A couple of weeks ago, I had a photo shoot for the September issue of DList Magazine and decided to tap my friend Sara Anissipour for her modeling expertise. Without having that background beyond tween runway shows for Nordstrom when I was little, I wanted to get insight on the things “models” do/don’t do by nature in shoots. Below is a guest post Sara wrote up on this topic so I could share with all of you.

Photo Credit: Vorfas via Flickr

When Jordana asked me to do a guest post for Clutch 22, I was more than honored to partake. While I have a background and love for fashion like her (we also work together at the same PR firm), most of my experience has come from being in front of the camera. Modeling has allowed me to go into character and experience fashion in its artistic form.

Jordana is going to be featured in DList Magazine as a Seattle influential, which is beyond past due in my opinion. Having modeled for various fashion shows, boutiques and spreads mainly within the Seattle area, I was happy to give a few tricks of the trade to help prepare Jordana appear her best in front of the lens. It’s a common misconception that just a pretty face and great physique means you can model, but to the contrary, even the most aesthetically pleasing individual may not be captured best in photos or walk the runway with natural ability. Although it is the norm that being tall, long-legged and lean is a must for bigger agencies, fashion editorials and designer presentations; there are always exceptions for the unique. My style icon Kate Moss is only 5’7″ and I personally fall right in the category of pushing the height requirement.

Photo Credits: Elliott Morgan, Summer Wilson,  Michelle Moore

Below are the tips I gave Jordana for her photo shoot and I have no doubt her uniqueness will shine through:

• Water! I recommend drinking lots of water the day before and of shooting or walking the runway. This along will add greatly to the look and healthiness of your skin.
• Shift your weight between your hips and make arms and legs into asymmetrical stances.
• Never close your mouth on purpose unless instructed to do so or to capture a certain look. The natural relaxed opening in the mouth is best.
• For commercial and lifestyle – a genuine smile shows in the eys, not the mouth. Your eyes can capture the most important message of the photo (see the example below).
• Always keep good posture unless the photographer instructs you to do otherwise. Hold your stomach in to give your abdomen a more toned appearance and stick out your chin a little to avoid showing a longer neck.
• Don’t looks straight into the camera. When you cut your eyes to the left or right, you can create an air of mystery. For a more dominant look, tilt your chin slightly down and look straight ahead.
• Know where your lighting is and how to make it complement your best angles.

The above stock shoot I did is an example of how your eyes can say a thousand words. It helps to close your eyes and open them before the camera clicks to avoid the appearance and feeling of heavy eyes; capturing the best representation of the emotion you’re trying to display.

I look forward to seeing the results when the issue comes out next week (scans will be posted). For more news on fashion, trends and other industry buzz from a PR girl/model’s perspective, feel free to follow my updates on Twitter or connect with me on Facebook.

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