Essentials & Etiquette for Working with Models
In photography, your gear and lighting are only half the story. When you’re working with people, whether they’re seasoned professionals or a client stepping in front of the camera for the first time, the energy on set is what ultimately makes or breaks the final image. A model who feels respected and comfortable will always give you a better performance than one who feels like just another prop. Here’s our philosophy on the "Do’s and Don’ts" of working with talent to ensure every session is productive, safe, and world-class.
1. The Golden Rule of Personal Space
This is the most important rule in the book: Never touch a model. Whether it’s to fix a stray hair, adjust a collar, or move a sleeve, ask them to make the adjustment themselves. If you have a stylist on set, that’s their job. Maintaining professional boundaries builds a foundation of trust that allows the talent to focus entirely on their craft without feeling uncomfortable. Only if the model can’t get the adjustment right themselves, and the photographer is the sole creator on set with the model, can you bend this rule. Always ask first, be quick about it, and always remain respectful and appropriate. The Golden Rule stays in place 99% of the time, and it’s there for a reason: it protects the photographer and the model and maintains professionalism.
2. Clarity in "The Ask"
Ambiguity is the enemy of a good shoot. Before the first shutter click, we sit down and discuss the mood board or the goal of the session. We explain the lighting, the mode we’re aiming for and what we’re aiming to express with the photos, and what the final images will be used for. Clear communication of concept goes a long way, and it goes both ways. Whether the concept comes from the photographer, the model, or a client brand, or somewhere else, the key to a successful look is knowing what you’re doing, and why. When a model knows the "why" behind a pose, they can interpret the movement much more naturally, and when the photographer knows the “why,” they can light, frame, and shoot much more effectively.
3. Positive Reinforcement (The Hype Factor)
Silence on a set is deafening. First off, we always ask what kind of music the model would like, and we find something that helps them get in the groove. Sometimes it’s just something vibey that helps them relax and feel like themselves, or sometimes it’s music to help embody the concept. That’s a great start, but just as important is making it a point to keep the conversation flowing and offering constant, genuine feedback. You don't have to be over-the-top, but letting the talent know when they’ve hit a great angle or when the light is catching them perfectly keeps the energy high. It’s about closing the gap of silence to keep the momentum moving forward. Although, a photographer or director should choose their words of reinforcement carefully to match the feeling of the shoot. Keep the vocabulary focused on the overall look itself and how you’re seeing it through the camera or monitor, directed to the whole look, not necessarily to the model themselves.
4. Directing Movement, Not Poses
Stiff, static poses often look dated. We prefer to direct movement. Instead of saying "stand there and look left," we might say, "walk toward that light and look back like you just heard your name." This creates micro-expressions and organic shifts in weight that feel authentic. Our goal is to capture a moment in time, not a mannequin in a window. Directing a model is more about evoking a feeling, emotion, or expression, not so much assuming a pose. The angles of a pose might be great, but if the face and eyes aren’t saying anything to the viewer, we haven’t done our job.
5. Transparency in Content Usage
Professionalism extends to the paperwork. We are always clear about where these images are going, whether it’s for a premium brand, a location showcase, an art project, social media, or a print editorial. Ensuring that model releases and usage rights are handled upfront protects both the artist and the client. It’s just good business, and it’s how we’ve maintained our reputation for over 20 years.
6. Comfort is King (and Queen)
A cold, hungry, or thirsty model is not going to give you their best work. We make sure the creature comforts are handled, such as having water on hand, a private space for wardrobe changes, and keeping an eye on the temperature of the studio or the conditions of the location. If we’re out in the elements for a lifestyle shoot, we plan for breaks and make sure everyone stays hydrated and energized. If it’s hot, we’ve got water and hand fans. If it’s chilly, we’ll bring blankets. If it’s wet, we’ll bring towels. We also have a pop-up changing room so you’ll never have to be worried about being exposed to the elements or onlookers. Keeping the model comfortable and happy goes a long way!
7. The Collaborative and Adventurous Spirit
I heard once that progress isn’t marked by “Eureka!” moments, but instead moments of “well that’s interesting…” I think the same thing applies to creative photography. Sometimes the best shots come from a happy accident that you lean in to, or a “wait, what if we tried this?" moment. You have to be able to pivot on the fly and lean into the unexpected. Sometimes one of your strobes might misfire, and when you’re reviewing shots you might actually like that look more, so go with it! Additionally, don’t forget that models are artists in their own right, and often they’ll have a feel for how a garment moves or how a specific light hits them that we might miss from behind the viewfinder. We value the input of the talent we work with, and it’s important to have the creative process be one of cooperation. Every model brings a new insight to your shoot, so being open to feedback and new ideas, and treating the shoot as a collaboration rather than a top-down command structure always yields a more creative result that all parties can be happy with.
A Final Word on Muses
It should go without saying, but photographers will have muses– models with which we work frequently on a variety of concepts, locations, teams, events, etc, because you will quickly discover that they bring out the best of your creativity. Same goes for models; they’ll often have a favorite or preferred photographer. Often times these professional relationships can develop into friendships. That said, the Golden Rule still applies! Just because you’re becoming more familiar with each other does not mean that your professionalism can slip while working. There’s no excuse for that. Banter, jokes, playful teasing and such are one thing, but once someone crosses a line of discomfort, it’s hard to successfully work with that person again, and you’ll always have in your mind a feeling that something is off. Sometimes it’s hard to judge where a person’s line of discomfort lies, so playing it safe and staying professional is always the right move. Photographers– models talk, and word gets around if you’re inappropriate, so if you keep up the behavior that makes models uncomfortable, it’ll soon be hard to find any that will work with you. Don’t forget to have fun, but keep it above board!
Think you’re ready to make the move into Metarch quality? Whether you’re in need of photography services or if you’d like to just learn more about the process, we’re always here to assist, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!
