Female Models 1

Beauty and Physical Features

People may believe that real beauty is to be reserved for young and slim models who appear in magazines and advertising, and on the world’s catwalks.

Although this might be true in professional modelling such as for the models featured in this book, ‘home modelling’ is for everyone and not just for those perceived to be sufficiently striking for the modelling profession.

Conventional beauty is often seen as a commodity kept only for those who are perceived to be incredibly attractive and good-looking. The majority of us, therefore, may never envisage ourselves having the physical criteria for beauty contests, photographic modelling, or a career posing in front of cameras strutting about on the catwalks of the world.

Yet we all have our own specific measurements, proportions, features, and personal attributes that make us unique.

Even dressing up for a social event or a wedding is as much ‘modelling’ as appearing on a catwalk or being featured in a magazine, even though the reasons for doing so may be quite different.

However, realistically, everyone can still use the same values and principles of professional modelling to enhance their own looks and confidence in everyday life without even aspiring to selection for the catwalks of the world.

All that is needed is an understanding of one’s own body and the simple principles of body-mind equilibrium, even if the result is merely to feel good, appear healthy, increase self-confidence, and satisfy those of us who wish to feel more attractive.

Without diminishing the quality of their appearance, the same principles may apply to all those who consider that their physical features could do with some improvement.

The beauty that a woman expresses in her daily life is like a declaration of herself and the person she wishes to present to the world, whether caring for children and family, managing a business, studying, or just spending time with friends and relatives.

Yet, we must accept that human beauty comes in many forms, based on body shapes and sizes, and of course, ages.

Posing requires self-discipline, personal belief, and professional commitment whether it is for reflecting fashion, glamour, beachwear, lingerie, or corporate environments, for example.

In the arena of modelling, one must nonetheless differentiate between modelling as a means to express your personal attributes as against professional glamour modelling.

THE VARIETY OF MODELLING POSES

Photographer : David Entz (Australia), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Anyone can be a ‘home model’, but not everyone can be a professional photographic model sufficient for magazines. Consequently, professional posing requires discipline, belief, and commitment irrespective of whether it is for reflecting fashion, glamour, beachwear, lingerie, or for corporate environments.

Each modelling category reflects a particular outcome and must, therefore, adjust to the particular expectations of the modelling assignment undertaken, both for the model and the photographer.

Photographer : Mark A. Nicholson, ASO - Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

What makes a Model a photographic model?

Although ‘perfection’ is not at all expected, the base standard of photographic modelling requires a responsible application of health consciousness that reflects the appearance of a healthy attractive person without having to resort to "excessive make up" as camouflage for visible imperfections.

Everyone has a personality that is often highly influenced by their origins, culture and lifestyle, just as the clothes that people choose to wear express their personality to some degree. This is very evident when we meet people for the first time.

The general appearance that we see will either attract or repel to some extent, since much of our initial opinion of people is determined by how they look, how they dress, and how they speak, as well as their general demeanour and how they present themselves.

Photographer : Mark A. Nicholson, ASO - Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Consequently, it has been suggested that a person’s ongoing reputation as a photographic model is established and enhanced at the first session with each professional photographer.

Anyone can be a model for the day, just by standing in front of a camera and self-posing. However, professional modelling is not so simple, particularly when modelling with props. People working for magazines, in advertising, and in fashion houses will be looking for their ideal model for the particular assignment under consideration. So, it will be the photographer’s task to secure the image that allows that particular search to be satisfied.

Photographers will try to portray a model’s best features, in view of their reputations and commercial responsibilities, and also, of course, the interests of the models. This is important when photographing young as well as mature models. Mutual respect and professionalism between models and photographers is therefore absolutely vital.

Photographer : Srdjan Nikolic (Australia), Melbourne, Australia.