Archive for category Modeling

Extreme Make Up.

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Lessons, Make Up Artist, Modeling, Photograph on February 27, 2011

AvatarMask apon mask.

Extreme make up may be fun but apply with caution. Run a test first, if you are using anything even slightly out of the ordinary. In this case there was a Latex layer applied under the sparkles. After the photo shoot when the make up was removed the models skin was red were the mask had covered her face. She wasn’t fit to be seen in public for an hour or two. So do employ caution, when being creative.

No Comments

The photo shoot was good!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Make Up Artist, Modeling, Photography on December 9, 2010

 

 

Model in a black hood dress with out of focus ligths in the background.

Catlyn

 The photoshoot was good ( see preparing for a photo shoot ) and I have several different looks with good pictures from each look. No time to work on them all with Christmas coming up but they are in the can, as they say in the film industry. Candy Wai was the make up artist and she has done a good job. I look forward to working with her again. Maybe next time on one of her ideas. And the model Catlyn is a joy to work with, so yes there is a lot involved in putting together a studio shoot but then the results can make it all worth it.

 

 

 

 

No Comments

Preparing for a photoshoot.

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Make Up Artist, Modeling, Photography on December 3, 2010

Straight forward enough, you would think but in reality there is so much to do. When am I available? Can I book a model for the shoot and when I have a model lined up can I book a make up artist. Three of us available at the same time, now make sure we are all on the same page. We all know what we are trying to achieve. What the theme of the shoot is. Send the make up artist pictures of the model so she can develop ideas and start working out how she is going to reach the desired results.

Pull the clothing together. The model is supplying the shoes to go with clothes she has never seen. Have clips and pins the make sure the clothes can at least be made to look like they fit. And now the props, creating the story, now work out the lighting.

Ok, charge the camera battery and while that is happening update the computers virus checker and make sure that windows is up to date. You don’t want virus scans or updates slowing you down as you upload pictures from your cards. Cards, make sure the cards are there and ready to go. Check the camera………

I’m shooting tomorrow, it is time to get back to work or I’ll never be ready on time. Maybe some new pictures here soon!

No Comments

Fun and Rewarding!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling, Photography on October 17, 2010

BackgroundForegroundIt was both fun and rewarding to take these two pictures shot at very different times and in very different locations and combine them together to create an interesting and I think realistic new image. The most recent image on the left was shot in my studio a week ago. A plastic knife from the dollar store and if I could have found one there would have been a large conch shell in the picture. The background was from a trip to the Oregon Coast last summer. The final result my own Bond Girl walking up the beach.

"Bond Girl" on the beach!

"Bond Girl" on the beach!

No Comments

Models Wanted!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Make Up Artist, Modeling on September 20, 2010

I am always interested in hearing from new models and make-up artist too. I always have personal projects in mind and test shoots to try new ideas or techniques. I am willing to work time for prints on occasion with certain models. You will get high quality prints for your portfolio or web ready jpeg files in return for your time and a signed model release form. If I feel a model has genuine prospects in the modeling world I will do what I can to promote them and point them in the right direction.

No Comments

Vital Statistics

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 22, 2010

It is very important that you get this right. On your Comp Card, modeling sites or at an agency, it is one of the first things that people will look at when they are seeking a model. A head shot, a full length shot and your vital statistics. If your vital statistics don’t match what they are looking for they will pass you by, which is fine, unless of course you have them wrong, in which case you have just missed a modeling opportunity.
 
Worse still, if they do seem to match and they like your look, when they ask you to come in and see that your size is not what they were expecting they will dismiss you, think that you are just wasting their time and not bother to ever ask you back. Likewise it is no good adding an inch to your height or subtracting an inch from your waste. They are use to assessing peoples looks and figures, you will likely be just one of several models they will be looking at and if the other models are much different in size and shape to you, it will stick out like a sore thumb.
 
Carefully measure your bust, including your breast. Measure your waist at it’s smallest point, but don’t force it by sucking in your breath and finally measure your hips at their fullest point. You should be looking at measurements in the range of 34-26-34 plus or minus a few inches. (32-24-32, 36-27-36) If your proportions are in this sort of range that is fine. If your bust and hip sizes are wildly different or your waist is not about 10 inches less than this double check your measurements.
 
Also, be very close on your height, within half an inch at least, measured in your bare feet. There is no point in adding to your height it will be noticed. And likewise measure you weight accurately. Your weight is just a general guide, muscle is heavy and can very well give you a better shape than a that of a lighter counterpart.
 
Finally, don’t be surprised if an agency measures around your wrist or ankle. This is something they will often do to get a better idea of your body mass, your fat to muscle ratio. Be straight forward and honest about your size there is nothing to be gain by fudging your measurement.

No Comments

Testing and Go Sees!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 13, 2010

Testing. You may have the perfect look for a model but if you can’t project yourself in front of a camera you are not going to find any work. If an agent thinks that you have potential their first step is often to send you to a photographer to do test shots. This may happen a couple of times to see how you work in front of the camera. The photographer will not only send the agent the photographs but also a report on how he found you to work with. Were you prompt, professional etc. The result may mean the difference between getting signed or not. Photographers and editors may also do test shoots before committing to working with a model. Although these are not paid, you should be able to get some pictures for your portfolio.
 
Go Sees. Unless you are an internationally known model you will be sent to go sees. Whether it is for a fashion show on the catwalk, editorial pages for a magazine or a photo shoot for a catalogue, in fact almost any modeling at all, you will be ask to attend a go see. If you are sent to Paris or Milan on a contract a lot of your time will be spent going to go sees. This is not paid time and very often you will not be what they are looking for at this time, don’t take it personally. Let it go and head for the next go see. It is not glamourous, it is time consuming and hard work, but it is the way that you are going to get your name and face in front of the right people. Do not expect an agent or a manager to do all of the work for you.

No Comments

So what is TFP?

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 10, 2010

If you are new to modeling and don’t have a established portfolio or “Book” as it is known in modeling circles, you will need to develop one. Nobody is likely to book you for a paying job unless they have the proof that you can carry out the job successfully. In other words, they want to see that you have done something similar on a professional level before they will hire you. This is fully understandable. If they are being paid for the shoot they must satisfy their client or they will not get another job. Even if it is just for their own book they maybe employing a makeup artist or booking time in a studio.
 
You could go to a studio and book a photographer to do pictures for you. This is an expensive option, the photographers time and skills and equipment as well as studio time and a makeup artist time. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars. So before going this route, make sure that you view a sizable body of the photographers work and that you are happy that they will be able to produces pictures that you will not only like, but that you will be able to use. There are many photographers out there, all to ready to take your money for very little in return.
 
So what are the alternatives? Look for a photographer who is willing to work with you on a time for prints ( TFP ) arrangement and or time for files on a compact disk. ( TFCD )  You still want to be sure that you like their work and that you are going to be happy with the results, but this time if you don’t get the results that you need all you have wasted is you time.
 
Be sure of exactly what you are going to get for your efforts and do the usual background checks etc. Always take someone with you, always! You will not only get the start of a modeling portfolio, you will also gain valuable experience. There is far more to modeling than just showing up, so be prepared to work at this. It won’t happen overnight.
 
You may very well be required to sign a model release. If so read it through carefully, take it home with you and read it at your leisure, don’t be rushed into sign it.. This allows the photographer the full use of the photographers created, but once a release is signed you will have no say in the use of your image. And likely no recourse should you disapprove of the final use of these pictures. More about model releases at a future time.

No Comments

Model Safe

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on July 29, 2010

Just because he tells a good story or shows you a few good pictures, it doesn’t mean it is safe. If you are thinking, it won’t happen to me, you are putting yourself into a high risk group.

Model, but model safe.

Always find out who you are going to be modeling for. Get a home phone number not just a cell number. Check for the name and address in the phone book or do a reverse look up of the number online at the local phone companies web site.

Does this person have a web site? If it is their own domain name go to whois and check that the information they give agrees with the registration for that domain.

Ask for references. Who else have they photographed? Phone and ask, what are they like to work with? Would you work with them again?

Find out if the photographer intends to use a makeup artist. Who is it? Get a number and phone to confirm that they are booked to work with you.

Does the photographer have a membership with an online modeling group, like One Model Place or Model Mayhem. Check their profiles, check their work, look to see if there are any bad reports filed against them. Does the photographer have a membership with a professional body?

Finally, always find out exactly what it is you are going to be shooting and always take a companion with you. Make sure that the photographer knows well in advance that you bring someone to all of your photo shoots.

Never take a partner, it will be the end of you relationship or the end of your modeling career. Find a supportive girl friend or take your mother with you. In fact if you are under eighteen always take your mother.

No Comments

So you want a modeling contract.

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on July 5, 2010

So you think that you would like to get a modeling contract!  Well it may be a lot easier than you would think.  Because it is not getting the contract that is the hard part, it is getting work as a model and that is the secret.

You see just by walking through the door of far too many agencies you will find them all too ready to sign you up. They may say something like ” you have an unique look”, ” I’m sure we can find work for you”, ” you would be a great addition to our group of models”. Here take our contract to your lawyers to review, knowing full well that you won’t have a lawyer, but it makes them sound serious and sincere. So you sign their contract. You walk out the door on cloud nine. And you go home and wait.

First of all, now that you are signed up, you can’t sign with anyone else. Your theirs and even if you should find work Read the rest of this entry »

No Comments

Powered by Netfirms