Pascal Baetens. Nude Photography. The Art and The Craft. 2007

56 running head

directing your model

Before i start a session i begin by explaining my concept.

i describe the visual effect that i want to create and also, more

importantly, the atmosphere of the image. The key to a good

image is the impact it has on the viewer, rather than technical

perfection—so, for me, emotional expression is the most

important element. Light plays a major role in creating the

mood of a picture so i often ask my model to act toward

or away from it. While communication is crucial, i am always

careful not to overdirect. discussing every little detail before

the shoot can be inhibiting, so build up gradually. give your

model time to warm up and take a break now and again.

in this way you will enjoy a focused but relaxed shoot.

Getting started

Your model should feel comfortable.

i ask my models to undress as soon

as they arrive (to avoid marks from

tight clothes on the skin), but allow

them to wear a bathrobe for as long

as possible while i am checking

equipment and lighting. Once you get

started, the clearer the direction, the

more focused your model will be. in

this case, i first explained, then roughly

demonstrated, my idea to adam. it

may look like one-way communication,

but it’s not—i always ask for and

appreciate feedback from my models.

Eye contact and

body language

an outgoing, responsive model like

Paulina is a dream to direct. She

reacts almost immediately to what

i say or show. i have trained myself

so that i can look at my model with my

right eye while looking through the

viewfinder with my left, which means

i can maintain eye contact through the

shoot. at the same time i use my face

to express the mood i would like my

model to adopt. as you can see from

the pictures, my hands and body

do the rest.

56 defining STYLeS & aPPrOacheS