Actually, I was writing this stuff as a threat-comment for @roggen, it took me some time, and because some douche is trolling the groups, I don't want the risk to loose all of it so I'll make a blog out of it. The douche won't be able to comment over here...
This is not from the models' point of view, but from the photographers'. And I don't know if this also works for SG-sets, but it could be possible.
For me, there're two different kinds of photoshoots. (1) One kind, is where I just feel like doing something with a model, have fun, and the goal is to get some great pictures. (2) The other kind, is where I already have a goal and an idea what I want to accomplish. Most of the times, this kind of photoshoots (for me) also involves styling/make-up and so on.
How do you plan your set out? Pen & Paper? Mental Notes?
(1) I go with @TEMPER. I won't plan too much in advance. I don't expect concrete plans from you. But I do talk with you a few times prior to the shoot, to make sure you know what kind of photographer I am in general, what I like and what I don't like, and visa versa. And to make sure you take a variety of clothes with you (or not), so we don't have to do a shoot in blue jeans and a white shirt.
I always like it when you did prepare a mood board. On paper, by emailing me some pictures you like, and so on. To be inspired, not to copy. But for sure you don't have to. It's always a collaboration between you and your photographer.
(2) I'll take the initiative to explain you in details what I want, what I expect, and why I believe you're the best one to work it out with. So in detail, I'll describe what I'm looking for in the shoot, prepare some moodboards, and also prepare some mood board with stuff I absolutely don't want. Ideally I'll do that around 2 weeks in advance, and I'll give you the time and opportunity to listen to your opinion, and what you think could help to improve 'the idea'.
If I expect you to bring your make-up with you, I will ask you to do so :) But if your photographer doesn't say anything about it, please ask him what to bring, or if there'll be a mua to help you out.
How far in advance do you start getting ready that day for the shoot? 2 hours? 1 hour?
In my opinion, getting ready starts the evening before the shoot. Because ideally, you'll have enough sleep, you don't sleep with make-up on, you don't wear a tight bra anymore, stuff like that. It's the ideal moment to hydrate your skin and lips.
It's always useful (except when there'll be a stylist - with clothes - on the set) to take more clothes then you expect to need. Simply because some things don't always work out the way you expect.
What do you always pack to take with you?
- When you're allergic to certain brands of make-up-remover, make-up or skincare-product, please take some you know you can deal with. You could take your favourite lotion too.
- Undies/thongs. It's always useful to have something extra in case you need it.
- Stuff for your lenses or your glasses. It's ok to go just with contacts. Especially because your glasses are quite strong, which can make your face different through your glasses.
- It could be useful to have some painkillers with you. You never know.
What preparation do you do before you leave home?
It should be ok if you just relax, and make sure there's nothing for you to worry about.
In general: I like shooting with (loud) music going on everywhere. And I'm totally fine if it's not *my* music, but when you have your own playlist with you. Especially when you're the kind of girl for who music is something extra or special, I'm glad to know.
Oh, and you could eat something. It's always a pain in the ass to be hungry while shooting :)
Also, any advice on faces would be fantastic. I've been looking through some things recently and my faces don't seem up to par. I know mirror practice and "smize" help a lot, but I wanted some input.
This is something you can learn. IMO it's important that you don't just mimic other people modelling. It's better to find out what works best for you by practicing and by being critical about how it looks. You could ask someone with a camera to hang around with you for an evening. Just do normal things (so you have to be @ROGGEN, you don't have to 'model') and he/she will take an awful lot of pictures. By going through the film, you should see what works, what makes you look pretty, but also what makes it look 'over done' or 'fake'. For instance, when I go through your pictures, your pictures look much stronger when you are doing something, than when you are 'just' posing. When you see something on those pictures you don't like? Ok, try not to do it again, or try to improve it. When you see something which looks gorgeous on you, feel happy about it, and also try to improve it and make it look better even more.
During a shoot, you can bring the same variety. You can pose, but in between poses, don't be afraid to just be yourself.
And always keep in mind, making great pictures is something you're not doing on your own, but together with your photographer. A bad pictures is probably not only your mistake. And even on moment when you look fabulous, he or she or I can fuck it up too :)
