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Take your images up a notch when working with non-pro models

Apr 4, 2022 by Alex Baker Leave a Comment

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If you’re like me then most of your portrait shoots are probably not spent photographing professional models. In fact, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have shot with an experienced professional model. I actually prefer to work with non-models, it’s a different challenge and with a slightly different approach you can create fantastic images.

In this video Irene Rudnyk walks us through some of her tips for getting the most ut of photographing a non-model.

  1. Start with easy poses: Sitting, leaning or interacting with props in the environment around them are all great places to start. Men especially tend to look more natural if asked to lean on something or sit down. If there isn’t anything around to use you can ask your subject to sit or lie on the ground as well.
  2. Avoid shooting straight on from the front: For women this often isn’t the most flattering of angles unless you try to help them create some curves. Ask them to put more weight on one leg than the other, pop a hip, places hand in strategic places to create diamonds and triangle shapes.
  3. Give direction: Non-models especially need a lot of directing. Anything from which direction to look, to what expression and where to place their hands will be extremely helpful. It’s not micro-managing, it’s helping your subject know what to do. Most people don’t have a clue how to stand so that it looks good in the camera, you need to help them.
  4. Be vocal and supportive, encourage your subjects: Constant communication is key, there is almost nothing more awkward than when the photographer is silent and expecting the subject to move by themselves, especially when the subject isn’t a professional model.
  5. Keep the best ideas for the end: Usually, the best images happen at the end of a session when the subject is more relaxed. It makes sense then to save your more interesting or difficult ideas until towards the end of the shoot when you can experiment a little more and you’re more likely to strike portrait gold.

Generally, Irene tries to create a fun and friendly environment so that the shoot itself is a positive experience, and the photographs just further emphasize this.

What are your favourite tips for photographing non-models?

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Filed Under: Tutorials Tagged With: non-models, portrait photography

About Alex Baker

Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

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Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

Dave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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