Chemistry between Model and Photographer - How Important is it?

The only times I have ever met a model before shooting are when I have walked up to a stranger on the street and asked her to model for me….

I've never met a model before a shoot to discuss. When i used to be able to earn money at photography id have to shoot people id never met before on tight time frames amd make them relaxed and at ease enough to get a decent pic of them. Lets face it, photography is easy, its interacting with the subject that make a great photographer.

Probably the most successful photographer (commercially) on here can make almost anyone feel relaxed and bring out the best in them. Thats how he enjoyed a long and successful career shooting every TV times cover for decades.

People skills are more important than technical skills when it comes to shooting people.

My opinion anyway.

I'm a bit hesitant about the term "chemistry" as it suggests a little more than a rapport.

However I completely agree, it's much easier to work with someone you can talk to and possibly get to know a little. And little more discouraging than stony silence as the model goes through her pose repertoire.

I tend to find the more 'mature' models easier in this respect, and they are more likely to sit down and chat over a cuppa before or after the shoot, which is something I enjoy and appreciate. Photography is after all a sociable hobby for many of us here. It's also good business, as this is when ideas for the future tend to get bounced around.

I guess I should not be surprised that younger models may find it harder to identify with a bloke of my age, and possibly have less social confidence (though there are many exceptions). There are models who just want to turn up, shoot and go home, and will bill me for time when I offer them a cup of tea on arrival... That doesn't tend to build a strong likelihood that I'll reach out and book them again in future.

I shot with a young model this week who was nonetheless very easy to get along with, and during the shoot offered up suggestions about other models I could work with on my project and so forth - that kind of dialogue really encourages me to view the model as an asset or team member, and puts them on my go-to list for the future.

Of course the opposite happens, fortunately rarely. I did once book a model with whom it seemed I could do nothing right. Perhaps she was just having a bad day. She got her reference (she showed up, she did the job) but isn't likely to get booked again.

I think it's cool when it happens, it has its pros and sometimes even its cons, but I it's definitely not mandatory to create some awesome work.

For me the connection with a model is absolutely key. Sometimes that can be built in online chat prior to a shoot. Sometimes in 10 minutes at the start of the shoot. And sometimes over multiple shoots.

It's almost never built while socialising with a model.

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.

Shandaz

The worst shoot I think I ever had was with a model that cut off all communication until the day of the shoot.

When the day arrived she pretty much changed the idea of the shoot and most of the details. When I got there and she turned up late. She gave me a bit of detail about previous shoots etc. However, if she had just been open to any sort of prep, the shoot would have been stronger and less chaotic.

I don't need an in-depth consultation over coffee. I've met up with models before a shoot in my earlier days and the results looking back were mixed.

But I do want time to prepare a shoot and have the model on the right page as myself. I've found when ever someone has avoided this the shoot has never been as strong.

I think 'chemistry' or a connection is important and can show in the images ... however as a professional model I am naturally good at this and generally get along well with people straight away.

Personally I would find meeting up before a shoot a bit of a waste of time - I struggle to fit shoots in let alone a sperate day to meet and discuss. Most of my shoot communication and planning is done via messages and this works pretty well.

Each to their own of course.

I've got friends who I've met through the industry, and I've got photographers I work with regularly, but to be honest the shoot results and enjoyment of the shoot is pretty similar when I'm working with people for the first time.

It is nice to have a few people who are a bit of a 'go-to' to try new ideas with.

I think as long as the model is enthusiastic about the shoot it works out. Great chemistry can also backfire as you sort of go into the mentality that this shoot will be great as such and such models is so fun. Im personally better with a little stress and self-imposed pressure rather than knowing it will be a chill relax social day. 

Chemistry is the wrong word, but if there is mutual respect on the part of both parties as to what we both bring to a shoot, it makes for a better experience, hopefully, better photos and the chance to work with each other again will be improved considerably.

Simon Carter I agree with this! I don’t see any legitimate reason to need to hang out with a model prior to the shoot.

I shoot for 2-3 hours max, I share a mood board prior to the shoot that enables me to check we are on the same page, level and style wise and along with a list of items to bring we are normally good to go. As long as a model brings a smile and some enthusiasm it normally all goes to plan.

I did have one shoot where when I picked the model up from the station she was monosyllabic and I was thinking to myself as I was driving this is going to be an absolute nightmare, happily within about 5 minutes of getting to location she just came alive and was a real pleasure to work with and happilyy chatted away throughout the shoot and back to the station! It's a funny old world.

Allocating time at the start of the shoot to go through things, show models around, show them examples can bring benefits and how much this is depends on both your abilities to pick things up quickly. That is part of the shoot.

Socialising by it's very nature is nothing to do with the shoot and just not going to help someone who is trying to work out the practical complexities of how they will actually shoot together.

If someone is painfully shy, then maybe they need to address that in another way but I am not saddled with that problem.

Given the context that a lot of models have experienced people looking to socialise rather than book shoots or treat a shoot as a pseudo romantic encounter, I would have though one of the best ways of getting their suspicions up and making rapport even harder to achieve, would be to suggest a socialising meet up, even if the intentions were honourable.

But then if you have been shooting images professionally for decades, I am not sure why you have chosen to make this post, other than to encourage others that socialising is all part of the shoot. There are many of us that do not think that is so and have also been managed to develop an extensive model portfolio.

Personally, I'd rather find people who want to be my friend and separately find people to help me the most with my model assignments and if we shoot many times, it will be because we both work well together and achieve stuff not possible with most other models. As to what that actually means, who knows. While I am still here, models have a habit of moving on and eventually I will move on myself.

I'd be happy if a few in 20 years time look back on our shoots as rewarding, but I will probably never even get to hear that

Shandaz said

Simon Pole said

Maybe not strange, but uncommon, I think... 

I've only met one model before a shoot to discuss ideas, which was at her request. For all other purposes, it would be completely impractical for me as I mostly work with visiting modes, so a pre-shoot meeting probably would not be available and/or possible. I do, though, tend to plan in a little time to talk beforehand, and while this may seem a little cold, for most working models, this is just a business transaction, hopefully an enjoyable one.

I sometimes pick models up from a public transport hub, so that also allows some pre-shoot discussion, I'm not sure it's true that you always get the best results with models that you know well or have worked with before or multiple times, but it can be a factor.

Interesting... Really interesting. 

I was just thinking about what you said. You pick a model from a public transport hub... So she (or he) traveled to meet with you for the shoot... Without ever meeting you before. They must be really brave. Look I cannot put myself in a closed space with someone I don't know... Or in an open space where coordination and trust would be key - if unwanted spectators arrive.

But as it's clear from the very nice discussion we have had here, there is just different styles of working.

I could not prepare for a shoot, spend on location and assistants and security if I was not totally in tune with the model.

Yes, sometimes, but I'm sure this isn't uncommon for those models, as they have worked all over the UK and sometimes internationally, most of the visiting models I have worked with have not met me before (the first shoot) some predating Purple Port and therefore the reference system, but I'm sure they have sought private references or have had recommendations.
I don't know if it is bravery, just a way in which they are accustomed to working as a traveling model.

There are those, of course, that may not be comfortable with that kind of arrangement, every time you work with someone it is their prerogative to accept or decline the circumstances of that arrangement.

Everyone has their own process and acceptability criteria. 

I'd never suggest a pre-shoot meetup to an established model because they wouldn't need it. If I needed a pre-shoot meeting to discuss some unusually-complex-for-me shoot, I'd just book a pre-shoot shoot and use it to test. They can get the coffees in.

But I usually offer as an option it to non-models I don't know well, e.g. mutual acquaintances or friend recommendations, after I've sorted out and sent moodboards or whatever, and discussed over email and pencilled in a day/time etc.

I often say we can if they want meet to grab a cuppa at the start of the shoot to say hellos and talk over the plan (coffee shop is down the road from my house), or if they want to do that a day or two beforehand and they are local, that's also fine.

I'd never insist on it, but it seems like common sense to offer to someone who is not experienced as a model the opportunity to meet me face-to-face for fifteen minutes over a coffee, swing by with a friend, whatever, in a public place, before they come to my house or go to a location to shoot, or before I go to their house. 

Depends on the person: some people you can tell will just breeze through it, some are apprehensive and need to ask questions.

Edited by Unfocussed Mike