I've been photographing pretty minimally the last week or two weeks because of the sweltering heat... for fear my sweet models might melt! Thank goodness its cooled down a bit. Right now I am working on a few great projects. In the beginning of August I have a look book for a great jewelry company, in the middle of August I have four FREE classes at B&H, and a fashion editorial or two sprinkled in between. The huge project I am working on right now is a stunning fashion video project being produced for a big fashion magazine-- I can't share the details yet but lets just say I have a famous model, a great team, and collaboration with an awesome magazine. I'm excited but WOW do video projects take a TON of planning! I have to coordinate the schedules of 15-20 people, get insurance, equipment, locations, permits, concept, and much more all put together. While planning this I am also working on producing some more photo educational materials. Life is actually a lot less busy than normal, but I always find ways to fill my time up completely. Also, watch this week for a competition (created by me!) to win a FREE pass to any WPPI Road Trip in the USA. I will be teaching at the WPPI Road trip in Philadelphia in August, and I have been give tickets to 'raffle off'. I haven't decided the competition yet, but I'll try to think of something smart. 
Below are the images from the outdoor model test shoot that I completed a few weeks ago (the day when I photographed three models, each for approximately 1.5 hours). Giulia, the model seen here, is represented by MC2 and has been modeling for several years. Her test was completed during the sweltering heat of the mid-day sun, but it seemed effortless for her to look beautiful (even with no hair or makeup!). After shooting with two beginning models earlier in the day, it was clear that she had experience. Her movements were dance-like... very smooth and from one great pose to the next.
Here I looked for a natural reflector to do a basic 'portrait' shot of this model. I placed the sun at her back to give a glow on her hair and shoulders. Because it was about 1pm, the sun was high in the sky and bouncing off of the light-colored concrete of the sidewalk. The sidewalk then bounced back into her face, giving her that flattering even lighting. You can see the reflections off of the concrete in her eyes. This image was photographed with my favorite lens, the Sigma 85mm 1.4.
After the extreme heat, we did a few shots in the front window of my apartment. Her poses looked natural, and sexy without being 'sexual'. She looks pensive, perhaps waiting for a lover to come to her window.
I loved the curve in the branch of this tree, so I had her pose in and around the branch. Because of the bright environment behind her, the leaves because a beautiful blur when I photographed the scene with my Sigma 50mm 1.4 at a wide open aperture (1.4). I love that effect and for portraits you will see my use it over and over and over again. It looks surreal and dreamlike.
Being able to pose hands 'correctly' is an important skill for a model. In in fashion shoots the placement of hands becomes important, but in beauty shots the placement of hands are essential. Hands help to express the mood of the image as well as to create additional visual interest. Giulia was great at posing her hands, and made my job easy as a photographer. Shot with the 85mm 1.4
The images I produced during Giulia's session were very similar to images I might produce during a fashion flair portrait session. I try to capture a few beautiful close up shots, some shots that convey a bit of personality, and then also some mood-setting images. Her agent requested that I get some very CLEAN and NATURAL beauty shots, and so these were the resulting images- not at all 'edgy' but a useful beauty update for an experienced models book.
The post Natural Beauty Test – Giulia – From MC2 appeared first on Lindsay Adler Photography Blog.
