Invest in under garments for your pinup photo shoots!
I've covered what pinup wardrobe staples are and why they are essential. You must have the tools of your trade to go along with your talent and beauty. It's called the total pinup package, and a solid pinup look. Under garments are not only essential for many reasons, they are also very intimate. I've yet to ever hear of any photography studio, or photographers who provide use of wardrobe, that also allow models to borrow under garments. There are plenty of fabulous, professional pinup studios, and some pinup photographers that do offer use of wardrobe, but not under garments. Honestly I'd rather have some key under garments on hand, brand new, for sale. I'm uninterested in washing under garments worn by other women. Too personal and intimate. I can easily have a pair of nylons available for use, or for sale. However my pinup academy is about learning, and 90% of my clients are amateur pinups, the rest are not models at all. So, my outlook and goal is to educate, that's why in the title is the word academy. If I happen to provide or offer essential things needed at every shoot, and it's uncommon to provide under garments, that's not helping gals brand new to pinup invest in essentials, that will create the total pinup package. These aren't items like costumes, that you'll probably model in, once, an entire outfit, or dress you'll model in one time, during a photo shoot. Under garments are similar, as far as needed and wardrobe staples, as are high heels. You will invest and utilize them often and they are essential. Here's the thing with me providing under garments. I have a white pair of thigh highs, but there's no way they'll fit every size client I have. Also, white thigh highs don't match with every single pinup or vintage look we will shoot. I have a couple of pairs of black thigh highs, but they are small, only up to like a size 6 could fit them well. I have a white garter, girdle type garment, but it's a size small, maybe up to a size 6. I have some black fishnet pantyhose that are also size small, and definitely can not fit a tall model, even if she's a size small. So, you see my point, that even though I have a few backup under garments, I have not invested in them heavily, for my academy clients. Again, trying to instill the importance of investing in those key items, for your future shoots with any photographer. In pinup it's not necessarily because of, " the need ", to wear stockings, or thigh highs because you have scars or bruises on you legs or feet. It's the fact that thigh highs are an essential garment worn in the era's we are recreating! So are pantyhose and fishnets. Same as high heels, non modern looking high heels. When you see a vintage starlet or model's images, keep in mind one major aspect in creating that look was the under garments. We may not even see a stitch of the material of those under garments, but that body shape and look was created by them! You can have on a vintage 1950's dress, passed your knees, or long pencil skirt and sweater, the under garments you're wearing will create a shape automatically. That's why we wear high waist panties, nylons, girdles, pointy bras, non platform heels, corsets, bustiers, tummy tucker's, etc. Even if never shown they are creating an hour glass, pinup shape and overall vintage look. Then I think of how there are classic Cheesecake pinup shoots, where you will show a peek of the stockings, or bra, etc. And vintage boudoir shoots, your main wardrobe may be just lingerie and under garments. So, they are essential no matter what exact style, era or theme, within pinup. Lastly, yes proper under garments can cause less editing, or way less. Unfortunately not every photographer edits, I know we assume and expect it, but it's not always a reality. Then there are photographers who only do minor editing, as well as those that have high quality editing skills and advanced. Images with many visible flaws will never be published in a top pinup magazine, or any style magazine. Most minor flaws can easily be fixed, however that doesn't mean every single photographer edits! Modeling for a clothing company, too. They want high quality images, and that includes everything from the styling to any visible flaws shown. I wear pantyhose with high waist pinup bathing suits! Yep, I sure do. I always have a bruise or 2 on my legs, I have an old tattoo on my ankle, and you can see my veins on certain areas of my legs where my skin is the most lightest. And yes, I have cheese, lol. My legs aren't solid muscle and perfectly smooth. Lighting plans such an essential role in how my legs appear without nylons. Filters, photoshop, etc., but what about video, going live or attending an event? What about fashion shows, interviews, modeling go - sees, auditions, and more. If your skin isn't smooth, it will really show in person, live video or video. I'm sure most photographers and biz owners are aware of editing and expect it, so they may not expect you to look flawless in person. Because not every photographer edits, not every photographer edits well, and not every photographer can do advanced editing, or is even willing to spend that much time, it's best to cover your bases. If you need extra coverage under your eyes, use the proper makeup, don't expect every photographer to edit under your eyes. If you have bad skin on your face or body, blemishes, scars, visible veins or bruises, cover that up! Don't assume every photographer will edit that, or edit it well! You can have beautiful skin overall but need it to appear more even tone. Stockings and thigh highs automatically do that, as a girdle will form and shape the tummy area, push up bra forms and shapes the bust, etc., etc. Sure a photographer with advanced editing skills can make your tummy smaller, add a curve to your waist, make things bigger or smaller, smooth out every inch of your skin. Doesn't mean they will, and often it costs more. Heres the thing, what you like as a model, may not be flattering and therefore images not selected for publication. Keep in mind magazine owners and companies are looking at images on a laptop or pc screen, much bigger than a cell phone screen. Every flaw that's visible will appear more visible when images are enlarged, and or in print! If you have the money to invest in photo shoots, makeup and or hair styling tools, then you should also have funds for under garments of your own! Just like gals that specifically shoot for magazine publication, invest money on styling and or wardrobe, pay the photographer or its trade, then NEVER purchase a single copy ever! You don't have or can't save 20 bucks extra, but can invest all that money to shoot and gain publication! Smh. If it takes day 5 minutes per image to edit, and there's 10 images, that's almost an hour of editing. Sounds common and quick. However, what if your particular images require much more time, or that photographer produces extremely high quality edits, which take a very long time, up to an hour per image? If you wore stockings, they would obviously cut down on editing time. If you had proper under garments on, that would save on editing time and the skill level needed. I just think it's foolish and taking a huge risk for failure, assuming every single has the ability, time or tools to create high quality. Unless you've worked with that photographer more than once, why take the chance? Cover all your bases. When I say under garments are essential and required at all my academy shoots, I mean it for several reasons! If you aren't prepared it will cause issues, delays and excess time they wasn't planned to invest! I'm like top magazine owners and companies looking for models, I'm very selective. If the total pinup package isn't present, I refuse to feature images in my columns or use to advertise with, promote, etc. If you don't have the essential under garments, don't book a shoot until you do. If you had them but now do not, then reschedule for when you're fully prepared. Even if I do offer under garments in the future, that's not preparing you for future shoots with others. Creating a solid pinup look and your own brand, means having more than beauty, more than talent and knowledge on pinup, you must have the neccessary tools as well! Save up, do less shoots, sell unwanted items, ask for under garments as a gift, etc. Don't buy or stop buying costumes and outfits you'll only model in once, until you have essential under garments! Stop doing your own makeup and or hair, if its not high quality and professionals have suggested improvement. Save up, do less shoots, go out partying less, sell unwanted things, take a makeup course until you can hire a professional stylist. Pinup costs money! The sacrifices you make to be involved, compete and reach YOUR goals, are entirely up to you. If you have no funding, wait to get into pinup, until you do! If your stills are lacking in styling or facial expressions and poses, research, train, practice, and then get back into pinup. If you're not succeeding at your goals, believe me there's a reason or reasons! I have a 3 strikes rule at my academy, I've put it in writing and posted about it. If you show up to a shoot late 3 times, there will be no opportunities to book another shoot, and be late a 4th time! If you've posted images from my academy shoots failing to list credits, after I've reminded you what it states in the release you signed, there will be no future academy shoots for you, and no more publication, with my help! If you know what's required to bring to every academy shoot, like your own under garments, and at 3 shoots you failed to have them, there will be no 4th shoot, and opportunity for you to be unprepared, again! This 3 strikes rule, applies to every single model and client I have, no exceptions! I'm running a biz, and everyone involved must be organized, on time and prepared for positive results to be achieved. Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Vintage Stylist Dianna Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince
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