Love Behind the Camera
The interaction between photographer and model is at the core of glamour photography. It is the one factor decides if an image is successful or not.
As photographers, we learned the basics of photography, such as composition, f/stops, shutter speeds, light ratios and such. However, what you usually don’t find in a photography manual is how to interact with your model as well as the do’s and don’ts. The key to success in glamour photography, or any kind of photography for that matter, is having a firm grasp on what inspires and motivates you. In the industry, it’s called “knowing where your love falls.” This is due to there being three reasons a person chooses to become a glamour photographer: for relationships (implied or otherwise), for the status, or for the love of photography itself. While these choices sometimes overlap, there is usually a dominant motivation or impetus.
Relationships
The allure of being in the company of beautiful women on a daily basis is emotionally intoxicating. This is what’s called falling in love with what’s in front of the camera. It happens to almost every photographer, especially novices. They mistake the emotions shared during a photoshoot as being genuine and directed at them personally, not toward the project. It’s no secret why many photographers select glamour photography as their career choice – not necessarily because they love photography, but for the opportunity to be around women. While they might indeed succeed and have a profitable business, their actual objective (finding relationships) throws them off the mark and their photography suffers.
Perhaps THE main reason a model will not want to work with a photographer again is when the session turns into a date. While it is very important to make a model feel comfortable when posing, especially nude, a photographer must remember to keep things as professional as possible. This means calling the model ONLY by her name (no nicknames, like “sweetie”, “honey”, “darling” etc.).
While cutesy names and personal questions may not bother the model, it could cause problems with the model’s boyfriend or husband. While you might not be aware of the situation, it may play a part in the model not being available for work, completely through no fault of your own. It is advisable to stay away from making any personal comments, remarks or “compliments” concerning their physical assets or asking inappropriate questions. While there is such a thing as small talk, if a remark has nothing to do with the shoot (i.e., what the model does on their personal time), it should be left unsaid. A model is not a girlfriend or a date. A model is your co-worker. You are responsible for their safety and well-being in a productive environment, just as a boss is accountable for their employee.
Also, there should be absolutely NO touching of the model, except as a last resort. Even then, it is advisable that a photographer first ask permission to do so, and then give a verbal description of what they are doing. Even if your model is completely comfortable with being nude, or even being touched while nude, it is suggested that you conduct yourself as professionally as possible in order to put her mind at ease. It means you are there to work, not to flirt. Keep in mind that while she might say anything at the moment it happens, she may doubt or second-guess your intentions after the shoot is over and has time to evaluate the shoot.
A photographer runs the risk of being falsely emboldened to take the shoot further than planned, especially when shooting with nude models. To a model, posing nude is often just a part of their work and more often than not will have no more meaning to them than posing in a bikini or lingerie. It’s something they’re hired to do. However, due to the sexual and intimate nature of the work, many photographers feel entitled to take liberties.
If a photographer speaks or acts improperly, a model will most likely never let them know. However, they will tell their friends and other models each and every detail of their shoot. The quickest way to end a photo career is to treat your models improperly or behave inappropriately while working with them. They WILL talk. When the word gets out that your actions are questionable, it’ll be time to either move or consider a career change from glamour photography to taking pictures of landscapes, bowls of fruit and pets. Protect your reputation at all costs.
Status
Then there those who enjoy the status of being a photographer; they’re in love with the camera. These are the ones who are quick to buy the newest and most expensive equipment. They love talking shop and the latest trends, but don’t actually have the time to improve their craft. They seem to enjoy the notoriety that comes with being a glamour photographer, of the mystique and envy of being surrounded by gorgeous models and having their picture taken with them at every opportunity. While their work is of high quality but at the heart of their efforts, again, their true passion is located elsewhere.
Perhaps the second-most highest concern almost all models have is being treated like objects, not people. During a shoot, it is easy for any photographer to get caught up in their craft and forget the fact they are dealing with a live, human being. There are also photographers who have a tendency to be pushy with their model and be very cold and demanding. These photographers, both experienced and inexperienced alike, are for lack of a better word, “control freaks.” One of the main reasons they’ve decided to be glamour photographers is that it gives them an opportunity to control women, especially women who might not give them a second look on the street and without a camera in their hand.
Just as there are divas in modeling, there are divas behind the camera as well. Photographers, despite their talents, are prone to develop huge egos that have a tendency to cloud their judgment. Nothing will turn a model off faster than a photographer who blames the model for their mistakes. While the model may indeed be inexperienced, the photographer must be held 100% accountable for the success (or failure) of the shoot.
Paying attention to your model is treading a fine line. On one hand, as mentioned previously, you must treat her respectfully and professionally. However, you must also be sure to compliment them when they are doing a good job (and even when they’re not). Being a model is like going out for a cross-country drive while somebody else holds the map. Give your model confidence and she will try her hardest to help you meet your goal.
The secret to keeping a model and having them return for more assignments is to always compliment them, not just as a way of expressing appreciation, but also as a means of directing the model. The best way for a model to gauge if they are doing a satisfactory job is to watch a photographer’s reaction to what they are doing. While you’re looking at their face, they’re also looking at yours and not only listening to your directions, but also judging and evaluating your expressions. Use this to your advantage. Always be pleased with what they do, but show you’re even more delighted and satisfied when they follow your directions.
If they receive positive feedback, they’ll know they’re on the right track. They will be confidant knowing they are doing their job correctly. If you stay silent and give little to no feedback, it will make them think you don’t really care about their contribution to your work. Again, imagine it being a work situation. Give credit where credit is due and always make your employees feel appreciated.
One last method of keeping a model coming back is to keep your promises. Regardless of your experience or talent, a model – like any working professional – like to be paid on time. If part of their pay or compensation is receiving a portion of the work (TFP/CD), having to wait a reasonable and promised amount of time will show that you value both their time and efforts. Not doing so, or making excuses and not delivering on time, is a clear sign of disrespect and unprofessionalism.
Passion
Lastly, there are the true artists. Being able to see the beauty of a woman’s physical form is important, not because it appeals to a prurient interest, but because it’s part of an overall beauty that is in a photographer’s world, surrounds them in light, and is visible to eyes that see the beauty of creation in all they do. This is what’s known as having love behind the camera. To be in love with photography is being able to appreciate all forms of photography and being experienced enough to put your knowledge to use, regardless of what’s in the camera, whether it be a naked woman or a naked room. True vision comes from the heart.
There’s a saying that “whatever is in your heart will come out of your mouth.” Well, for photographers, it’ll not only come out of your mouth, but also out of your camera and onto your images. It’s true that you can tell where a photographer’s heart lies by looking at their photos. Truth is indeed beauty, but when you try to pretend to be saying something truthful when it’s not, it becomes a lie for all to see.
And just as with photographers, models also love their work. While it is vitally important for a photographer to be in command of a shoot, it is also very wise to be able to listen to the advice and suggestions of their model. The secret to a successful shoot is making it a team effort. As cliché as that sounds, an experienced model will know what works and what doesn’t. Before a model even steps in front of the camera, it is important that the photographer explain what type of look they are going for, and perhaps provide examples so the model knows in advance hope to pose.
This not only makes for better photos, but also builds trust between the photographer and model. After you’ve worked with a particular model for a while, they will be familiar with your vision and your methods. They’ll know the result you’re trying to achieve without the huge explanation. Building a rapport and maintain a good communication system in place is perhaps the most important aspect of glamour photography.
Posing nude
For a model, posing nude is revealing in many ways, not just physically. Believe it or not, models choose to pose nude for more or less the same reasons photographers take pictures of them. First, there are models who pose nude for the attention they receive from photographers. Despite their outer beauty, they are still insecure about who they are, which may or may not have anything to do with their looks. They love feeling beautiful, which isn’t a bad thing, but they may be doing so for the wrong reasons. You will find that most of your novice, inexperienced models fall into this category.
Too often, models get their ideas of how to pose from what they see in magazines, movies and on television. While they might get an “A” for effort, the poses and looks they imitate may be completely wrong for them. This is why it’s very important to take charge of a shoot and when you see something isn’t working, let your model know (tactfully) that what they’re doing isn’t working. Don’t rely on the model knowing which poses look good and which ones do not. What looks good in the mirror at home doesn’t always look good in the camera. Also, what is acceptable for one type of client may not be acceptable for another. It’s up to the photographer to know the difference. Do your homework. The majority of your models will be inexperienced and are relying on you to make them look good. Don’t let them down.
There are also models who pose nude for the status and notoriety, not to mention the money. While there is nothing wrong with this, just as there are photographers who take photos for cash, a model who poses for notoriety, the accumulation of wealth or other reasons, limit their expressive range and usually have one “look” they rarely stray from, creating photos that while they may be technically perfect, are unimaginative (and perhaps even boring). Think of all the nude photos you have seen in your lifetime. More often than not, they are nothing spectacular, almost forgettable. While the model may be beautiful and the photography competent, there’s nothing to hold your attention for more than a few seconds before you turn the page or click on some other online image.
When it comes to these types of images, it could be the model that wasn’t interested, or perhaps the photographer was merely going through the motions – perhaps both. Either way, if your heart isn’t in it, it’ll show in your photos. If you find your work satisfying and rewarding, your model will feed off your energy and excitement. Lastly, there are models who love to pose for the love of the art. When a model is nude in front of the camera, they are not only physically naked, but also “mentally” naked as well. This means they must be comfortable with who they are on all levels. This is why there are total amateurs who are comfortable when posing nude for the first time, and also the same reason why some are not, or never will be.
While some models cite moral or ethical reasons for not posing nude, the main cause is usually that they are uncomfortable with one or more facets of their personality, and not so much their body. It is important to remember that nudity implies complete physical and psychological vulnerability. Without getting too deeply into the psychology of posing nude, it is important to note that most men and women have completely different perspectives when it comes to being naked. A woman can separate nudity from the sexual aspect of their persona, and a photographer should be able to do the same. Unfortunately, men have little to no experience in differentiating between the two.
Almost all professional models have posed nude at one point or other in their career. When you come down to it, models are actors who perform in front of a lens. For them to perform successfully, they must be in tune with not only their emotions, but also their physical appearance, since it is part of their modeling repertoire. Just as there are geniuses behind the cameras, there are also talented geniuses in front of the camera. A good model will know their proportions and be able to display them to the best of their abilities and to their advantage. When there are talented people in back and in front of the camera, there will be good ideas and good results on both sides.
With thanks to: Mary Alejo, Jillian Sheen, Victoria Cooke and Thea Coleman
