Hey there!
I've been professionally modelling, on and off, for the last 9 years. I have learned a lot that applies to being a mermaid! I thought I'd share some tips. I've had some of my images published in magazines, print, online, in art galleries, and in art books! I've done a few runway things, and been a promo girl too. Just to show you what I'm working with, here's some pics from my portfolio
(scroll to the bottom if you want to skip right to the tips!)
Suzi Shier Ad
Portfolio work
Lingerie ad
Hair Design ad
Art Gallery Ad
MUA ad
Randoms
Modelling for students taking photography courses:
Fine Art Nudes
(this is the only sfw, if you wanna see others check out my deviantART raine-angel )
From an art book series
Concept series
So now that you've seen what I can do as a model, let's apply some of the stuff I've learned there in terms of mermaid modelling tips!
General modelling tips
- Light the SHORT side of your face, not the long side. If someone is taking your photo, typically unless they direct you to otherwise, you want to turn your face slightly to the light. If you turn your head the other way, you'll end up removing some of your jaw line with the light, and this will make your face look distorted, larger than normal, and sometimes horse like! As a mermaid model, it's your job to find that light and work it. (if you're doing studio stuff, you'll likely have light from most angles unless the photographer is going for a specific look/feel) Here's an example below:
In this image, the short side of the face is lit. If the long side of the face was lit, imagine the one reversed, her cheek, jaw, brow etc would all be lighter and make her face look wider. It *can* work, but not usually. So as the model, slightly turn your face to the light. it's more flattering, and makes for less post work for the photographer.
here's an example of me modelling toward the light with my short side for a self portrait:
Here's some more tips about short and long lighting: http://www.valentinetti.com/photogra...long-lighting/- Posture! Posture can make or break a picture. If you're going for a specific look/feel, a broken down slump can certainly give a desired affect, but most of the time we don't realize how much we're slouching and how it affects the way we look. With mermaid tails on, we may often slouch our shoulder forward in order to balance our centre of gravity and feel stable. I have found that a slight arch in the back not only fixes this so you don't look hunched, but also gives a more mermaidy look.
I often make this mistake out of my tail, so my main photographer's favourite word to say to me is "posture!"
Here's an example of how my bad body posture changed the dynamic of a photo:
my entire torso area is compacted together, shoulders forward, head awkward. This is because I wasn't actually modelling, but rather trying to adjust myself when Sean snapped the pic. (I posted it online because of how nice the tails looked) you'll see a lot of my candid photos have posture like this, because I am using my shoulders to counter the awkward balance my large fluke gives me.
whereas, in this older photo of me, a slight arch of the back ad putting my neck back, gave me better posture, and a much more mermaidy look:
And again, similar adjustments, allowed me to still somewhat use my hands to anchor my balance, but remain in better posture and still have the mermaid look.
If you're uncomfortable with your stomach, and getting chin rolls, a posture adjustment will instantly thing and elongate you.
Here's what I think is an accurate example of bad model posture, though some could work with the right concept: http://www.smosh.com/smosh-pit/photo...rd-model-poses
and an article about good posture! http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-good-posture- Be dynamic. Not just in poses. You can make a simple pose dynamic but tightening or flexing your muscles, or if you're someone who is too rigid- breaking them up. If you're double jointed, be aware of the noodle arms! I am double jointed and sometimes my arms get into unnatural positions in photos. Simple adjustments as a mermaid, for your arms, can change the whole tone of your image!
for instance, nice concept for a mermaid photo, but my weird backwards arms sort of ruins it!
whereas in this photo I applied the posture rule, and made my arms dynamic. Generally- giving your arms a job to do will give a better pose, instead of awkwardly holding them there:
Pointing your toes is important as a mer model, it allows you to make your fluke look the best, and stretch the body of your tail out so you have less wrinkles and look dynamic. Throw in the posture, model to the light, and make sure the rest of your body is dynamic and...
- A great trick for modelling in a tail or modelling nude, is to have a blanket or a towel underneath you when modelling on rough surfaces like rocks. Simply fold it so it cant be seen or can easily be edited out. Nearly all of my photos on rocks or nude on rocks have a towel underneath.
- Have the area you want to model in scoped out before hand, make the most use of an area before moving on to another, be prepared to either take your tail off and on a few times, or have someone carry you. Tails can be heavy and combersome, don't be afraid to ask for help when moving around. Better safe than sorry!
- If you're modelling in nature... you're stuck with the elements! Try and make every shot count... but obviously... sometimes... things get a little wet
A lot of what I have on my mermaid page, is more candid. Shots of me while doing stuff, less posing. You may find that's what you end up with too! But at least now, you'll have a few things to think about, to make every shot count... so even those candids... turn into really dynamic shots...
I'm going to be continuing this for underwater shots too
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Originally Posted by Mermaid Miel
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