Some of my favorite photo shoots begin without knowing exactly what we’re going to create.
That was certainly the case when I met up with Lydia Rice for a collaborative modeling photo shoot at Ruins Hall in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania.
Lydia was interested in furthering her modeling and expanding her portfolio, while I was looking for opportunities to experiment with new locations, poses, compositions and styles for PhotoArtGraphy. That’s exactly what a collaborative modeling shoot is supposed to be: photographer and model working together to create photographs that benefit both of our portfolios.
And Ruins Hall gave us quite a place to experiment.
What Is a Collaborative Modeling Photo Shoot?
A collaborative modeling shoot – sometimes referred to as a TFP shoot – is different from a traditional paid portrait session.
Rather than someone hiring me to create a predetermined set of photographs, we approach the session as a creative collaboration. The model contributes her or his time, ideas, wardrobe and personality. I contribute the photography, equipment, editing, creative direction and finished images.
We both get an opportunity to try things.
That distinction is important because collaborative shoots give us considerably more freedom to experiment. Not every photograph needs to be the “safe” photograph. We can try an unusual pose, move somewhere because the light suddenly looks interesting, change the original plan, or spend time creating something simply because we’re curious whether it will work.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
And sometimes those experiments produce my favorite photographs of the entire shoot.
You Don’t Need Modeling Experience
One of the things I particularly want people to understand about PhotoArtGraphy’s collaborative modeling shoots is that you don’t need to already be a model to participate.
Lydia came into this shoot with just basic level previous modeling experience.
That didn’t mean I expected her to arrive already knowing dozens of poses or knowing exactly what to do whenever I pointed the camera at her. Part of my role as the photographer is helping with posing, positioning, expressions and ideas throughout the session.
As the shoot progressed, we experimented with standing poses, seated poses, walking and movement, looking directly into the camera, looking away from it, different hand positions and both serious and smiling expressions.
That’s also one of the things I enjoy about working with someone who is just getting started. A collaborative shoot can provide a low-pressure opportunity to discover what works in front of the camera while beginning to build a portfolio at the same time.
Why We Chose Ruins Hall in Glen Rock
Ruins Hall is unlike the typical portrait location.
Instead of manicured gardens, pristine architecture or a traditional studio backdrop, we had the remains of an industrial structure filled with graffiti, weathered concrete, open spaces, colorful columns and an almost constantly changing collection of visual possibilities.
For this particular shoot, that environment worked especially well.
Lydia brought a couple wardrobe options, allowing us to create two noticeably different looks during the session. The graffiti provided bold splashes of color, while the concrete and deteriorating industrial surroundings gave some photographs a much darker, more editorial feel.
Even within one outfit, moving only a short distance could completely change the photograph.
That became one of the themes of the shoot: one location can actually contain dozens of locations if you pay attention to what’s around you.
Then the Weather Changed Everything
Of course, photography doesn’t always cooperate with carefully made plans.
There had been significant rain and a thunderstorm immediately before the time of our shoot. Instead of arriving at a nice, dry Ruins Hall, we found wet concrete and large puddles throughout the property.
That could have been a problem.
Instead, it became part of the photography.
The standing water created reflections of Lydia, the graffiti and the remaining structure. By getting the camera low to the ground and changing my shooting angle, some otherwise ordinary puddles became a major compositional element.
A few of the resulting reflection photographs are among my favorites from the session.
That’s one of the reasons I try not to become too attached to a precise shot list. Planning matters, but so does recognizing what the location, weather and circumstances are giving you at that particular moment.
The rain gave us something I couldn’t have planned.
The Unexpected Parts of a Photo Shoot
We also weren’t exactly alone at Ruins Hall.
While I was exploring the location before Lydia arrived, I met a couple of young girls who were having considerably more fun with all that water than I was. They had been exploring the nearby water, collecting crayfish – and even a small fish – and transferring their discoveries into some of the large puddles.
They periodically stopped to show me what they’d found.
They also discovered fairly quickly that the photographer was trying very hard not to get wet.
Naturally, that turned me into a target.
By the time Lydia’s shoot began, the girls would occasionally stop what they were doing to watch us. At one point, one of them even ended up running through the background just as I took a photograph of Lydia.
It wasn’t remotely part of the plan, but it’s one of those photographs that now reminds me of everything happening outside the frame during the session.
Those little unexpected moments are part of location photography, too.
Creating Different Looks Without Overcomplicating the Shoot
One thing I particularly liked about Lydia’s session was the amount of variety we were able to create.
Some photographs became relatively tight portraits where Ruins Hall essentially turned into colorful abstraction behind her. Others pulled back and made the graffiti-covered structure an important part of the image.
We photographed Lydia walking through the space. We used columns to frame her. We incorporated puddles and reflections. We created seated portraits using pieces of the old structure. We experimented with more traditional poses and others that felt considerably more editorial.
The goal wasn’t to make every photograph look the same.
It was almost the opposite.
A collaborative shoot gives me the opportunity to ask, “What else can we do here?”
And then keep exploring.
More Than Just Building a Modeling Portfolio
Collaborative modeling sessions can certainly be useful for someone interested in developing a modeling portfolio.
But you don’t necessarily need aspirations of becoming a professional model.
Maybe you’ve always wondered what it would be like to participate in a modeling shoot. Maybe you’re interested in fashion, dance, acting or another creative field. Maybe you want to become more comfortable in front of a camera. Maybe you have an unusual wardrobe, location or photo concept you’ve always wanted to try.
Or maybe you simply think it sounds fun.
That’s enough reason to start a conversation.
I’m interested in collaborating with both experienced models and people who have never modeled before. Depending upon the concept, collaborative shoots can include teens as well as adults, with appropriate parental involvement and permission for minors.
The important part is that we have an idea that gives both of us an opportunity to create something worthwhile.
Interested in a Collaborative Photo Shoot?
PhotoArtGraphy is based in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, and I photograph throughout Southern York County and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland.
I’m continually looking for interesting people, locations and concepts for future collaborative photography – and potentially videography – projects.
If you’ve thought about trying modeling, want to expand an existing portfolio, or simply have a creative idea you’d like to explore, I’d be happy to hear about it.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
You don’t need a modeling portfolio.
And you definitely don’t need to have everything figured out before contacting me.
Sometimes all we need is a starting idea, an interesting location and a willingness to see what we can create together.
That’s exactly what collaborative photography is about.
Learn about Our Collaborative Photo Shoots
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