Newcomer with concerns...

[Victoria]

Inspiring Mixed Ethnic Model here. I'm still in the beginning stages of finding my look and learning the pinup lifestyle, as well as, the modeling. I have a muscle disease called bells palsy on one side of my face and very concerned how my pictures will turn out. Any advice?

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

Hi Victoria, welcome to the site!

The thing about pinup, and photography in general, is that a lot of things can be hidden or changed. My best piece of advice is "know your angles". Have a friend take photos of you from different angles with different expressions. Then study them. Find the ones you love, the one's that YOU are most happy with, and practice them. That way, when you get on set you'll know what works best for you. 

Remember, the important thing is that you love your photos and you're having fun. Because that's what pinup is all about! 

[tok]

Can't agree more with Roxy. The most important thing is that you do stuff that you feel comfortable with - it will reflect in the shots. Also a good photographer will help you to pick the right angles to make you look great. Just don't be shy to experiment with styles till you found something you really find is best for you.

[Victoria]

Thank you so much! Any advice on how to fin your look and wear to find clothes if your on a budget?

Roxy Tart {Madam/Community Mgr} said:

Hi Victoria, welcome to the site!

The thing about pinup, and photography in general, is that a lot of things can be hidden or changed. My best piece of advice is "know your angles". Have a friend take photos of you from different angles with different expressions. Then study them. Find the ones you love, the one's that YOU are most happy with, and practice them. That way, when you get on set you'll know what works best for you. 

Remember, the important thing is that you love your photos and you're having fun. Because that's what pinup is all about! 

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

Finding your look takes time and trial and error. Start collecting photos on your computer that you love the look of. Then go back and see what they all have in common. Bright colors? Rockabilly? Classic vintage? It's a great way to see what you're into. 

As for finding stuff cheap. Thrift stores are your best bet. You can also take up sewing. A lot of things in this scene, circle and pencil skirts for example, are very easy to make. 

[Melissa Misfortune]

I agree, it really is about finding your angles! While I don't have Bells Palsy, I do have permanent nerve damage in a large portion of my face that can affect photos sometimes. Some days I feel like I have good control over my facial expressions/speech, others not so much.

I took literally hundreds (upon hundreds) of photos of myself with the self timer on my camera to get a good feel of how my face looks in photos/how to create different expressions/what angles work best for me. If I am having a not-so-great day with my expressions at a shoot, I let the photographer know what's up and to please let me know if something looks funny so I can change something to make the photo work. It can be a bit tricky and a bit frustrating sometimes but everyone I have worked with has been very nice about it. :)

[Melissa Misfortune]

It does take a while to find your own style! Part of the fun of fashion is the ability to change things up and try something different. I don't think that having one set style is crucial to modeling, I know some of my best work comes through when I am stepping out of my usual style. When it comes to marketing however, having a set style does help make you recognizable and market to a specific audience. I think being yourself and shooting what you like is more important than having one set look/style (unless you want to shoot one style that is). Whether you shoot classic authentic pinup, modern rockabilly, alt, latex or whatever, as long as you like what you're shooting, it'll show! :)

Thrift shops are my absolute favorite! I have found some good deals on eBay and on Etsy as well. I'm also a clearance rack kind of girl. ;) I like the clearance section at www.angryyoungandpoor.com for modern rockabilly, www.daddyos.com has great sale prices for classic vintage, www.catslikeus.com , www.babygirlboutique.com , www.vivadulcemarina.com and www.sourpussclothing.com all have good deals and really good sales once in a while.

 Roxy Tart {Madam/Community Mgr} said:

Finding your look takes time and trial and error. Start collecting photos on your computer that you love the look of. Then go back and see what they all have in common. Bright colors? Rockabilly? Classic vintage? It's a great way to see what you're into. 

As for finding stuff cheap. Thrift stores are your best bet. You can also take up sewing. A lot of things in this scene, circle and pencil skirts for example, are very easy to make.