Photoshoot Tips!
We have a photoshoot coming up in 3 weeks time with the lovely Ben Ripley. I thought it would be an ideal time to share some tips to help those booked onto this session (Sunday 24th February). If you've missed out this time with Ben, we're sure to have other shoots throughout the year so keep your eyes peeled!
🍪 Food / Energy 🍌
Make sure you've had some good food to keep you going. You're working hard and it's no good running on empty! Don't go overboard with your meal and leave an hour or two between eating and your time slot. Take plenty of water and some quick snacks that you can chomp on for a boost either during or directly after your shoot.
⏰ Punctuality & Warm Up 🔥
Providing there is a space for you to remain out of the photographers / current students shoot area, turn up 10/15 minutes before your slot to get warmed up. Photoshoots are a lot more exhausting than you might think, so if you're not warm enough, you risk injuring yourself or burning out before your time is up!
Take a list of moves 📄
Make a list of more moves than you think you'll need. Order them in priority of the moves you'd most like to achieve. This means that you'll have a great selection of images to choose from when you're done. Make sure your list has variety! Easy moves, challenging (but doable) moves, inverts, poses etc. I know it's tempting to put all your toughest moves on there but it's unrealistic that you'll have the energy to nail them all in such a short space of time or with the level of technique that you're aiming for.
Practise (But don't overdo it!) 😴
I'm sure in the weeks running up to your shoot, you'll be practising your moves and hopefully adjusting your list accordingly. Photoshoots are not the time to be testing out new moves and some of the simplest moves can turn out to be the most effective. Make sure you don't overdo your practise time but that you're ready to go when you get there!
Angles / The Actual Shoot
Although your photographer will direct you, try a move from a variety of different angles. A move can often look totally different dependant on where your photographer is shooting from. If the photographer is shooting from the floor, up at the model, it can create a powerful, striking image. However if you're looking for a shot with clean symmetry, a side-on shot would be better suited to create this effect.
It's good to have a knowledge or understanding of the look and feel you want for your pictures. It would be rude to tell the photographer what to do but you should definitely work together and discuss what you'd like the outcome to be. You should take a look at some of Ben's work, research some of your own (Pinterest, Instagram) and discuss your ideas with him.
Spin! On all apparatus, use a gentle spin to capture a variety of angles. If you're comfortable with Spinning Pole or have a great spotter, set the pole to Spin. This will allow the pole to be rotated to/away from camera as needed with little interruption to you and your connection with the pole. The more angles you can get snapped, the more choice you'll have when picking final shots. Your buddy can be there to begin the spin once you're in position and ready.
Body Language 😊
Think pretty hands. Think relaxed face. One of my biggest regrets from my last photoshoot was that I didn't smile. I never stop smiling so I felt like some of the pictures were too serious and I had a tough time picking my final selection because I didn't feel like they looked like me. Next time I'm definitely going to grin through everything because visually, that's what best describes my relationship with my discipline.
What are 'pretty hands'? Imagine playing a piano key really softly with your middle finger. Lovingly holding a warm baguette. Pointing sleepily to your drink from the other end of the sofa. This feeling should transfer up your arms and across your whole body as though what you're doing is 'effortless'.
Don't beat yourself up 😤
Some moves will happen, some won't but don't beat yourself up. If you've got a nice long list you can continue to cycle through moves and if you have time (and energy!) you can return to them later. A photoshoot is a fantastic experience and it should be enjoyed. Your body language will shine your true feelings, so relax, have fun and make sure you have some basics on your list.
Outfits 👙
Plan your outfit before you come to your shoot. If you have an outfit change, make sure you know exactly which moves are for which outfit so you can make the most of the time you have with the photographer. Trial your outfits in the studio, doing your moves, it can be different wearing them in your bedroom as opposed to wearing them upside down tied in silk fabric! Cut out those naughty pokey out labels from your underwear or, don't wear any at all! 😉 If you're wearing tights, take spares; we all know that tights are notorious for pesky ladders. Take tit tape, you're bound to need it if you don't!
Buddy Up 👯
If you're sharing your hour with another person, amen! If your partner doesn't require a spot, you can grab a drink, check your list for your next moves, graze on snacks, change your outfit, have a pee etc!! Sharing with a buddy is a brilliant way to make sure you're not exhausting yourself and that you're getting the most out of your time. Help each other as you can notice a tensed hand / face from the floor better than the model. Let them know how to get the best out of their shoot time, if something could be improved, suggest it!
Cool Down ⛄
It's just the same as when you attend one of our classes, cool down in mandatory because it kick starts your recovery and returns your body to 'normality' after exercise. I know from my own experience that every move I do during photoshoots are on my dominant side and so (unlike in class), we're training unevenly so we are even more likely to notice the imbalance in our body in the days following.
HAVE 👏 FUN 👏
I'm saying it again because this is probably the most important. Once you get those pictures back, you won't be concerned with the moves you couldn't get or that you wish you'd chosen a different outfit.
Photoshoots are incredibly empowering so be present and embrace it!
🍪 Food / Energy 🍌
Make sure you've had some good food to keep you going. You're working hard and it's no good running on empty! Don't go overboard with your meal and leave an hour or two between eating and your time slot. Take plenty of water and some quick snacks that you can chomp on for a boost either during or directly after your shoot.
⏰ Punctuality & Warm Up 🔥
Providing there is a space for you to remain out of the photographers / current students shoot area, turn up 10/15 minutes before your slot to get warmed up. Photoshoots are a lot more exhausting than you might think, so if you're not warm enough, you risk injuring yourself or burning out before your time is up!
Take a list of moves 📄
Make a list of more moves than you think you'll need. Order them in priority of the moves you'd most like to achieve. This means that you'll have a great selection of images to choose from when you're done. Make sure your list has variety! Easy moves, challenging (but doable) moves, inverts, poses etc. I know it's tempting to put all your toughest moves on there but it's unrealistic that you'll have the energy to nail them all in such a short space of time or with the level of technique that you're aiming for.
Practise (But don't overdo it!) 😴
I'm sure in the weeks running up to your shoot, you'll be practising your moves and hopefully adjusting your list accordingly. Photoshoots are not the time to be testing out new moves and some of the simplest moves can turn out to be the most effective. Make sure you don't overdo your practise time but that you're ready to go when you get there!
Angles / The Actual Shoot
Although your photographer will direct you, try a move from a variety of different angles. A move can often look totally different dependant on where your photographer is shooting from. If the photographer is shooting from the floor, up at the model, it can create a powerful, striking image. However if you're looking for a shot with clean symmetry, a side-on shot would be better suited to create this effect.
It's good to have a knowledge or understanding of the look and feel you want for your pictures. It would be rude to tell the photographer what to do but you should definitely work together and discuss what you'd like the outcome to be. You should take a look at some of Ben's work, research some of your own (Pinterest, Instagram) and discuss your ideas with him.
Spin! On all apparatus, use a gentle spin to capture a variety of angles. If you're comfortable with Spinning Pole or have a great spotter, set the pole to Spin. This will allow the pole to be rotated to/away from camera as needed with little interruption to you and your connection with the pole. The more angles you can get snapped, the more choice you'll have when picking final shots. Your buddy can be there to begin the spin once you're in position and ready.
Think pretty hands. Think relaxed face. One of my biggest regrets from my last photoshoot was that I didn't smile. I never stop smiling so I felt like some of the pictures were too serious and I had a tough time picking my final selection because I didn't feel like they looked like me. Next time I'm definitely going to grin through everything because visually, that's what best describes my relationship with my discipline.
What are 'pretty hands'? Imagine playing a piano key really softly with your middle finger. Lovingly holding a warm baguette. Pointing sleepily to your drink from the other end of the sofa. This feeling should transfer up your arms and across your whole body as though what you're doing is 'effortless'.
Don't beat yourself up 😤
Some moves will happen, some won't but don't beat yourself up. If you've got a nice long list you can continue to cycle through moves and if you have time (and energy!) you can return to them later. A photoshoot is a fantastic experience and it should be enjoyed. Your body language will shine your true feelings, so relax, have fun and make sure you have some basics on your list.
Outfits 👙Plan your outfit before you come to your shoot. If you have an outfit change, make sure you know exactly which moves are for which outfit so you can make the most of the time you have with the photographer. Trial your outfits in the studio, doing your moves, it can be different wearing them in your bedroom as opposed to wearing them upside down tied in silk fabric! Cut out those naughty pokey out labels from your underwear or, don't wear any at all! 😉 If you're wearing tights, take spares; we all know that tights are notorious for pesky ladders. Take tit tape, you're bound to need it if you don't!
Buddy Up 👯
If you're sharing your hour with another person, amen! If your partner doesn't require a spot, you can grab a drink, check your list for your next moves, graze on snacks, change your outfit, have a pee etc!! Sharing with a buddy is a brilliant way to make sure you're not exhausting yourself and that you're getting the most out of your time. Help each other as you can notice a tensed hand / face from the floor better than the model. Let them know how to get the best out of their shoot time, if something could be improved, suggest it!
Cool Down ⛄
It's just the same as when you attend one of our classes, cool down in mandatory because it kick starts your recovery and returns your body to 'normality' after exercise. I know from my own experience that every move I do during photoshoots are on my dominant side and so (unlike in class), we're training unevenly so we are even more likely to notice the imbalance in our body in the days following.
HAVE 👏 FUN 👏
I'm saying it again because this is probably the most important. Once you get those pictures back, you won't be concerned with the moves you couldn't get or that you wish you'd chosen a different outfit.
Photoshoots are incredibly empowering so be present and embrace it!
__________
This time round, Ben is shooting with a black background so he suggests steering away from black outfits as you might merge with the background! ❤
Ben is a fantastic, passionate photographer who will make you feel totally at ease.
If you're interested in seeing more of his work, you can see it here:
C x