Shooting 13 Models

Challenge: take a group of models, a studio, a tin of coffee, plenty of grit and enthusiasm, a camera, add lights, and…

Shoot with the Best Models To Get High-Quality Looks

So here’s the challenge: We spend every day setting briefs and delivering a vast range of both highly creative and functional video and photography projects. But we also believe it’s essential to practice without strict briefs. This kind of exercise trains you to think fast and respond quickly to your environment—much like real-world models for shoot scenarios where spontaneity is key.

As creatives, it’s important to hone our craft by developing our own styles. For this reason, we invited a group of models sourced from the casting website Starnow, selected for their diverse looks, styles, and personalities. Some of these models for shoots were new and emerging in the industry, while others were experienced and looking to add specific new looks to their portfolios.

Our aim was to create as many unique looks as possible throughout the day, spanning portraits, fashion and beauty.

There are certainly worse ways to spend a cold, dark Sunday!

Choosing the right location was just as crucial as assembling the models for the shoot. Shooting in a plain white studio wouldn’t have worked—we needed to leverage objects, backgrounds, and props.

We booked Belt Craft Studios in North London, a space we’d never used before, which perfectly fit our creative vision. The studio’s immense versatility, with plenty of furniture, props, walls, textures, and windows, set the stage for a dynamic model photography shoot.

The shoot day comes, and we quickly realise that the quality vs quantity balance was going to be tough – scheduling had been tricky as we’d had so much interest, but our group of models were due to arrive across the day at times which should allow for a good amount of shooting time with each.

Getting everyone in the group of models ready, in and out of makeup, before being ready to shoot added to the complexity, but the word I used earlier – ‘exercise’ was certainly a relevant one!

Coordinating makeup, wardrobe changes, and keeping the energy high was a challenge, but it was exactly the kind of dynamic we love about a photoshoot with models. The amazing group of models who were giving up their Sundays to shoot with us wouldn’t want to be sitting around for too long waiting for a slot to shoot.

Thankfully, even though this was inevitable, spirits were high, and the mood was really collaborative.

On the photography side, I was shooting all of our stills with my trusty assistant Niki, who was prepping one light after another, and our video team were also on site to capture motion video and cinemagraphs. You’ll be able to see these in a future blog post.

Personally, I like visual drama, and I like to show that in my images. Plain walls do very little for me, and I don’t believe they add enough to most shots. I had to split my time between encouraging the right poses and expressions from some of the lesser experienced members of the day’s group of models and keeping up with the hardened pros who were rocketing off one move after another!

That constant contrast was wonderful, as was jumping from portrait to beauty to fashion sometimes within the same set.

We also captured a range of fitness and yoga sets, which are being used to help demonstrate what we can offer to health and fitness professionals.

Personally, I like visual drama, and I like that to show in my images. Plain walls do very little for me, and I don’t believe they add enough to most shots. I had to split my time between encouraging the right poses and expressions from some of the lesser experienced members of the day’s group of models, and keeping up with the hardened pro’s who were rocketing off one move after another! That constant contrast was wonderful, as was jumping from portrait, to beauty to fashion sometimes within the same set.

We also captured a range of fitness and yoga sets as well, which are being used to help demonstrate what we can offer to health and fitness professionals.

“I had such a great time helping with the lighting – each model required a slightly different setup so I’d swap out the different softboxes and other modifiers to achieve the best shots. The vast studio space offered so many backgrounds & textures, allowing us to get really creative & think outside the box!

As we approached the end of the day, it began to get even more challenging – we were running out of time and we still had a few models left to shoot! We did manage to get through them all, luckily and just about scraped out the door at finishing time!

Niki Vaghela, Lighting Assistant

Overall, we have some wonderfully diverse results that are a result of everyone’s hard work, not least of all our long-suffering makeup artist, Safa! Safa! If you’d like to be part of our next creative challenge or a photoshoot with models, do get in touch!

“Loved working with Steven on set. His direction was great and easy to follow, he had loads of creative ideas and the final pictures are AMAZING. The shoot flew by I cant wait to work with you again! Thanks Pocket Creatives!”

Jade Coles, Yoganaflow

“I have worked with Steven on a number of occasions and he is one of the most pleasant and professional photographers I have worked with. Very talented!”

Malene Wagner, Model

“Stevens organisation is second to none, clear, precise and readily contactable. He is kind and trust worthy and adept at working with a wide range of personalities and clients.”

Lucy Edwards, Model

“My shooting with Steven was a top experience at every point. I highly recommend a photo shooting with Pocket Creatives if you want pictures with a perfect composition.”

Birgit Lechner, Model

“I was model for a fitness photo shoot with Pocket Creatives, I highly recommend this team of creative people, Steven was amazing from day 1 with excellent communication, organisation and he is a brilliant photographer very talented. I had a great experience Working with PC, they made me feel comfortable, relaxed and I had fun. At the end I love the final result of the photos and couldn’t be happier they will add great value for my portfolio. Niki and Steven are very professional, genuinely friendly and open to listen to any ideas. Thank you Pocket Creatives for such a great experience.”

Paola Alba, Model

“Really enjoyed working with Steven and his team recently – they are all incredibly professional and approachable! The shoot was a lot of fun and very creative, and the finished shots are great. Highly recommend.”

Eleanor Bailey, Model

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