Prep Talk | by All Star OMP Member #10270

Picture this scenario -- you have a photo shoot scheduled with a great photographer in the morning, and you are absolutely NOT READY! Your hair is a mess, you can't find your anything to wear, the directions to the studio won't print out, your car is low on gas, and nothing is packed. You also have to reschedule an audition, pay your cell phone bill, shower, shave, brush your teeth, floss your teeth, whiten your teeth... and somebody's got to pick up Grandma from the airport!

Now there's two ways you can handle this predicament. The first way is to panic. You can fret, sweat, get nervous, run around like a crazy person, and hyperventilate, which is the normal way to respond to crisis situations. Unfortunately, it's not very productive, and doesn't help your plight. The second way is to prepare. You can chill, relax, breathe, gather your thoughts, make a checklist of things you need to do, and do them one at a time so you will look and feel your best when you finally do get in front of the camera. And in the end, isn't that what really matters during a photo shoot?

Knowing what to bring and what to expect is crucial to having a successful session in the studio or on location. So is giving yourself enough time to get ready, and not losing your cool when you're not, which is more often than not. Here are some wise words from OneModelPlace veterans and newcomers on the subject of preparing for a photo shoot.

New York-based Tricia (OMP #53487) has been a model for the past two years, and is a dancer as well. Before every shoot, she takes a complete inventory of her physical appearance. "I exfoliate the night before, and make sure my nails, hair, and skin are looking their best. Models should be prepared in other ways as well. I feel you should practice posing in front of the mirror, because you tend to run out of ideas right then and there at the photo shoot. Oh, and fitting in a last minute workout helps too, just to tone up." Here's what Tricia takes with her when she sets out to do a shoot: "Extra clothing and shoes, my own make-up and hair products, lotion, and a CD or two for some motivation -- at the moment it’s Beyonce and Da Band."

Fresh new model Danielle (OMP #51919) describes herself as a girl-next-door type -- graceful, creative, classy, and always in search of fun. "I'm currently modeling part-time when I can fit it in, in order to build up my portfolio. Once I have a good variety of images built up, I might shop myself around to local or regional modeling agencies, to see if they can find me any work that I couldn't find myself." Prior to any shoot, she tries to eat healthy and maintains an exercise routine during the weeks leading up to it. "You should always get a good night's sleep beforehand. Make a list of everything you might want to bring. Definitely bring someone with you. Not only can they assure your safety, they can also lend a hand when it comes to setting up a scene, finding certain clothes, or coming up with ideas for pictures. Look in magazines or online to find images you'd like to recreate, or just capture the feeling of. Bring loads of clothes, jewelry, lingerie, shoes, a bottle of water, any pictures from magazines that you might want to try to recreate, and as I said, an escort. I also bring an open mind."

Texan teenager Fiona Rene (OMP #53692) is only 15, and already has over a year's experience in both modeling and acting. In addition, she is also an artist. Looking back on her first attempts at modeling, she says she would have "started working out a lot earlier." She advises models to be "determined and dedicated. Take makeup and lots of outfits. Also a mirror, a mindset, a smile, and a friend." Her advice about preparing for a first photo shoot? "Don't be frightened, the camera is your friend." Since acting is her ultimate ambition, she relates, "While my photos are being taken, I think of it as just another acting job. I'm a 'character' in those pictures. I think I can go far with modeling, but I'd just like to use that as a step towards my acting career."

Sixteen-year-old Anna (OMP #54335) sees herself as down to earth, confident, and a hard worker, and her dedication has paid off. "I first started in a small agency near my hometown and after going to classes for about half a year to learn how to walk properly and all that good stuff, we had a showcase (a runway show) where my best friend and I made a bet. She said that I would get signed with Ford, and I said I wouldn't. In the end, I did signed with them and I lost the bet so I had to take her out to dinner. I have been with Ford for a year and gotten several jobs." She reminds all models, "You have to tell yourself that this career choice may bring a whole lot rejection, but do not get discouraged when you don't get jobs. You can't let the rejection stop you from making your dream come true." As far as fist photo shoots, Anna states, "Do not be shy and do not be nervous. No one is gonna bite you. You have to loosen up in front of the camera and just be yourself, don't try to be like someone else." Essential items to take with you include "deodorant, mouthwash, different kinds of underwear, and extra makeup, in case you don't like the makeup they provide at the photo shoot."

Multi-talented model/actress Casi (OMP #53050) got interested in modeling at age 10, and starting going to model searches before finding an agent two years ago in Chicago. She warns her fellow models, "You may get lots of offers at first, and they may seem great, but really look into it and make sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you commit to something. Most importantly: NEVER PAY FOR ANYTHING. If someone really likes you they will either pay you or offer TFP (time for print). " As for her first photo shoot, she recalls, "I was lucky enough to have known the photographer for two years prior to the shoot. That made things a lot easier. All I did to prepare was go shopping for new outfits. I had a blast. My friend was there with me, and we had so much fun. We worked over five hours, but I didn't mind at all. Zariah also says that "if you are uncomfortable, it will show in your pictures. So if you have an agent, have them go with you, or take a parent. Wear things you like that make you feel good about yourself and confident."

Versatile and practical model Angel Dawn (OMP #52515) recently jumped into the spotlight by appearing on the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. The 20-year-old offers the following advice to models just starting out: "Don't believe every offer you get. Get everything in writing and read it. Also, loosen up and don't be nervous. Learn how to work with your body and don't be stiff." For her first photographic session, all she did to prepare was "take a shower." As for what she brings when going to a shoot: "My body and plenty of clothes, unless I am shooting for a clothing line."

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Niveah (OMP #30675) is 25 years old and relatively new to modeling. "I am quite new to this industry. I decided to join OneModelPlace just to get some professional photos of myself, but then I discovered a whole new world based on offers I have received. I am very easygoing and always willing to see myself from a different perspective -- from the photographer's view." She advises others to sign up with OMP and be sure to have a portfolio that is very diverse. "I am trying to make my portfolio as diverse as I can, so that I will be able to market myself easier." Before her first shoot, she ate very light the night before. "Also, since it was an artistic nude shoot, I slept in very loose clothing to be sure not to have elastic marks on my body in the morning." She advises models to do as much research as they can about the photographer prior to the shoot. "You can always email other models that have worked with the photographer. And let someone know where you will be. If you feel uncomfortable prior to the shoot, go by your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable while at the shoot, leave. For my shoot, I visited the photographer's studio and got to see more of his work in person at his studio prior to the shoot. He told me that I could bring a friend along with me to the session, so I let my best friend know where the studio was and the time of the shoot."
.
Amy (OMP #55427) lives in Portland, Oregon, and describes herself as someone with a "girl next door" look. "I'm always looking for new and different ideas to either expand my portfolio, or help a photographer with theirs. It is always flattering to hear a photographer compliment my 'look' and request to work with me." Before she embarked on her modeling career, she had to "mentally prepare myself, because it was really the first time I'd ever done anything like posing for a shoot. I had picked out all of my outfits way beforehand, so I knew I wouldn't have to worry about clothing. I also prepared myself by meeting with the photographer before I did the shoot, so he knew my limitations and exactly what I wanted from the shoot, and vice versa. Always meet with the photographer before the shoot, and make sure that you both know what you want and expect from the shoot." If she could change anything about her first shoot, Amy says, "I would have relaxed more, and maybe rehearsed in my head or a mirror what kind of poses I wanted, so that I would have been a little less tense."

Since lists seem to be the best way to organize your thoughts and your time before a shoot, here are two lists that you can print out, keep handy, and add to as necessary:

ALL STAR'S THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE A PHOTO SHOOT:

Get plenty of sleep
Eat light
Drink lots of water
Shower
Hair
Teeth
Nails
Exfoliate
Wax
Shave
Apply very little makeup
Research the photographer
Ask for references
Know where you're going
Fill up gas tank
Get psyched
Be confident

ALL STAR'S THINGS TO BRING TO A PHOTO SHOOT:

Clothing
Jewelry
Sunglasses
Hats
Safety Pins
Makeup
Powder
Towel
Shoes
Brush/comb
Hair holders
Mirror
Water
Snacks
Portfolio
Magazine samples
Directions to shoot
Your creativity
An open mind
A positive attitude

NEXT TIME: Going on a "Shooting" Spree

© 2003 by Elias "All Star" Stimac

Index Page