I’ve been working with Beauty Works Hair Extensions for sometime, and this week it was great to be shooting their spring campaign.

Model Charlotte Moore looks gorgeous and radiant in the images. Charlotte’s Makeup and Hair was styled by Nick Kershaw who created some flawless looks.

I’m sure the new hair extension products will be well received I’m looking forward to working with Beauty Works on future projects.

Beauty Works Rory Lewis Photographer

Beauty Works Rory Lewis Photographer

Beauty Works Rory Lewis Photographer

Beauty Works Rory Lewis Photographer

This year began with my 3 Week Beginners Photography Course in Liverpool. Throughout the 3 evening sessions the delegates learnt how to use their cameras on manual mode. Mastering Shutter Speed, Depth of Field and Aperture Priority. The delegates where also taught studio photography techniques and worked with professional models to reaffirm their skills.

If you are interested in my next 3 Week Beginners Course in Liverpool and Manchester or any of my other photography courses please checkout My Courses Page. Thank you to Jasmin and Sky models and to all the delegates who attended, I hope to work with you again soon.

Beginners Photography Course Liverpool

Beginners Photography Course Liverpool

Beginners Photography Course Liverpool

Beginners Photography Course Liverpool

Beginners Photography Course Liverpool Rory Demonstrating Light Meter

Alex Morrison Feedback from The Course

“ Rory took me from semi automatic photographer to full manual in just 3 short weeks. I find working with Rory inspirational and professional. He creates a fun learning environment with plenty of student interaction.

His homework assignments where great to keep you focused whilst out of the studio.  He provides a great selection of models to work with and his knowledge and experience shows through as he guides you around the studio and encourages you to direct the models and select different angles on lighting techniques.

Ive enjoyed his beginners class so much I have booked on his Art Nude class and despite having broken my camera 1 week before, he has offered to lend me his Nikon D700. Great guy, great communication, great class. Highly recommend for anybody who wants to get into models photography.”

Arguably more that any other subject photographing the human body presents us with the greatest variety and the greatest challenge. Rory Lewis Photographer is hosting a course to work through these challenges. Showing lighting techniques, poses and direction and giving you the opportunity to capture some amazing shots with the help of professional photographer Rory Lewis and professional art nude models.

“The driving force behind my art nude workshops is the individual attention I give to each of my delegates, through practical tuition I will teach you the skills you need to improve your art nude photography.”

Throughout 2012 their will be several opportunities to attend my Art Nude Photography Courses in Liverpool and Manchester with 3 week and 1 day intensive courses. 

Liverpool

3 Week Fine Art Nude Photography Evening Course  Starts 1st March 2012 Course Cost £209

1 Day Art Nude Photography Course 5th May 2012 Course Cost £129

3 Week Fine Art Nude Photography Evening Course Starts 2nd August 2012 Course Cost £209

Manchester

3 Week Fine Art Nude Photography Evening Course Starts 18th April 2012 Course Cost £209

1 Day Art Nude Photography Course 19th May 2012 Course Cost £129

Art Nude Photography Courses

email rorylewis@me.com or call +44 07539 064 487 for more information

I will also be holding other courses throughout the year click here to see my courses page.

Taught by internationally published, Fashion & Beauty Photographer, Rory Paul Lewis, this intense three evening workshop explores the essentials of fashion & beauty photography in the studio through a series of seminars, presentations, discussion, hands on training, and shooting.  

There is an agenda covering 3 weeks each evening, the workshop will take a form of its own to accommodate the needs of all its delegates.

Topics will include: creating a concept, casting for models to create the look you’re trying to achieve, selecting the team for your concept, communicating with your team, creating a story, post production, and submitting your work to magazines.

Through practical photoshoots with agency models, attendees will explore the basic ideas, concepts, and components of fashion photography.  The basics of one-light, high-key, and experimental lighting setups will be demonstrated and explored and attendees will walk away with at least three separate fashion shoots to use in their portfolios.

Each week, the group will discuss what they learned during the photo-shot sessions and have critiques of their work. The course will leave you with invaluable knowledge of the workings of a fashion shoot. Most importantly you will have the opportunity to build up a portfolio under the guidance of Rory Lewis Photographer.

 **All Course attendees will be presented with a certificate of training**

Manchester Course

• Session 01 19th April 2012
• Session 02 26th April 2012
• Session 03 3rd May 2012

Liverpool Course

• Session 01 10th May 2012
• Session 02 17th May 2012
• Session 03 24th May 2012

With the success of my first 3 week beginners photography evening course in Liverpool I have now added a several more 3 week courses beginning on the 7th of March. Please see details below,

Liverpool March Course

£169.00 – Liverpool March Beginners Course

• Session 01 March 7th 6-9pm
• Session 02 March 14th 6-9pm
• Session 03 March 21st 6-9pm

Manchester March/April Course

£169.00 – Manchester March Beginners Course

• Session 01 March 28th 6-9pm
• Session 02 April 4th 6-9pm
• Session 03 April 11th 6-9pm

Liverpool April Course

£169.00 – Liverpool April Beginners Course

• Session 01 March 29th 6-9pm
• Session 02 April 5th 6-9pm
• Session 03 April 12th 6-9pm

Liverpool July Course

£169.00 – Liverpool July Beginners Course

• Session 01 June 28th 6-9pm
• Session 02 July 5th 6-9pm
• Session 03 July 12th 6-9pm

**All Course attendees will be presented with a certificate of training**

Rory’s beginners Digital SLR Course is four weeks of hands-on tuition, providing you with the techniques to achieve better results from your DSLR camera and get your camera off automatic mode!

This three week course will teach you to take advantage of the functions of your DSLR camera has to offer and we will teach you a range of practical skills enabling you to produce photography you can be proud of. We will also have a professional model for you to work with and hone your skills.

Course Cost £169

*Special Note if you are buying the course as a gift, a gift voucher can be provided upon request*

• Getting to know your Camera (Megapixels, Resolution, and File Formats)
• Exposure (ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed) and Metering
• Histograms
• White Balance
• Camera Modes
• Composition Techniques
• Focusing
• Using a Light Meter
• Introduction to Studio Lighting
• Introduction to Portraiture

email rorylewis@me.com or call +44 07539 064 487 for more information

I will also be holding other courses throughout the year click here to see my courses page.

For nearly 10 years I have been shooting model portfolios and its an area of my job I find most enjoyable especially when my clients do so well from the images I create for them.

Quite recently Singer Katy Saxon who I photographed just before Christmas dropped me a line to say

“Your pictures have got me so many jobs thank you sooo much Rory!!!!”

It’s comments like these that make my job worthwhile, making a difference.

Jasmin actress/model booked her first model portfolio with me nearly a year ago and I was glad to see her return for a portfolio update photographed on location at the Abode Hotel in Manchester. Makeup & Hair was brilliantly styled by Lisa Murray Makeup Artist.

Jasmin is enjoying wonderful success as a model, she recently shot a campaign for Episode Management in Barcelona, and will be shortly be modelling a hair campaign for a major Salon Chain. Its music to my ear’s when my clients are successful as a result of the Model Portfolio’s I help to produce.

If you are looking for a Model Portfolio, Artist Portfolio or just a general photoshoot please drop me a line I would love to help make a difference to your portfolio and career. Click Here to view my Model Portfolio Packages.

Rory Lewis Photographer Jasmin Model

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1oWgc648y8

Rory Lewis Photographer Jasmin Model

Rory Lewis Photographer Jasmin Model

Here is Part Two of Charles McDonald, Fashion Guru’s, helpful guide to your first Model Portfolio.

So, now you have read the first part of my guide, you will be well aware of the type of model you wish to represent, within the Industry.

The next step is to compile a portfolio ‘Or book’ of images from your first ‘Test Shot’. This will enable you and the photographer to work on your specific area, and to provide images to send to a potential agency for representation.These are my top tips  for your first session;

Be comfortable: Good pictures will require a certain comfort level from you, the subject. If you are scared of losing your balance in high heels or sweating under that polyester shirt then good pictures are going to be harder to come by. Stick to clothes you like, that build your confidence and are functional and comfortable.

Clothes are a statement: Outfit changes are the norm in a portrait shoot so mix it up with some clothing options that will make for more fun, sassy portraits. Bring along other outift options that are more formal to ensure a more broad choice of pictures showcasing the various parts of your personalities.

Keep it simple: Dark, plain fabrics usually work best. Avoid crazy patterns, designs and logos too. Clothing with distinct lines, dots and bright patterns can be distracting in a photo. Same goes for shiny fabrics. Keep your jewelry choices simple and minimal.

Avoid short sleeves and shorts: Long sleeves and pants are the superior choice. Skin tones can vary a bunch on various legs and arms not to mention the lighter complexion will distract the eye when viewing the pictures.

Rory Lewis Photographer Sam Pacey Model

Not too many choices and changes: You should feel welcome to have a few clothing changes but don’t overwhelm yourself and your photographer with choices. It takes a little time for your photographer to get the creative ball rolling. Stopping for an outfit change halts and can disrupt that process.

Ask before wearing whites: Yes, dark solid print clothes are generally better, but rules are made to be broken. Talk with your photographer before the shoot if you are considering a white shirt. It can look awesome in certain kinds of backgrounds and contexts so let your photographer know and they will be better prepared to make excellent photos.

Suitability to locations, or not: If you are hiking about on nature trails to get to your locations, you will want to consider clothing that is practical and appropriate for that surrounding. Or, for a little extra contrast, maybe really dress it up with a suit and tie and wonderful dress to strike a visual contrast with the rustic surroundings. Again, talk with your photographer beforehand about such ideas and get their input. A little planning always helps.

Classic, timeless styles: Great pictures last a long, long time so be sure your clothing choices will age gracefully. What is the fashionable trend today can easily be tomorrow’s parachute pants. So stow away the Ed Hardy shirts.

What to avoid 

Avoid bright yellows, reds and oranges (they battle the subjects face for attention) and the camera will readily pick up the reflected light and render skin tone with a colour cast.

Avoid clothing containing logos, slogans, or other distractions.

Bold stripes, large designs and polka dots stand out and tend to draw attention from the portrait’s subject.

Avoid short sleeved tops or shorts. When arms and legs are exposed and there’s lots of skin visible, it can be a distraction from the main focal point of the photo – the face.

What to wear 

I like white long sleeved tops and blue jeans. This combination works very well with the white background.

Black tops can also work well with a white background but this is a high contrast and leads to photographs with a very different style.

Also consider wearing a top that has an interesting collar and/or sleeves.

A top that has interesting textures (e.g. a sweater) can also add depth and richness to an image. If you will have more than one change of clothing for your session then consider bringing a variety of necklines, textures, colors, and undergarments to achieve a wide variety of looks.

Stick to solids and subtle patterns.

Accessories 

Simple and elegant is the advice when selecting jewellery for a portrait. The same applies for any other accessories that you wish to have included in your portrait.

Wear something that makes you feel like you look awesome! If you feel uncomfortable with how you’re dressed, you will not exude the confidence you want in front of the camera.

Charles McDonald Episode Fashion Management

This month I asked my good friend and ,Fashion Guru, Charles McDonald, to write two articles to answer several questions on modelling and how to go about becoming a model. Take a look and please reblog and leave some comments. You can also read Charlie’s Fashion Blog Here.

Types of Modeling

The market determines what models are needed. These needs tend to cluster into market segments and allow us to look at types of models. It is important to understand the type of model you want to be. By understanding the type of modeling you are interested in you can learn what the requirements are and if you can meet them. This also helps in avoiding getting ripped off. I have seen the greatest number of rip-offs and bad business decision happen when a wannabe model is thinking of one type of modeling (usually high fashion) and a scout, agent, photographer, etc. is recruiting for another (life style, Playboy glamour). So it is very important you understand what type of modeling you are interested in.

Fashion Modeling

The Garment and Beauty product industries are large users of models. People want to see what clothes or beauty products look like on somebody. Your high-fashion, designer-label garments, are designed for what fashion designers view as the “ideal woman.” This is someone tall and slender, somewhat leggy, with a swan like neck and very young. In major markets like New York, this is someone who is 5’9″ to 6′ tall and from a size 8 to a size 0 depending on what is in. For men it is at least 6 foot tall and a 40 regular – of course, you have to have that “look” to go with the clothes. In secondary markets we would like to have this but often work with fashion models that don’t meet these measurements. It is more important you just have a look of being tall and slender and that the sample clothes will fit you. The “look” can run from classic beauty to some extreme looks for fashion.

If you are going to work in front of the camera you need to be photogenic, and this you won’t know until you do a test shoot. Usually the face is oval shape, with symmetry to the facial features. Eyes are almond shape. The cheekbones should be strong and nose straight and proportioned. Lips should be full. All of this just puts you in the general category; from there it is a matter of what the market demands are.

On the money – Top New York High Fashion models (there are just a handful of these folks) make more money then any other models (As high as eight million a year). By contrast a model doing a fashion show at a local mall may get paid nothing. This shows the wide range of income one might expect in fashion modeling. Most folks who try to make it as fashion models will earn almost nothing so don’t quit your day job.

Types of Fashion modeling:

FASHION EDITORIAL MODELING – Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Cosmo, etc. – these and many other magazines today that focus on fashion have lots of editorial pages they must fill each month. Many of these editorial pages feature models wearing what the magazine thinks will be the next trend in fashion. Editorial work does not pay as well as other types of high fashion modeling but it is great for building a model’s reputation and getting tear sheets for one’s portfolio. Also, because fashion magazines are not as constrained as advertising work, they can use more ‘extreme’ and ‘special beauty’ models in their pages.

FASHION RUNWAY MODELING – Clothing designers traditionally show their new collections twice a year (Fall and Spring) to perspective (store) buyers. (buyers is a key word here, if some one is putting on a fashion show without buyer then it is entertainment) As an example, the New York Ready Wear shows just finished with 110 designers presenting collections for Fall 2000 (post 9/11 the number of designers has fallen 30%, note 2010 slow economy has not been kind to the fashion industry). Designers present these collections to a gathering of buyers by sending models down a walkway or runway. How well a model brings the clothes to life and shows important features of the garments can determine how well they sell. So it is worth it to a designer to have the most ideal models show these collections. This leads to why models have to meet very strict requirements and why they get such high fees for this type of work (modeling agencies have also forced up fees). These young models tend to be very tall, slender and move very well in clothes.

FASHION CATALOGUE MODELING – There are a lot of clothing catalogs produced. These catalogues, whether business-to-business, store, or direct marketing, require models to pose in the clothes they are trying to sell. Generally, catalog models are picked for a project because they represent the ideal of the market segment for which that catalog is targeted. Often times this is the classic beauty – tall, slender, healthy, and beautiful. The marketing idea is for transference, i.e. if you buy these clothes you will look as nice as the person pictured in the catalog. Catalogue modeling usually pays well because of the volume of photos that must be taken.

FASHION PRINT MODELING – This is fashion and beauty for print advertising. It can be display ads or collateral print materials. This is the most demanding work to get but pays the best because of usage and exclusives (this is where models make millions). These are the ads that can make or break a designer’s reputation. With these ads it is very important that the concept, photo, and model work perfectly to convey the ‘image’ that is wanted.

FASHION SHOW ROOM MODELING – Modeling for buyers in the designer’s show room. This is lower pay but very regular work, it could even be a full time job. Only happens where there are designer show rooms.

FASHION LINGERIE MODELING – Because this type of modeling may be more revealing it requires very good body tone and proportions.

FASHION SWIM SUIT MODELING – Again, more revealing requires excellent body tone and a healthy look.

FASHION FITNESS MODELING – As health and fitness has moved more into the public consciousness a greater demand has grown in this type of modeling. Of course being in the city with the corporate headquarters for Nike, Adidas, and Columbia Sportswear makes it very noticeable here. Where once everyone exercised in baggy gray sweats, fitness attire continues to evolve and become more everyday wear. Add to this all of the fitness, health, and outdoor lifestyle magazines that are on the newsstands and you have a fast growing category for modeling.

FASHION FIT MODELING – Fit models have the perfect proportions for a given clothing size. Garment manufactures and designers hire fit models to use to piece together new creations, see how they move, and develop their patterns. The key for a fit model is to never gain or loose an inch. A clothing manufacturer may hire a fit model as a permanent salary position. It is one type of legitimate modeling that you can see advertised in the classified section of the newspaper.

FASHION INFORMAL MODELING – This once was very popular (the ’80s) in smaller markets. Usually it would be at ladies’ lunches where models would wander between tables wearing designer clothes from local fashion boutiques. The models would describe the outfit they wore and where to buy it. Not big money, but a place to start and gain confidence in a small market.

FURTHER DIVISIONS – These categories can have further sub-categories for size – petite and plus, and for age – children, pre teen, and mature. Petite size models usually are 5’2″ to 5’6″. Plus size is the same height as standard size models but size 14 -16. Main stream models usually start in around 14 years of age and go to their early twenties. Obviously pre-teen is before this age and mature is everything after it.

A category of modeling will only be found where there are clients to support it. Since almost all of the fashion magazines are based in New York, that is where you will find work in the fashion editorial modeling category.

Body Part Modeling

Body part modeling is a special category that belongs in both fashion and commercial modeling. This is the use of just part of the body in a photograph. Often standard models that look great in full-length shots or headshots don’t look so good close up. Their hands or feet may look horrible. This is where the body parts model comes in. We will set up a shoot using the standard model’s face but the body part model’s hands and it looks like it is just one person. Usually body part models will specialize in just one part of the body like hands, feet, legs, ears, or neck.

Hand models are one type of body part model that I have had more call for. With hand models we look for long slender graceful hand and fingers. We also look for smooth (no wrinkles, hair or large pours), clear (no blemishes or irregular color) skin, and very good nails. The ability to pose the hand in a relaxed graceful fashion is very important.

Body parts model follow a similar path as regular models with finding modeling agencies, building portfolios and having comp cards. They simply pursue a very special niche market.

Commercial Modeling

Commercial modeling is sort of the catch all for everything that isn’t fashion and isn’t glamour. It is vast and diverse. The physical requirements can vary greatly. The ‘look’ can be mother, business executive, scientist, glamorous beauty, etc. The pay can be good but not to the level of the top fashion model and commercial models tend to find work less often. But it can be an area on can work part time at their whole life. Again, the purpose is to sell something – a product, service, or idea.

Some Categories of Commercial Modeling are:

COMMERCIAL PRODUCT MODELING – Generally we are generating a photo to sell a product and the model is used to show how the product is used. Also, model may be used to convey an image about a product. An example would be a model dressed like a doctor holding a blood pressure device. This gives an image of medical authority being behind the product. There is also the old technique of selling a product by putting someone attractive by it. Although it may not be politically correct to do this, it still is done and it works. People stop to look at a pretty face, not at another computer box. The physical requirements and look for commercial product modeling can vary a great deal. It all depends on the image or story you are trying to tell. This is where character models are used.

COMMERCIAL LIFESTYLE MODELING – Models are used in photos showing a period of life or doing something in life. The photo might be an older couple walking on the beach and the photo is used in the advertising materials for a new retirement resort. Or a photo of a young couple playing in a park with their children and the photo is used in an ad for a life insurance company. The models are used to act out some concept or idea of life. The physical requirements, age, size, etc. can vary greatly. But most often they use the “beautiful people” in these photos rather then real folks off the street.

COMMERCIAL CORPORATE MODELING – Corporate modeling is like Lifestyle but it always has a business theme. Again physical requirements can vary greatly, but usually attractive people are used – although sometimes character models are used.

PRODUCT DEMO – In smaller markets this seems to be a favorite area to start models. Models stand in front of, or in a store or mall, and hand out free samples of something. The idea is they want someone attractive that people will be drawn to and will work for just a few hours or a few days. When you are young and starting out this pays better then any regular job and it can really build your confidence around people.

TRADE SHOW MODELING – Once again attractive people are attention getters. When a trade show comes to town some exhibitors may hire models to hand out literature at their booths. One of the classics examples of this is the auto show. Again, it gives some income when you are starting out and gets you in front of the public.

SPORTS/ATHETICALLY PROFICIENT/FITNESS – This is kind of lumping a lot together but this has been a growing area in modeling. With sport attire companies like Nike and the increase number of personal sports, fitness and outdoor magazines the need for models that look like they actually know what they are doing has grown. The idea is to look good and actual be proficient at the activity being photographed.

HOBBY MODELING – This is modeling for the fun of it, to help out a cause or a place to get started. Some folks may never make a living at modeling but enjoy being in front of the camera or being on the runway. It also ties in with organization that might put on a fashion show as a fundraiser. There have also been cases where some one may start modeling just for fun and this may some day lead to a career.

ALTERNATIVE MODELING – This term has been coined for the whole gothic/punk modeling. This is a very specialize niche

EXTRAS MODELING -This is where you just need someone to put in a photo. When doing an outdoor tourist bureau type photos you often find you need someone hiking a trail or standing at an overlook, this is where you need a warm body to help animate the photo. This type of modeling does not pay much and may even be done on spec, but if you like doing outdoors or tourist activities it is a chance to make money while having fun. This type of modeling can be open to all ages and sizes.

Glamour Modeling

Glamour modeling is modeling for photos with a sexual theme. This might be a simple soft or hard type photos. They can include bikini, sexy outfits and lingerie modeling. On the soft level, photos can be used for calendars, posters, and other pin-up girl products. You can’t pick up a car magazine without seeing a babe by the car or truck. As one moves to greater states of undress you move to the adult entertainment industry with high-end men’s magazines like Playboy and then on down to the low-end back-ally magazines. But it is the Internet that dominates this field and is now loaded with all levels of sexual model photos. Glamour modeling and its triple X component is a very big industry. Top glamour models can make as much as top fashion models. But what is different from other types of modeling is all grade levels in glamour modeling can make good money and it is common for an established model to make over 50,000 pounds a year. There are no height or size requirements as in fashion modeling. Where fashion modeling wants you to look like a beanstalk, glamour modeling wants you to have curves like a young Pamela Anderson. Where fashion may want a ‘special beauty look’, glamour modeling wants traditional drop dead gorgeous; where fashion really only happens in New York, glamour can happen anywhere and does.

You have to be over 18 to do glamour modeling even soft . With the way the laws are today a photographer runs a real risk doing any kind of sexy photo with someone under 18. With news story reporting mothers are being thrown in jail for photographing their own children taking a bath and putting the photo in a family album, I think the risk is too great and the return too small to do any glamour work with someone under 18. But this field is wide open once one is of legal age. Unlike fashion modeling where you career is over by the time you are 30 with glamour your career could be just getting started. There is even demand for good looking grandmothers in their 50′s and 60’s.

This field is easy to get started in, as there are a lot of photographers who would love to do test shoots and photo assignments on spec. Finding work and getting test shoots has been made easy with several web sites that cater to this field, although getting top high paying work can take as much effort as becoming a high fashion model. I will leave details and how this is all done to some other web sites.

Charles McDonald, Episode Fashion Management.

Located in Liverpool I can provide product photography services throughout the North West and cover the UK as a whole. I specialise in white seamless background photography for e-commerce, web, catalogues, print and advertising. 

It is no secret that great product photography will increase your products sales. Whether you manufacture products or sell/promote your products on the web, magazine or catalogue you must know the importance of great product photography it is essential to your product sales revenue and professional look.

Rory Lewis Photographer Product Photography

I can offer quick turnaround on all seamless product photography being able to provide images with 1 hour, 24 hour and 48 turnaround. At prices from £10 per item I have packages to suit any budget. 

If you are in need of fast turnaround high quality product photography please keep me in mind, for any further information or a quote please email rorylewis@me.com or call 07539 064 487.  

Rory Lewis Product Photographer Liverpool & Manchester

Rory Lewis Product Photography Liverpool & Manchester

Lifestyle Monthly Magazine commissioned me to shoot their makeup column this month, its great to be working with the magazine on another beauty feature. Hair & Beauty portraiture is one of my favourite area’s of photography and I am looking forward to working with some great salons who have commissioned me to shoot their marketing and competition entries for the Wella Colour Trophy over the next few weeks.

The shoot this month was inspired by a Calvin Klien Shoot from the 1990′s featuring Kate Moss. Nita Malata Makeup Artist did a great job with Model Tamar’s makeup & hair; also writing the article below please read and try and pick up a copy of the magazine in the next few days. The images really stand out, see a behind the scenes video from the photo-shoot and some additional retouched shots below, don’t forget to leave some comments and feedback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rP6H-r3hyY

Lifestyle Monthly

Lifestyle Monthly Test