Camera Magic

As a photographer, I shoot mostly with models. I'm not really a landscape or still life photographer. So whenever I have a project I need to find a model. For smaller projects, I usually make my friends get in front of the camera. For larger projects, especially ones with a specific look, I book aspiring models. I haven't paid a model yet, it's usually a tfp (trade for print) business arrangement. Meaning Their payment is a copy of the image to add to their portfolio. 

It's always fun to go through peoples modeling portfolios. Some people have incredible ports and you can tell they'd have potential to really make it if they pushed it. Others are people who think they the undiscovered Heidi Klum or Sean O'Pry. Sometimes it's just a matter of not having a good photographer. And so the shoot isn't well directed or edited. But most of the time, it's because modeling just isn't there thing. Which is okay. Modeling isn't forever. It's much more difficult than most think. 

There's an element of mystery when booking a model on what you're going to get when the model arrives to shoot. Most of the time I will direct the model to come in without hair or makeup done, so I can direct the overall look. Some models photograph exactly like they look in reality. Others it's almost two different people. I booked a model and almost didn't recognize her when she showed up.

I found a bunch of photos of models, comparing what they look like au naturale and what they look like done up for work. So I thought I'd share them to better explain what I'm talking about. 

Makeup and lighting makes a huge difference in the world, but if the model doesn't know how to work the makeup and lighting, it's all for nothing. 

As you can see, the girl you wouldn't peg as a model on the street might turn into Heidi Klum in front of the camera.

Until next time...

erinbeephotography.com

A Little Bit of Rouge

OK, a little disclaimer to this post. I was not present at any of the shoots for the images presented. Just my judgements as a photographer.

I've been seriously working on my photography for about four years now. I've done a lot of experimentation, making mistakes along the way. One of the biggest things I've learned is dealing with makeup.

Makeup applied lightly doesn't really show up on camera. So the makeup must be applied liberally for the effect to be picked up on camera. Working with a makeup artist who usually works with photographers knows this. But if you're a photographer working with an artist that doesn't normally work on photo shoots, it's important to convey the information.

On set, the make up might look overdone and awful. But it was all smooth out in post.

On set, the makeup might seem like it looks like:

But the final image would look more like this:

OR, on set you might be seeing:

But it would be turned into something like this:

My suggestion would be to apply the makeup more than what you would normally and take a few test shots. If the look is what you want it to be that start shooting. If not, add a few more layers. These examples are a bit of an exaggeration but in the past I've told an artist that the makeup was good but then wasn't happy with how light it was on camera.

Hopefully this is helpful for you fellow photographers out there!

See you next time.
erinbeephotography.com