working you non-model model ???

[speedster00]

I've been searching and have read plenty of threads about working your model and breaking the ice with them....but I dont have a pro model persay. My wife is willing to let me photo her in G&N shots. So I'm learning as much as I can about lighting etc...but the issue we run into is neither one of us knowing what to do..I can try and get creative with the shots, but not with her poses. I cant tell her how to pose, and she doesnt really know what to do either. So while we have some good shots, we cant do the same poses over and over again know what I mean? After the first 15 shots on the bed....we're kindof at a loss....any suggestions on what to read for "direction" if you will? thanks.

[Mark_Cohran]

There are lots of poses available to you if you spend some time researching. Sometimes for a particular shoot, I will put together a book of tear sheets (pages torn from a magazine or catalog) of poses I think will work for the session I'm planning.Use a folder, or if you want to get fancy, a binder and some plastic slip sheets to hold your example images.

Books are another source of good poses. The Great American Pinup has loads of images in it that you can use for inspiration. They're drawings and paintings, but the poses are quite imaginative.

There are a couple of books on the market that are simply illustrations or photos of various poses for men and women. I have one and look through it from time to time, but I haven't found it all that valuable.

[speedster00]

Thanks mark. Yeah I just dont know enough about the poses to direct hands, heads, etc...we get into that "what now" scenario.... which isnt really confidence inspiring to either of us.

[hawk911]

lemme give you one piece of advice. Treat her like your wife, not a model. Don't expect her to pop poses like Tyra Banks, or smile like Cindy Crawford. Let her work into it

[speedster00]

lemme give you one piece of advice. Treat her like your wife, not a model. Don't expect her to pop poses like Tyra Banks, or smile like Cindy Crawford. Let her work into it


Yeah that goes with out saying...I was looking for more general how-too's. thanks though.

[inthedeck]

Take a look through some stuff on Model Mayhem. There's tons of people with tons of poses. Heck, there's tons in the G&N section here...so just read through some threads, find what you like, and eventually, you'll come up with stuff on your own. Good luck.

[Coastwatch203]

I cant tell her how to pose, and she doesnt really know what to do either. So while we have some good shots, we cant do the same poses over and over again know what I mean? After the first 15 shots on the bed....we're kindof at a loss....any suggestions on what to read for "direction" if you will? thanks.

Here are some things I do when I have a glam session that really helps, to both to break the ice, and to help a new model with ideas and posing inspiration.

# Start "collecting" pictures from the net on glam, portraits - everything that is really good, and that inspires you. (shots you wish you had taken)

# Put these images into a folder, i call mine 'Inspirational images", then I sub divide it into, Models & Glam, Portraits, Wedding, etc.

# I always get a new model to look through the images (in the Model & Glam folder on my comp) and get feedback from her on what sort of images she likes, - its also really useful in finding out 'how far she is willing to go' - as in nudity, implied or other, and also if you are trying to describe a theme for a shoot.
Basically it's a fantastic ice-breaker between both model & photog - (it's a must do, to get your partner, wife, girlfriend (or all of them, lol) to look through this folder first, to ensure there isn't any images in there that are way over the top, and likely to send your model screaming from your house! LOL)

# Learn how to shoot "tethered" (camera connected to laptop). My studio is my lounge room; shooting tethered my laptop is then conected to a large plasma TV screen, which the model can see (when I want to show her captured images, or show her quickly how Id like her to pose, by simply displaying the inspirational image I have in mind on screen for her to see. What you end up with is often totally different to the image you displayed to your model, but its a great way to "brain storm ideas", - rather than the model getting fatally bored with you...........)

# I know this is not at all practical when your out on location, but the above ideas are aimed specifically at a studio/controlled environment.

All the best, Mark

[speedster00]

Wow....thanks coast. Great ideas about shooting tethered and I know its been mentioned before but I like the idea of picking inspirational shots.

[Mark1]

There is a small flash program that is basicaly a bunch of poses, like 200, but drawn as stick people. I know ...stick people? Yes! the idea with the stick people is there is no predetermined expressions or anything. You pick the pose, but embellish it your own way. I have this on my computer, Ill have to look again to where it was downloaded from.

[chrisvl]

Been exactly where you are exactly 1 yr ago.
Coastwatch hit it on the head. Collect images form G&N, magazines (tear sheets), any where , and show them to her. You will need them for real models as well as it's them know the theme of the shoot.
On of the first photos I collected was a B&W from G&N showed it to my wife and said I want to shoot you like that. Before we did shoot I did a bunch of TF shoots and showed her the work. By the time we shot she rocked it. She nailed the shot even better than the one I showed her. It's actually part of my port. She hit poses like crazy because she learned from what she saw in my work from the TF shoots.
I now have a huge collection of tear sheets and photos. I like shooting artistic nudes. When I meet someone that I want to shoot I tell them exactly how. Usually they're taken back. A guy, with Camera, shooting me nude = perv. I will send them an email with a pdf of the types of images I had in mind. I've now shot 3 so far and 3 others booked.
Don't be afraid to collect the images of what you want to shoot. It helps you and the model. I know as my favorite thing to do is to shoot non-models and my tear sheet collection is invaluable.
You are already miles ahead of most guys as your wife is willing, that's usually the toughest part. Get some tear sheets and enjoy the experience with her.
I'm planning on shooting mine again this spring.
Good Luck!

[speedster00]

thanks Chris.

[alvezz]

thanks, this has saved me a lot of time also, i will start collecting straight away.....

cheers

Alvezz

[chrisvl]

Check out the books lighting the nudes if that's what you're after. Read it with her.
Great poses, all with lighting diagrams.

[Mark1]

I was just looking at new apps for the iPhone/Ipod touch. There is a model pose app that you can have for $4.99. It shows line drawings to help get your idea across. Supposedly has about 230 poses. Search I tunes for "model Pose" . The home page for the app....http://6tags.com/model-pose/

Here is the flash program I mentioned earlier. http://www.dphotojournal.com/free-model-posing-guides-tips/

[Stickman]

Sometimes for a particular shoot, I will put together a book of tear sheets (pages torn from a magazine or catalog) of poses I think will work for the session I'm planning.Use a folder, or if you want to get fancy, a binder and some plastic slip sheets to hold your example images.


I know a photographer who makes up series which are torn out of magazines. he lays them out on the floor in front of the model before the shoot, and goes over what he sees in the images, and lets the model give their input on them as well. This seems to help break the ice with new models so they can work off a template. This also gives them a chance to see what the photographer is "seeing", and gives them a chance to input their thoughts as well.

Overall, I think its a great idea, especially for new models, and/ or photographers who aren't 100% solid on poses or model direction.


I keep a "concept folder" of images on my computer for similar reasons. While I don't shoot typical glamour, its more about concepts than it is trying to duplicate the work of someone else.

[hawk911]

The app is $2.99 now, and I just bought it. Will give it a run later.

[shutters12]

Hi this may help a bit Paul http://www.vci.net/~mmorgan/pg2.pdf

[MourningDove]

I have regular photo shoots with my sisters. I've got 7 of them so I never run out of subjects..LOL. The first thing I do is ask them what they want and then I tell them what I want and we meet in the middle. I Take a few test shots. I actually tell them what to think of to see if I can get a particular facial expression or attitude. I find that if I play certain music it brings about different moods which also reflects in their photos. I want them to feel comfortable so I always compliment them along the way. If they do something that me and my camera doesn't like, I tell them that too (in a funny way or very gently). I adjust their clothing if I need to and basically instruct them on how to pose. Of course with a stranger I would ask permission to touch.

Take a look at some of those old hollywood glamour photos and from there you can suggest poses and get some idea of what you want & how to ask for a certain pose . Also, certain words or phrases will trigger certain facial and body expressions. If you say something like- beautiful!, gorgeous! perfect! Or..ok you are working it now!..LOL really the more compliments, the more your subject will relax and give you what you want. This is just from my experience with my non professional models.
I do believe that even professional models may need some instruction from time to time. Also, keep your eyes open for those natural shots that come in between the posing. Some of these are better than the posed ones.

And that's all I've got for now:)

[speedster00]

thanks again guys