Male Model Photographers Help Guys Look Good

By Shawn Petrovich of Totally Ripped of Los Angeles, which specializes in photography and video of fitness models.

photo shoots sometimes look a lot easier than they actually are. There are a lot more details entailed with a professional photo shoot than occur when your mom grabs an automatic camera and snaps pics at the family picnic.

During a pro photo shoot, a male model photographer makes important decisions regarding how a model should be photographed:

The model photographer monitors light readings so the film is correctly exposed. Is there enough light? Is the sun hitting the male model the correctly? The light for the background must read at the same level as the light shining on the male model, otherwise the shot is no good. A modeling photo can be ruined because of technical problems.

Model Photographers Emphasize Each Model's Assets

A good male model photographer doesn't just snap away with his camera. He tries to avoid showing any problem areas the model may have. These areas might include scars, birthmarks or pimples. No one is perfect. Every model has body parts that are less photogenic than others. The photographer avoids showing these areas and makes mental notes of each male model to avoid before the shoot begins.

The model photographer emphasizes the models' assets in a photo. If a male model has good abs, a good butt or chest, the photographer chooses a pose and angle that emphasizes those assets. In stressing a muscular pose, he makes sure the model's body does not appear distorted or twisted unnaturally.
Photographers consider how each photo will fit with others in the advertising campaign as a whole.

If he is shooting in color, the model photographer wants brilliant color in the photo.

Photographers Choose a Background

The photographer makes sure the background is exciting, exotic or portrays a "fantasy." At beach shoots, model photographers must watch for people walking behind the male model, which can ruin the photo.

A photo of Ed Marshall illustrates this problem. The background is underexposed and cannot be distinguished from his dark hair.

Finally, evening outdoor shoots mean the clock is ticking and the photo crew must finish before the sun sets.