Green flags in art photographers (according to Kate Ri)

Today I will tell you how do I select people to work with, what do I consider positive features in a photographer and how do I know the photoshoot is going to be a good one.

Ph PapenExperiment

Many people ask me how can I be not afraid of working one on one with people that I never seen in my life and have no proof of their good intentions (especially if it is a nude art photoshoot with a man twice my size). And the truth is - I am actually always afraid. But I do verify every person who text to me with a photoshoot request, so it feels a little bit safer.

In my experience, there were just a few shoots where I faced something that I didn't expect (like a questionable overnight provided, a mental illness level of dirtiness in a car that picked me up/apartment of a photographer where we shot, misunderstanding about payment, drunk driving to drop me after a shooting to the train station). But I still consider my cases rather mild, compared to other models problems.

But today I will describe some features that help me to choose a good photographer. Most of the time it works :)

💚First of all - a good photographer (according to Kate) has an extensive portfolio (the quality of pictures is secondary; I don't mind working with people who have just started their journey and are searching for their style and concepts. But there should be more than 20 photos from more than 3 photoshoots, preferably twice more than that, and those photos should be about people photography (a person with exclusively nature photos in their portfolio most likely will not be able to book me). 💚A green flag photographer credits their models on photos (it is a question of verification and safety, if all models are anonymous, and I have no one to ask for a reference, I will definitely not risk it even if the person behind this portfolio is totally safe)

💚A green flag photographer is polite and brief in their messages (writing long essays is not necessarily a bad sign, but it can be, as is replying with single words).

💚 Good art photographer informs a model about technical aspects of the shooting that are important to the model to perform well (location, weather/room temperature expected, duration, photography technique, extra people on set and their roles, planned breaks, transportation to and from the set, etc). What is required from a model (make up, styling, props, level of fitness required for the role - jumps, splits)

💚Green flag photographer chooses a safe environment for a photo shoot and if the location is risky, they check it first, before sending a model there

💚Good photographers are not gossiping about past models, about other photographers, etc

💚They are clear about how they are going to use the photos and if there is a commercial contract expected

💚They never enter a model's personal space without permission and they don't touch models (especially if it is an art shooting).

💚Green flag photographers don't comment on anybody's looks or compare models to each other (neither as a compliment nor critique). I don't want to be called skinny and naturally beautiful at the expense of other models the photographer likes less. And of course, I don't need any advice on body modifications, preferred amount of tattoos, hair, etc

💚Good photographers are not trying to use more of the model's time. if the booking is 3 hours, they finish the shoot in 3h including paperwork, setup preparation, packing, clean up etc. It is normal if you take 5-10 minutes after the shooting to get ready to leave, but this is not the time for anything important (like a contract or picture selection) to discuss the last-minute

💚Green flag photographers prepare for the shooting. They have mood boards or ideas, they prepare outfits and props (either alone or together with a model), they have an opinion on makeup and hairstyle

💚Green flag photographers don't overshoot the same idea over and over, they let the model be creative too

💚Good photographers take short breaks at a set!

💚 Good photographers do their research beforehand and are not forcing you to break the law (public nudity, trespassing, violating nature, etc)

and the list can go on and on :)

Some of those features are noticeable via email, some can show at the photoshoot, giving me the confidence to work with those people again.

And, of course, the best photographer (for me) is the one with whom I share similar values, vibes, opinions, artistic taste and sense of humor. It is always a big inspiration to work with people who are good for me just on a simple level of friendship. This way a lot of long-term collaborations are created.

Sometimes people match better, and sometimes they match less. In both cases, good pictures can be created; it is just a question of energy and motivation you are left with after a shooting.

ph James Wigger