MODELING TIPS ANYONE?

[Susie Q.]

oh lord!
My dream is to be a pinup model,but there is one problem.I'M WAY TO CAMERA SHY. Yesterday i had a friend of mine take pictures of me for practice and i fell blank.A lot of you ladies on here are gorgeous and take amazing pictures so any tips on overcoming this shyness and poses. Being the that I'm not the skinnest girl of my friends I guess i feel kinda of insecure but I know that size doesn't matter!

xoxo

[Shirley Rowe{★}]

As a professional photographer, I have women tell me they are shy and nervous before our session. An experienced photographer should be able to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. With good direction, you would probably be fine. As long as you feel cute and sexy you should be able to show it a photo. Good Luck!

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

So many good threads on this in here, spend some time poking around and you'll find all the advice you could want. Here are a couple to get you started. Read the replies.

http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/my-first-photo-shoot

http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/new-to-pinup-modeling

[Susie Q.]

thanks

xoxo

[Vega {★}]

I can't have friends, family, boyfriend, or anyone I know present at my photo shoots.... it's way easier to adopt a new persona when people who know you're daily-life persona aren't around. I'm way more comfortable letting loose in front of a complete stranger. I'm not sure if this is backwards or what, but it's the way I function and maybe it's the same for you too. Being overtly sexy, or striking dramatic over-the-top poses can be hard in front of someone who knows you as the girl who watches Lost religiously, still has her childhood teddy bear, or hates pears or whatever XD I also find that friends sometimes aren't as critical as a fresh set of eyes can be. At a size 10 dress, I'm not that skinny either and need someone who can tell me "suck it in! turn this way so there isn't a roll here, or a bulge there, hold your leg this way so it makes your thigh skinnier!" etc etc so that I can learn what positions make my body look good, and which are just highlighting my flaws. If you're anything like me, you might want to start with good 'ole self-timer and a mirror!! I do this sometimes to practice poses.... have a large mirror and the camera pointed at me, so I can see what I'm doing as the photo is taken, and see how my version of myself differs from what the camera shows...that way I can learn which angles to avoid, etc, even if they seem like good ones to begin with :)

[Ellie Retrophilia]

I'm the opposite of Never Again...I like having someone I know around when I shoot because I get more comfortable. If I don't know the photographer I can get kinda stiff or nervous, especially male photographers. Although it helps having multiple models around or a photographer that makes you feel at ease and isn't nervous around you. It all depends on your comfort level...and NO ONE is ever completely comfortable the first time around. It takes experience. ANYONE that says they were completely comfortable their first time in front of a professional camera is essentially lying. NEVER wear anything that doesn't make you feel comfortable, confidant and beautiful. It'll show in your photos. And make sure you look polished and put together before your shoot otherwise you will worry about something being out of place.

[Ellie Retrophilia]

The advantage to the friend or family around...they can joke with you and encourage more spontaneity sometimes...choosing the right "partner" for your shoots though can get tricky. For instance, there are select few friends and family I would bring with me as escort...like my husband. He can get me to laugh, loosen up and has a good sense of humor, and he also knows when to be quiet and unnoticeable.

Ellie Retrophilia said:

I'm the opposite of Never Again...I like having someone I know around when I shoot because I get more comfortable. If I don't know the photographer I can get kinda stiff or nervous, especially male photographers. Although it helps having multiple models around or a photographer that makes you feel at ease and isn't nervous around you. It all depends on your comfort level...and NO ONE is ever completely comfortable the first time around. It takes experience. ANYONE that says they were completely comfortable their first time in front of a professional camera is essentially lying. NEVER wear anything that doesn't make you feel comfortable, confidant and beautiful. It'll show in your photos. And make sure you look polished and put together before your shoot otherwise you will worry about something being out of place.

[Ellie Retrophilia]

Some folks however object to the SO thing and some folks don't have obliging SOs like I do.

Ellie Retrophilia said:

The advantage to the friend or family around...they can joke with you and encourage more spontaneity sometimes...choosing the right "partner" for your shoots though can get tricky. For instance, there are select few friends and family I would bring with me as escort...like my husband. He can get me to laugh, loosen up and has a good sense of humor, and he also knows when to be quiet and unnoticeable.

Ellie Retrophilia said:

I'm the opposite of Never Again...I like having someone I know around when I shoot because I get more comfortable. If I don't know the photographer I can get kinda stiff or nervous, especially male photographers. Although it helps having multiple models around or a photographer that makes you feel at ease and isn't nervous around you. It all depends on your comfort level...and NO ONE is ever completely comfortable the first time around. It takes experience. ANYONE that says they were completely comfortable their first time in front of a professional camera is essentially lying. NEVER wear anything that doesn't make you feel comfortable, confidant and beautiful. It'll show in your photos. And make sure you look polished and put together before your shoot otherwise you will worry about something being out of place.

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

Tanja, this is not the place to post this, this thread is about modeling tips. If you are looking to work, please start your own thread in the castings forum. Thank you.

tanja virgina joyce giltner said:

looking for photographer here on west coast. washington state for now, will be moving to arizona in bout 6 months. would like to get the start here in washington. a photographer within our budget that is. know of anyone?

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

Susie,

Although it may work for Never Again, be VERY careful with this advice. The safest thing to do is ALWAYS take someone with you who you trust. At least until you know the photographer well and feel that you can trust him/her. Here is a great thread to read for anyone starting out. http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/tip-models-be-selective-...

Also, finding a good professional photographer is key when you first start out. I know that you're down in SoCal, you should think about working with Ama. She's amazing! Fun, easy to work with, and she knows what she's doing. Check out this thread, http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/models-discounted-photos... and her profile.

[Auburn Hills]

Susie Q - definitely wear something you know you look great in. Play around with your expressions, never worrying what they look like and let your friend keep snapping pics. Your feelings will show in your expressions. At first it is a little weird to see yourself, but you'll get used to it. I trick I use is I think of the style of the shoot and what glamour girl it makes me think of, Marilyn Monroe, Ann Margret, Sopia Loren, etc and then "channel" that into my shoot. And, big one here - don't drink alcohol close to your shoot - gives you puffy eyes.
Have fun and work those curves.

[Susie Q.]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, sounds exactly like what i need to do cus posing in front of my mom or friends i get extremely shy.xoxo

Never Again (Raquelle Vega) said:

I can't have friends, family, boyfriend, or anyone I know present at my photo shoots.... it's way easier to adopt a new persona when people who know you're daily-life persona aren't around. I'm way more comfortable letting loose in front of a complete stranger. I'm not sure if this is backwards or what, but it's the way I function and maybe it's the same for you too. Being overtly sexy, or striking dramatic over-the-top poses can be hard in front of someone who knows you as the girl who watches Lost religiously, still has her childhood teddy bear, or hates pears or whatever XD I also find that friends sometimes aren't as critical as a fresh set of eyes can be. At a size 10 dress, I'm not that skinny either and need someone who can tell me "suck it in! turn this way so there isn't a roll here, or a bulge there, hold your leg this way so it makes your thigh skinnier!" etc etc so that I can learn what positions make my body look good, and which are just highlighting my flaws. If you're anything like me, you might want to start with good 'ole self-timer and a mirror!! I do this sometimes to practice poses.... have a large mirror and the camera pointed at me, so I can see what I'm doing as the photo is taken, and see how my version of myself differs from what the camera shows...that way I can learn which angles to avoid, etc, even if they seem like good ones to begin with :)

[Susie Q.]

Thank you guys for all the advice! I feel a little bit better about going out there. xoxo