Madison Martin: Spring Fashion

As springtime rolls around, in southwest Missouri, the lovely, Madison, dropped by to update her modeling portfolio with some seasonal fashion looks.

I’ve been fortunate to work with Madison, many times. She is a very nice individual, as well as a well-prepared, professional individual. Madison never fails to light up the room with her engaging smile. Conversely, a smoldering gaze is equally up her alley.





PREPARATION
I invest a lot of time preparing for every session I conduct. On the day of a shoot, I always have, at the ready, a printed shot list as well as a binder book of visual inspiration, tailor made for the particular shoot.

Since our session was to be fashion-oriented, I browsed my reference, pulling inspiration that felt appropriate for the backgrounds and lighting, I had in mind, as well as what I felt was appropriate for Madison’s look. She was nice enough to send me photos of the outfits she would bring, which helped me narrow my vision, further.




With the fashion look, of the shoot, I decided to keep the backgrounds simple, bringing focus to the outfits. There is also a fine art feel that comes from a figure on a simple background, that I enjoy.

Since it was such a nice day, her casual spring ensemble would be perfect for some outdoor looks. So, I added that to my shot list.






THE SHOOT

My lighting setups included:
- 1 bare bulb strobe, no modifier, for crisp lines and shadows
- 1 strobe with 7-inch silver reflector dish, pointing into a 60-inch bounce umbrella
- Natural light for the outdoor sequences

Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS 7D
- In the studio, I used a Canon EF 24–105mm f/4.0L IS USM lens. My settings ranged between f/5.6–7.0, in order to maintain crisp focus over the depth of the figure; ISO 100; and shutter speed of 1/125.
- Outside, my lens changed to a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, in order to utilize the shallow depth of field. Aperture ranged from f/1.2–2.8; ISO 100; shutter speed between 1/250–1250, as lighting warranted.

One thing I’m known for, among those who work with me, is my posing. I have a fairly strong vision and direction, when it comes to posing. So, I regularly guide my subjects to help create beautiful, flattering lines, shapes, and accentuate their natural body language, with fashion flair. I pose right along with those I work with, which sometimes creates a chuckle or two. I know this teamwork is also much appreciated by those I work with. The mutual goal is always gorgeous images. This teamwork lets us do our best to achieve that goal.






My sincerest thanks, again, to the lovely, Madison, for a terrific spring fashion session.

Credits:
photographer: Allan Burch (www.facebook.com/abartistry)
model: Madison Martin (www.facebook.com/MadisonMartinsPhotos)

ONE MORE THING…
Are you a Springfield/Branson-area model looking to start or update your portfolio? Are you a traveling model, in the area? Drop me a line. Let me help you create beautiful images and provide you a memorable and fun experience!

Allan Burch is a published glamour, boudoir, and portrait photographer, serving the Springfield and Branson Missouri area, and beyond.
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Lynda in the City

This is Lynda, an aspiring model whom I had the pleasure of photographing, recently.

I go into shoots with goals. Posing was at the top of my goals list on this day. It can be the single biggest difference between a flattering and unflattering photograph, in my view. A bend of the front knee, a chin forward and down (with thanks to Sue Bryce), and a hand placed around the hip instead of smack against one's side, can elongate, slim, and make anyone look significantly better. Who doesn't want to look good in front of the camera?

The everyday person usually does not know how to pose or look flattering in front of the camera; nor should they. It's not their job. It's my job, and I love it. It's my mission to make everyone who steps in front of my camera look and feel like a model.

Here is a sampling from Lynda.







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6 Tips to Help You Look Better in Front of the Camera

I know you. You avoid the camera like the plague, because you think you are not photogenic. You untag yourself in every Facebook photo, because you don't really look like that. Yes, I know you.

There are lots of contributing factors to your camera-fright, but posing is the big culprit, here. Unless you spend lots of time modeling, you may not know much about posing. Posing is hard work, as many models can attest. Just about every woman wants to look taller, slimmer, younger, and more beautiful. Fortunately, there are six quick and simple tips I can share with you, the non-model, to help you look amazing next time you find yourself in front of the unexpected camera. If not amazing, then, at least a whole lot better.



1. Stand up straight. Good posture is slimming and flattering.

2. Turn at a slight angle from the camera. Facing the camera, straight on, makes the body look its widest. A slight angle is more slimming and forgiving.

3. Place your weight on your back leg and bend your front leg, slightly. The back leg is away from the camera, making it appear smaller, and the bent front leg has relaxed muscles, which makes it slimmer. The bend also adds a lovely S-shaped curve, which is more interesting than a straight line.

4. Relax your shoulders. People hold tension in their shoulders. Relaxing them not only relaxes the muscles but also elongates the neck, which is also slimming.

5. Bring a bit of space between your arms and body. Smashing arms against the body makes them wide. Adding space between arms and body reveals the silhouette of the waist, which is slimming. When arms are at the sides of the body, they become the width of the body. The natural hourglass is obscured. Bringing them away reveals the waist and showcases the hourglass, which is flattering.

6. Smile with your eyes. When you do so, it is a natural expression, and very engaging. You've seen those dead-eye "say cheese" smiles from unnamed family portraits; not too engaging.

Give these a try. Let me know how it goes!

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www.allanburch.com