Alice/Black City Magazine

Alice contacted me after finding my website. We did this shoot for her to upload to
blackcitymag.com. She is great to work with. Modeling goes much deeper than looks alone. I've always found it difficult to put in words, what potential and successful models have that makes them what they are. The years I owned and operated a high volume portrait studio, shooting between 2700 to 3400 sessions a year, averaging 15,200 people, I found between 9-12 had what takes to become a successful model. Those who would actually find work in places like New York and L.A. I started by assisting a friend who has an agency in New York back in 1987-89. Much of my foundation came from those 2 years. Alice is someone who could do well by working her way into this field.

We shot on a couple different days with a variety of outfits and backdrops. I've put up a few here as examples. Alice has a great look and camera presence. Her look draws you in. She was very easy to work with and things clicked very early on. Working with someone you've never worked before is like a new friendship, there is always an awkwardness. That's just human nature. But like life, you adapt, laugh a little and do your best to bring out the best in each other. The camera is only 5% of the whole process when working with people. The 95% is the connection with your subject or subjects. Gaining experience in the field of modeling is also a large part of be successful. Doing TFCD or TFP (time for CD or time for prints) is a great way to start building a portfolio.
Make sure whatever photographer you work with has experience in the modeling/fashion/print industry if you want strong images for your portfolio. While photographers might have strong portrait work, they might not be the best choice for a portfolio.  

I hear "I want to be a model" often. The first thing I ask is "why do you want to model and what type of modeling are you interested in." There are several choices when it comes to modeling from ad work to print to fashion and so on. I've worked with people who have a "great look" but after a test shoot, find out that they don't have other qualities which would make them successful and marketable. I encourage them to work on strengthening and building up other qualities, so when we work on a portfolio for them, everything comes across in the image they want to present potential clients. I'd be happy to take their money for producing the work, but if I can't give them something which will produce work for them, it's not a win win situation, which is always the most desirable. caseylipokphotography@yahoo.com

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 Casey Lipok Photography