P#11: The Right Fashion Photography Models Can Make All The Difference

You've Got The Right Look

Bruce Smith: A very big part of achieving the different looks and different amounts of energy and emotion in your pictures comes down to the casting of the models.

I'm very lucky that I'm actually able to create an emotion, a feeling, and energy in my pictures. I will take a model that actually fulfills the criteria of those aspects of the shoot. I'll either have seen it in their personality or I've seen it in the portfolio when they come for a casting.

Casting is very, very important if you're shooting fashion photography commercially -- or even if you're just shooting for your own portfolio. You have to find the subject who actually can express themselves a certain way, which is why it's great for new photographers to work with actors and dancers who can express themselves without self-consciousness.

My philosophies are the same throughout my pictures. It's what I put into them, what I have in my mind, that actually comes through in the shot.

Audri Lanford: We're running out of time, so you can view Bruce's other photographs we didn't have time to discuss below.

To Sum Up

Magical shots don't just appear when you click the camera -- you have to make them happen.

How does Bruce Smith get such energy and emotion into his photographs? One of his secrets is working with models who have the characteristics of the feelings and story he's trying to get across. Another trick is working with experienced fashion photography models -- they can express themselves without being self-conscious.