FAQ Modelling
FAQs
This is a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the model portfolios I offer. Please make sure that you also read the TERMS OF BUSINESS, at the bottom of the page.
Do I really need to have professional shots done to approach a modeling agency?
If you've done any research on the web, you'll find that model agencies will claim that you don't need professional quality pictures to be considered for work. That may be perfectly true of some companies, but you can guarantee that, assuming you get taken on by the agency, at some stage ALL modeling agencies will ask you to get professional shots done. They're just not going to send you to castings with a couple of polaroids!
If you're not able to provide the agency with professional quality pictures through test shoots (see below), you'll be expected to pay for them, or perhaps do test shoots with the photographer of the agency's choice - and either way you'll be expected to pay for some or all of the costs of having this done.
It's also common sense - the better the shots you have when you make an approach, the better and more experienced you'll look to the agency, and the more chance you have of getting work.
The more expensive portfolio sessions I offer are designed to help you build a portfolio, and allow you to put pictures in front of someone that will make you look like you've at least done some work before. Whichever way you look at it, presenting a poor quality snapshot to an agency won't ever be able to do that.
Most of all, remember that if you have NO pictures whatsoever in your portfolio, a single free session or even one of my portfolio packages WILL NOT GIVE YOU A FULL PORTFOLIO.
Building a full, professional quality portfolio or book takes time - and you should always include recent shots from more than one session, from different assignments, and from published work, when you start to get it.
What is 'testing'?
Many photographers shoot 'test' shoots with both new and established models. It's a way for photographers to practice their craft and try out new techniques; developing new styles and their own portfolios. Finding professional photographers who are 'testing' is a good start to putting a portfolio together - but remember that you'll probably need to pay the photographer for some, if not all, of the expenses (make-up artist, hair stylist, prints etc). My portfolio packages are like hiring your own photographer for you own test shoot - and the cost of the packages is a fraction of my normal daily rate.
What kind of session should I book with you?
It's entirely up to you. If you have already done some modeling work and need to 'top up' your portfolio with new work, you could choose almost any of my portoflio packages. Just contact me with the details of what you're trying to achieve, and we can plan your shoot.
If you're a new model, my advice would be to arrange one of the shorter sessions, and consider booking a second session of the same length soon afterwards. Doing this will let you get shots from different locations, in a choice of outfits, in different lighting - your portfolio will start to look like it belongs to an experienced model who has done a number of professional assignments.
If you decide on one of the more expensive packages, it is often possible to split the time over two days, to include different locations, lighting, hair and make-up, or simply to have one session outdoors and one in the studio. Remember though that if you decide to split a session, you may have to pay extra to hire a make-up artist for the second session.
Of course, it can also be a good idea to arrange more than one CHEAPER session - as above, you'll be able to get varied results which look like they've come from different professional shoots, so the end result is that you look like a more experienced model.
Where do your sessions take place?
For the majority of the portfolio packages I do, the photography normally takes place in around London, or the M25, or in Scotland where i live most of the time. However, I am available to work nationwide and worldwide (though of course there will be extra charges to cover travel expenses) at any location you like.
I really want my portfolio shots to look great. What do you advise?
The most important thing to do is to meet with me in advance of your shoot (check the price list to see which sessions include a free consultation), and tell me what you want to acieve from the session. It doesn't matter too much if you have little experience modeling - what's important is your committment to getting a particular result, and your desire to work in a particular area of modeling.
In the pre-shoot meeting we'll discuss how we can create the best images to show you off in the style of modeling you want to work in. We'll discuss whether you want a studio session, or a location shoot, and we'll go into the planning of the shoot in great detail. It helps if you have a selection of photos taken from high quality magazines, in the area of modeling you want to work in (e.g. Editorial Fashion, Advertising, Beauty etc), so that we can discuss a style of photography, wardrobe and location that best suits what you want to achieve, and is within your budget. Location shoots can be very atmospheric and can help your portfolio look like you've been on a professional assignment, but you may also want to include a traditional studio session in your portfolio.
Why should I arrange a FREE session shoot?
Unless you're on the books of a model agency, it's unlikely that you'll get the chance to do 'test' shoots with established professional photographers, and put some professional looking results in your portfolio. You could try 'Time-for-prints' shoots, which is what many new and inexperienced photographers and models do - the theory is that both model and photographer provide their time for free, in return for shots that each can use for their own portfolios.
But TFP shoots are a far from ideal way of working, because both the model and photographer usually have little professional experience, and the final results of the shoot tend to reflect this.
With my FREE session shoot, you can start to scratch the surface of what it's like to pose in a professional environment, with the help of an experienced, professional fashion photographer. Please note that Free Sessions are limited to ONE free session per person - you cannot arrange multiple free sessions.
Why is it called a free session when I have to pay for prints?
So why should I PAY for a portfolio shoot?
If you plan to put a profesional portfolio together, or to approach model agencies with photographs, my advice would be to arrange a paid portfolio package with me, rather than a FREE session. Many of my portfolio packages include the cost of having professional make-up artists and hair-stylists attend your shoot, to ensure you get the same treatment as professional models, and you'll look as good as you possibly can for the shoot. All the portfolio packages I offer include a number of professionally retouched prints - and they start at just £19.50!
I've read a lot about modeling scams - why do I have to pay you in advance?
I'm a working professional in fashion photography, and I offer portfolio services to models in free time between larger assignments. I ask for payment in advance for shoots to make sure that people actually turn up for sessions that they've booked, and don't leave me having to pay make-up artists or studio hire. I always insist on payment in advance, ideally by cheque or bank transfer, and for funds to have cleared before the date of the shoot. No bookings for shoots can be taken until you have paid for the session in full.
If you're worried about paying a large sum of money in advance, remember that I will always confirm receipt of your payment, supply you with a company receipt for money I have received, and can even supply you with contact details of models I've photographed in the past. Remember, it's just as worrying for me receiving payment from someone like you, who I don't know anything about and for whom I have no official financial references!
Can I cancel a shoot?
As long as you give adequate notice in writing - at least seven working days before the planned date of a shoot - you can cancel a shoot that you have paid for and receive a refund of the money you have paid, minus any expenses incurred on your behalf, or any surcharges imposed upon me by my suppliers for cancellation of bookings. If you cancel with less than seven days' notice, the amount of your refund will be at my discretion and dependent on costs incurred on your behalf, up to the time of your cancellation. No refunds are possible on cancelations of less than 24 hours' notice.
Do you provide clothes for models to wear?
No. You should bring a selection of your own clothes to wear, depending on the type of pictures and work you want to get. A full range is best, from swimsuit to evening dress / casual outfits. If you want to have a real professional look, I can arrange for a professional clothes stylist to attend your shoot, at extra cost - this will be a working, experienced professional - not someone's wife or girlfriend!
What about make-up?
Give some serious thought to whether your make-up skills can match professional results, like the kind you see on posters and TV. You may have been putting on your own make-up since you were a teenager, but most people actually have very poor make-up skills (eye-liner is a particular problem area), and you can guarantee that ALL of your mistakes will show in the final photograph.
While you are being made-up for your photo session, both the make-up artist and I will ask you for your views on your make-up and hair, may times, through the course of the shoot - it is ESSENTIAL for you to give us your opinion of the style there and then - it's no good leaving it until you see the final results to say that you wouldn't have done your hair that way! The whole point of the portfolio shoots is to provide you with pictures that you are proud to put in your portfolio, so there's no point in being shy and not saying what you think!!
Even if you've booked a make-up artist for your shoot, always bring your favourite foundation, lipstick or other colours and products - this is to make sure we use only the brands you prefer, in case you have allergies to certain products or ingredients, and to make sure that we have your favourite colours to include in the make-up artist's choice. The make-up artists I employ on shoots are working professional freelance artists - not someone's wife or girlfriend doing make-up to help out!!
Should I do my own hair?
No, unless you're supremely confident about doing a professional job. Even then, it can be counter-productive to try and get by on your own - hair needs to be attended to continuously during the course of a shoot, and it's impossible for a model to pose well if she's worried about her hair - you need another pair of eyes and hands to do that!
How many photographs do you take?
More than one or two, less than a few thousand! It's impossible to give an accurate number, simply because every shoot, and every model, is different. Unless you specifically ask for your shoot to be photographed on film, your session will be digital. It's more than likely that you'll end up with several hundred digital images to choose from, so after the first few minutes of a session I tend to review the results with the model and we decide there and then if we are going to shoot and shoot or limit the shots to key poses.
Avoid any photographers who promise you a CD full of images - you should be looking for a small number of professionally retouched images from a photosession, not hundreds of files that you play around with yourself. Also avoid any photographer who guarantees you several hundred images in any given time - this is no guarantee of quality, or choice! I can take 500 shots by simply pressing the shutter button on my camera and leaving it there, in about 90 seconds...but you won't get much variety of poses....
How do I go about choosing the pictures I want for my portfolio?
During the session you will have the opportunity to view digital shots in the camera and, if the shoot is in a studio, on a laptop. You don't have to make a selection at this stage - when the shoot is finished, I post contact sheets of your images to a page on my website that only you have access to. You choose the shots you want for your portfolio, then email me the details. When your pictures have been retouched and the files sent to the lab for printing, I will send you your low-resolution JPEG files only via email. The prints are sent back to me for checking, and then I send them on to your address.
Retouching
You are welcome to select the shots you want retouched and printed on the day of your session, and brief me on the retouching you want done, but you need to allow more time, after your session, for this. Retouching is something that happens to ALL photographs, and to ALL models. EVERYONE has spots, wrinkles, lines and other imperfections that commercial clients just don't want to see, so these are removed or retouched before the picture is seen in its finished state. The level of retouching I do on pictures from portfolio sessions is the similar to how a design or advertising agency would retouch the images. Remember that at the end of the day, unless you're putting professional quality results in front of an agency, you're not going to look like a professional model. If you're not used to seeing images of you retouched to this level, you may be surprised by the results.
At you portfolio session I will demonstrate the level of retouching that I feel is appropriate to your photographs, but retouching is done at my discretion and you will NOT have the opportunity to review the retouched images before the final prints are produced. If you DO want to review the retouching before the final prints are produced, you should inform me on the day of your shoot - please note that there will be an additional cost for this (normally 20% of the cost of producing the prints).
How soon can I have my photographs?
The digital contact sheets from your shoot are normally put on my website within 48 hours of your shoot. After that, it depends on how long you take to make your selection, the number of shots you choose, and my own schedule. Once I have retouched the photos you have chosen, they are sent to a professional laboratory for printing onto photographic paper, and you are sent low resolution JPG files by email - these are suitable for internet and email use. How long the retouching takes depends on the number of photo you have chosen; most orders are retouched within 7 days of receiving your short list. After that, the finished prints normally arrive at your address 7 working days after being sent to the lab.
Can I have all the shots from the shoot on disc?
No. I supply one low resolution shot by email for every print that is ordered – so you will get all your prints as JPG files as well prints for your portfolio, all professionally retouched by me, ready for web use.
I don’t supply anything else on disc for the following reasons:
1) Having lots of shots from a single shoot in your portfolio just gives the impression you have very little experience, and looks amateurish. Avoid any photographer or agency that offers you a CD full of shots - it might sound tempting, but it won't do you any favours.
2) As I’m sure you’re aware, UK copyright law states that copyright on photographs belongs to the creator of an image, in this case, the PHOTOGRAPHER. The shots you will receive from me will have been digitally retouched and crafted by me in person, and they’ll have my copyright line and contact details on the photograph. It’s my legal right to be credited as the creator of an image – a little like a painter signing a picture - so I wouldn’t want my name put to an image that someone else has altered. In my opinion, photographers who supply models with a disc full of their images to do what they like with just don’t care what their work – or you - ends up looking like – avoid them because you'll just be one other model on their production line!
3) I never give customers the original High Resolution Files (that would be like handing over the original negatives, and I never do that either!)
4) Even if I did supply files on disc, they would be in RAW file format – which is the high resolution file format that my digital camera produces. They are very large files (at least 117 MB per PICTURE!!) so the average shoot would need shots burnt onto DVD, not CD. To get the same quality results as you get when I supply images to you, you would need to have (a) the latest version of Photoshop with the correct Canon RAW Plug-in file (b) a fast computer with a LOT of memory (c) a DVD drive and (d) you’d need to know how to convert a 16-bit, 350 dpi RAW file into a format that will print well on your own printer, or be the right size and resolution for web use, AND make changes to colour balance, photographic exposure of the original image, and sharpen the image perfectly. These are all skills that no one expects anyone other than the photographer to have, so you shouldn't feel the need to experiment, and expect to get as good a result. So again, avoid anyone who tempts you with hundreds of shots from a shoot on disc - it's far better to have a smaller portfolio of really first class shots, retouched and crafted by a professional, than a large portfolio full of shots you've played around with yourself.
Why do I have to sign a model release?
Every job you do professionally will be covered by the terms of a model release. My model release is a document which gives me your acknowledgement of the intended use of the photographs from your session for my own self-promotion (for example, on my websites), and in other, commercial projects, such as books and 3rd party websites. Any model under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the photo session and the parent or guardian must sign a model release on behalf of the model.
If a 3rd party expresses interest in using shots from your session in, for example, a book, then the model release states that I cannot give the 3rd party permission to use your pictures unless you have given your permission in writing first. There may also be the possibility of a fee for the use of your photographs, but the exact amount will depend on the nature of the project and the budget the company in question has.
You should not confuse a MODEL RELEASE with anything to do with COPYRIGHT. There are a couple of sources on the internet promoting the idea that when you work as an amateur model and (especially with TFP projects), you somehow 'own' the picture equally with the photographer. This simply isn't possible under the copyright law in this, and other, countries. Through the simple act of pressing a shutter release, the photographer becomes the 'creator' of an image and the copyright owner and holder. He has the right to be associated with that image, when it is used in various media. A MODEL RELEASE is a document that relates to a model's right to privacy, and details the intended use of images in a photoshoot. A model does not, and cannot, under Copyright law, own image rights to a photograph. You cannot make any changes (for example, by digitally retouching) photographs that are supplied to you by a photographer - this is altering the photographer's original image and breaking the copyright on the image, and illegal.
Once you have signed a model release, you can't change your mind and decide you don't want the pictures used. You should not confuse a model release with anything to do with COPYRIGHT - copyright in an image always belongs to the photograppher. This is in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, which you can enjoy reading here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880048_en_1.htm
I'm a young model - can you photograph my portfolio?
Yes, but if you're under 18 years of age a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the shoot, and sign a model release on your behalf. NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR MEETINGS CAN TAKE PLACE unless you are in the company of your parent or legal guardian.
Do you find models work?
No, I do not work as a model agency, but I can advise you on the best way to present yourself to agencies, and hopefully the work I do for you will get you more work! Models who have booked simple portfolio sessions with me and have gone on to be accepted by model agencies and work as models.
TERMS OF BUSINESS
1) All models are required to sign a Model Release form, and to confirm that they are at least 18 years of age.
2) Under Age models - Models under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No photography or meetings can take place if a parent or guardian is not present. The parent or guardian will be required to sign a model release on the model's behalf.
3) Payment - All portfolio packages are to paid for in advance, by cheque made out to my business, or by bank transfer, to my business bank account. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your payment and a firm booking for your session when I have received your payment.
4) Deposit for FREE shoots - A deposit of £45 is payable on all free shoots - this is to ensure that models turn up for the free sessions they book - if you do not attend the free session you book without canceling the session with written notice more than 24 hours before the date of your meeting, the deposit will NOT be returned to you. YOU MUST CONTACT ME TO CANCEL A FREE SESSION AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE DATE AND TIME OF THE SHOOT.
5) Cancellation - As long as you give adequate notice in writing - NO LESS THAN seven working days before the planned date of a PORTFOLIO PACKAGE - you can cancel a shoot that you have paid for and receive a refund of the money you have paid, minus any expenses incurred on your behalf, or any surcharges imposed upon me by my suppliers for cancellation of bookings. If you cancel with less than seven days' notice, the amount of your refund will be at my discretion and dependent on costs incurred on your behalf, up to the time of your cancellation. No refunds are possible on cancelations of less than 24 hours' notice. If you choose to POSTPONE a shoot at less than 48 hours' notice, some additional fees may be payable - for example, payment for a make-up artist who has been booked for your shoot.
6) Use of photographs - When you arrange either a free shoot with me or one of my portfolio packages, you acknowledge that I am entitled to use any photographs from your session for the purposes of promoting my own work, for example, in the SAMPLES gallery of this site, or on 3rd party directories / sites, for the purpose of promoting my business.
7) Retouching - Retouching is done at my discretion and you will NOT have the opportunity to review the retouched images before the final prints are produced. If you DO want to review the retouching before the final prints are produced, you should inform me on the day of your shoot - please note that there will be an additional cost for this (normally 20% of the cost of producing the prints).
8) Delivery - As soon as I have received feedback from you on the images you would like retouched, I will give you an approximate timetable for the retouching and delivery of your prints. This will be carried out as soon as possible, but you should make allowances for busy periods in my schedule and postal delivery time.
9) Copyright - As detailed in the FAQs above, copyright of any images produced for your portfolio remains with Sithean Photography