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Follow these five tips when working with new models

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We all start somewhere and if you’re a new photographer learning the ropes, you’ll likely prefer to get some practice in without having to hire a professional model for every single new idea or piece of kit you want to try out.

Don’t get me wrong, I highly recommend you pay for models when trying new ideas, as this can often remove a lot of the stress from a shoot. Paying for a model often means you’re paying for their expertise in posing and angles, and this can mean it’s one less thing for you to worry about. You’ll likely have enough going on with technical traumas, lighting placement, exposures, camera operation and much more, so paying a professional model who knows how to pose is always a huge help.

But what if you’re starting out and simply don’t have the budget just yet for a professional model?

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Get anyone to relax in front of your lens by learning from this experienced fashion photographer

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If you’ve ever been on the other side of the camera you’ll know exactly how uncomfortable it can be when you don’t get any feedback from the photographer. Even if you’re a natural it’s always nice to get positive reinforcement, and generally, the more inexperienced the person in front of the lens is, the more you need to communicate with them. This goes for models, singers, actresses and the rest of us mere mortals. In this video, you’ll see photographer Peter Coulson giving real advice to new model Layla in her first ever shoot.

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These are some of the worst models professional photographers can work with

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Modeling has its dark side, as some photographers will use their title and position to exploit models. But there are two sides to each story, and there certainly are some models you wouldn’t want to work with even in your craziest dreams. In this video, Jordan Matter shares a few “horror stories” about some models he has worked with. In an amusing and humorous way, he shows us that it really takes all sorts to make a world.

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The dark side of modeling: what it looks like and how to stay away from it

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We have heard of multiple cases of sexual misconduct in the photography industry. The latest case was revealed only a few days ago. There’s a dark side to modeling, where models are exploited and harassed by photographers who abuse their power. In this video, Jessica Kobeissi talks about this dark side of modeling. She mentions many examples she’s heard of and this video will be useful for both models and photographers. If you’re a model, this video will help you recognize “red flags” and stay away from predators. And if you’re a photographer, there are plenty of useful tips on how not to be perceived as “that guy.”

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Tips for finding models if you have no budget or portfolio

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So, you want to get serious about portrait or fashion photography. But alas: you still don’t have a portfolio, and your budget is tight for professional models. In this video, Chelsea Nicole shares some tips for finding models even if you have no budget, so you can start building a portfolio and get your career going.

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11 tips for photographing inexperienced models

No matter if you want to photograph your non-modeling friend or a stranger who just got into modeling, you need some skills to break the ice, help them feel comfortable and get some great shots. Walid Azami photographed a newbie model James, and from this collaboration, he came up with a set of 11 tips for making such photo shoots successful.

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Toddler imitates his uncle’s modelling photos, and the results are hilarious [slightly NSFW]

We’ve featured plenty of stunning photo recreations so far. But this time, I’ve stumbled upon one such project that will make your day better. It’s about a cute toddler recreating model photos of his uncle. It all started as a family jok and turned into a project that’s cute and hilarious at the same time.

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How to contact and book a photoshoot with a model

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Whether you’ve been shooting for five minutes or five years, there will come a time when you’ll have to book a shoot with another person. Maybe it will be a friend or coworker and maybe it will be a full-time professional model. Whoever you’re contacting though, they’ll need to know some fundamental facts about what’s involved in your shoot before they agree to be involved. In this article I discuss some of the key things you should include when contacting and booking a model.

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Three tips for posing your non professional friends and family

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Ever tried posing your family or other non-pro friends for a photo. For some, it comes naturally, but for others, it may feel like an excruciating experience.

Mango Street (previously) is here to the rescue. They share three basic (yet powerful) tips to help you pose and direct your friends. As usual, good photography starts with the basic things, so once those are in place you can continue to build to more advanced levels.

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