This article is from 2nd issue of OTS E-Magazine  Pages 38/39

Making the Photographer Smile! - General TFP Shooting Tips 

 by: PHOTOGRAPHER - Paul Johnston / News Story - OTS ID: 16764

MODEL - DawnDevereaux - OTS ID: 22187

Getting the photographer to smile from the results of your TFP shoot is not a hard thing to do.  It all revolves around your being prepared for the shoot theme, paying attention to details in looking your best and working throughout the shooting process with enthusiasm.

Generally, wait until you get to the shooting area before dressing in your outfits; however, have your basic makeup already applied.   Make your hair, makeup; finger and toenails look their very best. These will all show in your photographs. Photographers appreciate all the effort you go to in looking your best!

On the finger and toenails, have them looking nice. If you like to paint them, then have a fresh coat of polish on them. If you like them natural, then make sure all worn and chipped polish has been removed, looking clean, trimmed neatly and maybe a clear coat of polish applied.  Having your nails looking their best goes a long way in having your images look great, especially your close up images. 

Bring a small amount of touch up makeup, small mirror and a hairbrush.  Having a hair brush nearby for each shooting sequence helps prevent flyaway hairs and strands of hair getting in front of your eyes.  If you notice strands of hair in front of your eyes while shooting, gently brush them to the side.  It is time consuming to edit these hairs from the image.  The photographer may not notice them as the shooting is going on.  If having hair in front of the eyes is not a goal of particular shots, them move them to the side of your face.

Bring a variety of outfits to support the shooting theme.  Changing frequently will give you a nice selection of images to choose from.  Given the shooting time available, suggest you change into a different outfit if the photographer spends too long on one look.  Frequent changing of outfits will produce more looks to chose from in putting together your model portfolio.

Any type of accessories - jewelry, hats, scarves and props adds to the variety that can be achieved on a shoot.  Accessories are a quick way to change the look of an outfit.  While shooting, change your pose up a little at a time between each shot.  Again, this gives you more images that have a different look in which to chose from.  This is one of the things that separate the experienced models from the beginning model.

Bring a pair of walking shoes.  If you will be walking around and shooting in various areas, walk in a pair of comfortable shoes and then switch to your dress shoes for photography.  To keep your energy up, bring some water and maybe some type of snack.  Between shooting and the next time you eat can be a long time.  After eating a snack, check the teeth to make sure no food particles are showing.

Show up for your scheduled shoot.  Cancellations are welcomed if you get sick or not quite recovered from an illness. Feeling good goes a long way in looking your best for a shoot.  Canceling well ahead of time with an explanation is appreciated.

Doing the above things will make the photographer smile and you too when you see the results of your extra effort!