the final product, photo by jamal bayette & hair + make up by lyndsey gabrielle

I did a shoot for my book that is being published but it will go in my portfolio “book”.  There are a few things you need to get a good shoot together for your own purposes.

Pre – Production

1. Go through what you have in your book and see what needs updating or what you need in general.  Talk to your agent and see what is missing or what they would like to see you in.  If you don’t have an agent see what you need for a comp card on my comp card basics post.
2. Go through magazines and look at the ad’s or editorials that you would fit into or what you would like to branch out into.  Tare out what you would like to be, on a sticky note write what you like about it. The pose, hair, make up, location, wardrobe ect.
3. Book an appropriate make up artist/ hair person. A good photographer, stylist and a location.  See post on how to book the right people for the job. Shooting tf is all well and good but if you can get around to paying people even $50, if you can manage this the quality of your shoot will improve dramatically.  Locations are a little more challenging.  If all else fails book a hotel room. If your doing studio shots you can use any room with space for a back drop and ample electrical outlets.  Nice houses are great.  Try to get a space you can change in if your shooting out doors.  When I was shooting in Paris outdoors.  I and the MUA carted all of our things in suit cases and changed in various cafe restrooms.  You really have to be resilient when shooting out side.  When shooting in Hawaii, I did my make up in the woods.
4. Set a date and make sure every body keeps it. confirm everything the day before.
5. Put together your wardrobe or hire a stylist.  Show all parties involved your magazine tares to show what the goal of the shoot is.  They will bring what they need to make it happen.
6. If shooting indoors be sure that you bring water and snack for everybody if the shoot last more than 3 hours.

Production

1. Write out what it is that you need to the letter and be sure to pack everything you need for however many looks your doing.
2. Bring the food and drinks
3. Be prepared for parking at the location.
4. Make sure everybody has what they need.
5. I highly recommend bringing an assistant to help you run things while your in hair and make up or generally help out.
6. Shoot just enough of each look to get one amazing image.  You don’t need 5 images of the same look they are useless.
7. Be happy, be on, dont be a diva and take direction.

Post

1. See what the raw images look like.  Look for good face, good pose.  That shows expression and a nice body shape.  Accentuating your features.
2. The next day look at the proofs you marked and see what you still like.  Do those images look worthy of being published?  What needs to be retouched.
3. Put notes on the image numbers for the retoucher.  IE ” even my skin on my knees”, “change the color of my nails” ect
4. Put out the images that represent you best.

There are many many ways you can set up your comp cards. However, there are a few required things clients and agencies need to see.   These things also differ if you’re a male or female model.  First off, all of your stats and sizes need to be clearly listed: height, weight, bust, waist, hips, dress, pant, shoe sizes.  In addition to that a inseam, jacket or hat size may be listed;  Generally required for men’s cards.  One side of your card should have a full bleed head shot along with your name in LARGE LETTERS.  A very natural look is best.  Hair down and how it naturally is, make up at a minimum.  Models are a blank slate for clients.  Think of yourself as a paper doll, you need the ability to be whatever your client wants.  The back of your card should have 3- 5 small photos.  An AMAZING body shot, a profile shot and whatever else will set you apart from the rest.  Keep in mind there are 100′s or thousands of people competing for the same job.  If you have a beauty face include one, if you’re a parts model through in a parts shot.  Again list your name in LARGE LETTERS. Your card should have a certain flow but not matchy matchy.  Interesting well done photos are what catch a casting directors eye.  The average casting director or their assistant spend 1.3 seconds looking at your card.  Make them take more time by having something interesting to look at.  You may want to list where you have tattoos or piercings and how many.

A couple weeks ago I was able to be on Playboy radio.  Playboy radio has a morning show with Kevin and Andrea as hosts.  We played a game called “know it or show it” with 2 other girls.  There questions were all trick questions that made no sense.  I didn’t lose so it was fun.  We had an on air helper “cookie monster” who sounded like a drunk Mexican guy………. I think.

I may go on an afternoon show with Playboy Radio again.  Working in radio is a super cool job other than call time is the ass crack of dawn.  They even had a stripper pole in the studio.  It was a good time & I can’t wait to go back.

The light book, I use for traveling is gone:(  I cannot find it and I need to order a new one.  I was convinced that it made my move to L.A. but I guess not.

TIP of the day…….
Have a regular hard bound book.

Its professional and says you’re here for business.  These can get heavy and bulky.  When I travel I have my express version.  It has a hard plastic cover and fewer sheets.  The best part they can be found on artist supply websites for $15.  These also make it easier getting through an airport.  You should never be caught without a book, comps cards or the very least a model business card.   You never know who you’re talking to.

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