What is a model call? And why do you do them?
What’s a model call? Why would you do one? What do I get out of it? All this and more! Merrill WI Newborn Photographer, Merrill WI Photographer, Wausau WI Newborn Photographer, Wausau WI Photographer, Mosinee WI Newborn Photographer, Mosinee WI Photographer, Weston WI Newborn Photographer, Weston WI Photographer, Antigo WI Newborn Photographer, Medford WI Newborn Photographer, Northern WI Newborn Photographer, North Central WI Newborn Photographer
Many of you may not be familiar with what a model call is, or why photographers do them - I’m here to give you more insights!
So what’s a model call anyway?
A model call is a free or reduced session that a photographer hosts to practice new techniques, styles, or for a specific project. Model calls are great for photographers because they provide a low/no pressure situation for the tog to practice or create a specific vision.
Why don’t you just practice on your friends?
We do! Sadly our friends aren’t always available, might not be interested in the particular vision we’re trying to create, or be the right fit for the session we need them for.
If it’s a model call, how much say do I get in the session?
That’s the catch - a model call is usually for the photographer to create something for themselves, or to practice on something they don’t normally do. In exchange for the free session you are giving up control. Meaning the photographer picks the props, colors, location, etc. But you still get gorgeous images to keep.
Will you take anyone?
No. The requirements vary by session type and what the photographer is hoping to achieve through their model call. For newborn model calls the photographer might be looking for a boy or girl specifically, have age restrictions as well as physical requirements (such as a baby with hair). These will be communicated to potential candidates when they reach out.
What are you going to do with the images?
The images could be used for a variety of purposes. Portfolio building, website images, marketing, contest entries, social media, etc.
Do I have to sign a model release?
Yes. The photographs are not helpful to the photographer if they can’t post them. While you might not be a great fit for a model call, you definitely can schedule a regular session! We completely understand if you don’t want your images shared on the web and will respect your decision.
Well that all sounds cool - I might be interested…how do they work exactly?
That is a great question! I’m so glad you asked! Send us a message! You can email us at photographybybrookewi@gmail.com or send a message on Insta or Facebook. Additional details on the session will be provided at that time.
We look forward to working with you!
Maternity Self Portrait
Photography by Brooke did a maternity self portrait! North Central Wi Photographer, North Central WI Maternity Photographer, Merrill WI Maternity Photographer, Wausau Wi Maternity Photographer, Weston Wi Maternity Photographer, Antigo Wi Maternity Photographer
Keep scrolling to see the end result!
I am not a person who loves to take selfies, or post a lot of pictures of myself. In general, I’d much rather be the person behind the camera than in front of it. The downside of this, is that I don’t have a lot of pictures of myself and my kids together. And virtually no pictures of any of my four pregnancies. I decided that when I was pregnant with my son, things would be a little different.
For me, I am never more self conscious than when I’m pregnant. I have never felt like I had the cute, perfect baby bump. When I was pregnant with my first two daughters, I couldn’t afford maternity pictures. And then when I was pregnant with babies number three, and again with number four I was too nervous to do them with another photographer. Thus the brilliant idea was formed - I would take maternity self portraits! I am a photographer after all! How hard can it be?
Really hard.
At the time, my husband and I had just sold our first home and had several houses we were trying to buy fall through on us. We were in a cramped, old, dark, not very attractive apartment (as you can clearly see in the before). There was no room for my studio, or really very much of anything. Definitely no room for my studio setup. In short, things had not gone according to plan. I’m telling you this to set the stage of what I had to work with.
I was bound and determined to make it work! I pulled my backdrop stand out of storage, found a roll of my seamless paper and set to work. In my head, it would be simple and I could knock out these maternity pictures in an hour or so. Learn from my mistakes, don’t try it yourself. I spent the better part of the afternoon fighting with my setup, tripod, and shutter trigger trying to get something usable. When I called it a day and uploaded the images to my editing program, I realized I had some hard work ahead.
I had the best of intentions to edit the images right away, I did not. It actually took me about nine months (oops!). To edit just ONE maternity image! Life has this funny way of ruining the best of intentions sometimes. Between kids, school, my day job, my photography, moving, having a baby. . . . . . . I just never got around to it.
Guys, moral of the story. Hire someone to help you get beautiful maternity pictures you’ll want to treasure forever. You will be stressed enough trying to prepare for your new baby, navigating the changes in your body, along with all the other stressors and obligations life brings. Let me help take one of those burdens off of your shoulders.