Highlights from 2021

1 Best in class photo from each project for 2021

Special thanks to all the ladies who graced my camera this year.  Each one of you has a great spirit of creativity.  You made this a strong comeback year for me.

Our Ladies: (alphabetical order)

 

 

 

 



 

Models – How to Improve Your Instagram Account

My goal here isn’t to make you feel small or less than professional. I want models to feel strong and empowered. If you want to take control of your direction, then try these ideas in order to push yourself to the next level.
1. If your insta profile is set to private: You want to be easily found, but if a photographer adds you and you later agree to add them, they don’t know. And so they will forget you.
2. You should always include First real name, and your city/state.
3. Once you pick a name for your profile you can’t change it or every link on every other page breaks.
4. You should always include the goal of your profile – example: Tampa Model.
5. Your profile should have the very best professional photos of you. Those TikTok filters are great for best buds, but your modeling page should be the best shots of you. Also, train your artistic eye. Not every shot of you is a great one.
6. Your profile should include at least 1 current head shot, and a couple full body poses from different angles.
7. Your profile should make you feel empowered and strong.
It’s ok to disagree with these points. They are merely my opinion and personal observations and you need to do what’s right for yourself.

Image by Bob Jones.
In Frame: Dora @dora.riman
Nakeup: Ashley @reigningartistry



Chelsea Kaz Beauty Project

n frame: Chelsea Kaczmarek
She did her own makeup.
She did a great job with this photo shoot and was amazing to work with. I only wish we could have gotten a makeup artist to actually do the project I originally wanted.


GET SERIOUS – Models, bring something to the table.

One of the things I notice the most is the models are waiting for inspiration from the photographers. Most models don’t do anything unless there is a casting call for a shoot. It’s the photographer that has to come up with the idea and then find a way to draw you into the project.
Here’s how to put together a photo shoot casting call.
1. Be specific to the idea. Don’t just say you want to update your portfolio. Tell us what theme genre you want to shoot and what wardrobe you want to bring.
2. Use photos to illustrate your idea.
3. Look at photo examples out there of your theme and gather as many examples as you can in a folder on Pinterest. On the day of the shoot, show the photographer, MUA & stylist what you’re thinking.
4. Practice posing ahead of time. Don’t expect the photographer to tell you how to pose. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new or have shot 1000 times. If you can’t pose yourself, the photographer will get bored and not want to work with you.
5. Use youtube and vimeo for video tips on how to pose. The videos are free. I’ve got almost 100 videos that I’ve downloaded from various sites. I watch them before a photo shoot and it always helps to motivate me.
Finally, one last item to help you along. One of the biggest mistakes I see is models spend so much time worrying about their pose, they don’t learn to relax and change expression. If you look at your portfolio and you have the same look in every shot, it’s time to change things up.

Good luck

When Models ask Why is a Shoot for Trade

I’ve got over $10K in gear. Between camera, lenses, lighting equipment. I’m going to be renting a studio sometime this year which means 800+/month.
 
I buy a ton of wardrobe for models to wear.
 
I spend hours researching themes, genres and ideas.
 
I take classes to learn my craft- over $5000 worth so far.
 
I have to pay the makeup artist/hair stylist out of my own pocket.
 
When I post a casting call, I get tons of responses from people who don’t take the time to read what I wrote and are not right for the theme – or they don’t follow the directions posted in the casting call. So, now I have to weed through them. Countless hours.
 
I have to chase down models to get head shots. They are almost always out of focus, bad lighting Cell phone photos. Countless hours.
 
During the shoot, the models rely on me to direct them in 95% of their poses. They haven’t researched the theme, nor the actual art of modeling.
 
Models come to a session with bad skin because they smoke, drink, or tan too much. They don’t understand about taking care of themselves.
 
I plan the shoot. I research the shoot. I review wardrobe requirements. I review the theme or genre. I post the casting calls. I weed through the models who apply looking for the right fit. I book the makeup artist and hair stylist. I provide the location. I set up the lighting. I direct the MUA & Stylist. I direct the model. On long shoots, I feed the entire team. When the shoot is done, I pay the MUA/stylist. I clean up the studio. Wipe down the makeup table. Take down the lighting equipment. Clean the camera for the next shoot. Edit photos. provide the place for the models to download their photos. Post the photos for them to download. Thank them for their time.
 
Move on to the next project.
 
Finally, I don’t begrudge any of this process. This is something I love to do. But it kind of irritates me when people ask what they are getting in trade for these shoots as if the photographer doesn’t work their butts off to make a good photo shoot.
 
Ask yourself this question. As a model, do you have current GOOD head shots? Do you have a comp card? If not, then how can you call yourself a model and expect to be paid if you don’t have the basics?

Dusty Marie Narducci

In Frame: Dusty Marie Narducci – IG: @dustymarienarducci
MUA: Mila Todorova – IG: @pro_makeup_by_mila
Photographer: Bob Jones – IG: @rjones315

To sum up Dusty, she is a classy lady. She exudes confidence on camera and was a lot of fun to work with. Her easy going personality made it easy to direct her on camera. As you can tell, she nailed it with this powerful photo.

BAM

Mila did a great job with the makeup here. A perfect balance of editorial beauty.

 

Star Doan

In Frame: Star Doan – IG: not disclosed
Also Present: Sophia Chutkan
Makeup: Reina Jerez – IG: @_peachybeauty65
Photographer: Bob Jones – IG: @rjones315
Camera: Nikon D610
So, one of the things I do during these types of photo shoots is test the model for her more photographic side. Every face is not perfectly symmetrical. I run a simple test by having her look straight at the camera, and I take a shot and turn her head to both sides and take additional shots. I then look to compare which side has the best angle.
In some rare cases I find a model who looks great from all angles from. Star has that face. I also love the fact that her mother is in her corner and that she wants Star to follow her dreams.
Reina did a great job on the makeup and assisted with fitting jewelry for the model.
Another fun project completed and each time I learn more about the Tampa Models I work with.

 

Isa Viega

In Frame: Isa Veiga – IG: @caboverdiana.mel
MUA: Isa Veiga – IG: @caboverdiana.mel
Photographer: Bob Jones – IG: @rjones315

Introducing Isa Veiga. She came to me with a confident smile and dominated the shoot. She easily slipped into the role of model in front of the camera. She really made the project her own effortlessly and with very little direction from me. All I had to do was sit back and snap photos of her and what little direction I gave she followed perfectly.

She is also did her own makeup and blended everything perfectly.

Lesley Ingles

Inframe: Lesley Ingles – ig: lesleyrosemarie
Makeup: Reina Jerez – ig: @_peachybeauty65

Photographer: Bob Jones – ig: @rjones315

When some people get in front of the camera, they come alive and dominate the theme. Lesley was that model. This mild mannered lady became another person in front of the camera. She was fantastic to work with and had a great attitude. All class and a little sass.
Reina did an outstanding job with the makeup. Each time I work with her, we try to push it to another level.
Ladies, if you think you have what it takes, then see my casting posted calls.
The Most Fun You Will Ever Have With Your Clothes On.
Now booking editorial beauty photo shoots

 

Delysia Davis

In Frame: Delysia Davis – IG: @_i.model
Reina Jerez – IG: @_peachybeauty65
Photographer: Bob Jones – IG: @rjones315
Camera: Nikon D610

Delysia has a natural beauty and camera presence that she looks like a cover girl model. She has the most pleasant personality and I believe any photographer that gets to work with her is blessed.

I’m glad that both models who came today brought close friends as their escorts. For one thing it’s another pair of hands to put to work. For another, I always want the ladies that I work with to feel comfortable and I want to provide a safe environment. I always encourage models to bring their friends along.

Many of our photo shoots take on a life of their own and they become a party. A LOt of laughs and excitement leading up to some amazing finished product.

Thank you to everyone today and for those to come for gracing my canvas.

Sierra Sexton

Photographer: Bob Jones – ig: @rjones315
Makeup: Stephanie M. Paul – www.smpmakeupartistry.com
In Frame: Sierra Sexton – ig: @sierralynn99

Camera: Nikon D610
Lighting: 3 point lighting with a reflector around chest height

These shots came from my first session this weekend. Sierra came in and from the moment she sat in the photo chair, she knocked it out of the park. She had never done any beauty modeling before, but she did a great job and followed my directions to the letter.

Both her great skin and the fantastic makeup job of Stephanie made editing these photos a breeze. I spent almost no time editing blemishes and most of my time finding the correct crop and looking at various tone adjustments.