Street fashion photography is about capturing the person’s style in an environment where they feel comfortable. This involves locations such as the sidewalk, a city street, or any other place where people might congregate. As a model, it is important to look good in these types of photos and know how to pose and work with the photographer to get the best shots. Here are a few tips to help you out:
Look Good for the Role
It is important to ensure you are looking your best for a street fashion photoshoot. This means ensuring that you don’t have any visible blemishes or dental issues that could affect your appearance in the photos. This is most important if there will be any close-up shots where your face will be the focus. To prepare for these shots, you might want to have a brighter smile so you can look good for close-ups. In that case, you should visit your local dentist’s office for whitening options or get your teeth professionally cleaned before the shoot. This can help improve your smiles in the photos and help you feel more confident as you model.
Know How to Pose
Just because street fashion photography is more casual than other types of shoots doesn’t mean that you can’t still show off your modeling skills. Posing is important in any type of photoshoot, so learning how to pose with little to no instruction can help boost your skills as a model. You can try researching street photography poses, reading fashion magazines, watching online tutorials, or asking fellow models for any advice. Afterward, find a body-length mirror with good lighting so you can practice. Moreover, if you know what clothes you’ll be wearing or any props you might be holding, you can also practice posing with these items in mind.
Moreover, you should also learn to pose with your backdrop in mind. If you’re going to be shooting on a busy street, you’ll want to ensure that you’re not blocking any of the buildings or other people in the background. If you’re going to be in front of a graffiti wall, on the other hand, you might want to use it as part of your pose by leaning against it or placing one hand on it. You can also use the environment to your advantage by sitting on a stair step or on the curb.
Learn to Pose with a Partner or Group
If your photoshoot isn’t a solo gig, it’s important to know how to work with other models. This means being aware of your surroundings and staying aware of the other models as well. It also means knowing how to pose with other people in a way that looks natural and doesn’t take away from each other’s shots. You should also be aware if your pose is blocking the other person’s shot.
You can also use the other models as part of your pose. For instance, if you’re both standing, you can lean on or put an arm around the other person. Meanwhile, you can stand next to them and rest your hand on their shoulder if they’re sitting. You can also get creative and have one model lay down on the ground while the other stands over them or sit on top of a car while the other model leans against it.
Work With the Photographer
Street fashion photography is all about collaboration between the model and the photographer. This means that it’s important to be able to take direction well and work together to get the best possible shots. Before your shoot, having a conversation with your photographer about what they’re looking for in the photos can be helpful. This way, you can be sure that you’re on the same page and know what kind of shots they want to capture. During the shoot, be sure to listen to their direction and note any specific things they mention that they want you to do. For example, they might ask you to turn your head to the left or place your hand on your hip.
Additionally, If you don’t understand their direction, you can ask for clarification. It’s better to ask and get it right than to try to guess and end up getting it wrong. After the shoot, thank your photographer for their time and effort. Then, you can ask if they have any feedback on your performance or if there are any specific shots they were hoping to get but didn’t. This can help you learn and grow as a model to be even better next time.
Modeling is a profession that requires hard work, dedication, and an open mind. Being prepared to learn new things and grow as a professional is important. The more you know about your craft, the better you’ll be able to work with photographers and capture the perfect street fashion shots.
