By Shawn Petrovich of Totally Ripped of Los Angeles, which specializes in photography and video of fitness models.
Video has become more popular than still photography. Social networking Web sites like CampusMen.com have made it easy for anyone to become a video "star." Videotaping still-photo sessions capitalizes on this trend and adds an extra entertainment element. Aspiring and beginning models should be prepared to have their photo shoots videotaped.
We spoke with Vicky Phipps who has acted as the production coordinator on many underwear modeling and fitness photo shoots. She tells us how behind-the-scenes video footage created at photo shoots is not only a visual record of how a photo gets created, but often proves more entertaining than the photo shoot itself!
"We have heard from people who say they saw a photograph in print and then went to our Web site to watch the behind the scenes videos," Phipps said.
Video shows all preparation steps
It's standard procedure for a videographer to follow the photographer, the model and crew and from the beginning of a shoot until the end. This footage captured eventually becomes a documentary of the shoot.
The videographer is ever-present with a video camera and catches everything from set changes to horseplay and practical jokes.
He captures the hair stylist at work, as well as facial makeup application, including the application of body makeup.
"Shooting body makeup application can be kind of fun," Phipps said. "This is especially true if the subject is a big, tough guy who's getting the tan lines on his butt covered up by a stylist. Of course, most of the time models come well prepared for the shoot, and the stylist only needs to add shadowing to the crevices of his abs muscles."
The videographer shows all the details of the shoot that most would not know about, such as a model pumping his muscles up before posing in front of the camera.
Video shows secrets of the shoot
It makes for interesting video to see how a photographer "fools" the public when setting up the background for a photo. A shot that appears to be taken in an exotic location may really have been captured in the back of a warehouse. In the video, the viewer might see an assistant on a stepladder above the model, dangling a branch of palm leaves. Of course, the assistant never appears in the finished still photo.
Video interview after the shoot
Once the picture-taking is finished, the model is interviewed on video about his whole experience.
"When video shows a model talking, it adds personality to a shoot," Phipps said. "It lets the public get to know more about the model appearing in the photograph.
"A guy pumping up his muscles is cool to watch, but everyone always wants to hear the model talk. What is the guy is really like? Is he nice? Is he funny? Is he nervous about the shoot? All this can be discovered by watching the behind-the-scenes video," Phipps concluded.
"This interview gives the model an opportunity to let his personality shine through," Phipps said. "He can really let his hair down, tell jokes or do whatever he wants to do. The more candid he is, the better."
Among the questions, the model may be asked on camera after the shoot are:
- What were the most interesting things that occurred during the shoot?
- What went well?
- Where were the surprises?
- Would you do it all again?
The most memorable shoot that made for a lively video, according to Phipps:
"We held a photo shoot where a guy was totally naked holding a graduation cap in front of his crotch. Five of his friends were standing in the background while he was posing like this. They made fun of him relentlessly."