Before the actual shoot date, there are many things to be considered.
What is the theme of the shoot?
Is it going to be outdoor or indoor studio?
What are we trying to achieve besides getting published?
The models must do their homework to prepare for the session.
Here are the things to prep for:
STORYTELLING
What is the story you are trying to tell your audience?
How do you want your audience to see you?
What are we showing them? Your strength? Beauty? Or your fun side?
There is NO wrong answer here because each of you would have your own niche.
You have your OWN target audience.
You can be “commercial” and/or “editorial”.
Find your own niche, whichever works best for you.
COLORS
What are our color themes?
This is critical to create impactful editorial stories.
We need to decide on your outfits, makeup and hair. Then choosing the right contrast or monochromatic color backdrops to enhance the imagery that we will create.
For editorial shoot, there should be at least 3-4 outfits being put together.
Most publications want a series of styling to consider that is “editorial”.
THE LOOKS
Do you know how to look editorial?
The best way to learn is looking through social media, websites and magazines.
Practice in front of the mirror and find your best angles.
You might think your left side is better or your front is not great.
You might be surprised when you look through your frames.
Don’t get fixated on a “one trick pony” angle, style and/or face.
That is not editorial.
PLACEMENT/POSES
Do something that is naturally you would do!
You might ask, “what do you mean?”
For example, you are holding your jacket. Give me “strength” that I can see you are “holding” your jacket. Not just placing the hand there for no reason.
Super posey is not always good. Poses need to look natural or very distinctive as an editorial photo.
EXPRESSIONS
Facial expressions are crucial.
If you are an actor wanting to become a model, you are probably not afraid of doing different kind of expressions. However, you need to pull back a little and not looking crazy as playing a specific character on film.
The intensity of your eyes is key, while you should relax your lips.
No one needs to see duck lips and it is not editorial.
Don’t lose your eyes when you laugh. Don’t look crazy when you are doing movements.
LIGHT SOURCE
Where is the light?
Finding the light source is very important for your photographer!
This is a modeling 101; look for the light! You need to allow the light source to hit your face at least 50%. If you turn your face away from the light, the imagery will turn out unuseable.