Model Portfolio with Fernandez Darlene

Recently I was hired by Fernandez Darlene to help create her portfolio as a model. This couldn't be a better chance for me. Why? Because it was my project from start to finish. That mean I had to figure out what pictures will suit her best. So I was super happy to switch on my creativity. I had to visit my favourite place to search for inspiration and thats Pinterest. It's a perfect place for photographers, models and not only. But lets get to the point. After chating for a bit, we had to meet in person to discuss the details of our project. Hold on.. but at the beginning I've just said my project!? We need to understand the most important thing. Photo of a model it's not just my picture. It's a "fruit" of our work. Yes, its a result of a team work. Mostly models and photographer, but also other people involved in to the project like light technician or many others. Meeting up with your client it's not just talking about prices, how many looks will you do or in what style this photoshoot gonna be. You've got a chance to know him or her better. In my opinion this is very important. This will give you a lot of information about the person you're gonna work with. Talking about music taste, favourite food or drink can give you a lot of ideas how you can make your work more fun and easy. This is most important thing when I'm working with models. Make them as comfrotable as possible. Trust me they will remember that. You will get amazing results while working with them and I can guarantee they will mention that when leaving references on your web page. I don't want to go in to psychology but with this you can use some tricks to get the results you want, because usually it's just one moment of face expression, body movement or moment of music track that can put a sparkle in the eye. In moments like this magic happens and with one press of a finger you will create amazing photos.

Gear I'm using is Canon Eos 90D paired with 50mm Sigma Art lens.

First photo on my list was this headshot. It's in black and white because I absolutely love b&w photography. I've decided to put big sunglasses on my models face because I wanted to emphasize her beautiful big lips. At the frist time I was thinking of putting in front of her tube gel light in red or blue colour, but owner of the studio showed me that his got low power bulbs on cord. I've said yes straight away. With big sunglasses you can see a relfection of inside of the bulb, which gave extra feature to the picture. This kind of bulbs are giving nice low light and puts gentle shadow on the other side of the face. My models was sitting comfortably on a chair next to the wall. I wanted to put black background behind and going through the process we've realised that theres window reflection in the glasses that was creating a distraction in final image. That was a simple fix. Another black background in front of the model. After fisnishing the photoshoot I've edited the photo in Adobe Lightroom. I gave it a gentle retouch and job is done.

Camera settings I've used was F 1.8 1/200s ISO 200

Here we've done exactly same thing but we've just used an LED tube light turned in to red colour. That's why theres a line in the reflection of glasses. Settings used were F 1.8 1/125s ISO 200

A full length body picture is a must have for a beginners portfolio. Especially in swimsuit like here. It's because model is showing how is she/ he looking like. Here we've used two side lights to emphasise the beauty of models body. Main one was flashing from top left, filling light from right to light up the face. Also there's one filling light that was flashing from the back right side to separate the model from background. Couple of tips from studio owner Adam McLoughlin about posing helped Darlene to presence in perfect way. Little bit of retouching to make it look nice and clear but not too much, to show how the model looks in real life. This time we've used different camera settings. F 8 for full body sharpness and whole model is in focus with 1/125 s ISO 200

After chasing the craziness with flash light it was time to move to the window. I really love to work with natural light. In this situation I wanted to go back to my favourite kind of photography which is Black and White. Is said to my model to sit comfortably and look in to the lens. After few shots I consulted the results from the screen of camera to Adam to show the results. It was almost perfect, but he immediately grabbed a big white reflector to put it next to the model, on the right side. Reason for this was to make the shadows bit light. Camera settings was F 4 1/125s and ISO 200

Following the black and white mood, this was my next idea. Boudoir style picture in sexy underwear, but because my model was a bit shy we've decided not to show too much. That's why shes sitting on chair possitioned backwards. Here we've used just one strip light from top with honeycomb. Because I knew what I wanted as a result we've moved the light couple of times and this was the final shot. Camera settings was F 8 1/125s and ISO 200

After showing the final result to my model she said wow.. That encouraged me for one more pose. Lying on a chair with leg up.. and this is where it got funny. We had to show it to the model how to do it. After couple of laughs we've agreed to final pose with amazing result.

After changing outfits in to dress we've gone to relaxed posing on bar stool. Again Adam helped how to position the legs on the bar stool. Sexy look in relaxed way. Here we've used two lights. Main light on left side and filling one on the right. We've all decided to add pearls to make it an elegant look. Camera settings was F 8 1/125s and ISO 200

Change of the position for a little bit more playfull, but not only. Here you can see how long and beautiful hair Darlene has.

The final look supposed to be casual.. and it was, but with a little bit of sensuality. Me and my model agreed for this look. Remember to always ask your model is she or he ok with your idea. Here we've just used one light, but it was a beauty dish positioned on left side. It was my idea to this light set up. I wanted to do something else than just show the model. I wanted to add a little bit of mystery. Beautiful woman sat on chair, but the light created lovely shadow and sepperated Darlene from the background aswell. Almost a Rembrandt lightning.

Camera settings was F 7.1 1/125s with ISO 200

Whole time spent in studio was nearly 3,5 hours, but just because it was run in relaxed and fun way without any rush. Before the day of shooting I've shared my ideas to the studio and model so the whole team knew what we are going for. It was challenging but fun at the same time. Big thanks to Studio 2.6 in Derby and Adam McLoughlin with setting everything up. The props, lightning and teaching Darlene how to pose. It's very important to have a laugh during photoshoot because it relaxes everyone on the set.

Please give a follow to Fernandez Darlene. Shes done amazing work aswell. You can check her work here:

fernandezdarlene.co.uk

Adam's page:

adamjohnphotography.co.uk

I'm hoping I've explained most of the important things and I hope you've enjoyed reading this post to the very end. If you like post like this one please leave your mark by sharing, commenting or pressing the like button. This will give me a positive kick to share more of my work here. Thank you!