Model Preparation - tips?

[wonny]

Hello all,

I'm shooting for a coworker's daughter this weekend and I'm trying to start preparing today. She's trying to get into modeling and needs some shots for a "comm card" (right term?).

We will be shooting outside around 9:00 AM, weather permitting. I plan on taking the 70 - 200/F4, tripod, polarizer, reflector, etc. I'll be looking at tons of samples on this site as well.

What can she do to prepare? I remember reading some tips on what foods not to eat to avoid bloating, some water drinking schedule to make skin look tight, etc.

Anything to help would be appreciated!

[Longwatcher]

I am fairly sure the term is Comp card (as in complimentary card) usually a 4x6 or 5x7 card to be handed out by agents to potential agencies/clients.

The ones I have done usually have a face shot on the front along with a name and 3-4 shots on the back with contact and about info on the top or bottom. The 3-4 shots usually include at least a full body, a head and shoulders, and another head shot from a different angle. The actual requirements will vary by agency.

As to help on body, that is not my area of expertise, but I would suggest she go online to one of the following sites for more info.

www.onemodelplace.com
www.modelmayhem.com
I also recommend them for looks/poses - OMP is probably the better of the two, but access is limited by level of payment. Although from what I have seen Model Mayhem seems to have more professional photographers as a percentage, where as OMP has considerably more of both in total. There are some other sites, but I don't know them as well.

As to lenses, that 70-200/4 should be a good lens, although if you have a 24-70 or something in that range I would consider that also for the full and half body shots.

Lastly be sure to bring someone/something to hold the reflector :)

Hope that helps a bit,

[wonny]

I'll check out those sites when I get home (I'm at work right now). I have a 17-35mm and a 50mm if needed. I guess I can take those along too. Thanks for the info!

[Digitalwave]

Bring the 50mm and leave the 17-35 at home, you'll do great with the 50 and the 70-200.

[Longwatcher]

Although I don't think it will get used much, I personally would not leave the 17-35 at home, you never know. I occasionally get some very artistic shots from my 16-35. I usually don't get a lot of shots that will work well for comp cards though with the shorter lens.
The 50 should be good though. You can get some shallow Depth of field shots with it as well.

[Wilt]

Tell them to bring their own eye makeup and brushes to apply cosmetics or refresh it and take the shine off after they have been working for a while. Also hairbrush and other items. Also some changes of outfits for variety of styles, formal vs casual, etc.

[wonny]

Makeup... didn't even think of that one. :lol:

I just checked the weather and it's looking like thunderstorms on Saturday. But how many times are the weather men actually right?!?

[Skrim17]

The make up has to change with the outfits and hair as well, for the 3 or so shots on the back of the card you want variety, if the headshot on the front isn't B&W you might want a smaller one on the back.

[PhotosGuy]

I am fairly sure the term is Comp card (as in complimentary card) usually a 4x6 or 5x7 card to be handed out by agents to potential agencies/clients. "Composite", & B&W 8X10", printed on both sides, used to be standard.
We used to show 3 head shots with different looks & one full body shot.
Here's one treatment from long ago...

[Skrim17]

My nephew models, his comp card is 5x7 with a B&W headshot on the front with his name, flip is 3 other shots, one full body with his info.

Is this for an andult or a kid?

[wonny]

Interesting concept there... this will be for an 18yr old female.

[Longwatcher]

Both of the ones I have done for an agency were requested as 5x7 size. I have seen 4x6 versions though. I think that 8x10's are not used as much for models these days, but I think they are still used for actors. Just an impression though. As I said it varies by agency. And I can't remember for sure, but I think it both were B+W on the front, color on back.

And I can go with 'Composite', I had been told 'complimentary', but the person I got it from was not the most reliable person.

[Ray Marrero]

I've done a few of these. You might want to bring hairspray, to control it in the wind a little bit. A mirror is also good to have. I bring plastic clothes pins, to pin clothes if needed in a way that won't be seen in the shot. Translucent powder, to take care of shiny spots, also bring some cotton balls to apply it or any make up and then just throw them away. Tissue and Baby wipes.

I have a bag with these things and I keep adding more as I learn. I bring the bag to the shoot. Hope this helps.

[Wilt]

Photographers should understand that it is not legal for cosmeticians to use applicators from one person to the next, eye makeup, etc. as it is very unhygenic. So don't plan on stocking powder and dipping into it for more than one person. No re-dipping directly into the same jar if the applicator has touched someone's elses' face!

[Ray Marrero]

Wilt, you are right, that's why I suggested cotton balls and then throw them away, you can also buy packs of small aplicators that are disposable once used.

[wonny]

Thanks for the info guys! I'll pass this info to the model... hopefully she has all this stuff already.

I might provide the garbage bag... if I'm in a good mood.