This sense of self-belief builds your confidence and sets you apart from your competition and believe me no matter how good you are there will be competition. Being confident is a skill not all of us have naturally and may take years to build. The key is knowing your model and using all of your assets to the best of your ability. Whether they’re your legs, arms, hands, eyes or hair, know what your selling points are and work them.

As a catwalk model you have to have particular measurements to be successful. Your body shape is very slim and designers will put you in unique collections not usually found on the high-street. Your proportions are what many women diet for so count yourself lucky and love your elegance. When you are not working if you are conscious of your shape there are tricks that can give you more volume at the hips and chest by adding pleats and gathered fabrics. Belts to cinch in waists will emphasise your hips and chests.

Commercial models are your high-street relable models. Your measurements will all be different but it is still so important to know your body shape in order to be confident. Being pear-shaped means staple pieces like a-line skirts, loose trousers are a winner for you and structured tops and jackets will broaden those shoulders for you. Ladies who are bottom heavy similarly to the pear shape you should be wearing pieces to broaden your shoulders to balance you out and tulip shaped pencil skirts (below the knee) are perfect for you. If you are petite then feel free to keep things above the knee and dont be scared of wearing bright colours to keep yourself seen. If you have a broad, straight up and down body then create curves by wearing high waisted trousers and skirts and pulling in that waist with a belt. Hourglass figures should think shapely when putting their outfits together. Im not suggesting you wear everything bodycon but with your proportions anything to baggy and loose will make you look bigger than you are. Top heavy ladies look great in open necklines and boot-cut style jeans to balance them.

Being confident is something that comes from within and knowing your body is the best way to start taking control of who you are and being the best you can possibly be. Take the time to look in the mirror and work out what shape you are. Lets see if what you have in your wardrobe enhances that amazing shape of yours. We all have to fake it sometimes but our bodies are our own and we should all feel beautiful and secure in our own skin.

Types of Portraits

First, it is important to understand the different types of portraits which you can take. There are three basic types of portraits. They are 1) close-ups or head shots, 2) head and shoulder shots and 3) environmental shots. An environmental shot is a type of portrait where the photographer focuses on the subject and the environment that surrounds the subject. This type of shot provides character to the subject.

The type of portrait you choose depends on the purpose of the portrait and the mood you want to convey. A more formal portrait, for example, might feature an upper body shot. A less formal portrait might be an environmental shot. A great environmental portrait can be achieved provided that you frame the environment and the subject well. Arches, doorways and windows can all be used to your advantage for framing an environmental portrait.

Portrait Photography Tips: Posing

There are also different ways in which the subject can be posed. Many of the best portraits are taken when the subject is not actually looking directly into the camera. In fact, great portraits are often taken when the subject is completely comfortable and natural. Allow the subject to sit or stay comfortably.

You might have them sit on a chair or even on the floor. Encourage them to be comfortable. If you need less of a relaxed look, you can always move in closer to focus on a face shot.

Portrait Photography Tips: Depth of Field and Focal Length

Both depth of field and focal length are critical to creating great portraits. When you have a shallow depth of field, the focal point will be sharp while everything else becomes blurry. This can prevent the background from distracting the viewer’s attention from the subject.

A larger aperture setting will result in a shallow depth of field with a background that is softer while the subject is sharp. Likewise a smaller aperture setting will result in both the foreground and the background appearing in focus and sharp.

Zooming or walking in closer will help you to fill the frame with the subject of the portrait. This does not necessarily mean you must do a facial or close-up shot. Filling the frame with your subject will still allow you to achieve a ‘tight’ full-body shot.

Portrait Photography Tips: Lighting

Lighting is critical to good portrait photography. There are various types of lighting that can be used in portrait photography. Main light should typically be diffused or you may have results that are too harsh. You can diffuse the main light by placing something nearly transparent between the main light and the subject. Generally, the main light should be positioned approximately 45 degrees either to the left or the right of the portrait subject.

Fill lights are also used, typically opposite the main light source. Fill lights should be used with less intensity than the main light source; however. One of the advantages of fill lights is that they can soften shadows that may be created as a result of the main light.

Side lights or hair lights can provide lighting for the subject’s hair. This can give your portrait depth and can also help in separating your subject from the background.