#26 December 9th, 2005 07:20 AM

zille

Member

Re: Here I am ... ask me anything...!

I hate to be predictable, but hey, I like to be honest: Zille - you are gorgeous, and I really enjoyed your folio.

PLease don't apologize for compiments!  I love compiments!

You've been photographed by a lot of people - how long does it take for you to feel at ease with a photographer? And do the best photos come late in a shooting session? Any tips on what a photographer might do to relax you?

Some photographers I am at ease with in the 5 minutes of meeting them.  Some I never am fully relaxed around (and thus tend not to work with them again.)

I've often found that the best photos are accidents (both as my experience working with photographers and as a photographer.)  But there is certainly a "warm up" period in the early part of a shoot, as the photographer and model are getting to know each other -- or as they are getting reacquinted with each other's styles.

The things a photographer can do to put me at my ease:
1.)  Seem like they know what they are doing -- not be nervous themselves.  Have your cameras and sets ready to go, so I don't have to wait around while you fiddle with things.
2.)  Not try to touch me (once I get to know a photographer, I am fine with helpful adjustments I couldn't get to myself in a pose, but not too many or too often....)
3.)  Letting me do my thing a bit.  During the warm-up period, don't give me too much direction, just let me work the kinks out.  If you want specific poses, wait until we are both "in the flow" to start getting specific -- you'll get better results.  (N.B. -- I am different from some models that way.  Some want specific directions from the start.)

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~See more of me at http://zilledefeu.com

cynicism

Member

Re: Here I am ... ask me anything...!

I understand the "accidents" part. I just shot my first session as a photographer, and I think the best results came when the model started being a little silly :-) I was very nervous, and that definitely didn't help. Still, I got a half dozen frames I'm not ashamed of out of maybe two hundred.

A couple more questions for Zille the model, if I may? When you are starting with a new photographer, are you more comfortable beginning with clothed shots? Do you prefer to know the plan for the whole shoot, or do you just "go with the flow" as it progresses? Lastly, with digital photography so advanced, so you have/want the ability to ask for a shot to be erased?

zille

Member

Re: Here I am ... ask me anything...!

Still, I got a half dozen frames I'm not ashamed of out of maybe two hundred.

Not a bad ratio.  Thinking in old "film" terms, I am always happy when I get 5 "amazing" shots out of 36...

A couple more questions for Zille the model, if I may? When you are starting with a new photographer, are you more comfortable beginning with clothed shots? Do you prefer to know the plan for the whole shoot, or do you just "go with the flow" as it progresses? Lastly, with digital photography so advanced, so you have/want the ability to ask for a shot to be erased?

Zille The Model answers:  I no longer am embarrased about nudity, so I personally don't care if we start off nude or not, but I imagine it would be different for less experienced models.  I really *love* to know the plan for the whole shoot -- it makes me much more comfortable!  Even if it is just a general plan, or a loose, "go with the flow" one.  As "Zille The Photographer," I always give an overview of whats-up to my models by email, then when they arrive, and then I prep them in more detail before each set.  You need to do that so the gals can work with you best.

On your last question, what I suggest is you burn a CD of the raw and/or photoshopped images and send it to your models after the shoot.  If you would like to offer them a "tell me which images you want to never see the light of day" thing, go right ahead -- models appreciate that!  But I wouldn't bother to do it on the day of the shoot.  It takes lots of time.  Also, Zille The Photographer notes that this way, you can pre-edit the batch before you send 'em to her, so she never sees the *really bad* ones, where she is caught mid-blink or mid-sneeze!  ;P

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~See more of me at http://zilledefeu.com