Model Training with Brooklin
On our recent trip to LA, Peter shot with Brooklin, first on a workshop and then for this which was their first shoot together. As with all of Peter’s first shoots with a model, he does a lot of model training. This tutorial will show you the shoot with Peter’s narration over the top, explaining his thought process during the shoot.
22 comments on “Model Training with Brooklin”
A really interesting one this, and one that I’m sure a lot of us relate to. Thanks
Thank you, I was scared I was too brutal with my comments, Brooklyn is such a beautiful girl, but it annoys me so much that girl next door look is so hard to take to next level.
Peter, I think this video is very valuable and informative because it focusses on the mindset of the model. It’s just a perfect example of what’s important in a shooting – not only the technique / gear.
It would be nice if it were accessible to all interested parties (YouTube?). But I can understand that Brooklin would not be very happy with that. So clearly, it’s her and your decision, for which I have every sympathy.
Thanks anyway. 🙂
Thanks Helmut, About 60% of iNSPIRE content is only for iNSPIRE members
Very helpful. Thanks.
As lovely as she is it drives me mental when models are like this. I always find its the “influencer” type of model too. She is beautiful though
I love these model training videos, Peter. I went back and looked at my photos of Brooklin from the Eatonton workshop, looking for the stiffness that you pointed out. I think I got only one or two of her when she was relaxed. Models think I’m a bit crazy when I tell them I don’t want a picture of them being a model. I want pictures of them being a person.
This really demonstrates the human psychology skills needed for this genre of photography. In other genres, once you have framing, composition and lighting fixed, you’re there.
Photographing models needs all that, but the connection the photographer builds with the model is what makes it. Same can be said for any portraiture.
Peter, you are a master at this.
Thanks heaps
Hello , Peter wonderful training video . I enjoyed the training and your explanation of when the model is uncomfortable. Thank you again for sharing .
Hi Peter, loved this video format with the voice over. In particular your assessment of the body language and different strategies when things weren’t meshing were really insightful.
Hearing your thoughts separate to the shoot was great!
Would love to see more of these types of videos from different shoots.
Kind regards,
Kim
Thanks Kim more coming soon
Hi Peter what’s a dag please? I lived in Aus for 9 months and thought it was a derogatory term, but you’re not using it in that way, or at least I don’t think you are!
Hi Simon, it’s an affectionate way of calling someone a dork, not a derogatory term here
I’m not great with directing models so have tended to rely on professional models who have their own poses and are comfortable with the camera which helps with your a hobby photographer, I worked with a model before who was Pretty had a great figure who was not shy was chilled and cool as a breeze but she tended to freeze like a statue when the camera was on her. You could take 20 shots that would be identical and when you try and get her to move or change pose she wanted to be told exactly what way to move.
I remember thinking if I ever got to work with her again I’d turn on video mode on the camera which would force her to keep moving in the hopes it would help her develop some flow. Unfortunately I’ve not had the opportunity to do that yet, but I’ve since seen her do some videos of her own on her social media and seen some other photographers work with her, she comes alive on video and her personality shines through so I’ve concluded the ol record button might well be a useful tool to use to get better stills.
Yes switching to video really helps, it’s a trick I use a lot. Hope you get a chance to try it out soon
I think your perception and intuition about models’ emotional condition is amazing. I believe you have a wonderful gift in this realm. You see what the issues are (which I cannot yet) and you work hard to improve things. How did your session with Brooklin end?
Good but I need to do a couple more training shoots with her
Peter, when you say you want to see some emotion in your model, how do you know you have it. Would the casual viewer know it is there? Or, is it something you as the photographer know you have achieved because you were there and recognized it in the reaction you got or the rapport you established during the shoot. I did not try to shoot Brooklyn in LA because I knew I would not be able to establish a rapport and get a shot I thought was genuine. I think sometimes we just fail to connect with the model and it shows in the results.
when you’re just talking to a Model about things, they love you, see all this emotion, and as soon as you lift the camera, it seems like it disappears, I’m after that natural emotion
Once again you hammer home the psychology of portrait photography. I guess we have all encountered this ‘girl next door’ syndrome and it can take several sessions before you can talk them down to a place where they let their inner feelings come through. I had a muse for 6-7 years and once we got comfortable with each other, she started taking control of the shoot and I just pressed the button. It was great!
You are the best at this and an inspiration to the rest of this. You just have to connect with your model which can be hard to do but you just have to keep going at it until you get results..
Thank you for sharing this video, Peter. This is so helpful; I think I get so rushed with other stuff that this is such a great reminder to slow down and pay attention to the person in front of me.