Newborn photography is a genre that either captivates you or doesn't. While this might be true for any photography style, I believe newborn photography has a uniquely powerful emotional pull.
To excel in newborn photography requires practice, and live models are essential for honing your skills. While practice babies (a SIB doll - Stand in baby) can be helpful, real-life subjects are indispensable. In this blog post, I'll share my experiences with different types of model calls over my 14 year career. My goal is to provide insights for newborn photographers at all levels.
From the outset, I felt a sense of guilt about asking new parents to lend me their babies. Many parents are unaware of the intricacies of newborn photography, such as the limited window for capturing popular poses. As a very inexperienced photographer struggling with posing techniques, I worried that I was compromising the potential for beautiful photos by using their baby as a model.
You might argue that any photos are better than none, and that the parents might not have planned newborn photos anyway. I hope this was the case for the first few sessions I conducted as a complete beginner.
My key point is to be transparent about your skill level. Inform parents that working with a novice photographer may result in images that don't meet their expectations.
The completely free model call is the most common perception of this arrangement. The photographer invests most of the effort, and the model receives all or a selection of images.
While there's no upfront cost, I used to encounter challenges. Many models lacked respect for my time and effort, leading to frequent cancellations and no-shows. This is why a few years in I would ask for a holding deposit from models and would pay them back when they came to the studio. Higher expectations were another issue, with models often requesting specific poses or props despite my outlined plans. Furthermore, free models rarely become paying clients.
As your photography business grows, you'll incur ongoing expenses. The hybrid model call offers a solution for intermediate and advanced photographers. Provide a complimentary session with a set number of images, and offer additional prints or digital files for purchase.
You might question the need for model calls at an intermediate or advanced level. However, photography trends, props,and equipment evolve. Experimenting with new tools and techniques is essential, and model calls provide a safe environment for practice.
Model calls offer invaluable practice opportunities. However, I strongly recommend finding a mentor or trainer before diving into model calls to receive guidance and feedback.
Overworking myself with numerous model calls led to the development of poor habits.
Regular debriefing with a mentor and creating a focused practice plan will accelerate your growth and reduce the number of necessary model calls.
Always have a written agreement in place, including a model release outlining image delivery details. This protects you from misunderstandings and unexpected requests.
With dedication, planning, and perseverance, you can build a successful newborn photography business through model calls. Embrace challenges, learn from your experiences, and celebrate your achievements.