A few weeks ago I asked fellow pro photographer and friend Ashley Karyl if he’d like to do a short article here on the blog which I’m glad to say he agreed too.
Ashley has well over 20 years experience as a beauty photographer shooting many gorgeous models for high profile campaigns both here in the U.K and in Milan Italy.
On top of his hectic schedule he has also managed to find time to produce an ebook titled “How To Photograph Nudes Like A Professional” which shares his vast knowledge of the subject.
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Model castings and searching for the right girl
I write in much greater detail about this subject in my photography eBook “How To Photograph Nudes Like A Professional”, however you will find a very condensed number of points here below to consider when approaching an agency to organise a model casting, whether it be for nudes, beauty, glamour or fashion.
First of all you need to have a clear idea regarding the kind of model you need for your project and with thatin mind, find an appropriate agency. As a basic example, avoid going to an agency, which is aimed at highly editorial style fashion if you intend to produce a girl next-door type glamour calendar. Chances are you’ll only be wasting everybody’s time and end up creating a bad impression.
Once you have found the right kind of model agency for your project, try to be very clear in your own mind about what you are looking for and make sure you explain it to the booker. Again this avoids wasting everybody’s time, so if you really need a blonde, tell the agencies that the girl must be blonde or you will spend all day looking at redheads and brunettes.
Following the same logic if you need a model with beautiful hands for example you should specify this in advance and be as precise as possible. Not only are you more likely to find the right model this way but you will also establish that you have thought about what you are doing and working in a professional manner.
On the day of the casting I always like to turn up a little early, whether it takes place at the studio or the model agency. Many of the models frequently arrive a little early and at the very least it’s a sign of being professional if you are already there and ready to start on time.
One of the biggest mistakes that photographers make is failing to keep accurate notes during the casting, so it’s worth taking a pen to quickly write down any relevant points, since it can be harder than you imagine remembering all those details after you have seen 30 different models in quick succession. The best practice is to write those notes directly on the model’s composite card or attach a separate note as you see them.
Above all be friendly, polite and professional in your approach both with the models and the agencies that you deal with.
