Monday 20 November 2017

A Modelling Portfolio Photoshoot in Historic Prague

It's been a very busy year for me as a photographer with 3 trips overseas, Prague, Paris and New York. It all started way back in April; which was a chilly spring in Prague. The trips were all for the White Caviar Life website, you can see it here. Although the schedule was quite hectic, during our second week I did manage some work on the side for myself; which is how this modelling portfolio photoshoot with Nikola from Czechoslovak Models came about. Although I have been to Europe before. Lets face it, for an Australian, everything old in Europe is NEW, so where better to shoot than our 15th century accommodation and then the entrance to the Terraced Castle Gardens; just down the street. Prague is quite compact and packs a lot in so it's like a series of endless photography locations! So here she is; if you like what you see please contact me about your modelling or fashion photography project!
Headshot in black and white for model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Sydney based Photographer Kent Johnson.
Model poses with an apple in front of a tall curtained window, Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
An historic hotel room in old Prague; Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Colour Headshot for model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Sydney based Photographer Kent Johnson.
Nose mouth lips, model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
A colour headshot without make-up of model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Street view of old Prague near the Charles bridge, photo by Kent Johnson.
Model poses with an apple in front of a tall curtained window, Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Black and white photograph, Nikola Říhová squeezes between double baize doors; photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Model Nikola Říhová squeezes between double baize doors; photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Black and white modelling portfolio on location. Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Outdoor cafe tables, model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Swans and a view of the Charles Bridge in Prague. photo by Kent Johnson.
Double denim in black and white; Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Double denim and an old oak door; Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Modelling agency website - Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.
Sitting in an historic hotel room in old Prague; Model Nikola Říhová photographed in Prague by Photographer Kent Johnson.

Like what you see, drop me a line to book your modelling portfolio photoshoot.
Full Package Details - www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au/ModellingPortfolios.htm
Special thanks to stylist Vivenne Shui and White Caviar Life.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over the world..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863

Wednesday 15 November 2017

Top Tips For Great Modelling Headshots

What is a Model Headshot and what makes it different to other pictures? The difference is what the picture is going to be used for. When you think about modelling, it's all about fashion photography and runway shows, it's clothing, products, fabulous magazine and web campaigns and of course the models themselves. A great headshot grabs the viewer and holds them. A great headshot is the tool to to launch a career, to book amazing fashion jobs, to be remembered by, it's a picture to never forget! That special photograph is very important and it's the photographer and their team working together with the model that creates that unforgettable image. Which is why you need a photographer who understands what fashion and modelling is all about. Scroll down for my Top Tips!

A selection of headshot photography to illustrate how to take modelling portfolio headshots - Photos by Kent Johnson.

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So what are my Top Tips?

Find your angle – 
left side right side, up or down. No two people are the same so as a photographer you need to find the angle that works for them. As a model it is helpful to know what angle works for you; this can help deliver better shots faster – but don't get too locked in; many photographers can find something new, a new you by changing the angle. So know what works but be ready to experiment too.

Get close -
there's a reason it's called a headshot! While the trends go from head and neck to mid chest; the classic headshot really is just the head. If you have great bone structure and well proportioned features with great symmetry, closer will work well for you. If your key look is your body, a longer shot may work better. Photographers, going in super close means it's time to change that wide angle for a telephoto, which is generally a much more flattering focal length to work with on a headshot.
Male model headshot, close up style in black and white, photographed on location by Kent Johnson.
IMG Sydney model Mason M.

It's you but it's not really a portrait -
This would have to be one of the most confusing and perhaps difficult to realise aspects of model headshot photography. This is a portrait but it needs to go into the fashion zone, the modelling zone and not the mum / dad / friends love me zone. And honestly it is something many photographers clearly don't get and many aspiring models too. If you are serious about being in the fashion industry you need to be in alignment with fashion. Wacky, “fun” or party-time with people cut out photographs just won't cut it. Go to the BIG modelling agency websites and look at the model portfolios online. Yes you can do that. See what they use – this is what you need.
Call or Email to Book you Portfolio Shoot today! Kent 0433 796 863 kent@artcommunication.com.au
Emotive headshot in colour, photographed in Prague with model Nikola R. Pho by Kent Johnson.
Model Nikola R. in Prague.

Work with the best you can -
Which also means spend some money.. If you are yet to land an agent the easiest way to get a great headshot is to book a photographer that knows what they are doing! Yes you can go down the Gumtree/Facebook/Craigslist path but you may very well be wasting your time and end up with pictures that do not show your true potential – and that is a wrong turn that can easily be avoided. Cut to the chase; do your research, find a fashion or beauty photographer who shoots model portfolios; email them, book them – done!
Studio headshot in black and white for Emma K, photographed by Kent Johnson.
Emma k - Studio Photoshoot, Sydney.

Do a full portfolio shoot with a few headshots -
As a photographer photographing new talent, I like to work on headshots across a full portfolio photoshoot of three to five looks. Simply because everyone hits their peak on a shoot at a different point or with a different look. Working on headshots across the photoshoot allows for more choices once the shoot is done.  Yes you may end up with the tough – too many good shots to choose from problem, but I just call that the good problem and more shots to choose from is a great place to be.
Black and white photograph, headshot and male modelling comp card for James S by Kent Johnson.
Comp Card Headshot for James Scott.

So that's it; fashion and photography change all the time, but even as they change some things remain the same. The importance of a great headshot! And if you like what you see here, drop me a line to book your headshot photoshoot. www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au/ModellingPortfolios.htm

Telling Stories in Pictures all over the world..
Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.
0433 796 863