Recommendations
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If a photoshoot can be fun and rewarding when done seriously (oxymoron...), it nevertheless requires a minimum of vigilance whether to avoid ill-intentioned photographers or unreliable models, both of them damaging the reputation of this activity.
The following advices are based on best practices and feedback from models. They do not pretend to be exhaustive or universal.
Being a model
The only criterion(1) to be a photo model (not to be confused with the activity of top-model(3)) : agreeing to be published !!!
The rest then depends on the theme chosen, the photographer's vision and each models expectations.
No personal information needs to be published:
- The use of a pseudonym is customary and recommended.
- Private contact details (telephone, email) are only necessary when contact is actually taking place.
- No personal photos have to be requested: photo books are there for that purpose.
On the other hand, it is useful to publish a profile that can guide the photographer through proposals:
desired themes, measurements, age, hair/eye colors,...
Choice of a photographer
A photographer, whether beginner or confirmed,
must have a book to share his/her practice (themes, style, experience, technique).
References: it is customary for the photographer to mention the names(4) of his/her models (photo credits) in recognition of the work done
(conversely the models generally mention the name of the photographer on their publications).
Terms of cooperation
In the case of a first shooting, a preliminary meeting between photographer and model is necessary. It takes place in a public place, such as a café, and allows:
- On the model side, to judge the seriousness of the photographer (direct answers to questions, behavior)
- As a photographer, to see the person for real, which photo books (or social networks) do not allow.
Contract: a collaboration contract is established between photographer and model.
Costs: in the case of a collaboration, costs (travel, organization of the shooting, etc.) are the responsibility of the photographer.
Proposed theme
The proposed theme shall be clear:
- What is the subject? what is the objective, the expected result?
- What types of poses are planned?
- Are there pictures/drawings explaining the style (moodboard)?
Image rights: what is the level of intimacy exhibited by the theme?
- Is it a lingerie theme? what type? who chooses it?
- Is there any nude planned? what type (hidden, full,...)?
Location: where will the shoot take place? outdoors or indoors? in what kind of place?
Shooting process
Not all models have the same experience and the responsibility for proposed poses is up to the photographer: it is up to him/her to guide them according to his/her photographic vision and in accordance with what is acceptable by each model, the more experienced models being naturally more autonomous.
A photoshoot must take place with mutual respect and in the spirit of what has been agreed:
- A pose that was not planned and that is deemed inappropriate must be refused.
- No physical contact shall be necessary between photographer and model, whatever the type of shoot.
Publications
As soon as a photo is shared, whether it is sent or published (books, social networks), its control is lost: no protection prevents it from being downloaded, whether via a simple screenshot or using browser capabilities.
It is therefore recommended to publish or share shooting photos only in low or medium resolution (typically 1200 pixels maximum, value used by most books and networks to date): this does not prevent their download but limits the possibilities of re-use (zoom, enlargement, printing, ...).
(1) Apart from the obligations related to the legal age for minors.
(3) A top model is a model known for its notoriety and meeting more demanding physical criteria.
(4) A nickname is usually used instead of the name.
