Pixiq

One question I often get about my glamour photography relates to wardrobe and who supplies the swimsuits, lingerie, and other clothing items that the model wears during a shoot. Most of the time I ask the model to bring a selection of her own clothes based on the type of shoot that’s planned. When discussing the shoot with the model beforehand try to be specific, otherwise the model will bring everything she has and if so you’ll spend more time sorting clothing that making photographs. In general, I like to follow a few basic rules about what to wear:

• I prefer solid colors to patterns because it places the emphasis on the model. The wardrobe is a frame and can be used to surround her face and body to accentuate all of her positive attributes while minimizing any potentially negative ones. That’s why I like black but some models look great in white.

•No matter how tall or short she may be, have the model bring the highest pair of heels that she owns or can borrow from a friend. High heels extend her legs and make them look longer, enhance full-length shots and will change her posture enough to make them important even for three-quarter or closer poses.

•No high heels, no problem. Ask the model to stand on her toes when making some of the shots. This can produce a similar effect.

• Match the colors of the garments to a model’s skin tone or type. I like to provide contrast, so while I will shoot a blonde in white for high key photographs or a brunette in black for low key ones you should look for contrast between a models skin and what’s she’s wearing or a color that enhances her hair color and even her eyes.

When talking with your model about wardrobe for a shoot, be specific in your requests, especially with swimwear. I have seen and photographed more ugly swimsuits than I care to think about. Many models don’t seem to realize that solid colors will make them look fabulous putting the focus on them, not only in the photographs but at the beach as well.

Consider purchasing a variety of clothing that your models can wear during shoots. You don’t have to pay a lot of money for lingerie and look for sale items at Wal-Mart, Target, and even Victoria’s Secret. The least expensive place to find really good lingerie is eBay. When choosing sizes I try for medium sizes so many different models can wear them and they are washed or dry-cleaned, depending on the label’s instructions, immediately after being worn so the garments will be clean and ready to wear at the next shoot. If a model’s size is unusual I’ll sometimes purchase garments specifically for her because I wouldn’t be able to re-use it and because it’s also a nice thing to occasionally do for models on TFP (Time for Print) shoots.

While most models will provide their own clothes, one thing you can do is offer the model a few dollars as a cleaning allowance to get her clothes cleaned, even if she washes them herself. I think it’s the polite and business-like thing to do and part of my basic philosophy of making TFP shoots as pleasant as possible for the model so she’ll want to shoot with you again. I don’t so this for shoots where I’m paying the model the going rate I expect her to bring wardrobe and do her own make-up as well.

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