Frequently Asked Questions
What is High Fashion Modeling?
When someone sees the incredibly tall and thin figures that appear on the runways and editorials for the top fashion designers, these are the High Fashion Models. They are usually required to be between 5’8” to 5’11”, with a dress size of 0-4 US, with a typical bust size of 34. The age range can be from 14 years old to 25 years old. For guys the age range passes their female counterparts and they can start from the age of 16 until their late 30’s. They need to be between 5’11” to 6’2”, with an great physique and a chest size of 38” to 42” and 30” to 34” waist. Male models tend to have longer careers if they look after themselves. (The sizes are the average and there are exceptions made all the time)
What Is an Editorial Print Model?
This is modeling for magazine editorials and covers such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, GQ etc. The standard requirements for these models are similar to those in High Fashion and one must be photogenic. It is most common for the same models to work in both Editorial Print and High Fashion. And the two usually go hand in hand for to get the better fashion campaigns, a model know that their chances increase when they can appear in the top editorial spreads. These editorials provide great exposure for models even though the fees earned are sometimes low, it is in a sense, free advertising for the model. This is normal and it can take a few years to gain the exposure needed to get the bigger paying campaigns.
What Is a Commercial Print Model?
Commercial print is a huge market that includes every kind of print advertising. This can range from advertising in magazines to newspaper supplements to billboards. The benefit of working in commercial print as a model is that the target audience of the advertisers varies considerably. Naturally the brands want to attract and represent the people that will buy their products, so there are many opportunities here if one are not the High Fashion type.
What Is a Catalog Model?
Companies use catalogs to sell their latest clothing lines or any other products they may carry, and the models purpose is to make them look desirable. Here one can find many opportunities for different model types, as the model is chosen to represent the companies target audience for the different products. With the increasing number of websites and online catalogs that require models to promote their products, this is can be a great source of income and has been considered for many to be a “bread & butter” job for many models as it provides the majority of their income while waiting for the more glamorous campaigns.
What Is a Glamour Model?
Glamour modeling is a growing sector of modeling that emphasizes a models sexuality. Glamour modeling can range from lingerie and swimwear shoots, to artistic and nude photography to men’s magazines. For this sector a model will need to be beautiful, sexy and confident, with an extremely outgoing personality. Height restrictions do not to apply and are almost to the contrary as many models look curvier and bustier being only 5” to 5’4”, which is the great attraction to many models. If one is considering this area of modeling, they should be careful as there are many people that may take advantage of models who are eager to get into modeling. Glamour modeling saw a huge increase upon the increase of digital photography because now anyone can go to a department store, pick up a basic DSLR and a laptop and try to take pictures. If one is interested in glamour modeling it’s advisable to do some research before accepting to shoot with someone who’s portfolio is full of amateur glamour models.
What Is a Plus Size Model?
Modeling for the larger body type, this type of modeling is on the increase and a relatively new phenomenon. If a model is confident, with great attributes and one is between the sizes of 8-16 US then this could be a great option. There are more advertisers are using plus size models to promote their products in a way to appeal to a broader demographic. As a plus size model, one will still need to have clear skin, white teeth and great hair and carry themselves very well. For high hashion plus sized models the height requirements remain at a minimum of 5”8.
What is your Test Shoot and why is it called a test shoot?
We call our Test Shoot package as such because they are meant for someone who is unsure if modeing is the route they want to go. Many people have been told, “You should be a model!” In case by case basis, this is learned latter to be untrue. So instead of investing in a portfolio, some models want to get a Test Shoot to submit to agencies or get feedback to see if they really do have the potential. Most agencies and professionals, however, can tell just from simple self taken polaroids if a model has potential. And yes there are plenty of opportunities to find free test shoots with photographers that are just starting off or building their portfolios that may be good enough to start with.
Do I have to be a model to book with you?
If you want to be technical, any “subject” we shoot IS a model. But do you have to have plans to be a professional model or seek representation? Of course not. Many clients have booked sessions for their social media and dating profiles. And sessions have also been booked as surprised gifts for their loved ones. However, our shoots are still planned, conducted, posed, and edited as if it were for a portfolio or editorial shoot.
Can I bring someone with me to my photo shoot?
If you are an unrepresented minor (under 18 years of age), you MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you are an adult, you may still bring someone with you to the photoshoot if you would like. We advise, however, that friends sometimes cause distraction or cause the model to get performance anxiety. So although it is rare, we may ask the person to distance themselves from the shoot if they are directly affecting the results of your session. Shoots can be more fun with a friend along, so make sure its a friend you are 100% comfortable with and won’t affect your shoot.
Do I need to go shopping for a new wardrobe?
The job of the model and photographer is to make clothing look as good as possible. You will not have a choice of clothing when you are a model, the client chooses. So part of what we do is to take the wardrobe you currently have and make the clothes and the model look the best. We help you mix and match what you bring to the set so don’t think its necessary to go out and spend money on a new wardrobe. But if you have the means and that is what you want to do, feel free. (P.S. Nordstrom supposedly has an awesome return policy 😉
Can we shoot at my hotel/condominium pool?
We can not ‘guarantee’ a shoot at any hotel or condo without a permit from said property. It must be OK with the hotel at the time of the shooting, for what they consider a professional shoot. We also would not shoot in places where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy from photography. Hotel pools usually have other guests lying around and so we would not shoot in such situations. So while it may be likely that we can shoot at your hotel or condominium, we can not guarantee such a scenario without prior written consent from the property.
Why is direction so important?
Direction is the most important thing during any shoot. The model cannot see what he/she is doing and how they look in the viewfinder. And they cannot tell that they needs to lift their chin up and relax their mouth and not tilt their head like they are taking a snapshot for their IG post. I think many photographers, though they may have studied many hours to lean what f-stops, focal lengths, and shutter speeds are, don’t direct a shoot very well for the model to have marketable photos.
Is there an additional fee if I pay by credit card?
Who pays by cash anymore? We do not charge any fees for paying by credit card or Apple Pay as this is the only form of booking confirmation and/or deposits available.
Does JS Studio provide fashion videography services?
Unfortunately JS Studio is only for in-house videos and for select commercial clients. We do not publicly offer these services. Although we are fully capable, it would be more economically feasible for clients to obtain their services from other listed videographers.
Do you shoot Quinceaneras, Debutants, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, or Engagements?
Again, we do not publicly offer these services. However, we have on occasion booked non-fashion based shoots for clients who still want their shoot to have a fashion flair. If you are interested in booking a strict fashion based photographer for your occasion and don’t mind paying a bit more for that style of photography, you are welcome to contact us.
Do you deliver every image you shoot?
We, generally, do not deliver every photo that gets captured. We get rid of seemingly duplicates, test shots are not imported, and shots with unwanted expressions and closed eyes are not delivered for proofing. The main reason for taking more pictures than a client actually receives is to guarantee that there are publishable prints. The client DOES NOT have to pay for the extra shots taken as it is our guarantee to the client. If the client absolutely has to have the photos from the entire shoot, then that CAN BE arranged for an extra fee depending on the amount of proofed photos delivered.
Do you retouch all the images that we select?
Yes we do. Every image you select from proofing is retouched in-house for fastest delivery. Apart from the general exposure adjustment, garment retouching, and spot healing and imperfections and stray hairs, we create different moods in the photography. Our style of post-production depends on the mood of each individuals shoot. Each model may have a different look they fit into. One model should not follow another models style and no two models portfolios should be the same.
Do you shoot in JPEG or Raw?
Every shoot, except live events, such as runway, is shot in RAW format. When RAW images are captured, no processing is applied, and therefore the file stores more tonal and color data. With more data stored in the file, there is more processing flexibility than a JPEG can offer. Here’s a food analogy: a raw file is having the ingredients to make a meal at home that you can prep however you’d like, whereas a JPEG is an extra value meal from a fast food restaurant, and there is less choices in how you can modify the meat.
When can we expect to see our photos from our session?
The photos from the session are uploaded almost immediately. Depending on the type of session and duration, the photos are uploaded the same day or the following day to the Adobe servers. Once the photos are uploaded, you will receive a notification that the photos are ready for proofing. Once you make your selections, the post-production can begin.
How long does it take to get my photos?
Depending on the type of session booked, the proofing selections are processed in an average of 2 days. Once the photos are uploaded, you will receive a notification from Adobe that the photos are ready for download.
Why do you use Adobe servers for proofing?
We utilize Adobe servers for our clients proofing as it has proven to be the most reliable for proofing. Every selection, every edit, and every comment remains in the meta-data of the RAW image on our system and eliminates any errors made from utilizing a third party proofing gallery. Once the selections are made and the photos are delivered they will also be available for download from Adobe Lightroom Servers or through the Adobe Lightroom App available for both Android and Apple IOS.
What rights do I, as a model, have to the photos?
We do not have time deal in stock photography and reprint rights. Once your session is available for download, you can print, post, and share your photos as much as and for as long as you like. Editorial submission to the any of the vast online magazines is OK as well (check with any agency or representation you have first) even if you are being paid for the submission. The ONLY limitation is that the photos may NOT be used in any commercial usage. Advertisements, in-store signs, fliers, billboards, etc are not permitted. Any agency or representatives have the right to reproduce your images in any media deemed necessary for your individual promotion.
What rights do I, as a commercial client, have to the photos?
Similar to the models/individual clients, once your session is available for download, you can print, post, and share your photos as much as and for as long as you like. The photos may also be transferred to another commercial end-user defined in the same usage. Example: If you are a designer and you have received photos from a booked session, you may produce marketing material that you distributor may place as in-store marketing, advertisements, in-store signs, fliers, billboards, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Our rights extended to a commercial client DO NOT trump any outside contracts nor agreements with third party agencies. For example, if you book a model through a major agency, you MUST follow any stipulation you have agreed to with that agency and/or their models. They will most likely (and should) limit the amount of usage, time, and frequency their models appear with your campaign.