Showcasing a genuine laugh can ooze authenticity and make the atmosphere feel natural and authentic. If though, like most people, you find it a bit of a challenge to do so, here are some tips to help you:

Recall something funny

An obvious suggestion, we know, but an important one nevertheless! You can place yourself in a moment that makes you crack up. It could be a funny memory, a joke, something someone did or just something that always seems to make you laugh no matter how hard you try not to.

Relax!

When you might be asked to laugh on cue, you might find your facial muscles and body tensing up. Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! Genuinely laughing on cue is a skill and it’s easier said than done particularly if you’re feeling anxious…but try to relax.

Take care of yourself

Be sure to stay hydrated and to have had something to eat, albeit a small snack, so you don’t feel dizzy in front of the camera. This can happen quite often especially when our models are feeling nervous and would prefer to take on the day on an empty stomach. Take some deep breaths and go for it.

If you’re finding it difficult to relax, you can always speak to your MD coordinator [honestly, you won’t be the first to express butterflies in your stomach]. We’re trained to help you navigate through your modelling assignment as successfully as possible, helping to make it a positively memorable experience for you.

We’ve assembled a mini collection of model reviews where our talent has also expressed their pre-assignment nervousness, but where it’s all ended perfectly!

Jackie expressed her experience with our agency on a Nat West Bank campaign right here:

“Today was a big day for me. My first ever modelling assignment – and for Nat West Bank! I left home feeling excited but nervous about what to expect. It turned out to be a perfect fun day. Stephen Rawlinson and his team greeted me on arrival. They were all very friendly and immediately settled my nerves. I met the four other models I would be working with and found them to be really nice people. We did a mix of photos and filming throughout the day and it all went well. Thank you Nat West for a great first assignment.

Thanks, Molly for all your help. Looking forward to the next one!”

Anne left us this lovely and inspiring testimonial:

“I’ve just completed my first modelling job for Models Direct. Who’d have believed I’d be a model at 57 years old? I was quite nervous when I arrived in the car park but with such a friendly relaxed atmosphere, I had lost my nerves before we started shooting. The lovely team helped me every step of the way and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I look forward hopefully to many more jobs.”

Finally, our male model, Joshua, shared his experience with us:

“My First Shoot With Models Direct…

Yesterday was my first assignment with Models Direct, being a promotional shoot for Greene King Brewery. With it being my first shoot I was a little nervous, but everyone there was so lovely and we were certainly very well looked after, diffusing any nerves that I had. Overall, it was a lot of fun, it was a great atmosphere and I met so many lovely people. Additionally, Gemma had been amazing throughout the whole process, answering any questions I had and keeping me well-informed. Thank you for the experience.”

There’s more for you to read if you head over to our reviews section to see how our models have got on with their gigs.

Bottom line

Try not to overthink the process but do practise laughing on cue in your own time. The more you practise the better you’ll be at laughing naturally. However, if nerves get the better of you, do not worry as our MD team understands that being in front of the camera can be a nerve-wracking experience even for the most experienced of models.

Just reach out to us and we’ll be on hand to help you through, but most of all, try and have fun and enjoy the modelling experience!

We’re constantly advising our models to be familiar with every aspect of the modelling industry. From updating portfolios to keeping an eye on trends and upcoming assignments, models need to be on the pulse to help themselves. We’re the best in the business when it comes to advising our clients on the best suited models, but it helps us when models inform us of any updates, changes and new episodes in their modelling calendar.

Going behind the scenes is a great way to gain new photos and to chat with people in a relaxed environment. Having said that, models need to be aware of a few pointers before they go behind the scenes. Here are Models Direct’s top tips for successful “backstage passes”:

1. Ask for permission! Resist the urge to toddle off on your own to see what goes on behind the scenes. Always ask an experienced crew member.

2. Safety first. Behind the scenes may pose some hazards, so be aware! We’re talking about stray wires, technical equipment and electrics.

3. Be professional. Even though your assignment may have finished, treat you behind the scenes experience as part of the job.

4. Absorb information. Stay alert and remember as much as you can – including contacts, names and advice. It’s all good stuff, and could assist in future assignments.

5. Snap away. Take as many awesome photos as possible, and remember to share them with us and on all your social media accounts. Take clips and reels to create a brief story of your behind the scenes experience, too. A note to the wise: always seek consent from the production crew before you whip out your cameras and smart phones!

6. Have respect. Never forget that it’s a privilege to be invited backstage. Don’t irritate the clients and crew (we’re sure you wouldn’t, but it needs to be said!)

You can see for yourselves that going behind the scenes on set can be fun and inspirational by taking a peek at the examples below.

First up is Sarah and Jay, who looked ecstatic to be appear in a reel whilst on set with Deluxe Catering:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Models Direct (@modelsdirect)

Then we have Lana on set with Amaella Lingerie, which reiterates the need to ask permission from the client or production crew:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Models Direct (@modelsdirect)

Finally, check out some general shots featuring some of our models behind the scenes. You’ll notice some famous brands, which confirms our ability to connect models with some big-hitters!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Models Direct (@modelsdirect)

It’s been a sizzling hot summer so far and there’s more to come!

Whether you are a model, would-be model or simply someone looking for top tips for keeping cool this summer, here are a few helpful suggestions from Models Direct:

*Think about your clothing

Try to dress as lightly as possible, while also ensuring you are protected against the sun. Wear natural, breathable fabrics, in light colours and try not to layer up. Keep your arms, legs and face covered when you are out in the sun. And remember to use SPF sun protection!

*Remember your head and feet

Keep your head and feet uncovered when you are in the shade, this will help you to keep your cool. If it is safe, bare feet or open-toed shoes can be helpful, but again, remember to cover your feet or use a sun protection product when out in direct sunlight.

*Drinking water

Freeze a few bottles of drinking water over night then pop one in a plastic bag to take out with you. As this melts, sipping it every now and again will help you to stay cool as well as hydrated.

*Cold water

*Dip a flannel into a chilled bowl of water every now and then to cool your face and the back of your neck with. Have a cold bath or shower, instead of hot one and sit with your feet in a bowl of cold water while you are working, watching TV or even on your phone! Another tip is to fill a hot water bottle with cold water, put it in the fridge for a while and put it behind you as a cushion. Fabulous!

*Windows, blinds and curtains

Keep your cool in really hot weather during the day by closing windows to keep the hot air out and the cool air in during the day. At night, when the air is cooler outside than in, open the windows to let the fresh air in. Similarly, keeping blinds and curtains closed can keep rooms cooler, especially on side of the room, house or apartment which receives direct sunlight.

*Fans

Sitting beside a fan can help you to keep cool but try not to simply circulate the hot air around the room. Sit the fan on the floor, as this is where the air is coolest. Positioning a bowl ice in front of the fan can also be a great tip. The cold vapour will then also be circulated as the ice melts. 

*Don’t cook as much

Try not to cook as this will simply heat your kitchen up. In really hot weather, tuck into salads, fruit and cold dishes as much as possible. Eating raw fruit and vegetables can be very hydrating and, of course, brings lots of health benefits too. If you do want to cook, then why not cook outside on the barbecue or even a camping stove!

Photo-shoots consist of a creative team, the size and experience of the team can vary depending on budget, location, brand, etc. Larger budgets will afford a stylist, make-up artist, hair stylist and assistants, however this is not always the case! We do know it will always include a model and a photographer.

A photographer’s role is complex, often they are the glue that keeps the creative team together and more often than not the person who leads the shoot. Being a successful photographer is of course about technical ability, but more importantly being able to make a model feel comfortable infront of the camera and in your company by giving them the encouragement they need to believe in themselves – if you master this you will be a busy photographer!

Making a name for yourself as a photographer is not easy, it’s competitive and to get bookings you need to stand out.

Here are some tips to make the best name for yourself as a professional photographer and how to work with models and get the best from them:

Shoot Preparation

• Make sure your kit is complete – Shoot days can be stressful, with lots going on, locations to find, new people to meet, schedules to keep to along with many other factors, so it’s important to make sure your kit is complete, clean and batteries charged. A day or two before the shoot do a kit check, you may not have put it away properly from your last shoot, so make sure you have the lens’s you need, your camera batteries are charged, you have enough memory cards and any backup equipment you may need. You can’t predict technical issues, but you can prepare for them, so having all the right equipment gives you peace of mind and allows you to simply focus creating incredible images.
• Locations – Whatever type of shoot you are doing there will be shoot locations involved. It may just be one, but make sure you know where it is and how you can access it. If you have numerous locations for one shoot it’s a good idea to scout them out prior to the shoot so you are familiar to them and know what you’re going to be working with.
• Timings – It’s a cliche, but time is money and your time is valuable! However you have quoted for this job it will come down to time and the client will still be expecting amazing images within the time frame you have set, so be aware of it and stay focused. You may only have your creative team for a certain time frame, be sure to know the schedule of the day and find ways to make sure you can get the shots you want with in it.
• Vision – To ensure you or your client will get the images they want you need to have fully understood their vision. Whether you are photographing a product, model or scene, sometimes all three, by asking the right questions beforehand, researching your client and talking with your client you will both be on the same wavelength, which is essential to guarantee your client is satisfied with the final images.

Shoot Day

• Models – Sourcing the right model for the shoot is very important. The Models Direct booking team spend lots of time speaking with photographers to fully understand what they are looking for to ensure they source the ideal model(s) for the right price too.

Click here to speak to one of our helpful booking agents

• Model Experience – This will depend on your budget really as more experienced models requests higher model fees, however you may not need a model with lots of experience, it all depends on the nature of the shoot and the shoot budget, something your booking agent will discuss with you. Some models work well with little direction and others need more specific directions, either way a good photographer will be able to click with the model quickly and make be able to make them feel relaxed and comfortable infront of the camera.
• Remain Professional at all times – As a photographer you may be required to work closely with a model, you may have given direction to a model but adjustments still need to be made to get the best image. It helps to have a stylist with you or even an assistant who can make adjustments to the models clothes, hair or make up, but be sure to have permission from the model before doing this.
• Happy Model – Modelling is tiring and shoots can be long and not always comfortable for the model, make sure your model is well looked after and is as comfortable and happy as they can be. Offer regular breaks and by make sure there are refreshments on set for them, this will help the model keep their energy levels up and stay focused. If you are shooting outside make sure the model isn’t too hot or too cold, you may need to make sure you have an extra coat to hand or even a fan if it’s a particularly hot environment. Try and meet your models demands, you want to get the best from them and to do this they need to feel at their best, so be patient, professional and listen to them, it’s important to keep them on side and work as a team to create the stunning, eye-catching images you envisaged.

The Models Direct website has a clear query request form for you to complete when looking to book models, by submitting this a member of the team will be in contact straight away to discuss your requirements in more detail:

Have Fun!

It’s important to have fun while shooting, by creating a positive, upbeat and fun environment will benefit you, your model and therefore the images! A photographer who is confident, capable and relaxed will instantly make a model feel at ease and you are then set for a very successful shoot!