Tag: androgyny

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Test Shoot Wardrobe for Models

If you are providing your own wardrobe for a photoshoot… Know that something that looks good in person, may not translate as well in photos. As a rule of thumb, simpler is better.

Test shoots are easiest to provide wardrobe for. This is just a simple portfolio shoot with not specific concept. There may be some play on lighting/androgyny and some basic conceptual ideas, but if you stray too far out of this area, the shoot becomes more complicated and the wardrobe will need to be styled. It is best to either have a designer on board, a wardrobe stylist, or, if you need, you can “shop and return.”

For the simpler shoots, you’ll want a variety of clothing from your own wardrobe. Generally, it is a good idea to provide wardrobe similar to the clothes you’d wear for Polaroids. Here are some lists to help you choose what clothes to bring and get some ideas flowing!

Each category includes some items you can bring if you’re going to play up on that specific theme/look. Some may work better for you than others. Knowing your assets and how you photograph is key.

Sexy:

  • Any cute lingerie you have is a must
  • Black, white, nude, and colored bras and underwear
  • High waisted pieces and boy shorts
  • Bodysuits (lacey, interesting pieces with cool cuts)
  • Swimsuits
  • Sheer pieces
  • Tights
  • Leggings
  • Just-out-of-bed-T-shirts
  • Think American Apparel
  • Heels and/or cute/sexy socks
  • Pasties (as needed)

*Tip: know your boundaries. If you’re not comfortable with a certain style or showing more than you want, say so beforehand. Also, consider if this is the route you want to go.


Androgynous:

  • Button up shirts
  • Collared shirts/tops
  • Ties/bows
  • Men’s baggy pants/boyfriend jeans
  • Suspenders
  • Oversized t-shirts
  • Gender-ambiguous clothing items (non form-fitting)
  • Jean jackets
  • Vests
  • Muscle shirts/tanktops
  • Oxford shoes
  • Men’s shoes

*Tip: the key here is to hide your feminine side and make people wonder. Lighting plays a role here.


Commercial:

  • Everyday wear
  • Jeans
  • Skirts
  • Dresses
  • Cute outfits
  • Heels
  • Go with the seasons if you’re outside (cute scarves and jacket or light summery pieces)

*Tip: This area has a ton of options. Go with whatever you have. Go light and airy, or slightly darker and dense.


Edgy:

  • Go for rocker/out of the norm pieces
  • Look for black dresses, cool cuts, hard silhouettes
  • Bring your toughest/coolest jackets
  • Interesting tops
  • Jeans/ripped jeans
  • Pieces with spikes/leather/plastic
  • Sheer pieces
  • Bustiers
  • Boots


Simple:

  • Jeans/ripped
  • Shorts/high waisted
  • Form fitting tanks
  • Crop tops
  • T-shirts (form fitting or baggy but it must show off your body somehow)
  • Bras
  • Leggings

This is just a general outline to help guide you in the right direction for your shoot. You are most likely pulling from your own wardrobe, so use your best style judgement! Questions/additons/comments? Please write me below! I’d like for all of my blog posts to one day become an open dialogue!

Be Fierce!!

Briauna Mariah (:

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Pros and Cons of Being a Short Haired Model

Pros
  • Don’t pay for haircuts like… Ever. I hardly remember the last time I paid for my hair cut or color. I’ve only paid for color once in my life since going short, which was back in 2011. That was my last fully paid haircut, too. In 2012, I tipped a guy to do my hair a couple times. So yeah, isn’t it 2014 now?
  • Get paid to not cut your hair. Don’t go out and pay for a haircut! If you cut your hair, there’s less for clients to work with and they may not hire you. Basically, growing your hair out is a future gig investment. Oooh yeah.
  • Try a plethora of new hair colors! Since becoming a short haired model, I’ve experimented with many different color variations, and got paid to do so!
  • Book awesome gigs. Hair pays and it pays well! My first hair job in New York was a huge national hair campaign for Joico 2013. Want to make a super easy $600 bucks (or more)? Wait for a hair job to come around.
  • Hairdressers are the best clients! No joke. Now that I think of it, the hair industry is the best part of the fashion industry. All the top hairstylists are best friends and they are the friendliest people on the planet. They will love you to death. I love them!
  • Androgyny. Look like a dude and be cool with it. I’ve been called sir so many times… you have no idea.
  • Be rocker and edgy. Short hair is just photographs so well. And it fits with so many different types of personalities.
  • And you can still be cute and girly on top of it all! Always a plus.
  • Unlimited cool cuts and style options. So versatile.
  • Everyone else loves your hair short. (As long as you can effectively pull it off. If you’re a good model, you should). It’s so… Rebel? Wait, how is short hair rebel these days? Beats me…. Some people are still old fashioned.
  • It grows fast! Optimize your fun hair-gig bookings. They can just keep cutting it.
  • Healthier hair. The ends are newer than long haired girls’ ends.
Cons
  • It’s hard to grow out. Especially when you’re booking hair jobs. They keep cutting it! But it pays so well….
  • It’s a bit more difficult to do the more “bombshell look.” It can be done though. With the right person and style.
  • Commercial work may be more difficult. Hard for me to say personally because I’m edgy in general. Commercial cant take me and my short hair.
  • Hair jobs pay well… But they’re less frequent than well paid, consistent commercial work.
  • A cool cut/style can start to look a little shaggy for a while after before it fills out.
  • If you’re getting you hair colored, note that the color fades relatively quickly. Sad day 🙁
  • Last con: There aren’t enough cons to demonstrate that you shouldn’t rock short hair. Umm… What’s wrong with short hair? Nothing. Because short hair rocks! Models with short hair are automatically awesome.

Questions? No? That is all.

Be Fierce!!

Briauna Mariah (: