In this post I am going to give you some tips on setting up your own model shoot.

Why set up a model shoot?

First and foremost, why would you want to set up a model shoot in the first place, especially as a wedding photographer?

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Well, the reason I do model work on occasion is that you get to test your ideas on a non live situation – I would never dream of turning up to a wedding with a new lens or pose without testing it out first! It also helps to keep my finger on the pulse of what is creative and new in the wedding world.  If other creatives want to shoot it, it is because this is what the brides are requesting for their own weddings. And sometimes it gives brides a glimpse of what a themed wedding would look like – my vintage wedding dress Chronicles of Narnia shoot last year, is something that could be easily adapted for a real winter wedding with a little help from some props!

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Define your Brief

I find that the shoot works easiest when you have a focused plan or idea or theme of what you want to accomplish from the shoot. If you are shooting with inspiration from a book, film, or piece of art that is known to all creatives, then it is easier with everyone being on the same page. The more structured or detailed the brief is, the easier it becomes to find things that fit the brief. For example, in the Narnia shoot, being set in the 1930s/1940s demanded a wedding dress from that era.

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Get a Model, MUA, Dress Designer…

Ok, so you are ready to shoot, you’ve got a brief. Now you need a model, a makeup artist and a dress designer. Now if you are shooting bridal, your options are asking a dress designer to loan you a dress for the shoot or purchasing one from Ebay. For finding a model and a makeup artist, I go to Model Mayhem, because there are over 7,000 creatives registered for London alone. There are other networking sites but I haven’t used them so I can’t comment on them.

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Terms of the Shoot

Agree the terms of the shoot…. will it be time for CD or paid, how many images will be given to all involved, what time frame is needed before final images are ready, model release, how long the shoot will be on the day etc.

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Location

Scout locations. Get all permissions needed. Check the toilets and places to eat, you don’t want to be caught short especially on location! Allow time to pack down the shoot and make sure that all equipment and props are safely stored away. It is easy in the rush of saying goodbyes, to forget and leave something behind!

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Back up Plan

Sometimes life gets in the way…. sickness, bereavement and travel snow chaos can set back a shoot so it has to be rescheduled. Schedule this into your back up plan and be prepared – maybe having a back up model and MUA to call upon for shoots that cannot be rescheduled to a later date.

Happy shooting!