Michael C Gross is an award winning art director: National Lampoon, Esquire, Heavy Metal, as well a freelance designer for The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, The Muppets, and the Mexican Olympics (1968). He has his art and design displayed in 5 museums around the world.
He was a film producer for 15 years producing such movies as: Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters (1and 2) Twins, Dave and six others as well as three TV shows. He has 4 Emmy nominations. His photography is published world wide and his personal site has examples of his art, design and photography.
Here are his tips for photographing women:
1: Concentrate. Good photos don’t happen by casually snapping away...pay attention to every detail as you shoot.
2: Shoot a lot. Remember, the photos are free, now that digital has replaced film. You may find it weird to throw out 9 out of 10 photos, but even the best pros only use one out of ten shots. In the end, no one needs to know what it took to get to those 15 great photos.
3: Be prepared to lead or be lead by your model. A shoot can go either way and you have decide early on. A tough call… you have to see if she can take direction from you or just go wild, while you try to keep up and capture the action. Just like sex.
4: NEVER show her the photos as you shoot… NEVER. Show her the first test shot maybe... (she may insist)... but after that it’s like letting her look in the mirror… and she’ll get very uptight. YOU have to be in control of the photoshoot.
5: Don’t confuse the photo-shoot with sex. Be professional, leave your clothes on, don’t touch without asking. If it’s your girlfriend or wife, save the sex for after… you’ll be plenty hot.
6: Be flexible under changing circumstances. You may start with one idea, but as you start shooting, things can take on a life of their own… go with the flow.
7: Shoot fast… don’t stop for long. If’s she’s getting into it, you don’t want to break the mood.
8: Review the photos calmly in the light of day… (the next day). You’ll be more objective after a few hours. After you’ve edited and found the best ones, make a few nice prints for your model.
9: Cover your ass. Be sure you have a signed photo release. Don’t have one?… Google “photo releases” and print one. Be sure you record the age of your model, and have a copy of two forms of I.D. showing her age. Take a photo of her holding the I.D. next to her face, br sure you can read the birthdate and name. Be sure she signs the release before she leaves the studio (house, location, whatever). If you have to get one later in the mail, it may never happen, and you will NOT have the rights to use those photos, regardless of any verbal agreement. Yes, this includes your wife or best friend!
10: Study other photographers. Start with mine. Look at the galleries found on MikeyandMandy and you can see a pattern, the above notes will become obvious. Don't like my photos?... look hard at someone else's work, (Bob Coulter, for instance) and see if you can spot a consistant, useable approach to apply to you work.
BONUS Tip: Keep it fun!
Well, he is very right. Especially regarding the points 5 "Don’t confuse the photo-shoot with sex" and 9 - "Cover your ass".
He was a film producer for 15 years producing such movies as: Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters (1and 2) Twins, Dave and six others as well as three TV shows. He has 4 Emmy nominations. His photography is published world wide and his personal site has examples of his art, design and photography.
Here are his tips for photographing women:
1: Concentrate. Good photos don’t happen by casually snapping away...pay attention to every detail as you shoot.
2: Shoot a lot. Remember, the photos are free, now that digital has replaced film. You may find it weird to throw out 9 out of 10 photos, but even the best pros only use one out of ten shots. In the end, no one needs to know what it took to get to those 15 great photos.
3: Be prepared to lead or be lead by your model. A shoot can go either way and you have decide early on. A tough call… you have to see if she can take direction from you or just go wild, while you try to keep up and capture the action. Just like sex.
4: NEVER show her the photos as you shoot… NEVER. Show her the first test shot maybe... (she may insist)... but after that it’s like letting her look in the mirror… and she’ll get very uptight. YOU have to be in control of the photoshoot.
5: Don’t confuse the photo-shoot with sex. Be professional, leave your clothes on, don’t touch without asking. If it’s your girlfriend or wife, save the sex for after… you’ll be plenty hot.
6: Be flexible under changing circumstances. You may start with one idea, but as you start shooting, things can take on a life of their own… go with the flow.
7: Shoot fast… don’t stop for long. If’s she’s getting into it, you don’t want to break the mood.
8: Review the photos calmly in the light of day… (the next day). You’ll be more objective after a few hours. After you’ve edited and found the best ones, make a few nice prints for your model.
9: Cover your ass. Be sure you have a signed photo release. Don’t have one?… Google “photo releases” and print one. Be sure you record the age of your model, and have a copy of two forms of I.D. showing her age. Take a photo of her holding the I.D. next to her face, br sure you can read the birthdate and name. Be sure she signs the release before she leaves the studio (house, location, whatever). If you have to get one later in the mail, it may never happen, and you will NOT have the rights to use those photos, regardless of any verbal agreement. Yes, this includes your wife or best friend!
10: Study other photographers. Start with mine. Look at the galleries found on MikeyandMandy and you can see a pattern, the above notes will become obvious. Don't like my photos?... look hard at someone else's work, (Bob Coulter, for instance) and see if you can spot a consistant, useable approach to apply to you work.
BONUS Tip: Keep it fun!
Well, he is very right. Especially regarding the points 5 "Don’t confuse the photo-shoot with sex" and 9 - "Cover your ass".
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