Cover Girl for Popular Photography Magazine!

Never-ending deadlines, continual search for new content to publish, reviewing new equipment for readers, replying to emails and mail from million of readers. These are but few of the challenges that face the editors in a publishing house. This becomes an upward battle, especially when it's a large publisher, like Popular Photography & Imaging, the largest photography magazine in the world. They have to constantly feel the pulse of the readers, facing the impossible task of pleasing everyone.

PopPhoto has always been kind to me. This is the organization that gave my photography business a good boost a mere 3 years or so ago. Receiving one of the most prestigious and coveted international recognitions, the Photographer of the Year award from PopPhoto did a lot to extend my credibility and promote my business.

Recently, after months of hiatus from not hearing from PopPhoto, I'm just so glad that I will be doing a short 8 pages of photo work for them. On top of that, one of my images of Tiffany is the February Cover!!!

I personally know a number of photographers who get jaded along the way after being on numerous magazine covers, spreads and what not. I have been published dozens of times in various magazines, newspapers like The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, etc. However, being in a magazine will always be refreshing to me. I feel very blessed to be able to work as an artist.

John O, Jason B, Pete K, Debbie G, Julia S, Linzee K, and everyone in PopPhoto, I want you to know that each and every one of you made an impact on my life, and I want to thank you for it.

Below is the 4 spreads (8 pages) of the story.

Child Photographer - Comp Cards

Normally, I would collaborate with the model or with the model's parents (under 18 years old models) for modeling comp card (also known as composite cards or zed cards) creation. Planning tend to start weeks in advanced so that we're certain what to expect, the styles, market segment to go after as well as the environment.

This shoot unfortunately was postponed twice due to bad weather and family emergencies. So, the proper planning was shorter than average. I spent only 2 hours on this shoot (unlike other modeling shoots for model's portfolio that can span 3-5 hours).

A 7 year old model tend to not have the attention span to work for long period of times for a shoot. Going beyond 2 hours tend to wear them out fast. It is also crucial for the Ad agencies to see environmental shots where the model has an action oriented image where she is reading or playing.

Agencies and Art Directors often like to see the models' versatility.

After all, modeling is a form of acting. Who wouldn't hire an active looking model when the product that goes with the model is an active wear or even an music player?

Creating comp cards for modeling use isn't rocket science, or is it? Is it really just taking lots of pictures and slapping them together as a card, then print as many as you can to send to Ad Agencies, Producers and Art Directors. hoping, just hoping to get a break. We're in the realm of statistics here, right? The more you send, the better chance of getting a call back.

The market estimate survey shows that the chance to get a call back is 0.5% for the average model. So, in order to get 5 phone calls, you will need to send out 1000 cards! Realize that not all 5 calls will work out either. Now, 1000 cards isn't cheap. Neither is the price of stamps nor the time it take to fill them out and send them off. So, wouldn't you be better served to increase that chance by improving the statistics? How do we go about doing that?!

Before we even start, here are the things you should NOT do as they will decrease the statistics even lower than the market estimate of 0.5%

1. Don't have your family & friends take your modeling images for the comp cards (with the exception that they are professional photographers and done it comp cards extensively). With all due respect, photographing a model is just a bit more involved than clicking the shutter. Posing a model and understanding the market needs are two of the major components missing from your boyfriend's mind while he drools over the camera while photographing you. ;)
2. Using the same background/situation for all of the images in the comp card. You need a bit more variety to proof your ability to adapt and express.
3. Using the same expression for all of the images in the comp card. Botox won't win you a modeling job, unfortunately.

Doing all of the above will get you to the 0.5% acceptance ratio. We are getting somewhere, aren't we? What if I tell you that you can triple or quadrupling that percentage? It takes time to create a WOW comp card.

1. Time to plan on the outfit that suits your style
2. environmental or action shots to show your versatility and your ability to fit into various roles
3. the spectrum of expressions to show your adaptability
4. masterful lighting that will showcase your charm (notice I'm not using the word beauty. Being beautiful doesn't necessary make you a great model)
5. post-processing or retouching to enhance your look will push your comp further than you can imagine.

Modeling isn't always about how beautiful you are or how sexy you look. Rather, it's your style and look that will fit the requirement, might that be a need for an athletic sportsman or a grumpy woman with an intriguing frown. Plan to collaborate with your photographer. It takes two hands to clap and only by working together, can this be achieved.

Here's the final Comp Card.

- Michael Soo Soo Photography

Modeling Portfolio

Paul and I decided to do a 2nd mega photoshoot, this time with 4 models, 3 photographers (Paul, myself and a guest photographer) and 1 videographer (Bryan Chang). We were graced by the presence of 4 models from across the bay, Nicole, Celeste, Melina and Angelina. Each bring a very different and unique set of talents into the shoot. It's really amazing because most Art Directors will think of a particular concepts and there will only be ONE model out of hundreds that can fit that role. Same case in this shoot as I have concepts rolled up in my head weeks before the shoot. Along with the concepts, ideas on who can fit the roles has already been stamped and cleared. In effect, I was the Art Director, the Photographer and at some point, a really bad stylist and awful make-up artist, all rolled into one. For a larger shoot, this will not be ideal, obviously. Wearing multiple hats will help ensure that I can jump into a role when the need arises.

One of my objective of this shoot is to help "pave a pathway", if you will, for these new models-to-be, into the world of commercial modeling. I'm hoping to help create a starting point with at least 1 out of 5 shots that they can use for their comp card, should they choose to do so. The other part of this shoot, done most gracefully by Paul are glamour shots for the girls. Paul has a style in photography that few has managed to achieve, much less, duplicate. It is no secret that many photographers tried to have him divulge his techniques. However, it's my belief that if it isn't their style to begin with, it will never be their style to end with. Paul, if you're reading this, you can share your techniques with me. I'll keep it a secret. ;-)

We also had Bryan videotape an hour worth of fun. The video footage is amazingly well done (thanks to Paul and...me, haha!) and if you have not watched it, it can be found in youtube as well as MySpace. Do NOT miss it. It's good clean fun and if Nicole can have her way, she'll dance her way through the entire shoot. ;-)

Nicole on the right was fooling around when I shot this. What she does not realize, most of the time is that she has the innate ability to extend her character across the room when she is relaxed. That's her personality and her great selling point in a portfolio. Nicole rocks. I keep telling her that and it may diluted the effects. Bah, who cares. Nicole Rocks!

I do have to admit that the best shot that I did that day is actually a ultra hot glamour shot for Celeste. If you want to see that image, you'll have to talk to Celeste. ;-) But let's push glamour aside for a minute and talk about modeling portfolio. What do the commercial agencies really want? Modeling is really about acting and if you send them a comp card with 5 images of identical expression, it'll get them uninterested really fast. You need to prove that you have the ability to be an actor(ess) in a different scene, different products and different use case.

I first took Celeste to the fireplace for my first session of the day. Celeste took a bit of time to warm up but when she did, she really glowed with her full ability to showcase herself. She is also a bit more seasoned as a model as she has done work with a few other photographers. I really wanted to showcase her "wild side" and she has the body to show off. We did my best glamour shot that day and right after, this shot on the left. Her hair flying sideways looked incredibly dynamic. In addition to that, Jorge's wonderful makeup on her just spiced it up a big notch. The hardest makeups are the ones that you can't tell there's a makeup but makes the model look incredible at the same time. That's a fact! Keep that in mind for your search for the best makeup artists out there. Jorge did a phenomenal job here. I also found the perfect crop for this hot image. Yup, I'm the Crop King!

Melina coyly admitted that she's not the typical glamour girl. However, that's not really an issue here. As I stated earlier, it's really about personalities and how a model can fit into a role and, not the other way round. Her gorgeous blue eyes is the main attraction and rightfully so. I had Bryan and Ken hold her arms while she gave me an intense stare. What came out from it is perfectly slated for this mock ad, Delirium on the right.

Angelina has one of the most perfect skin and beautiful face one can lay eyes on. She's a cutie. If there is a commercial for skin products, she is the perfect choice. She only had red lipsticks on at the time. Of course, I could just shoot her plain and she would look incredible. But to give it a unique twist, I had her hold two torn pieces of translum and got the shot on the left. The additional make-up was done by yours truly. ;-) As you can tell, I only smooth out skin when necessary and skin texture can be a great friend and gives an image a real feel to it.

For a model to jump into the modeling business, he/she needs to start with CRS (Critically High Standard). What does that mean? You need to be able to impressed the agent with just one glance. One look is all it takes for you to get in. You folks have it easier than actors. Actors sends in one headshot and that's their one chance. Models have a comp card that shows 5 shots. You are as strong as your weakest link and it's true. Your worse + worst image will be branded into the minds of Art Directors, agencies and photographers. This really is a First Impression business.

- Michael Soo