THE LITTLE DETAILS
Well, first off I am being a total prima donna at the moment in my robe with a face mask on. So, there is that. Anyways, today I was thinking hmm what to write about next. What is interesting to me right now? What is going on in my life or in your all's life?
I have been working on rebuilding my portfolio since I am back to blonde and I don't exactly look like how I use to when I was blonde before. (BTW if you don't know what a portfolio is it's basically like a photo album consisting of your best jobs and shoots that are all featured together and shown to clients to book jobs ;) When you look at models on the billboards maybe at Macy's or even outside your favorite store such as Zara maybe even Prada, do you ever wonder how that picture was created? Did that girl after being pampered with hair, make-up, and nails stand in front of the camera and then bam.... the shot was took in 5 minutes and then we all walked off set. HAHA I wish this was the reality. This is a fantasy though.
There is a lot that goes into creating the perfect picture. One of the most important details of creating that perfect shot is movement and posing. The make-up artist and photographer could be the best in the world, but if you can't shoot, the pictures will not turn out good. Now sometimes posing comes to one easier than others. Then other times trying to get that perfect shot can seem impossible like trying to find an albino alligator in the everglades. It takes time, not just time on set, but time to work on it yourself.
Thankfully in my case the rhythm of moving from one pose to another wasn't too hard for me to master given that I danced 12 years of my life. However though, when I first would get put in front of a camera I would move around, but it wasn't natural. When you pose, it must look effortless. You have to look confident and not only that, you always have to show face. If the mood is sexy you must "smize" as Tyra use to say on America's Next Top Model. If the mood is somber "don't give a f***" as we often call it, then you have to look a little pissed off. Posing is a technique and one that can always improve throughout the years. When I first started modeling, my booker called me into the office and showed me all the pictures that I had taken with this photographer and told me my face looked similar in all the pictures. That my friend was a problem! Who wants to book you for multiple jobs if you look the same in every picture!?
When I went on my first modeling trip to Singapore, I did my first editorial shoot for this website. I was so nervous and frustrated with myself because I couldn't get the right poses. Thankfully the photographer worked with me to help me feel not only comfortable, but also help me discover more of my true potential. From that point on, I worked on my posing. I even practiced in the mirror at times, hell I still practice in the mirror at times. Today, I move better than I have ever moved before. I started posing so fast at times that the photographers have to tell me to slow down. BUT, I rather have this scenario over not being fast enough. Posing along with many other things in life may seem like one little detail to the whole final project. How you move though can make the difference between you booking that big H&M campaign or someone else booking it. Looks are important in this industry to say the least, but at the end of the day how well you do your job and how easy you are to work with can make the life time of a difference.
Even though posing wasn't the hardest thing for me in the world at first, if I had just gone off the little that I did know I would have made it nowhere. It is like 2 football players for example. The first one has a natural gift, won the genetic pool and is naturally talented, and the other player didn't have this gift, but trains every day 3 hours a day. Over time, the player that practices every day will become better than the player with a natural gift. We all have talents in life. Your favorite talent may come easier to you than others. If YOU work though to get even better at your God given talent, you will rise to extraordinary levels. You can accomplish anything if you work for it!
I am still today learning more about my body, how it moves, and ways to improve. It is a never-ending process. I know the handwork and dedication that I put into my job not only posing wise, but eating healthy, taking care of my body, and growing my personality will pay off. Working hard towards a goal, may be frustrating. You may want to throw in the towel and give up all together. If you believe in yourself though and never let failure win over success, anything is possible!
xx
BB Jean
