What to bring to a photo shoot
March 18, 2014 at 1:16 AM
Note that every photographer is different, this is a list of things that I recommend that models bring to a photo shoot with me. If you arrive via public transportation, you may want to pack lighter on the clothes and props, but this list is a place to start on your checklist.

1) Makeup/powder that matches your skin tone. Even for the guys.
I don't tend to go for the highly made up, photoshopped to just this side of Barbie style of photos. I prefer a more natural look, but sometimes a little bit of powder to cut down on shine and reflections is what is needed to make the photograph look more like what our eyes see in person.

If you don't have it, go to someplace that sells makeup, explain what you need and they'll be happy to help you. They are professionals and if anything will be favorably impressed by guys willing to do a good job of modeling.


2) Photo ID. If we're going to do any nude shots or even anything vaguely suggestive, even if none of them show anything that you couldn't see on a Santa Cruz beach, I want to get a picture of your photo ID. The rules on what is considered porn tend to be vague and capriciously enforced. I just like to cover my ass, particularly if I'm photographing you uncovering yours.


3) Any clothes, shoes, props that you might possibly consider that you might think would be fun to use in a photo shoot. Yes, it's a pain to carry them, it's more of a pain to get an amazing inspiration in the middle of the shoot and realize that the perfect thing is sitting on your bed at home, where you set it down when you took it out of your bag.

There are photographers that go into a photo shoot knowing exactly what they want to do. Sometimes I wish I were better at that. My technique is more that I develop a rapport with my model, we start having fun, maybe get silly, and that's when the best inspiration tends to strike.


3A) If you happen to have the perfect backdrop to set off your outfit, hair, eyes, etc, bring it. Depending on the style of photo we're doing it could be a large bath towel, or bedsheet, blanket, cloak or fur rug.


4) A USB drive. I can often process at least a few of the photos before you leave, and give you unprocessed thumbnails to look at at home. I can burn them onto DVDs, but these days, it's easier to copy the JPEGs onto a USB drive.


5) If you want to bring a friend, that's usually fine. Some photographers don't like other people at the shoot, I have found that a longtime friend can often bring out better chemistry with the model than I can. It's also often helpful to have someone to hold reflectors or whatever. Do, however, check with me first, and make sure that your friend understands that I am in charge, and in case of any disagreements, what I say goes.


5A) If you want to bring your camera or photographer and use it as a learning experience, I am also usually amenable to that, but see above regarding "who is in charge".


6) Music, or comedy to listen to. Some people just cannot stand sitting and posing without noise in the background, particularly if they are waiting for me to adjust the lights. Also, if you have trouble relaxing enough to smile and laugh naturally (I hate forced smiles) a bit of comedy might give you something funnier to laugh at than my lame jokes.


7) Perhaps most importantly, a sense of fun and adventure.