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Photographing celebrities is not an everyday task for a photographer, but, clearly, it is on every photographer’s wishlist, often without realizing that these shoots can be very challenging compared to regular model shoots mostly due to celebrities usually being on a tight schedule and you only get a short time slot to photograph them.

As I am not a celebrity photographer by trade or by heart, I shoot them when I can because it is good for your portfolio and boosts a photographer’s confidence. Granted, you need confidence to begin with for any project, but when shooting a celebrity you really need to bring your “A” game.

When it comes down to confidence, this is exactly what is required when photographing a celebrity, who can be very snappy assuming that you got your stuff together for her to perform (meaning that she walks onto your set and walks out the same way as she arrived 30 min. after). This, of course, depends on the celebrity and each case is different.

This does not mean that they aren’t nice, but you have to consider that most are bombarded non-stop by photographers and paparazzi who have torn the heart out of many celebrities and caused them to develop a distrust of the camera. However, if you are by chance hired to shoot one, they must clearly know that you are there to make him or her look good and you both need each other to do your job properly. Once again, you are in charge. You are the captain. The success of the shoot rests on you, not on what might be a finicky or recalcitrant on-air personality.

The one thing you must remember about celebrities and high-profile personalities is that they are normal people, but they live in a different reality where their “product” or brand is their appearance and/or personality. They usually make their living pretending to be someone else, so when it comes time to be themselves, they might be a bit cautious and guarded. Some celebrities have overcome this by actually becoming their public persona – the side they show to the public that’s supposed to represent who they are or how they want to be perceived when in front of a camera. They’re always “on” and ready to go, but it might not be what you’re hired to do.

Celebrities are not models (well, some of them are). When an actor or celebrity is at the studio and in character, they are in control of the situation. They’re at “home” and in their element. When it comes time to be themselves in front of a strange camera and an unfamiliar location… not so much. Actors, by the very nature of their work, are sometimes insecure people hiding behind a mask. It’s up to you whether to accept that mask, or to dig a little deeper and reveal their “true” identity, depending on the assignment.

Musicians are a somewhat different story because unlike TV and film actors, they are used to being on stage in front of thousands of people. However, the same rules apply. Do your homework and know what you’re getting into when working with someone. The good thing is that there is usually plenty of info available online when it comes to onstage types.

That being said, it may be a little more difficult for musicians and singers to show their real personality because when you put them in front of a camera, that’s their cue to start their show. On the other hand, if they’re comfortable with whom they are you’ll have it made in the shade. Show them respect. Be professional. Let them know they’re doing a good job. (Sound familiar?)

My sassy celebrity/model here is European sensation Nina Osenar, who is known for TV, singing, modeling and numerous other limelight venues, including the cover of the October 2011 Slovenian Cosmopolitan, a recurring Slovenian Playboy three-time cover/feature model as well as 2007 Playmate of the Year for Slovenian Playboy. I was flown to Europe to do the shoot with her and here are some of the results. Enjoy!

Jarmo Pohjaniemi

 

Interview:

STC: Congratulations on your successful career that seems to be scaling new heights , at least if we’re judging by all the magazine covers, TV appearances and never-ending polemics about you. What’s your secret?

Nina: There is no secret. Things just kind of happened for me. And when they did, I put in all of the energy and hard work I could muster. So, I guess a little luck and a lot of skill is what’ll do it for you! (laughs) You know, nobody in school really teaches us much about life, and therefore most of us are in a poor position to even correctly define happiness, success and so on. And even when we have a recipe for making something simple like a cake, we can often mess it up… you know what I’m saying?

STC: Congratulations also on your Cosmopolitan cover. How was the shoot?

Nina: The shoot was fun! After quite a while, I had the privilege of working with a female photographer, and that’s always different. You know that advice you gave me six years ago? I took it rather seriously. “Jarmo” said to me, “Nina, make love to the camera,” and that was truly helpful. Of course, it also always helps to have a good-looking man holding the camera! (laughs)

STC: Photographers must approach you for photo shoots all the time. By now, I’m sure you’re quite tired of the Paparazzi. After having spent so long in the limelight, are you still honored that the people in your country remain intrigued with you?

Nina: Well, I guess you could say it’s an honor, up to a point. But all this time, while being put in the spotlight I was focusing on my work, and I have learned quite a lot about TV, the music trade and so on. I have to say knowledge has always been the most important thing for me. I never wanted to be famous because of the fame itself. But when the opportunity presented itself, I just went and did it… and in the best way I possibly could, which, of course, is the only way that ever gave me any satisfaction.

STC: You also have a talent for singing, and yoga seems to have captured your heart as well. If you would have to choose between singing, yoga and modeling, which would you pick?

Nina: Yoga, definitely. It has taught me that everything that we call “real” is only a little better than an illusion. In this world, everything on your eyelids manipulates you with an ad. It’s pretty unhealthy for us to identify with materialistic things, even with our friends and family. And we also shouldn’t identify with our intellect as well. Ok, I can already hear you guys sighing and saying something like, “Wow, here’s a bimbo quoting Kant!” but here goes:  [Immanuel] Kant said, “It can be seen as foolish to search for truth with an instrument as limited as the intellect, to attempt to measure the unknown depth of eternal questions with a finite instrument.”

So, I take this journey of life as an opportunity to learn and use this knowledge to grow. To get to know who I am and not to run away from myself like most. It’s hard, I’ll tell you, but it’s not impossible.

STC: Do you have any advice for a photographer – I mean from your celebrity point of view?

Nina: Use less Photoshop. Capture more reality. Show more emotions and less perfection.

STC: After you shot with Jarmo, he told us that you were very nice to work with after the morning warmed up, when and the happy, laughing girl emerged from behind your celebrity status.

Nina: He is right. That’s a really nice way of putting it.

STC: Where would you like to be five years from now?

Nina: I want to be right here, right now. I don’t want to be held in captivity by my past or my future. If we spent most of our time living in one of those two places, than we are not alive, then we do not live at all.

STC: What do you do for fun?

Nina: Everything. Nothing should be taken too seriously. Whatever I do, I try to do it because I like it, because it’s fun!

STC: Any trips to USA in the future? We are sure lots of photographers would line up for a photo opportunity to work with you.

Nina: No, not for now, but thank you so much, and I am sure that the opportunity will come eventually.

STC: Tell us what a routine day is like for you like and what time it starts?

Nina: The only routine in my life is getting up at five in the morning. I can boast that I always snap to happily, I never use the alarm clock. I spend the morning meditating and practicing my asanas (yoga flexing) and pranayama (yoga breathing).  Everything else depends on the day and the project.

STC: Thank you so much for this verbal quickie. We are following your career across the big water wishing to see more of you in the future. Perhaps an appearance at some future Shoot The Centerfold seminar?

Nina: Thank you. I wish you all the best, sending light and love to all of you! And as to the seminar, yes, anything is possible.

STC: Thank you, Nina Osenar, who keeps making headlines in her country and in Europe. You can also see more of her via Facebook or you can perhaps attend some gala event where Nina is known to turn heads with her stylish upscale appearances. Wear something nice, and you just might be noticed next to her.