Be Your Own Modeling Expert

My passion for the entertainment, modeling and broadcasting industry is so strong that I put all my effort into learning about the different fields I work in. In addition to modeling, I also freelance as a television news and entertainment reporter so I spend a lot of time shooting footage, interviewing people and talking on-camera. I love being hands-on with all of my broadcasting projects, from playing back footage, to editing and writing the scripts. That gives me the experience and credibility to tell anyone, "I know exactly how this works because I've done it!"

From my past experiences doing this type of work, I learned a great deal about lighting, posing, framing, camera equipment, etc. And you know what? A lot of what I learned in college as well as from my freelance career carried over into my modeling career. In college, I learned about everything that goes on behind the camera and while some of it seemed so boring and meaningless, many of the aspects about broadcasting I learned were almost the same when it came to photography and modeling. Of course the two aren't the same but there are some principles and factors that can be similar.

Everything I learned about broadcasting made me a better journalist and reporter so I figured why not do the same for my modeling career? I immediately went to work learning about the basics of photography: lighting, the types of equipment needed for certain shoots, filters, lenses, colors, backgrounds, composition, and a score of other things. Not only was learning about photography fun but it was really helpful to me as a model. Now I have a glimpse into what the person behind the camera has to deal with. When you know the way the shot is going to be based off of the equipment alone, you'll know what poses to do and how to position yourself.

For example, with studio shooting, you're always going to have to deal with lights. And there's more than just one type of light. Some are huge, while others are small and placed at different angles. When I did my high-key white shoot, I was very familiar with the types of lighting the photographer was using. I looked over the set-up and knew right away that I would have to be very careful of what poses I would be doing because with lights, there are shadows. And certain poses will cast some of the most difficult shadows that can ruin an otherwise beautiful shot. The entire time I had to be aware of the angle of my face...if I had my hands or arms up in the air, I had to position them a certain way so that the light didn't create a shadow on my face. Most models who don't give the lighting a second thought can put out the greatest poses that end up ruined because of harsh shadows they created without even knowing it.

I'm not saying you should sign up for a photography class (although it would be a great experience) but take some time out to research the duties and responsibilities that comes with photography. Learn for yourself how these talented people are able to capture the most breath-taking images...and how they use Photoshop to make us look so dang perfect! Soak up this knowledge and take it with you. Be your own expert and any photographer you work with will not only be impressed but grateful that you're able to see things from their point of view and make it easier for them. Of course, don't try to dictate to the photographer how they should do their job--leave that up to them, they are the photographers after all!

Many models have turned to photography as a hobby or as a part of their career. Even I've started sneaking practice shots of random objects, places and people using my boyfriend's Nikon D70 to take flicks when he doesn't need his camera.

So don't just stand there looking pretty and zoning off--look around you, observe your surroundings, learn the styles and techniques that are responsible for producing quality modeling pictures and I guarantee you the rest of your shoots will turn out the best pictures ever because instead of one expert on-set, there will be two!