Chemistry between Model and Photographer - How Important is it?

JME Studios said

Chemistry is really important to me, but I come from an acting background. I get some models can turn up, do the shoot on autopilot, get paid and then move on to the next shoot. I struggle with those sort of models because I feel I need to establish a bit of a connection to get the best out of someone; I guess I'm trying to say it's possible to make it TOO easy in a way.

Thanks for this perspective. I invest a lot on most of my shoots. I am talking over $5000 in most cases in Airfare, assistants, locations, hotel, food, local travel, and model fees and sometimes security for the risque outdoor pics you see on my port. I guess for that to happen, I need to make sure that the model is invested (and is handsomely paid) and is ready to go the extra mile needed to create those moments.

What I love is that this discussion has been so open and has brought forth so many perspectives.  Purpleport is bigger than UK I think, I am in the US and I barely ever shot in the UK, so my perspective is wider with much longer travel plans in most cases.

Shan

Edited by Shandaz

Shandaz so.... 500 shoots @ $5,000 = $2.5 million?

Huw

Couple of things

1) Many of my pro shoots were for print advertorials, ads and pictorials that had a much larger budget, paid for by the brand/agency

2) When I would do a 2/3 day shoot trip now - yeah 5K is a minimum budget - sometimes just flights are more than that

3) where did you get the number 500 from - that would just be the one H5D I lost a few years back in a pool which had over 350K shutter actuations - when I was shooting as a pro - I would on an average shoot 2 times a week, so…

What is your point? There is shoots happening every day where the daily budget is > $100K but of course the world has moved to mostly video now with pictures being just a part of the shoot. Most ad budgets focus on vertical format ads as well, so iPhone 15 Pro Max and Blackmagic PYXIS 6K / Canon R3/R5 are the tools of today.

Nowadays, I only use still camera’s that can also shoot video because there is no scenario where a pro shoot is just stills now.

Though Phase I XC and H2DX are trying to make medium format survive, it does not make sense anymore .

Edited by Shandaz

There is one model that I've legitimately become close friends with and we see each other probably once a week for coffee and chats, but I wouldn't say she's the person with whom I've done my best work. One of the models with whom I occasionally socialize is one of my top 5 of all-time, but even though we're on the same professional wavelength doesn't mean we would be friends if it weren't for our working connection.  Based on my own experiences, I don't think that professional chemistry necessarily translates to personal chemistry though sometimes I suppose they may sometimes coincide.

Mikey Mongol said

There is one model that I've legitimately become close friends with and we see each other probably once a week for coffee and chats, but I wouldn't say she's the person with whom I've done my best work. One of the models with whom I occasionally socialize is one of my top 5 of all-time, but even though we're on the same professional wavelength doesn't mean we would be friends if it weren't for our working connection.  Based on my own experiences, I don't think that professional chemistry necessarily translates to personal chemistry though sometimes I suppose they may sometimes coincide.

Hi @Mikey Mongol totally love your name man!!

Ok I think there is a misconception about my question. All I asked is - if Chemistry is important… I never claimed to make lifelong friends with all my models.
Chemistry is a very commonly used term in Hollywood, in reference to the connection between actors, between fellow models, between a director and his actors and photographer and model.

It’s not about friendship, it’s about having a common ‘shared’ vision and ‘being equally inspired’ by the proposed end result - In place of going about the motions mechanically.
I only shoot with models who I have had the time to discuss, share and internalize the end product we are trying to create together - So it’s not just MY imagination, it’s a shared vision.

Most times, I don’t see a model for years after spending a week with her on a shoot trip. But no way I would actually go on a shoot trip if I was not already familiar with her/ know her well / trust her etc. And neither should the model!

But again, I agree that this is not a requirement for all. As is illustrated by the amazing work on this site - which seemingly has been created (overwhelming majority) by people who just met each other and did a shoot and never saw each other again. I applaud people who can do that.

To summarize this discussion - The answer to my question is: It’s not important - and it’s a specific need from a few of us here.

Shan

Edited by Shandaz

I must have misunderstood.

From your: profile  “I have shot over 500 models over 20 years …”

I have never met a model and had a discussion previous to a shoot.

What I have found is that after the first shoot, many models say on subsequent shoots that now they understand better what it is I am trying to do.

There is no way I could have explained with words in a prior meeting. Doing it is the only way for me.

Also, I have a high failure rate, but again talking about it would not make for an improvement.

JPea it’s nice if one of us understands what we are trying to do.  :)

Not essential. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.

I can occasionally find it takes half an hour or so to stop an experienced model from posing (“modelling”), and just relax.

”Hug the tree”. “Be the tree” and so on.

Never going to communicate that over a cup of coffee in a pre-meet.

Half an hour isn’t a big deal.

Huw said

JPea it’s nice if one of us understands what we are trying to do.  :)

Not essential. Serendipity is a wonderful thing.

I can occasionally find it takes half an hour or so to stop an experienced model from posing (“modelling”), and just relax.

”Hug the tree”. “Be the tree” and so on.

Never going to communicate that over a cup of coffee in a pre-meet.

Half an hour isn’t a big deal.

No, that stuff is mostly for the mood board and the pre-shoot comms for sure. Though building in some time to deliberately go over it at the beginning when not shooting might help, so you can refer back later. I must have spent a fair amount of time on this in my own shoots (the “not modelling” thing, or rather the “posing as if the ‘40s and ‘50s hadn’t happened” thing) and the more I pursue it the more elusive it becomes.

My pre-shoot coms tend to be “are you Veggie or Vegan so we can feed you properly when you visit?”.

Mutual respect and a professional approach to the shoot should get the job done but if model and photographer get on well and have worked together a few times before, the images are usually better and the shoot is generally more relaxed. Apre shoot conversation is always helpful on a first shoot, it gives you time to get to know each other a little and exchange ideas before starting 'work'.

It stands to reason that if you have worked together before it is easier , but my last shoot was with a model I have never worked with before and it went perfectly, as someone who does photography as a hoby for me it is about making the shoot enjoyable, for me it is one thing were I try my best to create the best images I can, and while doing the shoot it is great that we can work together and respect each other and when the shoot is over we both move on to the next day of our lives, there are models that I do shoot more than one time and I do like to see how they progress in the industry, I have

learnt that if you work in an envirement were you get along with others and the work place has a positive feel about it your work improves.