After I wrote my blog post about what I look for in a make up artist, I got a few requests to write a similar one about models. At first I felt apprehensive about writing one about models as I felt that it might seem like I’m dictating what models looked like physically and that feels off to me. While there are certainly features that work well for beauty photography, those are certainly not the only deciding factors when I’m looking for a model for a collaborative project.
It’s Theatre, Baby!
Make up and styling is transformative and as a model, you must be able to take on different roles and convey emotion though your expression. The work we do is theatrical and the images reflect that. Models become the characters dictated by lighting and styling. A sharp liner, latex gloves, and slicked-back hair is going to demand a different personality than soft curls, florals, and pastels and this versatility is definitely something that I look for when I’m reviewing portfolios.
Model @shaarleeen of keymodels with beauty by @riotranslado and styling by the @luul_luul of @rmartists
Team Player
Teamwork makes the dreamwork. The work we create together depends on us being able to communicate well and to come together to photograph a shared vision. If it seems obvious to me that you’re simply looking for images of yourself and you’re not really interested in being part of a group art project it probably won’t work out for me. I also get messages all the time from models saying they love my work but it seems a bit disingenuous when I check out their profiles and they don’t even follow me. These shoots are a combination of multiple skillsets and it’s important to me that each one of them be respected and showcased. To that point - share the work we do together and credit the whole team. The importance of visibility on social media might be an irritating reality but at the end of the day, we do these shoots to further our careers and using our platforms to promote one another is a crucial part of the transaction. If you don’t think the work we will produce will be in line with your page’s aesthetic, be up front about it as it might factor into the decision.
Appearance
It’s beauty photography after all - I am after faces that inspire me. I love unique features like freckles, gap teeth, androgyny, a wide array of skin tones. I also want models who are blank canvases for make up / styling and this means staying away from lash extensions, coloured contacts, overly groomed brows (I loooove them natural - the fluffier the better) fake tans, and nail art. Each of those things can define a look, limit the creativity of a make up artist and can add hours to the retouching process.
Beauty comes in all different forms and it’s my privilege to be able to showcase it. As models, I’d also really love to hear what’s important to you when working with a photographer!