Shooting models as a short photographer, is this a pipe dream?

Let me start off by saying that I love taking and look at pictures of people (specifically models), there's nothing else I'd rather be doing with my camera. After gathering inspiration from some of my favorite portrait/editorial photographers I've come to realize two things:

1) All their subjects are good looking people, that either ARE models or might as well be
2) They are all taller than me, by 5-7 inches

This has been bothering me for some time now because I want to get into shooting models but I'm afraid the low angle in relation to their eyes when they are standing upright will make for bad photos. I want the camera to be eye level to them and sometimes even higher than them, but how embarassing it would to carry a crate or box to stand on every shoot.

Is the professional portrait/editorial photography an industry that wouldn't respect a photographer due to his or her stature? What are your thoughts?

Edit: My favorite lens is the 35L on a 5D2, and occasionally the 50L (most of my favorite photogs shoot with this combo, so yes I am shooting wide). Also, I know standing isn't the only way to pose a model but I'm talking specifically about the ones where I need them to stand to get full body shots.

I assume that the quality of your work would supersede what you think that their opinion of your lack of height is.

I'm short. Almost everyone is taller than me, models or not. I stand on things if needed (it's not embarrassing) and have a wheeled stepladder/dolly combo as well. Usually it's just a matter of not shooting wide angle from a few feet away. Very few images use the wide angle/closeup method.

As far as respect? I command it no matter where I am. It's not high school...bullies don't shove you in your locker. If people are laughing, I haven't noticed; I'm busy working.

1. Standing is not the only way to pose a model.
2. Tripods can position the camera above the photographer's head. Many models have articulated LCD screens that can be angled down for viewing from below. Elevated cameras can be tethered to laptops or tablets.
No more excuses.

Remember that by the time you step back far enough to use an appealing focal length, perspective takes care of most elevation differences.

Subjects shot from a somewhat lower angle appear to have longer legs and project an aura of strength (if that's what you want). Look at any shot of a model in black mesh stockings and leather underwear.

tzalman wrote in post #16347516
Subjects shot from a somewhat lower angle appear to have longer legs and project an aura of strength (if that's what you want). Look at any shot of a model in black mesh stockings and leather underwear.

That's true too. When their body type allows it I do this quite frequently.

cdifoto wrote in post #16347469
I'm short. Almost everyone is taller than me, models or not. I stand on things if needed (it's not embarrassing) and have a wheeled stepladder/dolly combo as well. Usually it's just a matter of not shooting wide angle from a few feet away. Very few images use the wide angle/closeup method.

As far as respect? I command it no matter where I am. It's not high school...bullies don't shove you in your locker. If people are laughing, I haven't noticed; I'm busy working.

Win

I have a small step stool I bought at Target. Gets me about a foot off the ground. It is small and lightweight, and it even folds up. Could solve your problem.

Ratjack wrote in post #16347543
I have a small step stool I bought at Target. Gets me about a foot off the ground. It is small and lightweight, and it even folds up. Could solve your problem.

Can you link me to something like this? I might carry this in a backpack or something.

Also thinking I might just carry a monopod that extends out to 6+ feet that I can use with a remote that comes down to my height. Might also help get creatively elevated shots regardless of height.

cdifoto wrote in post #16347469
I'm short. Almost everyone is taller than me, models or not. I stand on things if needed (it's not embarrassing) and have a wheeled stepladder/dolly combo as well. Usually it's just a matter of not shooting wide angle from a few feet away. Very few images use the wide angle/closeup method.

As far as respect? I command it no matter where I am. It's not high school...bullies don't shove you in your locker. If people are laughing, I haven't noticed; I'm busy working.

Thanks for the response, that's great to hear. I'm sure I'm just having fears cause I'm new to it. Once I'm out there having fun, getting paid and enjoying myself I doubt I'll care what other people think. If you check out http://jordanvoth.tumb​lr.com/ all his work is 35L and 50L, and this is the focal length style I'm looking to do. Since I'm on full frame with these lenses I kind of have to shoot wide.

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16347547
Can you link me to something like this? I might carry this in a backpack or something.

Also thinking I might just carry a monopod that extends out to 6+ feet that I can use with a remote that comes down to my height. Might also help get creatively elevated shots regardless of height.

Thanks for the response, that's great to hear. I'm sure I'm just having fears cause I'm new to it. Once I'm out there having fun, getting paid and enjoying myself I doubt I'll care what other people think. If you check out http://jordanvoth.tumb​lr.com/ all his work is 35L and 50L, and this is the focal length style I'm looking to do. Since I'm on full frame with these lenses I kind of have to shoot wide.

Once you get a check for $500, $1000, etc in your hands and realize they just paid you a crapton of money to tell them what to do, you'll have all the confidence in the world. You won't care what they or anyone else thinks of your height. Chances are though, you're thinking about what they might be thinking of your age, height, weight, receding hairline, etc when the fact is they aren't thinking of those things at all.

I'm 5'1 on an especially happy day so I know what short is. I've yet to have a client I can look down at...even high school seniors tower over me (the girls too). They like my work though so whatever I do to get my results is okay with them. I have no problem directing the high school hot girls, the high school stud guys, the athletes, the nerds, millionaires, politicians, etc. They look down at me but they don't look down on me.

Here's what I use, by the way. It doubles as a gear transportation device. I even use it to buff the roof of my car.

http://www.amazon.com …-Stepladder/dp/B000A1FQ​EY

thedcmule2 wrote in post #16347452
Let me start off by saying that I love taking and look at pictures of people (specifically models), there's nothing else I'd rather be doing with my camera. After gathering inspiration from some of my favorite portrait/editorial photographers I've come to realize two things:

1) All their subjects are good looking people, that either ARE models or might as well be
2) They are all taller than me, by 5-7 inches

This has been bothering me for some time now because I want to get into shooting models but I'm afraid the low angle in relation to their eyes when they are standing upright will make for bad photos. I want the camera to be eye level to them and sometimes even higher than them, but how embarassing it would to carry a crate or box to stand on every shoot.

Is the professional portrait/editorial photography an industry that wouldn't respect a photographer due to his or her stature? What are your thoughts?

Edit: My favorite lens is the 35L on a 5D2, and occasionally the 50L (most of my favorite photogs shoot with this combo, so yes I am shooting wide). Also, I know standing isn't the only way to pose a model but I'm talking specifically about the ones where I need them to stand to get full body shots.

You have absolutely, completely no reason to be worried or concerned in any way.

When framing full body pictures of a standing person. the axis of the lens should be located around bust level or lower to ensure correct proportions. Being "short" is not a problem in this situation.

Consider these posed images where the subjects were around 10 feet from the camera location. To get a useful angle, it was necessary to be seated. I'm around 6"2 tall. Had I taken these pictures while standing, that would would have led to the wrong angle with the camera at the my face.

cdifoto wrote in post #16347477
Remember that by the time you step back far enough to use an appealing focal length, perspective takes care of most elevation differences.

tzalman wrote in post #16347516
Subjects shot from a somewhat lower angle appear to have longer legs and project an aura of strength (if that's what you want). Look at any shot of a model in black mesh stockings and leather underwear.

Agreed on both points.

I would generally point you to using a longer focal length and standing farther away.
However, you almost always want to shoot from LOWER than eye level when shooting full-length shots. This is especially true when shooting from up close with a wider lens, where perspective distortion will be exaggerated.

the 35L is gonna put you really close to the model, close enough that you're going to have to be extremely mindful of perspective distortion. You can use this to your advantage in some shots but if you're not paying attention it'll backfire on you and result in unflattering shots - see below.

I generally kneel when shooting full-length shots, and I also shoot from relatively far away, if I can. There are relatively few times that I want to shoot from eye height or above.

cdifoto wrote in post #16347655
Here's what I use, by the way. It doubles as a gear transportation device. I even use it to buff the roof of my car.

http://www.amazon.com …-Stepladder/dp/B000A1FQ​EY

We have one of these too. It's great.

Relatively flattering shot, 24-70 at 64mm, from a kneeling position:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/nathancarter/7​966964950/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/nathancarter/7​966862288/

The OP seems to have taken a very superficial approach to photography. Certainly if you are a model that does not represent the correct look it would be harder to gain work or notoriety in that industry. However a photographer is going to be respected for their work not their look. I take a small 3 step step-ladder to all my shoots, you just never know when you want that different angle. I am of average height at 6'0" but still use it on a regular basis and have never felt any embarrassment in using it. I know a photographer that had his face damaged by being burnt in a car accident. Even after multiple operations his face is far from normal. Using the OP's train of thought should he not be shooting. He does good work and continues to be busy and I have never heard anyone denigrate his work because of his physical attributes. It would appear to me that the OP lacks some self confidence and that is normal but it is something that one can quite easily push past if they really want to. I think we have all had things that created a lack of confidence and god knows that I have had my fair share in my life but I refuse to let it rule me.

Since we're posting photos...this guy is about 6' tall AND I had him standing on a 4 foot rise with me at ground level:

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