Early mornings for me come with the L train rumbling overhead and a siren fading into the city hum. I'm getting ready for another day of shooting, and before the first click I want a few quiet minutes. That might be in the studio in Bushwick before the first light hits the window, or before we head through the morning rush to a West Village brownstone.
The quiet minutes before the first frame
A frame needs more than good light, whether that is golden hour over the Brooklyn Bridge or studio strobes. It needs the right location, composition and wardrobe. It also needs the small, unseen preparation that helps the person in front of the camera feel confident and put together. I'm a photographer who also runs an agency, Dante's Models, so getting people ready is part of the job.
Looking good is half of it. Feeling good is the other half. When a model or client arrives at our studio, in our main space in Chelsea or a rented loft in Dumbo, they bring the city's energy in with them. I want to help them drop it and settle, so their own personality comes through and I can photograph real emotion.
The feeling behind the face
We talk a lot about light and angles that show off a jawline or a smile. None of that matters much if the person in front of the camera isn't comfortable. We don't turn anyone into someone else. We bring out what is already there. Sometimes that comes from a good night's sleep, a calm morning away from the subway crowds, or a moment of quiet before we start. Sometimes it is a small bit of self-care that makes them feel looked after.
When someone is at ease, you see it in their eyes, their posture and the way they hold themselves. A forced smile or a stiff pose shows from across the room, however good the lighting or expensive the wardrobe. I want to capture the person, whether they are a seasoned model or standing in front of a professional camera for the first time. That takes empathy and connection as well as technique.
Mental and emotional prep
Before we touch a camera, I like the subject to have a moment to just be. That might be a few minutes of quiet, a calm playlist, or a chat about anything but the shoot: their favorite coffee spot in Williamsburg, a Broadway show they liked, their weekend plans. A relaxed person photographs better than a stressed one.
Some people do a quick meditation or breathing session. Others take a few deep breaths and picture a good shoot. Some models have brought their own journals to write a few thoughts down and clear their heads before stepping onto set. Showing up fully takes some preparation. It is the difference between a model who is posing and one who is in the moment.
A lip mask for the camera
One small pre-shoot touch is the Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask. It turns up in a lot of makeup bags, from pros getting ready for a beauty shoot in Flatiron to new talent preparing for their first portfolio images in our studio. It preps the lips and leaves a soft, smooth finish that reads well on camera, especially when we're working on expressions. Check it out here: Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask.
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Other small things count too. Moisturized hands and clean, tidy nails matter for close-up portraits or any pose where the hands are visible. Check the hair for flyaways, and use a spritz of facial mist if it helps. These aren't vanity. They keep the whole look polished, on the streets of SoHo or in the studio.
Wardrobe prep
How clothes have been prepared matters as much as the clothes. We tell models to bring their wardrobe pressed and on hangers. Steaming wrinkles out on set breaks the flow of a shoot, and a well-styled outfit looks sloppy if it was packed badly. That goes for high fashion editorials and simple headshots.
Comfort matters too. If a model keeps tugging at a tight waistband or a scratchy fabric, it shows in the expression and posture. We encourage subjects to pick outfits they feel good in, that let them move, and that fit their style or the mood of the shoot. We've seen big changes just from a model putting on an outfit they like, whether it is a sleek suit for a corporate headshot or a flowing dress for an editorial piece in Central Park.
Water and food
It sounds basic, but a hydrated, fed body does better. We keep water on set, and we ask subjects to drink plenty before they arrive. Dehydration can mean dull skin, tiredness and poor focus. A light snack, like a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts, helps keep blood sugar and energy steady without bloating.
Treat it like fueling for a marathon, even if the shoot is only an hour. We're moving, changing poses and working with the camera, and that takes focus and stamina.
What these details add up to
My job is to capture something real, and that tends to happen when someone feels ready, inside and out. It doesn't take heavy makeup or big changes. A few small preparations let natural expression come through.
Book your next photoshoot with us at dantet9.com. If you're working on a modeling career, our free resources are at dantet9.com/tools.
