 (Click on photos to enlarge) When photographing models, I try varying the setups so that each group of images has a somewhat unique look. One way to do this is by making changes to their hair, especially when they have longer tresses. Styling possibilities seem to increase in proportion to hair length. Here are examples of changes that work well:
Along with makeup, clothes, facial expression, and body positioning, I believe much of a girl's or woman’s character can be communicated through her hair. What's interesting is how quickly she can change its look, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Notwithstanding the examples mentioned above, it can be the smallest movement or turn of the head that dramatically alters the hair’s arrangement, resulting in a totally different appearance. Sometimes, there'll be a specific change I’ll want to make. It may be something simple, such as repositioning a few strands or doing something with a clump of hair. However, explaining the adjustment I want so that she can make the change herself can often be time consuming and even exasperating. Since I know what I’m trying to do, my preference is to fix the hair myself. Therefore, with her permission (and the permission of her mother if the model's a minor), I’ll make the necessary alterations, which are usually minor and can be done quickly.  Bailey was having a grand time spinning around on her bed. I think her hair shows this.  I spent a bit of time in post-production getting the hair and dress to glow. To me, the genuine star of this photo is her golden hair.  I think the strands dangling over Laurette’s eyes add to her somber expression. To me, they seem like tears streaming down her cheeks.  Greta's hair unintentionally provides an interesting function in this photo. It separates the lightness of her face from the lightness of the wall. I didn't realize it was doing this until reviewing the images later in my office. If it weren't for her dark hair, there'd be little separation between her face and wall.  This shot took considerable experimentation. Amelia was patient as I arranged and rearranged her hair. Initially, I disliked the wrinkles in the sheet, but eventually realized that they seemed to complement her hair. Or maybe it's me trying to justify something I really don't like.  Another wrinkly sheet. I like how the side lighting (courtesy of a strong flash unit placed close to the ground) highlights the wrinkles and folds of the sheet and her shirt. It also works nicely, highlighting the edge of her nose.  After arriving at Klaryssa’s house, I noticed what I thought to be her rather messy hair. I assumed she hadn’t combed it yet but would do so before we started shooting. When she didn’t, and I asked about it, she said that this was her hairstyle now. I considered suggesting she “fix it”, but realized that saying so might offend her. I figured we could make improvements to it as we shot. So, I began the session with her hair as it was. Interestingly, as we were shooting, I came to appreciate how well her hairstyle, with some minor changes, worked with her poses. Though it could have caused problems on other models, on Klaryssa, less “messy” hair might have resulted in fewer striking images.  Amelia's hair had a single purpose in this photograph: to cover a good portion of her breasts.  Even though there are fewer possibilities with shorter hair, there may be potential as well. Blasting the hair with air It’s great fun photographing models whose hair is being wildly blown about. It’s a sensation many of them enjoy and can be apparent in their expressions. The pictures that result can be truly dynamic. Previously, I'd use industrial or large house fans to produce the necessary wind. I would position one close to the model’s head, making sure it wouldn’t be seen in the photo. The amount of hair movement depended on the strength of the fan and her type of hair. The best results seemed to occur when the model flicked her head (with her hair obviously following), just before the photo was taken. These days, however, I'm using an inexpensive leaf blower. This works much better. I have a small, electric unit (you don’t want one that's gas powered, due to the fumes it produces). It can be clamped to a light stand or held by an assistant. Its low weight, powerful output, and ability to be aimed fairly precisely make it perfect for blasting the hair.  The left half (from the viewer’s perspective) of Molly’s hair acts as a lovely background for the side view of her face. The right half nicely fills the upper section of the frame.  The woman on the left was in her mid-thirties. The girl on the right was in high school. The girl’s mother was sitting on the floor between the two ladies, pointing the electric leaf blower upwards. As mentioned previously, it’s an impressive device for throwing a high volume of air in a well-defined pattern. Problems may arise, however, when the blower is aimed toward the face. With its high intensity, the moving air may make some people uncomfortable. In this instance, the girl was hesitant about being subjected to the wind. But after her mother aimed the device at my face, and I explained how much I enjoyed the sensation, she was more than happy to proceed. |
