Shooting with Natural Light

Ever wonder why outdoor shoots start so early in the morning, often before the sun is even up? Don't worry, there is method to the madness.

No matter what you're shooting or where, you can't have anything without the right lighting. In a studio it doesn't matter what time of day or night you're shooting (unless you're posing next to a window with natural sunlight pouring through) because the lighting in this area is controlled. But photographers don't get that luxury when it comes to using natural sunlight.

Often, shoots will take place around 6:00am--yes, AM not PM--because this gives the photographer and the crew, if there is one, enough time to play with the camera settings and get a feel of how the shots are going to turn out. Soon as the sun peaks out, it's go time and you've only got a certain window of time to get the best photos.

I always tend to shoot between 9-10am, not so early, unless there is a certain look I'm going for. I would advise other models, no matter what experience level you're at, to always shoot before noon. During this time of day, the sun is at its highest peak amd causes horrible glare and harsh shadows on your face. But that doesn't mean that when noon hits, the shoot is automatically over. Each situation is going to vary upon the weather, if it's overcast, etc. But starting a shoot before noon gives you a better chance of getting the correct lighting. If you look at the proofs of a shoot that started in the morning and went into the afternoon, you'll notice a gradual change in the way the light reflects off of the model and the background. It may surprise you to know that when the sky is overcast, that's actually the best time to take pictures because there is no harsh glare or shadows from the sun to worry about. So don't cancel any shoots on account of it being overcast, unless it's about to rain, of course.

You don't want to get into a situation where you start too late and then you start to lose sunlight with each passing minute. This causes you to do a rush job and those are no fun and usually don't turn out good quality pictures.

However, shooting at twilight (the time when the sun is setting and the moon is rising) produces some of the most amazing pictures I've seen. Shooting during this time is tricky because you have to be set to go with everything and once twilight hits, you're really racing against the sun to make sure each shot is good. You only have a few minutes so if something comes up or if there's a delay, you'll lose your chance and will have to wait until the next day. If you want to find out what time twilight is, go to any website that deals with the weather, such as Theweatherchannel.com and look up the temperatures for your town. They normally list what time the sun will set, which is the time you need to set your shoot for.

So it may not be fun getting up at the crack of dawn and you may not feel like you can be beautiful at such a ridiculous hour but this is the golden time for photography so make the most of it. Now you know why I stress so much about the importance of getting enough sleep!

Dania Denise Resume

STATS

Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Ethnicity: African-American, Asian
Height: 5'5" Weight: 115 lbs Bust: 34"
Waist: 24" Hips: 35" Inseam: 29"
Shoe: 8 1/2 Dress: 2-4, Pants: 3-4

EXPERIENCE:

PRINT

· Business Stock Shoot - Philip Dyer Photography (istockphoto.com)
· Lifestyle Couple Shoot - GL Photography (istockphoto.com)
· Beauty Model - Nifty Magazine
· Model (Print & Video) - University of Phoenix
· Model - Microsoft; Maggie Hallahan Photography
· Leg & Arm Model - Thesockboutique.com
· Makeup/Beauty Model - Last Look Makeup Academy
· Computer Game Avatar Model - Lesser Evil Studios
· Handbag/Accessories Model (Online Catalog) - 49 Square Miles
· Lifestyle Model - Giant Bicycle Catalog
· Stock Model - Marc Simon Photography
· Stock Model - Jana Le Photography/Snappy Stock
· Fashion Model/Summer Look Book - Strada Collective
· Bridal Model/Cover Model - Mocha Bride Magazine (Inside Pages: 8, 24, 28 & 29, 34 & 35, 36, 40, 60, 70, 78)
· Businesswoman Model - Erickson Stock
· Jewelry Model - TadamJewelry.com
· "How to Make Handmade Cards" Model - Klutz Book Company
· "Beauty of the Week" - JET Magazine
· "Miss June" - 2006 Relief Calendar
· "Dania Denise 2007 12-Month Calendar" - Featured Model
· Lifestyle Model - J Winery
· Jewelry Model - Joy O Designs
· ELV Motors Print Model - Doug Schwartz

PAGEANTS

· 2009 Miss California USA Pageant - Miss North Bay Area
· 2001 Miss San Francisco Pageant - Miss Fairfield
· 2000 Miss Vacaville Fiesta Days Pageant - Miss Fairfield

TELEVISION

· Adobo Nation Interviewee - ABS-CBN
· 2004 & 2005 BET Awards Show Co-Host & Spokesmodel for pilot
episode "Hip TV"
· Soiree des Millionaires Co-Host
· "Medium Rare TV" Co-Host/Movie Critic
· "MONK" extra


FILM

· "With Friends Like These" - Amber (co-lead)
· "Black Top Rocket" - Lowrider Girl
· "My Name is Khan" - Extra (volunteer)
· "RENT" - Featured Extra (Limo Party Member_
· "A Night to Remember" - Tanisha (supporting)

COMMERCIAL

· "Sensiva" commercial, extra
· Motorola Viral Commercial; AT&T - Ryan Todd Films
· Shark Week "A Band Apart" extra - Discovery Channel
· PSA - Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
· "Team Up" w/the Golden State Warriors - extra

ONLINE, CD ROM & VIDEO


· True Love Webisode Series (1-5) - Natalie (lead) - Lateral Communications
· iSing Corporate Meeting Skit - Business Partner - Socratic Arts
· Flex Prep SAT Math Videos - Co-Host/Assistant - Flex College Prep
· English Firsthand Video Conversations - Student - Lateral Communications
· Cengage Learning Videos - College Student & Account Exec - Roaring Mouse Productions

MUSIC VIDEO

· "Put 'Cho Handz On" - Lead Girl - Artist: MD 20/20

PROMOTIONAL/TRADESHOW

· Hersheys Swoops Promo
· Band-Aid Promo
· Malibu Rum Spokesmodel
· New Faces Casting - Ready2Model

HONORS

· "Miss Feburary" - Pacersport.com
· "Girl of the Day" - Break.com
· "In Focus Model" - Miss Online
· "Featured Model" - CandaceRae.net
· "Cutie of the Day" - Cutie Central

FASHION SHOWS

· Brocade Weddings Spring 2010 Season - Bridal Model; Brocade Weddings
· "Hawaiian Delights Bikini Fashion Show; Fashion/Bikini Model; Designer: Eve Miyasaki
· "Imagine Fashion Show" – Fashion Model - Santa Clara Convention Center
· "The Art of Hair & Fashion Show" – Hair Model – Oakland Marriott

THEATER

· "Sleeping Beauty" - Maleficent (Lead)

VOICE-OVER

· Sam's Club
· Wal-Mart
· Keystone Class Rings
· Virgin Mobile
· Wal-Mart Back to College Sale
· "The Fairfield 411" - Radio Columnist - SJSU Radio
· BrightTalk, Inc.

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

· "The World Famous Morning Show" – 102.5 KSFM Sacramento
· "The Davey D in the Morning Show" – 103.5 KBMB Sacramento
· "Sam & Lisa in the Morning" - BBS Talk Radio, Los Angeles

I'm an Anti-Model Model

That probably doesn't make any sense, does it? What I mean to say is that while I do model and it's a big part of my life, I don't act like it...unless I'm giving advice or something about it.

My model persona is different from the everyday person I am. I don't go into my regular 9-5 as a model and I believe that the model attitude and tendencies need to be left at the photo shoot. It isn't necessary to always look the part, unless you're modeing full-time and getting paid well, then of course you need to be "on" at all times.

But if you're not at that level, keep yourself humble. If I'm not at a photo shoot or speaking in front of the public, I could care less how I look. For work, I roll out of bed, into jeans, a pullover sweater and sneakers and that's my uniform. No makeup, no fancy hairstyles. It's funny because my coworkers know when I've been doing something related to modeling or acting because I'll come in dolled up, with my hair down.

My resume and talent speaks for itself--I don't need to on a daily basis. As I sat at my latest audition for an NBC show, the girl next to me asked me to check her makeup. I told her she was cool and we began to talk about how much we hated putting on makeup. The show I was auditioning for called for all types of people, not just models but we had to be in full makeup. She looked shocked when I told her that I detest putting on foundation and a whole layer of makeup.

"But you're a model, right?" she asked me. I told her yeah, but that I was the most anti-model model she'd ever meet. She laughed and actually thanked me for telling her that because, according to her, "I had this whole image of models who only care about makeup and what they're wearing. You totally just destroyed that negative image I had. Thank you."

That made me feel so great. The saying really is true that if you can affect even one person, you're doing a good job. Of course, I don't let my looks go all to hell on a daily basis. I will get dolled up if I have to go somewhere or if I'm running errands, but I still wear little to no makeup. That's just me. So don't feel like you're required to look the part all the time. It's fun to me to blow people away when they see my photos online or in a publication. I've been called a chameleon and I take that as a compliment. I want to be accessable and approachable to people and it's hard to do that when you're always looking like you're about to walk down a runway 24/7. I like to breathe and wear regular clothes and look like a regular person.

People notice you faster and you leave a lasting impression when people see you as a regular person and then see your model persona. If you're always glammed up, people get used to that and don't tend to care much. But if you keep your looks on the down-low then when your model alter ego comes out, it causes waves. That's the kind of attention I like. I'd rather hear people say, "Wow, she looks great, I didn't know she modeled!" instead of, "Oh, that's how she always looks."

Always keep 'em guessing...

Getting an Entourage/Crew

Having a crew or entourage isn't just for the models who have already made it. It is possible to have your own crew who's there to help make you look fabulous!

I've been blessed with friends who specialize in all of the areas that are important to a model.

When it comes to needing a photographer, I have at least four people I can turn to. The first is my boyfriend--needless to say, I get as many free photo shoots as I want with him! The second is my best girlfriend who went to the Brooks Institue of Photography in Santa Barbara. The third is a photographer who I met through Onemodelplace.com. We did a couple of TFPs together and continue to keep in touch. The last photographer is actually another girlfriend of mine who went to high school with me. Each of these photographers does excellent work and their looks are all different. So depending on what mood or look I need to create, I have a great group to choose from.

My best guy friend is my stylist. He knows my wardrobe better than I do and has a great eye for colors and he knows exactly how I want to look and what needs to always be in place whenever I'm in front of the camera. He also keeps track of all my accessories and helps me shop for clothes and other necessities I need for shoots.

When it comes to makeup, I have a girlfriend who is a pro. She is trying to get into the professional makeup artist field and I decided to help her portfolio along by hiring her to do my makeup on my shoots. We discuss what colors go with what outfits ahead of time and she uses a range of products, but our mutual favorite hands down is MAC. She knows the look I'm going for and respects my need to not look overdone. She never gets crazy with my makeup and always asks me for my opinion with each look she experiments on me with.

I've been extremely lucky to have such a strong group of people working with me (not working under me or working for me because without their efforts, I wouldn't be where I am). Not only are they professionals in their own right, but they're also my closest friends who love to help me achieve my modeling goals, while being able to do what they love.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming for a model to do it all on his/her own. Before you look into hiring and paying out the nose for a makeup artist, hair stylist, stylist or photographer, look around you. Maybe one or two of your friends are really great in one of these areas. Use their talents to help you and to help them develop their talents. It's a cost-efficient and reliable way to have people who are going to be in your corner and who will help you succeed. Keep your friends close--I always do.

How I Got Started

After reading my posts, you're probably wondering who I am and how I got started in this whole modeling thing. So I figured it was time for an introduction.

I've been modeling and acting since I was 15. I got a flyer in the mail for an open casting call in San Francisco. I went with a snapshot of myself and got a callback. My parents paid money upfront and I took on-camera training classes for tv/film acting. You're probably wondering how I can advise people to not pay for agency representation when I did it...the thing is, we got scammed. The company that held the casting call pocketed the money and my parents never got a dime back. However, I was lucky enough that everything else, including the panel of agents that I auditioned for--was legit and I got signed with an agent out of San Jose. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was in myself that I allowed my parents to spend that kind of money without being able to get it back. This is why I'm so adamant about telling models that they don't have to pay for agency representation. I've been there and done that, and I got lucky. But so many others don't.

After doing a couple of photo shoots and commercials in the Bay Area, I decided to switch to a different agent and sent out my headshot and resume to different agencies in San Francisco. I got a callback from the agency that I'm currently signed with and it's been smooth sailing with my representation ever since.

When I turned 18, I knew that I wanted to pursue modeling hard and needed to get myself work aside from what my agent was getting me, so that's how I began freelancing. As a result, I was able to snag gigs such as being JET Magazine's "Beauty of the Week", Break.com's "Girl of the Day" and a score of other great projects I had the pleasure to be a part of.

Now that I'm older and done with college, I'm really able to take my modeling career to new heights. Being that I am a commercial/print model, I know that I won't be walking down a runway very often if at all, but there are a bunch of other opportunities that suit my type of modeling just fine. I'm currently planning my next couple of shoots and am experimenting with edgier looks and poses to expand my porfolio. I actively use Craigslist as a source for these jobs and while they've been hit or miss, the ones I do get add to my resume. I believe in being "classy, not trashy" and while the type of modeling I have been doing lately is very sexy, I do not do nude or adult work of any kind. I believe in being able to be sexy without showing a lot of skin.

As my career evolves and I get to network with more people, I hope to make my name a household one and show that no matter what height, shape, size or ethnicity you are, you can make it in this industry. I want to be a living, breathing example and I hope others will do the same.

Significant Others

So what does being in a relationship have to do with modeling? Depending on your situation and who you're with, it could have a lot to do with your field of work.

For the ladies, if you have a boyfriend who is very jealous, insecure, possessive or overprotective, being a model or pursuing a modeling career may not make him very happy. It isn't easy for most men to watch their girlfriends be the sex symbol of every man's dreams, or to watch them signing autographs and getting close with male admirers for photographs. The same actually goes for male models with girlfriends as well.

But at the same time, these kinds of situations are ones you need to discuss with your significant other. If this is a career you really want to pursue, it would be wise to take into account the sacrifices you're willing to make because one of them could be breaking up or a temporary separation.

Modeling is going to put you in the public eye and men and women alike are going to fall over themselves to be able to stand next to you and brag to their friends that they met you. Some boyfriends and girlfriends just won't be able to get over the possibility that you'll be heading off to places or meeting new people with fast-paced lives that are more exciting than their own. It's normal for them to worry that they may never see you when they want to or that they'll somehow lose you to someone else.

I've seen and heard of instances where a jealous boyfriend/girlfriend interrupted photo shoots, showed up to an event and caused a scene, as well as models who gave up their careers to keep their relationship together, or who let their careers fall apart by neglecting their modeling duties: showing up late, carrying and using their cell phone to talk to their signifcant other during shoots, etc. Not a pretty sight.

If you're in a relationship, whether you're male or female, and are planning to get into modeling or are already into it, do yourself and your boyfriend/girlfriend a favor and communicate about what your career is going to need from you and what you will need from him/her to make it work. Having someone in your life and being in love is a great thing, but it's even greater when that person believes and supports you in what you're doing. If this isn't a situation you're in, you may have to make a difficult choice between your significant other and your modeling career. Whatever decision you make, make sure that it's your decision and yours alone. Don't allow your potential and talent to be overshadowed by someone who refuses to let you shine.

Pay Day!

Even a handful of modeling jobs can mean big money. Whether its a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, working models generate a pretty decent income. However, getting paid as a model has its own process that you may want to be familiar with.

If you're freelancing your skills, you may either be paid directly after the shoot or a few days/weeks later (I highly recommend getting payment after the shoot). Make sure to have an invoice (it's really easy to create your own on your computer),a Model Release Form or some other form of paperwork that lists the amount you are to be paid for your work. Never negotiate pay through a verbal agreement--ALWAYS GET IT IN WRITING!!!

When you're working with an agency, payment takes a few weeks to come through. So don't get your hopes up of getting your cut within the next day or two. There is a very involved--and oftentimes, very slow--process of paperwork that needs to be completed when it's time to pay up.

First, the client needs to send the paperwork to the agent, who makes sure everything checks out. The agent then sends the paperwork back to the client with the total amount due. That's when the people in the accounting department do their job of making sure that all of the payment info is accurate and calculate what percentage is going to the agent and what percentage is going to the model. This process can take a few weeks to a month or two. Normally, there is a part of the Model Release or other contract signed that states that payment for a job can take upwards to 90 days...that's a pretty long time to wait for a check, so if you're a model, don't go out and splurge on a new wardrobe just yet.

Be realistic and be patient. If you get enough jobs, be comforted by the fact that you'll always have a check to look forward to!

What a Real Agency Does

It's so easy nowadays for scammers and con-artists to label themselves as an agency and pry on model hopefuls. Don't be fooled! Do your homework and avoid being a part of a terrible scandal...

Legit agencies make their money solely by charging commission, or a perantage, of the bookings they get for their models. At the same time, the client who goes to the agent to book the model in question, is also charged a fee. That's a great source of income for any working agency, so don't be fooled into the general misconception that you need to pay an agency upfront in order for them to sign you. That is the first and foremost red flag warning you should recognize. If an agency is getting its models consistent work, then they are making more than enough money and don't need to charge potential models up front.

Avoid attending casting calls or talent showcases that are on the weekends or in the evenings...agencies work Monday thru Friday from 9-5 (give or take an hour or two) and will not work on weekends! If you look up any reputable agency on the Internet, you'll find that all of the dates and times for their open casting calls fall within the business hours and days I mentioned above. Do not believe anything that falls outside of this!

Like any legit business, a modeling agency is required to have a license to operate. Look for this license when you are in the agent's office, which shouldn't be hard because these licenses are required by law to be displayed in plain view at the place of business. No license, no way.

Looking like a thriving agency can be as easy for a scammer as taking out pages in a magazine, framing them and telling you that they started that model's career. Don't be fooled by all the razz of large posters, photos and the decor of the office. When you're talking with the agency, be sure to clarify that they aren't a modeling school, affiliated with any modeling conventions or other purposes other than managing and booking jobs for their models.

Be aware of your surroundings. Even the smallest agency that has a good group of talent on-staff will have phones ringing, people dealing with paperwork and talking to their talent. If none of that is going on, or if the conversations you hear aren't mostly about a booking or something related to modeling, you may be getting scammed.

The Better Business Bureau is a great site to do a background check on agencies you may be suspicious of. Note any complaints and what the topics of the issues were about. If an agency has a fairly large number of complaints dealing with money, that isn't a good sign. Agency websites can also be deceiving. The world of technology and Flash software can make the biggest scammer look legit. Make sure to note if the agency is showcasing their models or showcasing themselves. Working, legit agencies don't need to push hard to sell themselves. That's not what the website is for. An agency website is designed to showcase its talent and services. Also be careful of agencies that promote themselves in the newspaper or on the radio. When was the last time you heard FORD or Elite on the radio begging people come to their casting calls?