Last post by Libby A. in topic More PhotosTopics: 2760Posts: 29225Tips For Self Styling Test Shoots. Total results: 8 Pages: 1 [ 1] |
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| Date: 2008-01-09 08:17  Done it
again... got a great photographer, hair and make, YOURSELF there on time and
prepared... should be a great shoot right???
What about the clothes... ok, so you brought a bunch of stuff and the make up
artist might suggest an outfit... maybe the photographer claims to be "clueless"
about this stuff... so you're basically styling yourself.
Stylists ahoy... I don't know if you go to school for this or what - but are
there any hard fast rules and basic tips to look know and things to keep an eye
on that can make or break the shots WOWness???
Anyone who has anything to say on this matter jump in - Ie
Wrinkles not supposed to be in the clothes - obvious.
Loose threads... no brainer...
But a list of the slightly less obvioius would be great to build.
Good stylists are hard to find. |
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 ID: 182744 Posts: 1442 | Date: 2008-01-09 13:39 Hmmmm.
Usually for my shoots, these things are thought out well in advance. And I
provide the clothing for the models. MUA is provided. Grips do double duty as
continuity people.
Condensing the thousand things to look out for into a Reader's Digest Condensed
version...
Continual attention must be paid to the hair. Hair always moves
and changes throughout the shoot. Mustache, beards, eyebrows, nose hairs, ear
hairs, side burns and chest hairs that might show should be trimmed and shaped
either in advance of the shoot or by the MUA on the scene. For males, I prefer
that they have a hair cut to instructions prior to the shoot. Nose and ear hair
also should be done in advance. On set, while make-up is being done, is when I
prefer to have mustache, beard, chest and eye brows to be done under direction.
The hair on top of your head is something that should be monitored by everyone
on the set, most particularly by the photographer.
Clothing: Clothing also continually shifts during the shoot.
Particular attention is needed to insure that flesh peeks are avoided or that
clothing does not obscure vital details of the picture. Most times, model
awareness of this is not required or needed. I prefer the model to stay in
character and have other people maintain the clothing. This however, tends to
involve touching. I always have someone present of the same sex as the model to
accomplish this task. If I am alone, I make certain to ask permission to make an
adjustment that the model cannot do for him/herself.
Jewelry: This is another element that always moves around.
Again, everyone on the set is responsible for making sure jewelry stays put. For
less expensive jewelry, I will sometimes use backing tape and affix the jewelry
directly to the skin. Shadows are also a particular concern with jewelry,
particularly large hanging jewelry. Shadow detection is mostly the
responsibility of the photographer.
For a shoot I had this past Sunday, we did clothing alterations on-set. I like
this method because many non-pro models have problems maintaining an exact
weight and shape over a course of days. Women in particular are prone to
bloating which certain clothing arrangements and cuts can cover up.
Hands and nails: Get a manicure. Men too. I do not understand
people who show for shoots with grubby hands and nails. If the MUA needs to
style your nails on set to meet the requirements of a particular shoot, fine.
But the MUA should not be shaping cuticles, repairing cracked nails, covering up
yellowing or filing callouses. That should be a matter of personal grooming.
Know your scars and moles so that an MUA can be instructed in
advance to bring opaque skin creams.
If you sweat a lot, tell the MUA. Also, someone on set should
be watching for the litle beads of sweat that can start on the brow or hairline,
appear on the upper lip or cause an oily sheen on the face. The MUA should take
care of this as soon as it appears.
Underarms: Watch the type of deodorant you use. Nothing that
goes on wet or begins to flake white. If necessary, do without the deodorant and
shower real well with a scented shower gel.
Skin creams, lotions, insect repellents and baby oil: If you
use any of these, be very careful handling clothing. They cause stains that can
ruin a shoot.
Teeth: Bring a toothbrush or those new neat finger tip brushing
strips. If you snack on anything brush your teeth, sneer into a mirror, then
have someone else check your teeth. If you drink anything besides water, check
your teeth and tongue for discoloration.
Eyes: Bring Visine. Wind, bright lights, last night's
drinking/doping binge can redden your eyes. On set, the wind and lights can
irritate your eyes. Some eye drops now and then help. Be careful not to leak
drops onto your make up or clothing.
Elbows and knees: Notorious for drying out, chafing or
cracking. Keep moistened.
Belts, ribbon ties and bra straps: Belts can miss loop holes or
become twisted during rapid changes. Make certain the belt is straight all the
way around and that the belt buckle is properly centered. Ribbons and spaghetti
straps are notorious for twisting out of shape. Ladies' straps should always be
paid attention to for twisting during the entire shoot. Movement causes the thin
straps to roll and shift. Ribbons loose their perfect bow and shapes easily.
Normally for women a bra should not be worn during a shoot, but if one is worn,
(and particular if one is worn with straps) these need to be checked
continually, even if hidden by clothing. A twisted bra strap makes unsightly
bulges on the finished shot. Additionally, sometime the blouse shifts showing
the bra. If the bra is not to be part of the shot, this should be monitored. A
simple trick is to tape the bra strap to either the skin or to the blouse.
Whale tail: This can happen accidentally to both males and
females. Poses that require a lot of bending can reveal underwear. Again, if
that is not the intent of a shoot, someone needs to keep an eye on the
backside.
Is everything properly tucked in or out? Are all buttons fastened and lined up?
Shoe laces tied? Shoes buckled? Shirt not inside out?
There are a few things that you can include in a travel kit to avoid problems on
a set. I carry my own kit as a matter of course, but many photographers do not
and, if the model has not either, awkward moments can occur.
My kit includes: A travel iron, clear tape, masking tape, duct
tape and medical tape. Baby oil. Non-greasy lotion. A cloth scissor, a
manicurist scissor (the little tiny one), nail clippers and a standard scissor.
A miniature stapler. Booby pins. Safety pins in different sizes. Clothes pins.
Four colors on nail polish. Nail polish remover. Baby powder. Face powder in
four shades. A number two camel hair brush and a wide make-up brush. A bottle of
Tylenol (for me!). Paper clips and rubber bands. Spongies...ahh.. a slang term
for those soft elastic cloth hair ties. A pen. A pencil. A small note pad. A
grease pencil and a white China marker. A small sewing kit that includes
buttons. Two hand held mirrors. A couple of hand towels and wash cloths.
Mosquito spray. Egg timer. Q-tips. Cotton balls. First Aid kit. Hair curler and
hair dryer.
I still add things to the kit as unforeseen events pop up. But my kit has been
put together over the years based upon those sudden moments when everyone
realizes that something not thought of is needed and no one has one. My kit is
basically a small back pack with multiple pockets that stays in the trunk of my
car and comes to every photo shoot. Tape and safety pins have saved more shoots
for me than anything else. You never know when a button will pop or a seam
tear.
I hope this adds a few things to your check list. This was off the top of my
head. I will probably think of a few things later. Have faith that the universe will unfold as it should  |
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| Date: 2008-01-11 01:46 AWESOME info Karl! Can't get much better than that! 
And the emergency backpack is a fantastic idea 
*smiles*
... Riely ... |
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ID: 182744 Posts: 1442 | Date: 2008-01-11 08:55 Thanks, Riely.
Believe it or not I had a beach shoot recently where the model showed up with
nails that appeared bitten down to the quick. Ragged edges, unkempt and ignored
cuticles. Took both me and the MUA by surprise and no one had nails to give her.
We didn't have the time to do nails anyways.
Photoshop to the rescue. Needless to say I am not amused at the prospect of
spending several hours per images strapping on pixel nails and making them look
alive and real.
Grooming, people! Grooming! It can make or break you.
I cannot stress enough the importance of having check lists. Make one and follow
it. Sometimes simple everyday routine things that we do can get overlooked if we
are rushing, behind schedule or have our routine disrupted. Here I had someone
who was changing her nails the night before, got interrupted and honestly forgot
to get back to them before a very early morning shoot. It can happen to anyone
but guess whose reputation suffers?
A 'night before' check list and a 'day-of' check list that you
follow prevents small accidents from happening when you get
busy. Have faith that the universe will unfold as it should |
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ID: 182744 Posts: 1442 | Date: 2008-01-11 09:28 Oh...and you will notice that my kit does not include any feminine hygiene
products or things like hair spray.
The hygiene stuff...well, that's personal. A photographer should not be whipping
out an emergency stash of Tampax although I have been on sets when 'emergencies'
happened. Be prepared, please!
Hair spray: I don't put stuff in people's hair. I leave that to the experts.
Five things I forgot I have in my kit: A small can of spray adhesive, a pack of
disposal razors, a Swiss Army Knife, a small collapsible umbrella and a
miniature tool kit set such as is found in drug stores with mini pliers, micro
screw drivers, tweezers, etc.
A common item overlooked on beach shoots, believe it or not: Towels!
A shower cap is a good idea for men when getting to a location that might
involve crossing areas of ocean spray. For women, to avoid mussing up hair
styles, a plastic shopping bag can be taped or tied carefully and loosely around
the scalp. Don't tape the skin, please! The only thing the tape should be
contacting is the bag. Your pride might suffer slightly if bystanders see you
walking past with a bag on your head but hey...we suffer for fashion, right!
 Look at it
another way...models crave and need attention. You will get noticed!
A prepared MUA will have the proper store bought accessory for protecting hair
but if not...be prepared for my shopping bag treatment. 
(Makes for a good initiation prank too!  ) I am sure Romeo would love to pull that one! Have faith that the universe will unfold as it should |
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 ID: 218182 Posts: 10 | Date: 2008-01-26 02:15 karl is simply a genius.I say this without fear of any opposition
whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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 ID: 223398 Posts: 420 | Date: 2008-05-21 00:07 Very good information Karl   Kimberley  |
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 ID: 204248 Posts: 489 | Date: 2008-05-24 22:45 Henrietta Okereke:
karl is simply a genius.I say this without fear of any opposition
whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yep he is!  |
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