Hah, last time I give you a lift…who needs personality when you’re beautiful

I very much mean the creative lead — which will often be the photographer. The strongest images in the photographers folio will often be those with a strong story, these can even display less than technical perfection if the concept is strong enough.

I think too many of us working TFP forget it’s a agreement of mutual benefit — to develop both of you. Ok, if you’re trying out a new technique (either technical or in approach) — but if you’re not I’d recommend really trying hard to ensure you do one shot that will really sing in your folio.

If the only person developing their folio or skillset is the model — maybe you should be charging them!

Which as an amateur photographer, leaves a lot of the burden on my shoulders. I think when you’re starting out, the emphasis and pressure is understandably on creating something that’s technically right, where the lighting works and the model is in frame, with the requisite number of arms and legs, and their eyes open.

You don’t want to risk wasting the models time and coming out with nothing usable. You’re absolutely right that it’d be great if photos could be used to tell more of a story, but in an age where models even see themselves as a commodity, and their portfolio is simply a tool to sell that product, it’s unsurprising that they so often just want photos that tick the boxes.

Not a criticism, more just some random thoughts from my head…