoot, if it goes wrong you have time to make it right!
• Prevent late nights as much as possible, and get some sleep especially the night prior to the shoot.
• Adopt a skin cleansing and moisturising routine to help prevent spots, blemishes, blackheads, and unsightly rashes.
• Adopt a nail care routine, or buy and apply fake nails the night before the shoot or first thing on the morning of the shoot. Clean and manicure your nails!
• Inform the Photographer/MUA if you have any allergic reactions to specific makeup products.
• Inform the photographer if you suffer from hay fever, dust allergies etc.
• Pack and Bring your own towel and makeup if preferred.
• Bring comfortable shoes such as trainers to avoid walking up a mountain in high heels as an example!

Day of shoot

• Wash, condition and brush hair.
• Have a shower, bath and use a deodorant.
• Moisturise prior to shoot.
• Wear loose fitting garments to prevent unsightly indentations to waste line, ankles, boobs etc.
• Try to avoid wearing makeup foundation that has high concentrates of titanium dioxide, better still don’t use any makeup until requested to do so or applied by a MUA.
• Bring your own moisturiser and cleansing wipes to a shoot. Products you are used to and unlikely to cause you skin issues, hygienic too.
• Bring your own brushes and combs for hygiene purposes. 

Any more for anymore folks post away.

All great advice Michael,

just a couple from me,

Make sure if its a fashion/lingerie shoot that the clothes look new and not been in the washing machine 50 times with balls starting to form. (Has Happened to me)

Contact the photographer or reply to the photographers call/text the day before the shoot, on the day of the shoot contact the photographer to let them know that all is well and you will be on time.

If you have a problem, contact the Photographer/studio/agency ASAP, to inform them, if you cannot make the shoot, inform those envolved 1st thing, DO NOT turn off your phone and ignore the photographer etc, as this will only get you a bad name as a No Shower, most Photographers will understand if there is a valid reason, out late clubing the night before is NOT a good reason, it just shows how unprofessional the model is.

If its a TF/CD/P shoot, the model should treat if like any other shoot including paid, please remember that even though some class these as free shoots they are not, as both Model and Photographer will be spending Time and Money, A decent photographer will be prepared and give 100% during the shoot and the image processing afterwards, a model should never give anything less.

Some so called models expect the photographer to fix poorly fitted clothing and bad makeup, these should be right from the outset as Photographers will tire quickly of photoshopping a poorly styled/madeup image.

When modelling make small adjustments to your pose after each shot, you would be amazed how many more pics you may get from a shoot, don't expect more than 20 images from a shoot, as the photographer will choose the best to photoshop, this is why changing your pose and facial expressions are so important,

Show emotion in your posing, again a model who can show different emotions will get more work and images, experiment with facial expressions, if they don't work there is nothing lost,

PHOTOGRAPHERS

If you shoot on a TF/cd basis, then send the images to the models as soon as possible, even if its only a few edited images to start them off until you have time to do the rest. If you are runing behind, email or call the model and explain the situation and give them a time scale when they should expect Images either via Email of Disc.

Personally I never and will not send models unedited files, as they have a habit of appearing on sites, accredited to photographer, which is never good.

Tim

Words of wisdom Tim

I can't over emphasise facial expressions, practice in front of the mirror to get used to pulling facial expressions and showing emotion. I Promise you you wont crack the lens 

After each shot, change your pose, some models adapt a sort of slow motion dance routine to great effect and dont be frightened to experiment with movement.

Do learn a variety of ballet poses, especially for fashion orientated shoots as it will help you with good body posture, stand tall, stand proud and project elegance.

If you have an idea do share it with the photographer


More to follow

I'd even argue that a model shouldn't wear fake tan at all! It's seldom if ever applied evenly and can pretty much destroy images. I have some shots which I think would be really good images, but the fake tan renders them useless. OK, I could perhaps spend hours trying to even it out - but I'd have to question if it's worth the effort and even if it was, is it within my capabilities to make it look natural? I'd much rather the model have not worn any

The next thing is facial makeup vs. the his/her torso and arms. This isn't so much an issue when a MUA is involved, but for the shoots where one isn't, it's really important to make sure that the models face isn't one tone/colour from makeup and then their torso and arms a different colour.

Leaving make-up aside (arent MUA worth their weight in gold!!), I can't emphasise communication enough, both before and indeed after a shoot. A phone call for me.. is a must. Email is fine for sorting out and recording details, but I would never dream of working with a model without having spoken to them in person first. Similarly after a shoot, I think it's a good idea for a model to contact a photographer and get some feedback. in most service industries, this is standard practice.. I believe it's something that can be applied here too.

wow great advice and coming from men lol some great usefull tips.

I second the whole "Practice - Practice - Practice" mantra! Models, move slowly, give us a chance to work between the movement, and for the lights to recycle (means to let them get enough charge to fire again). If your new to this, listen to what we have to say. This isn't just about you and your face, its about getting 'that' image, the one that you look at and just smile knowing you've got it spot on.

Nothing worse that someone that doesn't move, or needs help with EVERY position. I'm sure you know what you look like, so get the mirror off the wall and sit infront of it and get to know your face, and what it can do. Pouts, expressions, smiles, frowns, this includes your foreheads, work on your eyebrow movements, and your lips and teeth. Practice with your hands on your face, buy mags and see what your peers are doing and replicate them.

Don't stuff your clothes in a sports bag, have them neat and ready to go. Cause when you turn up, we as photographers are ready to go..!

Come on Ladies, step up to the plate and contribute your thoughts, ideas, hints and tips.  We Dont Bite.....much

Words of wisdom indeed... I never really thought of contacting a photographer for feedback but now that I think about it, it's probably the most useful thing that a model can do to improve!

Thanks!

And I agree with the fake tan issue- just don't wear any. It shows up orange in most lights anyway, it doesn't look natural to me.

As well I would say, before any shoot, make sure that the communication is good between model and photographer. I think it's very difficult to show up on the day of the shoot not already knowing and being the character that is being portrayed in the images.

these may be words of wisdom but i see it as everyday preening!! who on earth would go o a photoshoot with greasy hair or stained clothes!

i find it quite shockin that togs have to give personal hygiene tips to mods!!!

ps i am white as a ghost and look awful without fake tan! my tan is usually ok but a bit of tan can make all the difference