I haven’t modelled before, what’s the best way for me to prepare for a shoot?

If you have a chance to prepare for the session, a simple trick is to spend some time in front of a mirror and go through the outfits you'd like to wear at the session. Try and work out for yourself, or copy poses from magazines, what the best poses for you are, in the outfits you are thinking of wearing. Some will have pockets, some won't, so even if you just get as far as working out where to put your hands, it's a good start and it will help us save a little time on the day. On the day of the shoot, try and bring a selection of outfits, from casual to more glamorous / formal. Don’t bother bringing accessories or jewellery - photographs taken for a model portfolio are meant to sell YOU, not what’s hanging from your ears or around your neck - in fact, many modelling agencies won’t accept photos with jewellery.

Do I really need to have professional shots done to approach a modeling agency?

If you've done any research on the web, you'll find that model agencies will claim that you don't need professional quality pictures to be considered for work. That may be perfectly true of some companies, but you can guarantee that, assuming you get taken on by the agency, at some stage ALL modeling agencies will ask you to get professional shots done. They're just not going to send you to castings with a couple of polaroids or snaps from your phone!

If you're not able to provide the agency with professional quality pictures through test shoots (see below), you'll be expected to pay for them, or perhaps do test shoots with the photographer of the agency's choice - and either way you'll be expected to pay for some or all of the costs of having this done.

It's also common sense - the better the shots you have when you make an approach, the better and more experienced you'll look to the agency, and the more chance you have of getting work.

The more expensive portfolio sessions I offer are designed to help you build a portfolio, and allow you to put pictures in front of someone that will make you look like you've at least done some work before. Whichever way you look at it, presenting a poor quality snapshot to an agency won't ever be able to do that.

Most of all, remember that if you have NO pictures whatsoever in your portfolio, a single free session or even one of my portfolio packages WILL NOT GIVE YOU A FULL PORTFOLIO.

Building a full, professional quality portfolio or book takes time - and you should always include recent shots from more than one session, from different assignments, and from published work, when you start to get it.

What is 'testing'?

Many photographers shoot 'test' shoots with both new and established models. It's a way for photographers to practice their craft and try out new techniques; developing new styles and their own portfolios. Finding professional photographers who are 'testing' is a good start to putting a portfolio together - but remember that you'll probably need to pay the photographer for some, if not all, of the expenses (make-up artist, hair stylist, prints etc). My portfolio packages are like hiring your own photographer for you own test shoot - and the cost of the packages is a fraction of my normal daily rate.

What kind of session should I book with you?

It's entirely up to you. If you have already done some modeling work and need to 'top up' your portfolio with new work, you could choose almost any of my portfolio packages. Just contact me with the details of what you're trying to achieve, and we can plan your shoot.

If you're a new model, my advice would be to arrange one of the shorter sessions, and consider booking a second session of the same length soon afterwards. Doing this will let you get shots from different locations, in a choice of outfits, in different lighting - your portfolio will start to look like it belongs to an experienced model who has done a number of professional assignments.

If you decide on one of the more expensive packages, it is often possible to split the time over two days, to include different locations, lighting, hair and make-up, or simply to have one session outdoors and one in the studio. Remember though that if you decide to split a session, you may have to pay extra to hire a make-up artist for the second session.

Of course, it can also be a good idea to arrange more than one CHEAPER session - as above, you'll be able to get varied results which look like they've come from different professional shoots, so the end result is that you look like a more experienced model.

Where do your sessions take place?

For the majority of the portfolio packages I do, the photography normally takes place in around London, or the M25, in my portrait studio in Forest Hill, or at larger commercial studios in London. The studio I use for model portfolios is in SE23 is in the converted loft of my home, and I also use it for low budget work for my commercial clients. If you are uncomfortable about the idea of attending a session in my home, you are welcome to bring ONE friend or family member with you to the session. I’m afraid I don’t have the time to meet with anyone for pre-shoot meetings at a venue other than at my studio, so if you are uncomfortable about visiting me in person, again, you should arrange for a friend or family member to come with you to the meeting. I am available to work nationwide and worldwide (though of course there will be extra charges to cover travel expenses) at any location you like (you can get to Venice for 29p on Ryan Air, why not consider a shoot somewhere stylish?).

I really want my portfolio shots to look great. What do you advise?

The most important thing to do is to discuss with me in advance of your shoot, and tell me what you want to receive from the session. It doesn't matter too much if you have little experience modeling - what's important is your commitment to getting a particular result, and your desire to work in a particular area of modeling.

For Packages 6 and 7, I advise arranging a meeting with me in person, before the shoot. In the pre-shoot meeting we'll discuss how we can create the best images to show you off in the style of modeling you want to work in. We'll discuss whether you want a studio session, or a location shoot, and we'll go into the planning of the shoot in great detail. It helps if you have a selection of photos taken from high quality magazines, in the area of modeling you want to work in (e.g. Editorial Fashion, Advertising, Beauty etc), so that we can discuss a style of photography, wardrobe and location that best suits what you want to achieve, and is within your budget. Location shoots can be very atmospheric and can help your portfolio look like you've been on a professional assignment, but you may also want to include a traditional studio session in your portfolio.

Why should I bother to arrange a FREE session shoot?

Unless you're on the books of a model agency, it's unlikely that you'll get the chance to do 'test' shoots with established professional photographers, and put some professional looking results in your portfolio. You could try 'Time-for-prints' shoots, which is what many new and inexperienced photographers and models do - the theory is that both model and photographer provide their time for free, in return for shots that each can use for their own portfolios.

But TFP shoots are a far from ideal way of working, because both the model and photographer usually have little professional experience, and the final results of the shoot tend to reflect this.

With my FREE session shoot, you can start begin to see what it's like to pose in a professional environment, with the help of an experienced, professional fashion photographer. Please note that Free Sessions are limited to ONE free session per person - you cannot arrange multiple free sessions.

Why is it called a free session when I have to pay for prints?

It's a free session because I don't charge for my time (which is normally hundreds of pounds for a half day). You will be asked for a deposit of £25 when you book your FREE session - this will be returned to you on the date of the shoot if you decide not to order any prints from the session, or set against the cost of prints that you buy.

So why should I even consider PAYING for any portfolio shoot?

Simple answer - you get what you pay for. If you plan to put a professional portfolio together, or to approach model agencies with photographs, my advice would be to arrange a paid portfolio package with me, rather than a FREE session. Many of my portfolio packages include the cost of having professional make-up artists and hair-stylists attend your shoot, to ensure you get the same treatment as professional models, and you'll look as good as you possibly can for the shoot. All the portfolio packages I offer include a number of professionally retouched prints - and they start at just £39!

I've read a lot about modeling scams - why do I have to pay you in advance?

I'm a working professional in fashion photography, and I offer portfolio services to models in free time between larger assignments. I ask for payment in advance for shoots to make sure that people actually turn up for sessions that they've booked, and don't leave me having to pay make-up artists or studio hire. I always insist on payment in advance, ideally by cheque or bank transfer, and for funds to have cleared before confirming the date of the shoot. No bookings for shoots can be taken until you have paid for the session in full.

If you're worried about paying a large sum of money in advance, remember that I will always confirm receipt of your payment, supply you with a company receipt for money I have received, and can even supply you with contact details of models I've photographed in the past. Remember, it's just as worrying for me receiving payment from someone like you, who I don't know anything about and for whom I have no official financial references or credit history!

Can I cancel a shoot?

As long as you give adequate notice in writing - at least seven working days before the planned date of a shoot - you can cancel a shoot that you have paid for and receive a refund of the money you have paid, minus any expenses incurred on your behalf, or any surcharges imposed upon me by my suppliers for cancellation of bookings. If you cancel with less than seven days' notice, the amount of your refund will be at my discretion and dependent on costs incurred on your behalf, up to the time of your cancellation. No refunds are possible on cancelations of less than 24 hours' notice, or if you have postponed the date of a shoot indefinitely and have not set a date for the session within 3 months of making your original payment and booking.

Do you provide clothes for models to wear?

No. You should bring a selection of your own clothes to wear, depending on the type of pictures and work you want to get. A full range is best, from swimsuit to evening dress / casual outfits. If you want to have a real professional look, I can arrange for a professional clothes stylist to attend your shoot, at extra cost - this will be a working, experienced professional - not someone's wife or girlfriend - but it will not be cheap at all to do so!

Can I have a clothes stylist attend my shoot?

It's normally quite difficult to get professional clothes stylists to work on model portfolio shoots, because they're very expensive to hire - the cost of their time is more expensive than hiring a make-up artist, for example, but what makes using a clothes stylist very expensive is the following:

1) finding clothes for you involved meeting you, discussing what you need, then going away and finding clothes for you to wear, then turning up on the day of the shot - which works out at something like 2 or 3 days' work - so straight away your cost becomes at least 4 times more expensive. On professional editorial shoots, big brands will loan clothes for the shoot free of charge, because they know they're going to get some free advertising. They won't consider any shoot that isn't guaranteed any PR for them, like a portfolio shoot.

2) If you can't borrow the clothes, all a stylist can do is buy them on your behalf, and hope that they will be accepted as 'returns' after the shoot - obviously, this is very expensive to do, and you run the risk of having to keep and pay for the items.

The way I normally get around the problem of wardrobe is to have models discuss the wardrobe they have on the day of the shoot with the make-up artist and hair stylist - obviously they're not specialized clothes stylists, but they can often advise on the best combinations of clothes to suit hair and make-up, in the time we have for the shoot. Remember that the only economical solution is to wear your own clothes, or clothes that you can borrow for the session, from wherever you can.

What about make-up?

Give some serious thought to whether your make-up skills can match professional results, like the kind you see on posters and TV. You may have been putting on your own make-up since you were a teenager, but most people actually have very poor make-up skills (eye-liner is a particular problem area), and you can guarantee that ALL of your mistakes will show in the final photograph.

While you are being made-up for your photo session, both the make-up artist and I will ask you for your views on your make-up and hair, many times, through the course of the shoot - it is ESSENTIAL for you to give us your opinion of the style there and then - it's no good leaving it until you see the final results to say that you wouldn't  have done your hair that way! The whole point of the portfolio shoots is to provide you with pictures that you are proud to put in your portfolio, so there's no point in being shy and not saying what you think!!

Even if you've booked a make-up artist for your shoot, always bring your favourite foundation, lipstick or other colours and products - this is to make sure we use only the brands you prefer, in case you have allergies to certain products or ingredients, and to make sure that we have your favourite colours to include alongside the make-up artist's choice. The make-up artists I employ on shoots are working professional freelance artists - not someone's wife or girlfriend doing make-up to help out!!

Should I do my own hair?

No, unless you're supremely confident about doing a professional job. Even then, it can be counter-productive to try and get by on your own - hair needs to be attended to continuously during the course of a shoot, and it's impossible for a model to pose well if she's worried about her hair - you need another pair of eyes and hands to do that!

How many photographs do you take?

More than one or two, less than a few thousand! It's impossible to give an accurate number, simply because every shoot, and every model, is different. Unless you specifically ask for your shoot to be photographed on film, your session will be digital. It's more than likely that you'll end up with several hundred digital images to choose from, so after the first few minutes of a session I tend to review the results with the model and we decide there and then if we are going to shoot and shoot or limit the shots to key poses.

Avoid any photographers who promise you a CD full of images - quantity does not equal quality !!!!! You should be looking for a small number of professionally retouched images from a photo session, not hundreds of files that you play around with yourself. Also avoid any photographer who guarantees you several hundred images in any given time - this is no guarantee of quality, or choice! I can take 500 shots by simply pressing the shutter button on my camera and leaving it there, in about 90 seconds...but you won't get much variety of poses.

How do I go about choosing the pictures I want for my portfolio?

During the session you will have the opportunity to view digital shots in the camera and, if the shoot is in a studio, on a laptop. You don't have to make a selection at this stage - when the shoot is finished, I post contact sheets of your images to a page on my website that only you have access to. You choose the shots you want for your portfolio, then email me the details. If you have ordered prints as part of your package, when your pictures have been retouched and the files sent to the lab for printing, I will send you your low-resolution JPEG files only via email. The prints are sent back to me for checking, and then I send them on to your address. If you have  ordered high resolution retouched digital images alone, when the retouching is complete I will send you a link from where you can download your retouched files.

Retouching

You are welcome to select the shots you want retouched and printed on the day of your session, and brief me on the retouching you want done, but you need to allow more time, after your session, for this. Retouching is something that happens to ALL photographs, and to ALL models. EVERYONE has spots, wrinkles, lines and other imperfections that commercial clients just don't want to see, so these are removed or retouched before the picture is seen in its finished state. The level of retouching I do on pictures from portfolio sessions is the similar to how a design or advertising agency would retouch the images. Remember that at the end of the day, unless you're putting professional quality results in front of an agency, you're not going to look like a professional model. If you're not used to seeing images of you retouched to this level, you may be surprised by the results.

At your portfolio session I will demonstrate the level of retouching that I feel is appropriate to your photographs, but retouching is done at my discretion and you will NOT have the opportunity to review the retouched images before the final prints are produced. If you DO want to review the retouching before the final prints are produced, you should inform me on the day of your shoot - please note that there will be an additional cost for this (normally 20% of the cost of producing the prints).

If you choose to review your retouching and brief me on changes that you would like to see in your images, you must do so within the time I specify, and you MUST SUPPLY ACCURATE AND PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS. Comments like "Don't like this one" or "preferred the original" or “I look fat/thin/unhappy”  are just a waste of everyone's time and are unprofessional. Be precise about any amends you want to see in your picture, and, ideally, arrange a time to discuss the retouching you would like on the phone with me, or arrange an appointment to do so in person. Remember that this is one of the few times in your career that you'll be able to control retouching of your images, so don't waste or abuse that chance to create the perfect image for your portfolio at a fraction of the cost of having professional retouching done.

How soon can I have my photographs?

The digital contact sheets from your shoot are normally put on my website within 48 hours of your shoot. After that, it depends on how long you take to make your selection, the number of shots you choose, and my own schedule. Once I have retouched the photos you have chosen, they are sent to a professional laboratory for printing onto photographic paper, and you are sent low resolution JPG files by email - these are suitable for internet and email use. How long the retouching takes depends on the number of photo you have chosen; most orders are retouched within 7-14 days of receiving your short list, but I will advise you on a likely timetable for your work on the day of your session. After that, the finished prints normally arrive at your address 14 working days after being sent to the lab.

Why is my print slightly different from what I see on the screen?

Unless you have a fully and professionally calibrated monitor, it's likely that the colours you see in the prints you receive won't match what you see on your computer screen exactly. The colours you see on my system are a very close match of the final print output, but slight variations in colour or contrast are always possible. Please note that some print sizes do not match the proportions of the full image area - so small parts of the image are sometimes cropped out at the printing stage, to cater for the different size ratio. NB If the thumbnail or low resolution proof that you viewed on my system did not show particular details (eg. the top of your head, or your feet) THEN THESE DETAILS WILL NOT BE IN THE FINAL PRINT - if it wasn't in the original picture, it won't be in the final print! If I have chosen to exclude areas of your figure, face or head in some pictures, it's because I have chosen to do so for reasons of composition. I will NOT take seriously, or pay any attention to, or have any further correspondence with anyone who regards 'cutting off the top of my head' or 'edge of my arm' to 'not professional' or 'a mistake' - what you see or do not see in the final edited picture is there because I've decided that it should be that way!

Can I have all the shots from the shoot on disc?

Yes. See the price list for details of the cost of buying shots on disc, BUT, please be aware that:

1) Having lots of shots from a single shoot in your portfolio just gives the impression you have very little experience, and looks amateurish. Buying a CD full of all the files from the shoot might sound tempting, but it won't do you any favours to include a large number of shots in your portfolio which are obviously from the same shoot. To get the same quality results as you get when I supply images to you, you will need to have (a) the latest version of Photoshop with the correct Canon RAW Plug-in file for my camera (b) a fast computer with a LOT of memory (c) a DVD drive and (d) you’d need to know how to convert a 16-bit RAW file into a format that will print well on your own printer, or be the right size and resolution for web use, AND make changes to colour balance, photographic exposure of the original image, and sharpen the image perfectly. These are all skills that no one expects anyone other than the photographer to have, so you shouldn't feel the need to experiment, and expect to produce a professional quality result. Resist the temptation to ‘play around’ with images your self.

2) As I’m sure you’re aware, UK copyright law states that copyright on photographs belongs to the creator of an image, in this case, the PHOTOGRAPHER. The shots you will receive from me will have been digitally retouched and crafted by me in person, and they’ll have my copyright line and contact details on the photograph. It’s my legal right to be credited as the creator of an image, but you should not credit me on any shots that you have edited or manipulated yourself.

Why do I have to sign a model release?

Every job you do professionally will be covered by the terms of a model release. My model release is a document which gives me your acknowledgement of the intended use of the  photographs from your session for my own self-promotion (for example, on my websites), and in other, commercial projects, such as books and 3rd party websites. Any model under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the photo session and the parent or guardian must sign a model release on behalf of the model.

If a 3rd party expresses interest in using shots from your session in, for example, a book, then the model release states that I cannot give the 3rd party permission to use your pictures unless you have given your permission in writing first. There may also be the possibility of a fee for the use of your photographs, but the exact amount will depend on the nature of the project and the budget the company in question has.

You should not confuse a MODEL RELEASE with anything to do with COPYRIGHT. There are a couple of sources on the internet promoting the idea that when you work as an amateur model and (especially with TFP projects), you somehow 'own' the picture equally with the photographer. This simply isn't possible under the copyright law in the UK, and other, countries. Through the simple act of pressing a shutter release, the photographer becomes the 'creator' of an image and the copyright owner and holder. He has the right to be associated with that image, when it is used in various media. A MODEL RELEASE is a document that relates to a model's right to privacy, and details the intended use of images in a photoshoot. A model does not, and cannot, under Copyright law, own image rights to a photograph, without a specific contract being drawn up. You are not permitted to make any changes (for example, by digitally retouching) photographs that are supplied to you by a photographer - this is altering the photographer's original image and breaking the copyright on the image, and it is illegal.

Once you have signed a model release, you can't change your mind and decide you don't want the pictures used in my online portfolio, at any time in the future. If you have any worries about your image bring on this site for my own publicity, you should think seriously about whether you want to arrange a shoot in the first place. Again, you should not confuse a model release with anything to do with COPYRIGHT - copyright in an image always belongs to the photographer. This is in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, which you can enjoy reading here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_19880048_en_1.htm

I'm a young model - can you photograph my portfolio?

Yes, but if you're under 18 years of age a parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the shoot, and sign a model release on your behalf. NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR MEETINGS CAN TAKE PLACE unless you are in the company of your parent or legal guardian.

Do you find models work?

No, I do not work as a model agency, but I can advise you on the best way to present yourself to agencies, and hopefully the work I do for you will get you more work! Models who have booked simple portfolio sessions with me and have gone on to  be accepted by model agencies and work as models.

MARK ANDREANI / FASHION FOLIOS TERMS OF BUSINESS

1) All models are required to sign a Model Release form, and to confirm that they are at least 18 years of age.

2) Under Age models -  Models under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. No photography or meetings can take place if a parent or guardian is not present. The parent or guardian will be required to sign a model release on the model's behalf.

3) Payment - All portfolio packages are to paid for in advance, by cheque made out to my business, or by bank transfer, to my business bank account. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your payment and a firm booking for your session when I have received your payment.

4) Deposit for FREE shoots - A deposit of £25 is payable on all free shoots - this is to ensure that models turn up for the free sessions they book - if you do not attend the free session you book without canceling the session with written notice more than 24 hours before the date of your meeting, the deposit will NOT be returned to you. YOU MUST CONTACT ME TO CANCEL A FREE SESSION AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE DATE AND TIME OF THE SHOOT.

5) Cancellation - In accordance with UK consumers’ statutory rights, you may request a full refund of any fees paid WITHIN THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS following the date of your payment. To cancel a session, as long as you give adequate notice in writing - NO LESS THAN seven working days before the planned date of a PORTFOLIO PACKAGE - you can cancel a shoot that you have paid for and receive a refund of the money you have paid, minus any expenses incurred on your behalf, or any surcharges imposed upon me by my suppliers for cancellation of bookings. If you cancel with less than seven days' notice, the amount of your refund will be at my discretion and dependent on costs incurred on your behalf, up to the time of your cancellation. No refunds are possible on cancelations of less than 24 hours' notice. If you choose to POSTPONE a shoot at less than 48 hours' notice, some additional fees may be payable - for example, payment for a make-up artist who has been booked for your shoot. If you should book and pay for a session and then for any reason indefinitely postpone the session, no refund of your payment is possible if you do not set a date for the session and complete the photography within 3 months of making your original payment. You must give notice within 3 months of making your original payment if you intend to cancel the booking.

6) Use of photographs - When you arrange either a free shoot with me or one of my portfolio packages, you acknowledge that I am entitled to use any photographs from your session for the purposes of promoting my own work, for example, in the SAMPLES gallery of this site, or on 3rd party directories / sites / publications, for the purpose of promoting my business. Photographs will not be sold to 3rd parties without a fee being agreed with the model. If you supply copies of the photographs from your shoot to model agencies, it is your responsibility to make the agency aware that I reserve my right to be credited for the photography.

7) Retouching - Retouching is done at my discretion and you will NOT normally have the opportunity to review the retouched images before the final prints are produced. If you DO want to review the retouching before the final prints are produced, you should inform me on the day of your shoot - please note that there will be an additional cost for this (normally 20% of the cost of producing the prints). If you are uncertain about picture choice, retouching, or any other aspect of producing the images you need for your portfolio, you should arrange a subsequent session to do this.

8) Delivery - As soon as I have received feedback from you on the images you would like retouched, I will give you an approximate timetable for the retouching and delivery of your prints. This will be carried out as soon as possible, but you should make allowances for busy periods in my schedule and postal delivery time. I will inform you of the likely delivery date for your photographs on the day of the photoshoot.

9) Copyright - As detailed in the FAQs above, copyright of any images produced for your portfolio remains with MARK ANDREANI PHOTOGRAPHY.

10) Refunds - No refunds are possible after the date of the shoot, or after any 3rd party stylists have attended a shoot on your behalf, for any reason. You will have been given the opportunity to review your shots, make-up and hair in the session - so there should be no reason for you to question any of these after the date of the shoot. In exceptional circumstances, where image files become corrupted and / or unusable, or where the image files are unusable because of an error on my part during the disc's burning or transit, and where the original files are no longer in existence, I may be able to offer you a brief studio session free of charge to produce replacement images for your portfolio. No claims for monies or refunds or additional work time (other than my own studio time in SE23) will be considered, or for any reason due to acts of God, or circumstances beyond my control eg. postal strikes, theft of materials in transit, power cuts, equipment failure or malfunction, etc etc.

11) Postponed Bookings

If you should book and pay for a session and then for any reason indefinitely postpone the session, no refund of your payment is possible if you do not set a date for the session and complete the photography within 3 months of making your original payment. You must give notice within 3 months of making your original payment if you intend to cancel the booking.