I think gals really need to know the importance of being in tune and focusing on their photographer during shoots. Focusing on them and the task at hand. I think because shoots are so much fun that amateur models loose sight of concentration. My latest cover is s prime example. Was it shooting and thinking, ok we're gonna land a cover. But my focus was there. The set that was just on cover was literally taken in about 10 minutes. I did many different facial expressions and poses. And my focus was on my photographer. It's a balance between fun, which is a given, and concentration on my poses and photographer. I'm not focused on other models if they are in attendance. I'm not focused on my cell phone. I'm not talking about my personal life. I think when you're an amateur it's more about the fun and you loose sight of the other reason you're there which is to produce positive results. I've met and styled dozens of aspiring pinups in the last 4 years. Out of say 100, maybe 3 to 5, were brand new to pinup and blew me out the water! They came out the gate totally confident and skilled. Facial expressions and poses were of a professional level. They also focused on the shoot and on the photographer. They weren't telling everyone about their personal lives. They weren't focused on their cell phones. They were on time and prepared. Didn't show up late assuming the shoot could run late because of them. I've seen gals on the very other end of this spectrum. They've done plenty of pinup shoots. They've been involved in pinup awhile. At this point I'd expect and yes assume they'd habe skills by now. They've had the time to research and didn't. They had the time to practice at home and train but they didn't, they haven't. So during posing and facial expressions, the lack of skill is present and clear. Uncomfortable looking facial expressions. The same exact facial expressions no matter what the style, era or theme. The lack of focus on their photographer showed. Their must be a level of professionalism brought by everyone attending a shoot. I don't want to talk about my photographers personal life nor mine. Don't want to be posing and running to go get on my cell, etc. My focus is on pinup and the person photographing me. No doubt in my mind that a level of commitment begins the level of concentration. Commitment is the root of being on time and prepared. Commitment is why models research and train. Because pinup is a biz and models are shooting for magazine publication, photo shoots aren't solely for fun. There's money involved, time, knowledge, experience, creativity and skill. I think people like photographers, pinup designers or biz owners like boutiques and of course pinup mags owners will undoubtedly research you as a model. What ya see is what ya get? They are professionals within our industry. This means they can see skill verses no skill. They know high quality images verses low. In pinup there's a certain feel to cheesecake pinup. Bubbly, bright eyed and a positive, very energetic vibe. If your facial expressions don't match that vibe and style, it won't match and pros in pinup will notice. I think it's nothing short of common, very common to need training. If you have pinup goals there will always be something you can learn and or improve on. Everyone has things they should be aware of and ready to improve on, change or eliminate. Examples. A model who's great at posing and facial expressions but is unprofessional with showing up late often and or unprepared often. Cancels shoots last minute, etc. Great at facial expressions and poses but lacks on the biz side. A model who can do her make up awesomely, always has nails groomed, always has her own wardrobe prepared, always on time. However after countless shoots she still lacks in facial expressions and posing skills. A model who is beautiful, skilled and has everything it takes on the outside. Pleasant to work with, fun to work with, always on time and prepared. But no pinup goals. Total pinup package but no interest in pinup as a career. A model who is attractive, skilled, makeup always flawless and devotes time to shooting often, investing often, been published often. So they have the look, can do great pinup facial expressions and poses, have invested in shoots. However on the commitment level of being on time and prepared seriously lacks. Late often. Cancels shoots last minute. Unorganized with details. Showing up late and assuming the entire shoot can run late. Poor communication. So no one's perfect perfect. In biz, in pinup there's always room for enlightenment, improvement and self awareness. Know your flaws, knowledge them to yourself. Decide to improve, add or alter. Know what your flaws are and actively make a change. Ask yourself why goals you set weren't achieved. Why another pinup you know has achieved the goals she set. Why top pinup photographers want to shoot other pinups but haven't asked to work with you. Why did that pinup land a position as a product model or model for that designer or boutique?What did that pinup land a cover or land another cover? Why do I specifically select certain models to shoot with my personal photographers? Why do I choose certain only, to be involved in major projects? I mean if you're beautiful, ya still have to be skilled in facial expressions and poses. If you're beautiful and skilled, ya still gotta be professional on the biz side. Level of commitment, excellent communication and organization, sacrifice, knowledge, skill, experience and confidence. All things every pro pinup brings to the table. Not JUST beauty, not just one or 2 listed above, but the total perfect pinup package includes everything. Evaluate yourself as a pinup specifically. Ask someone who's a pro pinup to evaluate your images. Study pinups you like the style of, want their level of success and want to achieve the same things as they have. Research and study them. Ask for advice. If you can't be objective and aware of things you need to improve on, alter, add or elimate to succeed at your goals then ask a professional you admire and respect. Listen, value and apply it! Stylists will take money from any client and do their job. Photographers who cater to the general public and charge will also take money and photograph anyone. They aren't concerned about the client having unrealistic goals or goals with no plan. They aren't concerned about you improving or what skills you're bringing to the table. They aren't concerned about you enhancing their portfolio or bringing publication in major pinup magazines. Once you have a manager, want to be photographed by pro photographers, not pay them and shoot for trade. Want to be in the top pinup mags, land covers and model for designers, note that they do care. About the quality your bringing and about your level of professionalism. Hobby or career being reliable is key to working with professionals. So is bringing equal skill level. Dianna Prince 1st image is Bunny Yeager, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marilyn Monroe. All images in between are of Bunny Yearer and the last image is of her with Bettie Page.
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January 2019
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