Preparing for Your Photo Shoot Pt. 1 – The Research

A Model's images and book are the single most important tools in getting work. A strong book filled with images that show the model's ability and diversity is crucial to his or her success.

Eventually, you will need to seek out a professional photographer to begin or update your portfolio. Below are a few guidelines to effectively finding the right one to fit your needs.

• What Type of Modeling Do You Do/Aspire to Do? – This question is paramount to the selection process as it will "narrow the field" of choices and focus your search on only those photographers relevant to the type of images you will need based on your needs. For example, if you are interested in commercial print modeling you wouldn't want to include photographers that shoot in the fine art genre. Even if you're dream is to be a Victoria's Secret model you would want to confine your search to commercial print photographers with experience shooting catalog work for intimates/swimwear as opposed to say commercial print for couture/ready-to-wear fashion.
  
• Where to Look? – There are plenty of sites out there where you can connect with photographers in your area such as ModelMayhem.com or Musecube.com. You can also contact TRIBE!™ for a comprehensive listing of professionals in your area that have been verified as providing quality service. For more details send an email with Service Provider Listing in the subject line to myshoot@whosinyours.net to promptly receive a list of available providers. We can have a shoot set up for you in no time!
  
• Who to Choose? – If you make use of our Verified Service Provider Listing we can contact the photographer on your behalf and set up a shoot for you! If you use one of the online networking sites like those above I suggest you send a email or make a call stating your first name, the purpose of the email/call (to discuss the set up of a shoot), your budget for a shoot or request for TFP/TFCD (More on this in an upcoming post) and a request for at minimum three verifiable references to ensure the photographer is on the level.
  

Once you're set on the photographer you want and you've set a date it's time for Phase 2: the Support Staff which includes such people as the makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe stylist. We'll talk about how these people complete your photo shoot team and why you need them in Preparing for Your Shoot Pt. 2 – The Aesthetics Team!