Its pretty much a given, that if you’re just starting out, you’re not going to know what to do in front of the camera. Models aren’t born… they’re created! So why would a photographer ever point their camera at you and expect you to pose like a seasoned pro? You’re booking a portfolio photoshoot because you haven’t done any jobs yet, which means you’ve got no experience. No one has taught you how to model, so you’re going to need direction, from head to toe, down to every micro-muscle of expression. That’s on the photographer, not you!
The problem isn’t your lack of knowledge and experience, its the photographer’s lack! The reason they’re not directing you is not because they think you’ll know what to do… its because they don’t know what to do! Not every photographer is a actually a real pro. These days, anyone with a decent camera wants to call themselves a professional photographer, even though they don’t have a clue about lighting, composition, exposure, or posing! The best camera in the world can’t do any of that on its own. It takes a seasoned, educated photographer to create a beautiful image.
Unfortunately, most photographers are intimidated by posing because they never learned the basic concepts of how to build a pose from the ground up. If they do try to pose, they’ll usually just try to copy a picture they found in a magazine. Unfortunately, if you’re not built exactly like the person in the photo, the pose won’t look the same and they won’t know how to tweak it to make if work for you. Posing, in itself, is both a skill and an art, that takes years to master, and most don’t bother. So, they throw you in front of the camera and expect you to know what you’re doing, and then make you feel awkward, intimidated, and embarrassed because you don’t. That’s on them, not you! They make you feel badly because they’re feeling intimidate and embarrassed about their lack of skills.
When someone books a models portfolio session with me, the conversation always starts the same way. They tell me that they’re looking to get into modeling. When I ask if they’ve ever done a photoshoot before, they virtually always say they haven’t. That immediately lets me know that they have no experience. So why would I ever assume that you know how to pose for a professional photographer if you’ve never done it before? You’re coming to me because I’m the experienced pro who will make you look like a model!
My modeling clients look confident in their images because they feel confident! You’re never put on the spot and expected to perform. Instead, I direct you the entire time, so you always know exactly what to do, where to look, and the expression we’re conveying. You don’t have to do the thinking. Just listen to my step by step directions and mirror what I’m show you, and then once you’re in position, I’ll further direct you to refine the details. When everything is just right, we’ve got the shot! Then I show you the back of the camera and you see a model! Then it really gets fun! Because you know you look great, your confidence soars and we’re on a roll, creating a variety of amazing shots for your portfolio! Click! A model is born! 🙂
Check out my portfolio! Its hard to believe that all these girls and guys are newbies and these are their first photoshoots! That could be you! Let me capture the superstar in you! 🙂
Wondering how much does a modeling portfolio cost? Click for instant access to my Pricing Guide!
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