It’s hard for a photographer to work with new models because of the extra amount of direction they typically require so I’ve put together this list to give out to a few of my new models to help them prepare for their upcoming shoot.
Facial Expressions Exercise
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfS_wzArDHRtkwJqA-I83qAg8kds6_j3R0JI4B-qG_rbvX2kO6Su32IS0K5I_4r_xHTmFR_jdtOvQuYie6Y2vgKIbjLOdu6McwUStprAZcthQIgNiMsDjqNyZgQqLLqkKMThyphenhyphenTek9abw0k/s320/155492_10150729488697947_974638601_n.jpg)
In front of a mirror, for at least 20 – 30 minutes just use your face to convey emotions.
Emotions or Ideas to Convey
- Generally happy / content
- Fun, laughing and playful
- Scared, trapped or lost
- Sad or broken hearted
- Serious model face
- Empty, lonely or bored
- Fantasizing or day dreaming (happy)
- Fantasizing or day dreaming (sad)
- Scheming and flirting
After you’ve done that, spend another 20 minutes using your hands in close proximity to your face.
Sample Hand Positions
- Under your chin
- On you cheek
- Covering you mouth
- Behind your head
- In your hair
- Moving and shaping your hair
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoerYDOgfv7fU78oJ_9VqvJ-AExQJEDAlverWDkZAI8clIyIFr9JbnfleGBN9ph4oTsway-yNwsqHwrR5AjeZHHgZ4eDGVs_-5P6UW3m_I9KbVQDlVMbF8JomNzb2Mb1L8jxjCRoFECqv/s320/Marsha+hunt+nude.jpg)
See where this is going? You’re practicing like the mirror is your photographer.
It may seem like a silly exercise and it may take some time to get it right but it is time well spent.
When you know how to make an expression you can contribute by going to an emotion without the photographer prompting you which makes for excellent collaboration. The better a model can work with their photographer the more it will show in the end photos.
This is so cool! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletenew york photographer
mens fashion