Modeling Tips… Want to be a model
or just look like one?
Do you think beautiful models
always take naturally beautiful photos? It’s true that great photos begin with
natural beauty, but so much more goes into it… great poses, healthy clear skin
and glowing hair, lean muscles, beautiful physique… it all start long before
the photo session begins.
Models rely on professional model
poses and great looks to succeed, but did you ever think of how much
preparation time is involved? Whether
you prefer print magazines or runway fashion shows, if you want a professional
modeling career you need to pay close attention to all the details that need to
go into presenting the best that you can be!
During your shoot, the
photographer will most likely help guide you through a variety of poses. Lots
of practice must go into successful poses and great looks long before you step
in front of the camera. Practice posing
in front of a mirror, take lots of photos of yourself and encourage your friends
to take photos of you to see how to work the camera. You’ll see what looks great and what
doesn’t. It’s a great idea to get used
to being photographed. Use your
emotions, and develop a smile that will light up a room. Think happy thoughts for genuine smiles. Learn to relax and be confident in front of
the camera, the photos reflect your personality. If your nervous, go somewhere else and imagine
something you are comfortable with. You
can hum your favorite song or ask to listen to your favorite music during your
shoot. Be genuine and if you need a
specific look, draw on it mentally. I
always recommend acting, dance and music to develop your skills, performing helps
you develop confidence and focus.
If you are an inspiring model or
just want to have that model look here are a few suggestions for looking great!
Eat Right. Lots of fruits and
veggies and lean protein and whole grains (nuts and seeds are a great addition
to your plan).
My recommendation is to juice
daily. Your skin and hair will
glow. It’s the easiest way to get nutrients
in with one juice. You would never sit
down to eat an entire plate of veggies & fruits for breakfast or any other
meal, but you can certainly drink one. You
can choose from kale, celery, spinach, carrots, apples, ginger root or any
variety of farm fresh produce. Try to
choose as many organic as possible. Keep
in mind you can switch it up daily… add fiber rich ingredients, you will be
surprised at how your energy level will go up.
I always grab a Greek yogurt with my juice or a bowl of oatmeal or
cereal with Almond Milk. Below are a
couple of recipes to start off your day.
For lunch grab a green variety salad with nuts or feta, and some fruit, pita
chips or whole grain toast, but keep away from fast food and processed foods,
they will drag you down. For dinner just
go light with some protein & veggies. You can add a small portion of sweet
potatoes or brown rice. (Try a cilantro/ lime rice)
Here are a couple of juice
recipes. You can adjust the juices
according to how much and what you like.
Morning one:
Green Lean
2 or 3 Granny Smith Apples
4 Stalks of Celery (organic)
1 Cucumber
¼ Lemon or ½ orange (peeled,
whichever you prefer)
Ginger root (about ¼ inch round
piece – the size of your thumbnail)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Day 2:
Red & Ready for the day….
3 or 4 Red Delicious Apples
(organic if possible)
6 to 8 Carrots (preferably
organic!)
5 or 6 ounces of Spinach
3 slices of seedless watermelon
A handful of red grapes (or
green)
1/4 red beet
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Photo shoots can be draining and
you need to keep your energy level up.
Exercise daily. Walk and get some
cardio in at least a few times a week minimum.
Do some light weight training to build muscle. Muscle helps burns fat! Be sure to include some stretch and tone
workouts and maybe some relaxing Yoga or Pilates. If you enjoy water sports, try paddleboarding,
it does wonders for your core muscles, and balance.
Drink plenty of water – at least
8 to 10 glasses per day.
Get enough sleep. 8 hours of
sleep is important.
Posture: whether you are posing
for a commercial clothing shot or walking the runway, remember your posture is
very important. Keep your back straight
and your shoulders up, (no slouching) always remember to keep your stomach
tight and flex your muscles, this will make you look more toned. Be sure to be daring and do many different
poses, it’s better to differentiate your arms & legs with asymmetrical
poses. Ex. If one leg is locked casually bend the other. If one arm is straight, then bend the other.
Be sure to breath, I know this
sounds silly but, it seems a lot of models tend to hold their breath or
minimize it… It’s important to concentrate but not to overdo it. Breathing naturally will make you look at ease
in the photo.
Give a few different approaches
on looks toward or away from the photographer.
Make some serious facial expressions, laughter, bright smiles, look at
the photographer (not directly into the camera) and look away as well. Staring off also look nice in photos. Angling or tilting you head with eyes only at
the photographer can capture an entirely different look. Whether sitting or standing adjust your
weight to one side. Angles will result
in a slimming effect. You need to be
versatile and present the looks as if you are playing a part, draw from within
to create an emotion. Facial expressions can make or break a look. Your eyes can do most of the work with many
shots. Move into different positions and
pause in each, for a few seconds. Think
of it as a slow dance, a flow of movement.
Keep your position and especially your hands relaxed and graceful. Don’t grab your waist or clamp your hand in
awkward positions. You can adjust your
shoulders or angle your face differently, reposition your legs and/or arms,
each adjustment will create a new look.
Study top magazine models and use
variations of their poses and looks, then make them your own. There are several professional modeling
videos that are helpful to watch and learn.
Try to establish a signature look and pose that you can always fall back
on in a shoot that you know looks great in a photo! For runway develop your own strong, confident
walk, nail each stop with perfect poses to show off the designers creations,
you need to make the designer’s clothes look amazing. You are there to sell a
look. Be confident, courageous and
strong! Your job is to make the
potential buyers want to buy the designers style. You have to make them think “I Love it, I’ve got
to have it!”
If you are on a paid commercial
shoot, study the product, research the company, and try to get a feel of what
they are trying to sell. What are they
going for? What type of company are
they? Do your homework! Know your client. Know your job! This is a professional job, go in
prepared! Arrive early and be
reliable/dependable. You need to be prepared
mentally and physically. Some shoots
require more serious facial expressions, angular dramatic poses while others
capture casual, happy, light attitudes.
Confidence, posture, appeal,
facial expressions and your attitude are what will make you succeed!
Take care of yourself, know your
job, know your client, be professional and reliable, have fun!
Be the best “YOU”, you can be! J
by Jaye Clements - Sarasota Photography! come by & visit on facebook too!
