As the calendar flipped to 2015, we asked DPReview readers to look back at their photographic year and send us their favorite shots from 2014 so we could feature some standouts on our homepage. The response was overwhelming. We’ve sorted through 1400+ submissions and made selections of our favorites in three categories – people, places and things. Take a look at some of our readers’ best work from the last year. See galleries
Category: Uncategorized
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Tips For Working with Agency Models
Alana Tyler Slutsky is back on FashionPhotographyBlog.com, after sharing the steps to take when approaching a new modeling agency for the first time, to share some tips with our readers that are useful to remember when working with models from agencies in order to maintain a working relationship with both the models and the agencies they are from. Take it away Alana!
Hey FashionPhotographyBlog.com readers!
A LOT of people have asked how to approach agencies to work with their models, so here are some tips for working with agency models.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
– DO NOT SHOOT NUDE/IMPLIED NUDE – nudity isn’t really necessary. It won’t end up in the models book, it doesn’t look good on you, just don’t do it! If you shoot nude, there is a very good chance that agency will not be sending you another model to test. Remember – ** A lot of the girls you’ll be sent are young. Shooting nude or dressing models in sheer clothing is risky business when you’re working with a 16 year old **
– THESE IMAGES ARE FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO – whatever you do DO NOT make the mistake of shooting client work with a model under the impression that this is a test shoot. The agency will find out and they’ll send you a bill.
– DON’T BE A JERK! – I would hope no one is going to be a jerk anyways, but keep in mind that everyone on a test is donating their time. Don’t be mean. Models will review you to their agent. Keep that in mind when you have the urge to yell and make the model cry “to draw out the emotion.”
– KEEP THE IMAGE USABLE – by that I mean don’t go heavy on the makeup and keep the hair simple. The more you do to the model, the less likely they’ll be able to use it in their book. As pointed out before – agents love simple, natural, clean images of their models. Leave the crazy stuff for editorials. If you become that guy known for extreme makeup and hair, chances are you’re not going to be sent more models to work with.
The best advice I can give is to start with smaller agencies and work your way up, (that is what I did and I’m still in the process of doing). Don’t know who to contact and who to hold off contacting? Do some research! Models.com is a great resource that shows the top agencies for men and women. They also have a directory of agencies which you can view by country/state/city. I would advise to stay away from the top agencies until you’ve tested a bit, build up your confidence and know what you’re doing.
Good luck!
– Alana
Did you find Alana’s post useful? Please leave your comments below in the comment section. We would like to know what you thought about this post. If you enjoyed this article, do stay tuned as Alana has another post just around the corner on FashionPhotograhyBlog.com. If you want to know more about approaching modeling agencies, check our upcoming post on Reaching Out To Modeling Agencies.
IMAGE SOURCE:
Feature image & images 1: courtesy of Alana Tyler Slutsky.
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Reaching Out To Modeling Agencies
Hey FashionPhotographyBlog.com readers!
A LOT of people have asked how to approach agencies to work with their models so, here’s a crash course in testing with agency models! First things first, you have to have the type of images an agent would like to see. Agencies like to see clean photographs:
– Images that aren’t too shadowy or weirdly lit
– Photographs with nice hair and makeup- keep it simple!
– No intense, crazy eye-shadow
– No big, teased hair
– NO NUDITY
The whole idea behind testing with an agency is that they want clean, beautiful images of their models to put in the models portfolio. This means images that show the model as they naturally look, not images that show the model with 15 pounds of makeup and Photoshop’ed past recognition. Make sure all your images aren’t of one or two people, have a variety to show the agency that no matter who they send you you’ll be able to take a damn good photo!
Have those clean portrait/fashion portrait images already? I suggest having a website you can link the agency to. If you don’t have a site yet, no worries. Attach around 5 images in your email to the agency so they can view your work and get a sense of your style. (Make sure you have 10-15 good images to show, in case you’re asked to provide more.)
Now you’re ready to reach out!
1. Call the agency you’re interested in working with and ask who you should speak to in regard to testing with their new faces. You’ll probably be given the email address to a booker (model agent) and asked to send over your portfolio.
2. Email the booker:
– Start with a nice introduction, explain who you are and that you’re looking to test with their new faces.
– Include your portfolio: Link the booker to your website or attach 5-6 photos.
3. Wait.
4. Got a response? Congrats! You’ll most likely be sent a package (a listing of available models in need of images for their book) and will have the opportunity to choose who to work with:
– Sometimes the booker will ask if you have a team (aka creative team – hair, makeup and wardrobe stylists) Be honest with them. Don’t lie and say you have a team if you don’t. It will show in the final images you produce. The agency wants to make sure they’re sending their girls out on shoots that will help their books, not waste their time.
– Sometimes you’ll be asked for a mood board. What is a mood board anyways? (Well get into that in another post) In short, a mood board is a compilation of images that show what it is you’re trying to accomplish. Inspiration for hair, makeup, wardrobe, overall outcome of the shoot.
5. No response? That’s okay. Just be persistent, keep shooting and try again. Never take “No” for an answer! There have been plenty of times that I’ve been turned down but I kept shooting and eventually was given a break. I’m currently testing with agencies that had previously not responded to my emails. Believe in yourself and someone will come along who believes in you too!
– Alana
Did you find Alana’s post useful? Please leave your comments below in the comment section. We would like to know what you thought about this post. If you enjoyed this article, do stay tuned as Alana has another post just around the corner on FashionPhotograhyBlog.com. If you want to know more about shooting with models from agencies, check our upcoming post on Tips For Working With Agency Models.
IMAGE SOURCE:
Feature image & images 1: courtesy of Alana Tyler Slutsky.
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Project from war-torn Ukraine wins Terry O’Neil Award for Italian photographer
The winners of the 2014 Terry O’Neil Award have been announced, with Italian photographer Giorgio Bianchi collecting the first prize with a documentary series covering the crisis in Ukraine. Behind Kiev’s Barricades won Giorgio £3000 and a commission for the UK’s Guardian newspaper. Take a look at some of the winning images. See gallery
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Sigma promises firmware fix for Pentax mount 17-70mm f/2.8-4 lens
Sigma has acknowledged a problem that Pentax users are suffering from when the company’s 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Contemporary lens is used on Pentax DSLR bodies with in-camera image stabilization activated. To rectify the issue the lens manufacturer has promised a firmware update for the lens, but hasn’t yet specified a release date. Read more
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Tamron announces SP 15-30mm F/2.8 release date and $1200 price point
Tamron has announced availability and pricing for its much-anticipated 15-30mm F/2.8 stabilized wide angle zoom. Set for availability on January 30th in Canon and Nikon mounts with Sony to follow later, the lens will retail for $ 1199. Read more
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Sports Illustrated lays off last remaining staff photographers
On the eve of the Super Bowl, Legendary US-based sports publication ‘Sports Illustrated’ has laid off its remaining six full-time staff photographers. According to Sports Illustrated director of photography Brad Smith, speaking to News Photographer Magazine, the decision was made due to ‘economic circumstances’. Click through to read more, including an interview with Jordan Stead, staff photographer for the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
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Samsung NX1 firmware v1.2 now available
Samsung has released a major firmware update for the NX1. Announced earlier this month, firmware v1.2 bring additional features, increased customization and several menu refinements. DPReview was one of the organizations that provided Samsung with feedback on the camera and shooting with the new firmware over the past couple of weeks has shown us that several of the requests we made have been incorporated. Read more
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2014 Readers’ Polls: The results are in!
Late last year we asked you to vote for your favorite products of the 2014 in four categories: best lens, best high-end compact camera, best enthusiast ILC and best high-end ILC. Voting ran through January 20th and the results are in! Click through to see the results of our 2014 readers’ polls, and for a chance to vote on the overall winner, which we’ll announce next month.
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Light and Motion launches Sidekick companion light for GoPro on Kickstarter
Light & Motion has introduced a new GoPro companion light called the Sidekick, and is seeking funding for its production on Kickstarter. The Sidekick is designed to attach directly to the GoPro’s existing mount, eliminating the need to carry an external light, though it retains some flexibility via an optional armature for positioning the light. Read more