Working With Models
Derek Smith • 3 September 2022
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
Roger Hance Memorial Lecture 16th October
Last night Lee Dixon from Cleethorpes Camera Club gave his first ever presentation to a camera club, which we were privileged to view. His presentation consisted of portraiture, creative, and his genre of choice; wildlife. Lee is an extremely talented photographer, with a highly creative portfolio, his portraits are quite atmospheric, unusual, and capture the essence of the model, and scene. For Lee’s creative work, he buys props from charity shops, often very cheaply, reusing those props in various scenes. For his composite work he will often take one of his photos of a room, and blend it with a subject in Photoshop using “blend” modes. For wildlife he visited Lake Kerkini in Greece to photograph the Pelicans, if the sky is a little on the bland side, Lee will often over expose the image resulting in a striking white background to the subject. On safari in Africa Lee showed us some amazing images of the wildlife, the close-up images of elephants, the wildebeest migration, and this stunning image of a cheetah. Lee was ably assisted by Mike Bennett. More of Lee’s work can be found on his website: https://leedixonphoto.co.uk/ Lee his kindly given permission for his images to be used in this post. Many thanks to Lee, and Mike for an amazing evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open", there was a very high-quality entry in both competitions and judge Mike Bennett had quite a job on his hands scoring the entries. Well, done to Dave Turner for first place in the Objects in the Air and Tony Gaskins for first place in the Open. All the results are on our website. This week, Wednesday 30th September, our speaker will be Lee Dixon from Cleethorpes Camera Club showing us his natural history, Creative and many other photographs he has taken. It will be the first time Lee has shown his photographs at our club. If anyone else wants to enter PDI's in the 2027 N&EMPF Exhibition, the deadline is this Wednesday at midnight. Harry is still taking entries for the PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Straight from Camera" (unedited .jpg), and "Open", to be held on Wednesday 7th October. Regards Graham
At the meeting last night Mike Bennett judged our competition with the categories of “Objects in the Air”, and “Open”. The standard of entries was excellent, and it gave Mike a tough task of judging the images, Mike gave some very good critique of the images displayed, the feedback helps members to develop compositional skills. Dave Turner was awarded first place for his image of the “Tiger Club Display Team” in the “Objects in the Air” category. Tony Gaskins was awarded first place for his image of the “Spectacular Rustgill” in the “Open” category.
Good Morning All, Last week at the club we watched the N&EMPF PDI Exhibition for 2026, it was a very good evening viewing very high standard images from all over the East Midlands. Dave Turner and I did manage to get images accepted; there is a full report on our website. This week, Wednesday 23rd September, we will hold our monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open", please send entries to Harry by midnight tonight. Harry is also accepting images for the PDI competition, with the categories of "Local Straight out of the Camera (only resizing permitted)" and "Open". Regards Graham
Members were shown the 2026 N&EMPF PDI Exhibition video last night with all of the accepted PDI images in the first part, and after the break the awarded PDI images. There were some stunning images on view, and Louth was successful in having 3 PDI images accepted, Graham Harrison with his image of a Stonechat, and Dave Turner with his portrait of Paul Rudd, and his monochrome image of Kings Cross railway station "Going Down". Overall it was a good inspirational evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club members had 15 minutes to show what they had done over the summer. It was a very interesting evening with eight members taking part. There were many locations on show and as usual some excellent photography. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 16th September, we will be showing the N&EMPF exhibition, this is part one showing all the PDI's that were accepted. This is the highest standard of photography we as individuals take part in as a club. Members sent around 50 entries but only 3 were accepted. If you are inspired to enter the 2027 Exhibition after seeing the show, I send the clubs entries and I can give you more information. Closing date is the end of September. The Maximum size for N&EMPF is 1600 x 1200 3MB sRGB Harry is still taking entries for the monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry did ask about what can be accepted, and we couldn't really say as long as it's an object in the Air. The best way is to look up the definition of an object first. Harry is also accepting entries for the Local and Open competition in October. Robin is going to judge the Open competition, does anyone fancy judging the "Straight from the camera" category? Regards Graham
The Louth Photographic Society has returned after the summer break. It was an incredible return, with members providing us with some stunning images from over the summer break. A full, and varied smorgasbord of well executed photos, many of us visited Whitby, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and further north images from Staithes, and Sandbanks. Tony showed us his long exposure minimalist calming coastal scenes, from the Lincolnshire coast, and Whitby.. Chris brought us some beautiful photos taken of local churches, many of which many of us have never seen. Now I’ve never really seen the attraction of an expensive Leica camera, but when Mark showed his photos from his visit to the German Leica factory in Wetzlar, I now understand, camera bodies, and lenses milled from solid blocks of aluminium, hand polished, hand finished lens glass, and textured leather applied to the camera body, not a robot in sight, just craftsmen, and women making a superb photographic instrument. Sue brought us “pink” ladies driving tractors to raise money for cancer research. Last but definitely not least Richard showed his monochrome, and infrared images of trees, his compositions, and photographic eye bring these tree studies to life, we appreciate them even if some judges don’t understand. Many thanks to all of those members who contributed.
Good Morning All We spent last week on the Isle of Wight visiting many of the attractions. This week, Wednesday 9th September, we are back at the club with 15-minute PDI shows of what you did during the summer break, I have Derek Smith, Tony Gaskins, Harry Kerman, Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred on the list, if I have missed you off, please let me know. I should be there but could be late as away playing golf. Harry is taking entries for the September PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry will miss the October local competition but will sort the entries out for us, The competition categories will be "Local-Not Edited" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so could do with two volunteers to judge. The local competition is a .jpeg photograph taken and straight from the camera, no cropping, or post processing etc, like the old days taken no more than 25 miles from St James church. Regards Graham
On Bank Holiday Monday I visited the Props, and Pistons Event at the East Kirkby Aviation centre. The event was well attended, with a good selection of various vehicles on display. The Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” was on display and did a couple of taxiing runs, so great to hear the Rolls Royce Merlin engines roar into life, also taxiing was the DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft, the “wooden wonder”. The first flypast was from the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire, I didn’t manage to capture any acceptable photos of these iconic aircraft, as they were too small and fast for me. Later in the afternoon the second flypast aircraft was the American Martin B26 Marauder, as this was larger, and slower I did manage to take some photos as it flew overhead. The weather was kind, and I had a very enjoyable day out.
