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  • My name is Dave Krugman, and I'm a Brooklyn-based photographer.

  • And here are five tips on working with models when shooting portraiture.

  • So tip number one: I always think it's a good idea to, kind of, very briefly at least, get to know your model, um, and have them get to know you a little bit because what a portrait is, is really a slice and time of some sort of human connection or dynamic.

  • So, whether that's a cup of coffee or a quick conversation, don't immediately pick up the camera and start shooting.

  • Like, develop some sort of rapport, and then you'll get much better images in the long run.

  • Tip number two. Less is more.

  • So, we have access to an incredible level of technology now, you can take, you know, 14 frames a second if you want.

  • But that's going to cause a lot of problems, and you're not really going to get the right moments.

  • You should slow down, take your time, and really photograph consciously at these critical key decisive moments.

  • That actually will help you in post-processing as well because you won't have, like, 300 files to go through for one image.

  • And I think that you'll basically have less images at a higher quality level.

  • Tip number three: Develop some sort of system of communication that you use with models.

  • One of the things I love to do is to kind of have a non-verbal system of communication.

  • So, to make micro adjustments I'll say to the model, "Hey do you mind if you just follow my hand with your eyes."

  • So if I need to make a very small adjustment, but I don't need to, you know, say a whole paragraph about it, I like to just use one hand to have their eyes track so I can direct them in these little microscopic ways.

  • Tip number four: Be very conscious and aware of what's going on behind your model, especially if you're shooting environmental portraiture.

  • A very common mistake that beginners make is kind of not realizing where the lines are in the background, and a lot of those lines will be intersecting with their subject and breaking up the shape.

  • Instead, try to use those lines that are falling behind your subject to create a framing situation so that you get much more of like a frame of your subject, as opposed to, you know, for example, a telephone pole coming right out of them.

  • Tip number five: And this is one of my favorites, is pose for other photographers.

  • Nothing will help you understand what it's like to model than doing it yourself.

  • And understanding, you know, what kind of direction helps, how to make somebody feel comfortable.

  • Because if you experience those emotions yourself, you'll bring that back to the other side of the camera again and be much more successful with your craft.

  • I hope you found those tips helpful.

  • If you have any suggestions of your own, I'd love to hear those as well.

  • Join the conversation in the comments right below.

  • I'm Dave Krugman. You can find me at davekrugman.com

  • You can find me on Instagram at dave.krugman.

  • And you can find all my curational and editorial work on allships.co.

  • Thank you so much.

My name is Dave Krugman, and I'm a Brooklyn-based photographer.

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