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The pre-production stage is one of the most valuable parts of any photo shoot. This is where things come together and start making sense. Planning the strategies to achieve what you wish to accomplish, finding the right props, wardrobe and the location will secure your confidence level and performance.

Review your plan over and over to ensure that nothing is left to chance. Often photographers like a spontaneous outcome which can be very magical at times. However, in the professional world, you cannot rely on such. But, imagine having your plan well executed and adding any spontaneous magic on top. You’ll certainly get better results.

Mood Board

Create a mood board to which you can reference while doing your shoot. This is also known as a cheat sheet and is very helpful to keep you on the right track and serves as a reminder of what you need to photograph. When photographing a pictorial with numerous looks and scenes, we tend to forget things. Even all big catalog houses and fashion productions use similar reminders and guide sheets about what’s important for them so they get the desired shots in detail.

Hair & Makeup

The art of hair and makeup seems nonexistent to amateur photographers. Hair and makeup is just as important as any other part in beauty and glamour photography. Never assume that your model can do her own hair and makeup. Models see themselves their way inspired by what they think looks good on them, which does not always translate to the best outcome for the photographer. Having a good makeup & hair artist (MUAH or MUHA) will automatically elevate your photographs in style and will improve upon the already existing look of your model by enhancing them to a suitable outcome.

Just because you know someone who does hair and makeup does not always mean that they are good at their craft. Evaluate their portfolios not by the amount of their images that they post or display, but by the quality of their work and success. Success and quality usually works hand in hand.

Lenses

I have seen many photographers using just one lens for capturing pretty much everything. As convenient as this may be, it’s far from the potential of optical variety and illusions that you can create by having the right lens for the right situation. If you are photographing with one single lens, you can create a magical outcome but often the variety is not as rich in regards to focal planes and lengths.

There is nothing more delightful for an experienced editor than to edit an image sequenced pictorial that offers variety in focal lengths and scenic image choices that could result in a visually rich picture story. People often ask me which lens is my favorite. They all are because they all are for different purposes even when used in the same photoshoot.

Lighting

The magic of lighting must be the most important part of photography. But lighting alone does not do very much if you don’t have all the other mentioned parts in check as well. The level of expertise when it comes to lighting tells the editors and clients who you really are as a photographer. Lighting does not have to be complicated but it has to work and accommodate what you are trying to accomplish. Lighting is all about highlights and shadows and when combined correctly there is nothing quite as delightful for the client who is willing to fork out money for the right images.

Playmate Of The Year set by Jarmo Pohjaniemi

If we follow the great masters of paintings and photography, they all share one thing in common and that’s how they use light to bring their masterpieces to life. Lighting a subject, regardless of what it is, is an endless study where no one graduates. But what you do get time to time as a reward are the images that serve as the stepping stones to your future.

No matter how good you think you are, most likely there is always someone better than you. Don’t fall in love with your images and lighting. Fall in love with the craft and always reach higher for that next better image. Only a very few images from your entire photography career may become memorable. Based on history they all usually are related to lighting, composition and subject matter.

Ansel Adams didn’t expect to get more than 12 great photographs each year.”

What can you do to improve your lighting? Perhaps the question should be, “What is it that you shouldn’t do to improve your lighting skills?”

Playmate set – Studio West by Jarmo Pohjaniemi

Shoot The Centerfold seminar set – Photo: Salvador Avila

Shoot The Centerfold seminar set – Photo: Salvador Avila

Shoot The Centerfold seminar set – Miami

Learn photography & lighting with Shoot The Centerfold Masters

Model

Many photographers believe that models are a dime a dozen. However, this is completely untrue! If models are what you photograph, choose wisely because if you don’t the outcome most likely will not be as good as you expected. Choosing the right model can be as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. Sounds crazy? Yeah, it does. But when your photography career depends on it, it starts making sense why clients host castings and hundreds of models are carefully evaluated to make sure that the right decision will be made. This might not be as important for an individual photographer who shoots for a hobby, but it’s an absolute must for a professional who knows that his results will be reflected by his decisions. Having the right model can make or break the pictorial, advertisement or whatever you may be photographing.

Playmate Rainy Day

How do we find the right model? This all depends what you are photographing and the style that you wish to portray. Fashion models are usually completely separate from glamour models. The line between glamour and fashion has blurred in the past 6 years. The models haven’t but the style and the market between them has. If you are looking for a fashion model, there is no better resource than reputable modeling agencies that represent them. Sure, they cost more money than finding one from Model Mayhem or any other online modeling community and for the right reasons.

The good old saying, “you get what you pay for” prevails here. I am not saying that you can’t get lucky and find your model other ways but after being in the industry for 35+ years, my experience gives me a hunch to what works and what doesn’t. Glamour models are a completely different story; you may find the perfect one right next door to where you live or one from the other side of the world that you desire to photograph. The more you advance in your photography, the pickier you will become with who you want to photograph. Always remember that your execution will reflect how successful your shoot will become.

Look at these qualities before you book a model

• Sexuality aside, look at your candidate’s photogenic abilities. Can she deliver multiple looks instead of just one look as far her facial features are concerned?

• Find out about her personality. Does she have an animated personality or is she shy?  Both will work, but choose wisely based on what you are trying to accomplish.

• If you are doing a fashion shoot, most likely you should look for models 5’8 and taller. Fashion industry standards are set in stone in regard to what works and what does not. When photographing fashion you are focusing on the product instead of the models. The product is the primary target.

• If you are photographing glamour, the model is the primary subject. Look for beautiful features which include her face, smile, hair, hands, fingers, nails and the entire appearance. These small and often overlooked aspects can haunt you after the fact. Personalities are also very important. Can she remove any doubt she knows her body language and what works and what doesn’t? Often, glamour models think that they know what works best for them but you, as a photographer, are in charge and have to determine what works and what does not.

• When I am considering booking a glamour model that I think may have potential and she does not have enough pictures to convince me, I request a Skype meeting so I can find out more about her and her personality. If the model denies such an interview, perhaps she’s not the right one. Keep in mind that young glamour models are not always professional models! Also, you may need to understand and learn to tolerate their artistic behavior to an extent.

Assistant

Find a good assistant. A good assistant knows what photographers want and can help you to focus on what you do very best. If you cannot afford one, have a friend help you if nothing else. This also makes you look more professional instead of juggling everything by yourself.

Good luck.

Jarmo Pohjaniemi

 

 

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