10x10 ideas for a photoshoot

*I wrote this post specifically from the perspective of nude photography, but it equally relates to other genres too.

There is one trigger phrase that activates in me suppressed anger and very emotional taking about creativity.

It is this phrase "Oh! You are such an experienced model! Feels like you already had all possible photoshoots, I don't have any ideas to shoot with you..."

And believe me, after this words I am a pure rage and fire. Because if you are only able to impress an unexperienced model with your idea of a nude girl standing sensually next to the window, waiting for her lover or an idea of a nude girl next to the tree, as a part of wild nature? Or black and white body scapes? Well, indeed I've done lots of shootings like that, but that is not the point.

Using the same idea you can create so many different images! You dont even need to change a model. The story might be shown in a different day/night time. In a different happy/melancholic/surreal mood. With a different styling and accessories (even as a nude photo). From different angles.

You can break the most expected scenario and add something funny/scary/disturbing/old/modern to the case of a nude girl next to the window and it will be a unique picture.

So some time ago I got this idea to make a list of ideas for photos that I would feel inspired to make as a model or as a photographer

Those ideas will be mostly described from a visual point of view. Storytelling in photography is another way of planning a shooting, but, hmm, I feel like it is another topic to discuss with you guys :)

1. If you have a model and a mirror.

Endless possibilities:

Mirrors outdoors. Mirrors indoors. Reflection of a model or of some other interesting object that will create a story. Catching the sun with the mirror. Mirror and water. Mirror and red lipstick. Mirror and dressing up, undressing. Mirror that shows someone being fragile. Mirror that shows power. Multiple mirrors - interesting reflections, interesting light effects.

2. If you have a model and some water.

Endless possibilities. Indoors: water on the face/body of a model. Water on clothes. Glass of water (reflections and lights). Water from tap. Shower. Bath. All kinds of things you can put in the bathtub to make an interesting photo. You can put lights underwater. You can put camera underwater. 

Outdoors - water as a background, water reflection of the sky, clouds. Water in movement - splashes, pouring water, etc. Rain.

3. If you have a model and some glass. Different shapes and colors. Empty glass vessels or vessels with water. Shooting through the clean/dirty/colored glass. 

4. Model and colour

You can take a model, plain background and add some colorful detail - as an item, accessory. As make up. As part of outfit (for example colorful tights). Bodybaint. Colorful wig. Colored beam of light.

5. Model and nature

You can always play with flowers, plants, dry and fresh, real and plastic. Trees outdoors, trees indoors. Flowers in the water. Moss on body. Body on moss. Shapes of body & shapes of nature.

6. See through plastic sheeting, bubble wrap, food wrap

You can put your lights through it, you can make an outftit from it. You can paint on it. You can print odd patterns on a model face/body with it. Ripped bubble wrap as a backdrop, as an outfit, as a foreground. Plastic wrap + wind mashine.

7. Letters/words/symbols

You can write something on your model.  You can make a backdrop out of books/newspapers/written letters. You can use a projector to put some words/patterns/symbols on your model or behind her. Make letters from a models body, hands. Find an interesting symbol and ask a model to make a similar pose.

8. Smoke

You can use various smoke mashines or flares (please check everything before the shooting in safe conditions) You can use the nature and shoot during a foggy morning. Smoke can be white or colored. You can also ask models to smoke (if it is ok for them)

9. Art

You can actually take some art and use it within your art. For example - sculptures and models in one composition. Projections of paintings on models body. Quoting some classical art in your photos (poses or accesories or color palette). Do not copy, but process what was done by great artists to create something new 🙂

10. Casual life

You can also be creative in making a regular “natural, not posed shooting”. Models dont have to only stay next to a light sourse or sit on every peace of furniture. To show “normal life” in the shooting with the model you can try various angles, search for unusual composition, use some storytelling details, change lights, change moods, etc. 

Pro tip: Do not tell your model "do not pose", just give her some ideas to improvise with. Maybe she is dressing up? eating? Waiting for a food delivery? Cleaning house? Playing with whatever props? Maybe she is making big steps/small steps/jumps/pushups? All of it will look natural and not posed, but the model should know what of her actions will be encouraged by you. 

Have fun! 

Photo by Desari, London 2019