I so often get asked for modelling tips, particularly from novice models, on how to get the best from a pin-up shoot so I thought I would share a few hints here.
Where is the logic?
Back in the thirties, forties and fifties, those geniuses of the airbrush like Elvgren, Vargas, Petty and Driben produced masterpieces of artwork.
Pick any image and really study it. The model may be pulling a face…but always for a reason. There is a logic to each image, an underlying story.
So many modern ‘photo pin-ups’ fail this logic test. Countless girls bending forward, eyes wide and rounded mouth expressing shock…but why? OK, maybe her stocking tops are showing, but unless she has a reason for bending forward, say to pick something up, there is no logic to the image.
Here’s Amy Oh showing surprise/shock, but the logic is that she has just fallen on her behind!
Warm up is normal
Don’t expect the first ten minutes of the shoot to produce any gems. It is usual to have to ‘warm up’, to get used to the surroundings, for a rapport to build between you and the photographer. Save your best outfits/poses for later on in the shoot.
Get over embarassment
In my own studio I advise models to leave their friend or partner in the dressing room. It is one thing being in the unfamiliar surroundings of a studio and trying to pull faces for the camera. It is ten times worse when one of your close friends is watching you too!
The mirror is your friend
Take time at home to practice faces. You need to feel confident that you can produce a range of facial expressions. There are two that seem to defeat most people – the first is surprise with the mouth in an ‘O’…most girls manage an ‘o’ instead! And the second is a convincing wink to camera!
Select a few of the classic pin-up images and copy them in front of the mirror. Airbrush artists often photographed a live model, then accentuated and exxagerated the pose to produce elegant lines in the final image. A lot of the poses will seem awkward – and some really are downright impossible!
Holding your head right…or left!
Head posture greatly influences the final result, and here you will need to be guided by the photographer. Girls so often raise the chin, to tighten the jawline and smooth the neck. However the result is an aloof expression and the eyelids covering much of the iris. Drop the chin and it is a much sexier look, with the eyes much more open and inviting. A head tilt, when used to balance the composition, can be much cheekier, friendlier and attractive than the head straight on, passport style. When in doubt, ask the photographer…or if he is not the communicative type, give him all three variations – tilt to left, tilt to right and straight on.
The most important tip – just have fun. If there is that sparkle in your eye the camera will capture it!
[…] hair styling TweetIn a previous blog I mentioned some tips for pin-up models. These related to posing and facial expression. Equally important of course is the […]