Working With Models

Derek Smith • 3 September 2022
a female model posing with sunglasses
I had booked a fashion photo shoot with a young model in Beverley town centre last Wednesday. Preparing my camera gear the night before, the Fuji XT20 with the Fuji XF 50mm f/2 prime attached, and the Fuji XT3 with the Fuji XF 16-80mm f/4 zoom lens attached, and two spare batteries, this was the only gear that I took with me in a small light messenger bag. Both cameras were set with the Astia Fuji film simulation giving great colours, but less saturated images, I have found the Fuji Velvia film simulation to be too saturated for my personal taste in portraiture.
So it was that I arrived in Beverley, allowing enough time to have a coffee prior to meeting up at the agreed rendezvous, Beverley railway station. Taya my model arrived on time, with immaculately applied makeup, and braided hair, we started shooting straight away, trying to keep in the shade not only to help the model, but also to help with the camera exposure, because shooting wide open at f/2 with the Fuji XT20 was pushing the shutter speed to the 1/4000 limit for that camera. Working with Taya was amazing, we struck up an immediate rapport, she showed me some great locations within the busy town centre, posing well, and generally having a good laugh. This for me is the epitome of a great photo shoot, where the model is relaxed, working the poses, and responding well to any direction as needed.

All the images, shot wide open were selected for editing from .jpg were given a light touch edit, and a crop in Luminar AI.

General rules for working with models are:

NEVER touch the model.

Communication is key both when arranging the shoot, and during the shoot.

Decide, and agree exactly what the theme for the shoot will be, Fashion, Headshots, Boudoir, Lingerie, or Art Nude, that way the model can prepare accordingly, and as a photographer you will know what to expect. A good example of this is that a model is expecting to shoot Headshots, and arrives in a stylish top, with correctly applied makeup, but wearing ripped worn jeans, and a battered pair of trainers, not a good look for the photographer looking to shoot full length fashion.

Choose a reputable internet site for working with a model, I use PurplePort, you can see a portfolio from photos taken of the model, the levels that a model is comfortable working at, and references from other photographers that have worked with the model before, I currently have 64 positive references from models that I have worked with.

A photo shoot is a professional setting, keep discussions professional, not enquiring about the model’s personal life, avoid any sexual comments, and make space available for the model to change in privacy. 

I always find that a break in the shooting works well, perhaps a drink, and a brief discussion on outfits, new ideas, and the shots taken so far, I also show the images on the back of the camera to the model so that feedback can be given from either the model, or the photographer.

Above all relax, enjoy, the model will thank you for it.

This is a copy of the reference from Taya on the Beverley shoot:

"Had my first shoot with Derek today, levels/rates etc were all discussed before the shoot. Had an amazing location shoot walking round Beverley today. I felt super comfortable the whole time and had an absolute laugh. Can't wait to see the shots as I know there's lots of beautiful pictures taken. Lots of communication throughout the whole 2hr shoot and worked well together as a team. Plus, we saw nesting peregrine falcons. Fab time, thank you Derek.”

Louth Photographic Society

by Graham Harrison 29 March 2026
Good Morning, All, Last week at the club member Chris Birchmore gave a presentation on MPP cameras which included some of Chris's collection of cameras and prints taken. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. Thank you Chris for an interesting evening. This week, Wednesday 1st April, we are holding a local and open PDI competition the local subject being nature, please if you haven't already, send your entries to Harry before midnight tonight. Members Steve Chapman and Dave Turner have volunteered to judge. Also on the Wednesday 1st April our Louth Photographic Society 70th anniversary exhibition will be open to view at the Louth Museum. Regards Graham
by Derek Smith 26 March 2026
Chris Birchmore gave an informative, and interesting talk and demonstration of his medium format film cameras. at the beginning of the evening Chris gave a potted history of the origins of the MPP cameras he was showing us. The cameras take a 5 x 4" film stock, and looking at the cameras it seems incredible that photographers in the recent past could take excellent photographs with these. The MPP cameras were often used by the British Armed Forcies during the Second World War, and throughout the 1950s, and 60s, and some of these medium format were still being manufactured in the 1970s. The prints that Chris showed taken with these cameras were of excellent quality, with an amazing depth of field. Many thanks Chris for a fascinating evening.
by Graham Harrison 22 March 2026
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a committee meeting, which was very productive, we made the final arrangements for the exhibition, charity night, and studio evening as well as other items on the agenda. We are holding an Exhibition opening night at Louth Museum on Friday 17th April celebrating 70 years of Louth Photographic Society. There will be a small buffet and cold drinks available, if any member would like to donate a bottle of wine to the occasion please hand it to Harry at one of our club nights. This week, Wednesday 25th March, member Chris Birchmore will be giving us a presentation. The following week is a local competition, with the categoriess of "Local Nature" (up to 25 miles radius from St James church) and "Open" (unlimited mileage) please send your entries to Harry before midnight, Sunday 29th March. Members Steve Chapman will judge the Nature category, and Dave Turner the Open category. Regards Graham
by Graham Harrison 15 March 2026
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition judged by Martyn Wrigg, the standard of entries was very high and well done to Tony Gaskins for a first in the Architectural Detail and Derek Smith for his first place in the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 18th March we will be holding a Committee meeting, just committee members for this one. The following week Chris Birchmore is the speaker for the night. Harry is now accepting entries for the PDI local competition, with the categories of "Local Nature" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so if you would like to judge one of the subjects please let me know. Regards Graham
by Derek Smith 12 March 2026
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by Derek Smith 12 March 2026
A PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition was held last night with the categories of "Architectural Detail", and "Open". Martyn Wrigg was our judge for the evening, and he competently judged the submitted images, although he diid surprise with some of his choices of placing, but that's a judges perogative. Martyn complemented members on the quality of the images presented, which had made some of his decisions difficult. First placed was "It's a Fixer Upper" in the Architectural Detail section, and "Dervish Musician" in the Open section. Congratulations to Robin Begley, who as one of our newest members submitted some impressive images, achieving a 3rd place in "Architectural Details", and 2nd in the "Open" category. All the results are now posted to our website Competition page.
by Graham Harrison 8 March 2026
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Steve Chapman gave us an insight into his life and especially his time at Ilam Park in Derbyshire photographing for the National Trust. Steve showed us many photographs he had taken of the people involved with the trust and the Peak District. The second half was dedicated to Steve's own work, some superb aircraft photography as well as many other subjects. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 11th March we are holding a PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail " and "Open" to be judged by Martyn Wrigg of Barton. The following week is a committee meeting for the committee members only on that evening. For newer members we have two committee meetings a year. Regards Graham
by Derek Smith 5 March 2026
Last night Steve Chapman presented a selection of images from his archives. Steve had previously been a volunteer photographer for the National Trust, and he showed many photos from the Ilam Park Estate, Dovedale, it was interesting to see some of the "behind the scenes" photos. The Jacobite reenactment battle scenes were amazing, the uniforms showed great attention to detail, and there were some real characters among the reenactors. After the break Steve showed some of his general photography, he has a great photographic eye, as some of his photos showed with different colours, shapes, and leading lines. Steve has taken many photos of agricultural machinery, and risked life and limb to create some close up aircraft photos. For atmosphere, just look at these horseriders at the top of the hill on a cool early morning. For heartstopping imagery look at these children on the side of a building, the children are photos on the side of the building, however, Steve wasted no time in capturing this stunning image. Many thanks to Steve for a fascinating evening.
by Graham Harrison 1 March 2026
Good Morning All Last week at the club I gave you a PDI (Projected Digital Image) presentation showing photographs I had taken on my travels last year, following up with some past and present photographs of Binbrook. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and maybe saw parts of England you hadn't seen before. This week, Wednesday 4th March, our member Steve Chapman will be showing us photographs he has taken. This is Steve's first time showing the club his work so will be a very good night. Harry is now accepting your PDI's for the next competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The closing date is Friday 6th March. Regards Graham
by Derek Smith 26 February 2026
The N&EMPF Exhibition will be on display in Cleethorpes from 3rd March.