Advertisement	Advertisement	Advertisement

TIPS OF THE WEEK 
by Vicki Peters
Back

TIP OF THE WEEK #22 
PHOTO SHOOTS By Vicki Peters

If you ever get the chance to do a photo shoot - do it! It is a fun 
experience that can prove to be not only exciting but you may get some photos 
out of the deal. Photo shoots don't pay a lot, the average is about $150 so 
don't think your going to get rich off it. There are hidden benefits such as 
tear sheets, which are an unbound pages from the magazine you may be 
shooting, a cover shot or copies of the photos. You can work with the 
photographer and pass on your fees and get some nice shots for a portfolio 
you may be building. Lots of models do that. 

I know for Nailpro and other magazines I have worked, the models are aspiring 
models and actresses and getting to do a cover shot is a bit out of their 
reach so they work for a lesser fee to get a cover on a magazine like Nailpro 
which is trade magazine not a consumer to build their portfolio. You see a 
lot of our cover models in television and magazine ads. One of our models 
that posed for Nailpro as well as DaySpa was the redhead (long hair) on 
Baywatch.) If a model had to go out and do shots specifically to build a 
portfolio it would cost many thousands of dollars, this way they are taking 
advantage of what is in front of them, and you should too.

Local modeling agencies are always a good place to start. Donate your 
services to do the nails and toes on aspiring models who need photos taken 
for their portfolio. Network with all the photographers in town is another 
way to finding shoots that need manicurists. Or you could sign with an 
agency like I did in LA when I lived there. Unfortunately there was not a 
lot of work for me and only went out on three calls for the two years I was 
onboard with Cloutier, the leading agency for stylists and manicurists in 
both LA and NY. I think I may have been bottom of the list but you have to 
start somewhere. Network once you get to the photo shoot and give your card 
to everyone, you never know when you will get a call.

Have a kit that is easy to work out of so you don't have to unpack much and 
bring plenty of towels and a lamp. Kits now come in all kinds of sizes with 
and without wheels. Make it simple when packing and put a packing list 
inside of your kit so you don't forget anything. 

Be prepared for anything on a shoot. Bring one of everything you may think 
you need and definitely a pedicure bath. Seems like most shoots are 
manicures and pedicures so be prepared for that. Not many require fills or 
full sets and they may not communicate that with you so be prepared anyway. 
If you do get a chance to do some artificial nails be sure to make them 
sleeker than normal, the camera puts weight on the nails like they do the 
body. Use a small nail art or pointed short gel brush to clean up the 
cuticle area. Lotion makes the skin shiny so if you use some make sure you 
wipe if off good if they are going right under the camera, if not time may 
absorb it enough that it is not an issue. 

Also bring an ample collection of the hottest trendy colors plus an 
assortment of French manicure colors. You never know what they want. Be 
prepared to repair nails quickly and have a solution to whatever presents 
itself. That's is the making of a good photo shoot manicurist. Do not 
complain there is not a manicuring table set up just for you, you will have 
to do nails where ever you can sometimes. I had to sit on a dirty cement 
floor while doing Farah Faucett's nails and her pedicure. The point being 
is the manicurist is the lowest ranked on the totem pole and you cannot be a 
primadonna at a photo shoot, you will never be asked back. Most of the time 
the make up artist or hairstylist will be working on the model at the same 
time. 

You have to get in, do your work, be a pro and make everyone happy. You 
should be quick, add to the concept with colors, etc. and make magic with 
your work. Photo shoots are creative and usually very high energy - they 
are fun and can produce a whole new element to your career. 

Vicki Peters

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

Vicki Peters 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com 

Back