#FAQ ● FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Motivations differ with the models I photograph. Some want new photos for their social media. Professional models often want new photos to update their portfolio, because they need to have images that are recent. The third reason is nostalgia. = the desire to capture a moment in time, so that the photographs can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Feel your beauty and let it shine through the lens.
TOP 10 • TIPS FOR MODELS • https://www.dusil.org/top-10-tips-for-models/
Outdoor Photoshoots • Photoshoots are taken outside in the springtime and summertime when the weather is warm. Venues are typically in public gardens or other scenic parts of the city.
Indoor Photoshoots • During the colder seasons of autumn and winter sessions are typically in my studio. Alternative locations are rented studios, or in a scenic interior (upon approval of the property’s management). But those tend to add significant costs to the photoshoot.
It’s important that my models feel safe and confident in whichever setting they chose.
PREPARATION FOR MODELS • https://dusil.org/preparation-for-models/
Outdoor Photoshoots • Ideally, once we determine the sunset then the beginning of the photoshoot is around three hours earlier. For example, if the sunset is at 20:00, then we would meet around 16:30 and begin shooting at 17:00. This gives us a half-hour to prepare and answer any questions, and for the model to feel comfortable with the whole process. Of course, shooting depends on the weather. We check the forecast in the morning to make sure that the lighting, temperature, and clouds will be ideal for our session.
Indoor Photoshoots • Studio photoshoots are normally held from 12:00-15:00 so that we can take advantage of natural sunlight.
PREPARATION FOR MODELS • https://dusil.org/preparation-for-models/
This is not a strict list. Exceptions are granted based on the casting applicant:
- Ideal Age • 18–32 years
- Ideal Height • 164–180 cm, 5’4″ – 5’11”
- Ideal Bust • B–D. 86–92 cm, 34″–36″
- Ideal Waist • 66–72 cm, 26″–28″
- Ideal Hips • 88–96 cm, 34″–38″
- Ideal Size • XS-M, 6-10
TOP 10 • RULES • https://www.dusil.org/top-10-rules/
This request is usually due to the client’s lack of visibility into my post-production workflow, or inherent trust in my abilities to select and edit the best photos from our session. My workflow has evolved into a four-stage approach to carefully select images that represent my model in the most beautiful way possible, This includes editing and stylizing the photos with artistic license.
Typically, 4% to 10% of images from our photoshoot are delivered to the model, of which roughly half of these are selected for publication.
Check out my Post-Production Workflow here: • https://dusil.org/post-production-workflow/
Sometimes models ask if they can bring an escort, boyfriend, or friend. I call these “bodyguard photoshoots”. Early in my career, I agreed to a few of these sessions, and to this day they stand as my worst. The mood of the photoshoot is completely sterilized by the bodyguard. Every movement is scrutinized as if both are waiting for something bad to happen. From the onset, the bodyguard establishes a virtual concrete wall between me and the model. The session has a heightened level of tension from beginning to end. For a fine art photography session, none of these photos are usable, and it’s a complete waste of time for both sides.
For this reason, I avoid transaction-based photoshoots. In all my sessions I try to create an emotional connection with my model. My goal is to capture her essence – her soul. In my experience, this is how we’ll get the best photos.
When a model feels like a rabbit entering a lion’s den, then the photoshoot is an inevitable disaster. I understand there’s a risk to the model, but trust goes both ways. If I sense a rabbit scenario then I politely close the session with no hard feelings. Either way, I prefer to mutually cancel a session than have a ‘bodyguard’ ruin a photoshoot and waste everyone’s time. Certainly, if her bodyguard would like to check out my atelier and leave before we start, then that’s fine. 🤜🤛
APPLY FOR A FREE PHOTOSHOOT • https://dusil.org/contact/
Approximately 400 to 800 photos are taken per hour during a standard photoshoot. In post-production, these images are edited down to around 4% to 10% of the best photos. Touchups, color corrections, and composition corrections are made to the images that make the final cut. Some of these images are then stylized with artistic license. The model receives the agreed number of final images in edited full resolution JPG.
Check out my Post-Production Workflow here.
Check out my Pre-Photoshoot Preparation here.
Don’t forget to bring some water for hydration, and maybe a couple of protein bars for energy.
A great portrait reveals the model’s soul. The more a model can give herself to the camera the better will be the images. It’s important to let go and feel free.
Preparation is important on both sides. For outdoor sessions I typically plan a site visit a few days before our session to plan the shooting locations, posing plan, and get a handle on the lighting.
Check out my Top 10 Tips for Models here.
I generally prefer to postpone outdoor photoshoots until the spring or summer time. I don’t like shooting outside in the winter because the colors tend to be washed out. I prefer warm color imagery. Also, the model is covered with too many layers of winter clothes to see her figure.
Our Agreement is bilateral. It grants both of us rights to use the photos as outlined in the Agreement. Furthermore, since my company is registered in Czechia, as part of the EU, I am required to comply with EU GDPR and privacy laws.
GDPR & PRIVACY • https://www.dusil.org/privacy-policy/
Check out my Pre-Photoshoot Preparation here. • https://dusil.org/preparation-for-models/
Arrive with confidence and bravery. Feel engaged and relaxed. This way we’ll the best images. If you have any suggestions or creative ideas, then I’m more than happy to find a style that works for you.
Here is the main equipment I use for my studio or outdoor photo shoots:
- Camera • Canon 5D Mark IV
- Camera • Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM Lens
- Camera • Canon EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM Lens
- Studio Lighting • Rollei 600 LED
- Studio Lighting • Rollei 900 LED
- Studio Lighting • Manfrotto Spectra 1×1 LED
- Studio Lighting • Nanguang CN-600SA LED
- Studio • Private Atelier
A selection of photos (in groups of 10) are published on gabrieldusil.com, and hand selected images are also published on this site, dusil.org. In addition, I will publish a selection of images on my social media channels to promote traffic back to my blog and website. Models also publish images on her social channels with the appropriate copyright credits as per our agreement.
Check out a more detailed explanation of my Post-Production Workflow here which includes details on how the images are prepared for publication.
Time for Photos is an offer for a free photoshoot with free professionally edited and stylized images in exchange for a model’s investment in preparation time and posing for our session. The main aspect of our TFP agreement is to create images that will be jointly promoted across like-minded websites and various social media channels. Therefore, the inclusion of my watermark (i..e, and the image’s embedded metadata) is necessary to recognize their copyright, regardless of where they’re published.
Watermarks are only removed for paid photoshoots. My price list can be found here. Terms & Conditions for paid photoshoots can be found here.
#FMC ● FREQUENTLY MADE COMMENTS
No worries – the starting point is to show up! We’ll have tea, coffee, or a cold drink. We’ll discuss the process and I’ll answer any questions. Don’t worry about posing or positioning.
I’ll offer some “tricks” of the trade and coach you throughout the session. The first few minutes may feel awkward, but when you see the initial images on the camera preview then you’ll quickly realize that your photos will be fantastic.
Check out my Top 10 Tips for Models here.
It’s hard to answer this comment when I don’t know the model’s upbringing. I believe that the core issue to not feeling photogenic stems from virtual walls built over time between the model and the rest of her world. We create barriers to protect ourselves both physically and emotionally. Sometimes they’re rooted in childhood trauma, insecurity, or just in the trials and tribulations of life itself. Some walls are taller and thicker than others, and sometimes we don’t even realize they exist.
I used to believe that not feeling photogenic was rooted in insecurity. But I couldn’t rationalize how it’s possible that a professional model could feel both insecure in her daily life but confident in front of the camera. It took me a while to realize that some of us are able to mask insecurity like acting in a play. The walls seem to be circumvented for a moment, as if to say, “I’m willing to pretend that my walls aren’t there for a few hours to get great photos.” There’s certainly courage and conviction in this approach.
More commonly, a professional model will maintain her walls throughout a photoshoot and not even realize it. She offers her physicality but not her inner soul to the experience. In the absence of empathy even the photographer won’t notice.
If you’re interested in a photoshoot, then please complete this form.
Postponing a photoshoot is unavoidable at times. A model may have second thoughts and wish to cancel. Rest assured there are no hard feelings. I only ask for models to give as much advanced notice as possible so that I have a chance to fill the session with another model. Last minute cancellations make it difficult to manage my calendar. 💌
TOP 10 • PERSPECTIVES • https://www.dusil.org/top-10-perspectives/
