Where to find a model?!

    To master portrait or people photography you need to practice, and practice a lot! It's not only that you know your gear and how to handle other technical aspects, it's also about being comfortable with people and being able to direct them, to get out the full potential from a shoot and your subject of course. To practice you need another person unless you want to go the self portrait road. Family members, friends, they are all good choices to start with. At some point though you probably want to, and you really should, get out from your comfort zone and shoot people who you don't know that well. And how do you find a model then, a model who you don't personally know yet? One of the best ways to get in touch with people who'd like to pose in front of your camera is to join a tfcd-group in Facebook or other social media platforms. Tfcd stands for trade for cd. Guess that not too many photographers use cd:s to deliver their images to a client, so tfp (trade for pictures) or tft (trade for time) are used too, and they all basically mean the same, which is, "I have a camera and want to make images! If you'll be my model and give me some of your precious time, in change you'll get some of those images we'll make together to be used in your portfolio". Time and skills are the currency here, not money. So it's kind of a win win situation for both the photographer and the model. So, don't hesitate for too long. Get in touch with people who are willing to help you to be a better photographer. I got in touch with Kristiina through one of the local tfcd-groups and we had a great shoot on Friday evening. Here's some images I want to share with you...

 

A portrait for an application

  Taking some ones picture for an application might sound a pretty easy and boring thing to do. But it depends. Yes, it's boring and easy if you take the snapshot route, but that way the image is only a snapshot and it might be boring too. I think that taking enough time for the shoot will in the end be a better option, yielding in better images and that in the end means a happy client and a happy photographer.

  Janette needed some images for form she was about to fill and she asked if I could help her. Hard to refuse when it comes to someone wanting me to shoot them. because it was an official application I thought the best way is to place her on a light distraction free background aka a white wall. A simple camera right lighting modified by a softbox, and that was it! Very simple! Unless it's a passport photo you are taking, smile is allowed and that's good. Facial expressions make the person in the image look so much better. What she needed was a face shot and a full body portrait and that's what she got. Here's a couple of those more official ones...

    Then I think it's always good take a few not too serious or artistic pictures as well!

    I had a great time making these portraits! When ever shooting people for a reason or just for fun, or when ever modeling in the front of a camera, remember to relax and have fun! That's my piece of advice!