What strategies do you use to bring out a model's personality or unique style during a fashion shoot, especially when working with new or less-experienced talent?

Bringing out a model's personality or unique style during a fashion shoot, especially with new or less-experienced talent, involves a combination of preparation, communication, and adaptability. Here are some strategies:

1. Pre-Shoot Preparation

• Research and Mood Boards: Understand the model's background, style, and strengths. Share a mood board to communicate the concept and gather their input.
• Wardrobe and Styling Alignment: Choose outfits that resonate with their style or personality to make them feel confident.
• Practice Poses: Provide examples of poses and let them practice beforehand to build their confidence.

2. Building Comfort and Trust

• Warm-Up Conversations: Start with light, casual conversations to make the model feel at ease.
• Encourage Feedback: Ask how they feel about the setup, styling, or poses, and adjust accordingly.
• Start Small: Begin with simple poses and gradually move to more complex or expressive ones.

3. Clear and Positive Communication

• Provide Guidance: Demonstrate poses or use reference images to guide them.
• Positive Reinforcement: Highlight what’s working well during the shoot to boost their confidence.
• Collaborative Energy: Treat the shoot as a collaboration, allowing the model to experiment and contribute ideas.

4. Adjusting to Individual Style

• Observe Their Movements: Pay attention to how they naturally move or pose and incorporate that into the shoot.
• Adapt to Comfort Zones: If they’re shy or hesitant, work with their strengths, such as close-ups or seated poses.
• Emphasize Personal Elements: Use props or settings that reflect their personality or interests.

5. Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere

• Music: Play music they enjoy to set a comfortable tone.
• Breaks: Allow for short breaks to keep energy levels up and reduce stress.
• Encourage Playfulness: Introduce playful elements to help them loosen up, such as props or dynamic movements.

6. Capturing Authentic Moments

• Focus on Natural Expressions: Engage them in conversation to capture candid moments.
• Interactive Poses: Suggest actions rather than static poses, like walking, laughing, or adjusting an accessory.
• Experiment: Encourage them to try unique poses or expressions that might highlight their individuality.

7. Post-Shoot Support

• Review Images Together: Show them some shots during the session to build confidence and trust in the process.
• Constructive Feedback: Provide encouragement while giving gentle advice for improvement if needed.
• Follow-Up: Share the final images quickly and ask for their thoughts to make them feel valued.

These strategies not only help bring out a model’s unique personality but also ensure a collaborative and enjoyable experience, resulting in more authentic and striking photographs.

As a fashion photographer, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is creating a sense of synchronicity with the models I work with. Even new or less-experienced talent, especially those from agencies, often have a natural instinct for how to present themselves in front of the camera. However, the key to bringing out their unique personality and style is making them feel comfortable.

I typically spend the first 15 minutes ‘testing the light,’ which gives them time to acclimate to the environment and me, while also allowing me to observe their personality and adjust my approach accordingly. It’s essential to create a relaxed, positive atmosphere. I always aim to be kind and gentle: it costs nothing but makes a huge difference. Good energy is crucial. I often enhance the mood with the right music and by giving them a moment alone with me on set if needed, to help them ease into the shoot.

Once we get that first amazing shot, I make sure to show it to them. That’s when the real magic happens: their confidence elevates, and they can see how incredible they look. From that point, it’s all about building on that momentum. I keep the mood light, fun, and always make them feel valued and well taken care of with positive reinforcement and compliments. That’s how the best shots come to life!

Working with new and unexperienced models is always more challenging. To bring out their best features, you should provide directions and make sure that the model is completely comfortable.

The best way to do that is simply communicating with the model, showing them the photos and pointing out the good stuff. Usually after 10-15 initial minutes of having some of the "awkward" silences, people tend to talk more and when the conversation flows - creativity flows.

The best strategy that I would advise - be conversational, stress-free and keep everything under control. If you are confident, encouraging and light - the model will be too.