After being a model and having photos taken of her for 20 years, Nancy Brown thought that it might be fun to switch to the other side of the lens. The only experience that she had with photography was leisurely taking pictures of her vacations, friends, and family. However, it wasn’t long before she decided to take things a bit more seriously and really learn the ins and outs of professional photography. She built her photography portfolio while she continued to model.
When Brown decided to make the transition, it was actually a fairly easy one. She was able to use her name as a model to get her foot in the door. Those who she had worked with before were very willing to see her portfolio and jobs soon followed. Brown decided to also take classes to understand more about the business of professional photography. This made it easier for her to create a whole new career on the opposite side of the lens.
Her commercial photography differs from many photographers due to her emphasis on luxury and beauty. This is due mainly to the many years she spent as a model. Her career as a model also helped her know how to communicate effectively with the models she was shooting. She has learned just how important it is to make sure your model is comfortable and not nervous about their shoot. You are not going to get good photos when your model, professional or not, is nervous about getting their photo taken.
When you already plan your photo shoot before you even meet your model, you will be able to create a scene before your model even arrives. It will be so much easier for both you as the photographer and the model when you already have everything planned out. It is also a great idea for you to take inspiration from everywhere you can. If you see a great shot of a model in a magazine, cut it out and pin it to your wall. When you see a great shot on the internet, save it to your phone and computer.
You can use these great model photos to create a vision board that will help you stay inspired for your next shoot. The more effort you put into becoming the best photographer you can be, the more comfortable your models will feel and the better your work will turn out in the end.