The Joy of Casting

The Joy of Casting

What a very busy weekend.  Casting for several magazine spreads and a magazine cover is in progress.  As usual the models seemed to show up in random groups.   Busy for a while, then sit around and wait a bit.  The models that did show up were pretty good in general.   It is going to be tough for us to make the final selections.

There were a few standouts who will get the key features in the magazine, but some of the other shoots will depend on what the concept is for the current shooting issue.

And we are having one more casting to make sure we can fill in any gaps, or hopefully even find another standout or two.

Plans are to begin shooting the spreads in December and early January if possible.  We already have the next year’s concepts ready to go, so it just finding the right models and making the magic happen.

Orcatek Photography, Phoenix, AZ


Fun with Photoshop

Falling Down

I shot the background shot from the Zeppelin and thought it would be fun to have someone falling out.   Maxym, a local model, was willing to give it a try.   I used the background image shadows as a reference for setting up my lights to create the proper shadows on my victim.

It took a while to get the fall look to work, as hair had to blow forward as she fell.    Maxym worked hard to get her arms and legs to look like she was flailing for her life.

In the end I am happy with the end result.  Pretty close to what I had in mind.   As with most photoshop projects, I am sure I will play with the more over time to refine the final result.

Orcatek Photography – Phoenix, Arizona


Model Portfolios

So you want a modeling portfolio.   A model’s portfolio is her resume.  It shows what she has done or is capable of doing.  Before going out and getting a portfolio done, contact the agency you want to work with and see what they prefer to see.  Some don’t want anything more than basic photos showing what you look like. 

A portfolio should include at least a casual head shot, a fully styled head shot (hair and make-up professional done), body shot (swimsuit is ideal, or lingerie), a fashion shot, action/lifestyle shot and even an editorial or catalogue shot.   Key is not to put styles you don’t want to work from in your portfolio, ie don’t have several lingerie shots if you don’t want that type of work.  Include at least one B&W shot.Fashioin-Photography-Phoenix-9-14

Over time you replace old photos with new ones.  Best of all is to add tear sheets from work you have done.  Tear sheets get their name from pages being torn out of magazines showing a model’s work.

Your best two pictures show be the first and last.  If the first shot doesn’t catch their eye, they may not go much further thru your book.  And you want the last shot to be remembered so you close on a high.  Very often the first shot is the made-up headshot.

It is better to have fewer great pictures than a lot of average pictures.   Standard book prints are 9×12 and contain a max of 20 photographs.   It is better to have only 10 great photographs, as quality is key.   Yes, I’m repeating myself, but it is an important point.

You need a mix of environments.  This means some location work and some studio work.  Don’t use two shots of the same outfit.  Pick the best one.

You need two good headshots.  One should be the made-up shot mentioned before and the other with minimal make-up and retouching.  Ideally your hair will be back on the second shot as they really want to get a good look at your face as you are naturally.

Beware of agencies that want you to pay them or their photographer to get your portfolio made.  If they won’t let you use your own photographer, run, run away fast.  It is fine for them to have suggested photographers.

Modeling can be a fun and rewarding career.   Photographs are a major expense that you will be paying.  Be sure to get what you need, when you need it.

Orcatek Photography – Phoenix, Arizona


Professional Make-up for Photography

Professional make-up for your photo shoot has many benefits for both the client and the photographer. I include make-up services in a lot of my packages and in others I let the client decide.

There are several benefits to the photographer. First is the reduction in the amount of time spent retouching. A good make-up artist (MUA) can make their skin look almost perfect. With wedding makeup, flamboyant isn’t really a word that comes to mind, but it’s still very rewarding for the bride to see the pictures afterwards, knowing that she looked her best – here is an elopement wedding photographer to look at for some examples. This is a golden example of a time to hire a professional. Additionally they keep the shine off the skin that some people get on their faces (both men and women). I hate retouching the shine off skin.

Now even if a client knows how to do their make-up (many are quite good), a professional MUA will be able to do things beyond this. Airbrushing the skin is one technique that yields awesome results that they provide. Additionally a MUA will be able to create specialized looks that fall outside the range of normal make-up. Classic pin-up is an example; another would be fashion make-up for model portfolios.

Fashion Make-up

One of the benefits to my clients is how easy it is to just come to the studio and have everything handled for them. Many find it very relaxing to have their make-up done for them. We chat and joke around and get to know each other before the shoot. This puts the client at ease prior to the shoot, settling some of those pre-shoot jitters.

The MUA’s that I work with also travel to my location shoots. My clients love it when everything comes to them to make their shoot special. We’ve gone to client’s homes, hotels and even the middle of the desert. Every time the results were worth it.

Many MUA’s work in salons in addition to working with photographers. I have a team of MUA’s that I have used that provide incredible work. Having several on my team allows me to always have proven talent available when needed.

Orcatek Photography – Phoenix