Plus size model portfolio

Images from gorgeous Sarah's portfolio. If you are interested in beaching a plus size model, I have to tell you there is a lot of opportunity for work out there specially now that bigger brands are accepting plus sizes and fashion world is embracing the real sizes. It is very important for you to prepare for your launch and shoot.  I always tell my models that modeling is a business you have to treat it like you are starting a new business. Prepare for it, You need a marketing plan, a guide, agency representation, Irresistible images which will put you in front of the scouts, agents, pro photographers and clients.
Top 5 things you

1, It all starts with you and ends at you. Prepare yourself, practice posing in front of the mirror.

2. Modeling is more than just the selfie face. You have to be comfortable in your skin and learn to carry your outfits and body. Tip for that is stand in front of the mirror with no clothes on and practice posing and expressions. When posing with the clothes on prepare a whole look for  yourself, arrange your outfits and accessories and then practice your looks and posing.  Spend about 45 minutes to an hour in front of the mirror every day. I tell my new models that modeling is like you are learning to play a new instrument, you have to practice it, initially you will make mistakes and you will be slow but gradually if you keep on practicing you will master it.

3. It's not just about looking sexy. As a plus size model you need to portray different looks in your portfolio. most importantly commercial looks. If you choose a right photographer he or she will work with you to create looks which will work for you and help you get work and agency representation.
For example based on your age, height, face you have to fit in a certain genre of commercial modeling.

4. Marketing is key. Create a plan for your launch,  Just like you would create a plan for any business.

5. This is a very cut throat industry, no one has time, agents are busy scouts would not look at you until they see seriousness and professionalism and talent in you. I see models make this mistake of submitting there home image or phone selfies as submissions to agencies, I can tell you that you are thinking that you are looking good in this image and it will surely get you noticed but that's not enough. Agents want to see your ability to face a real camera, your expressions posing, portfolio presentation.  How serious you are with modeling, they want to make sure that you are not just a fly by trying to just check the waters. A professionally done portfolio will speak for it self and it tells them that you are serious about this. They cannot take a risk of signing on some one who is not  dedicated and serious about modeling because of the fear of what if this person does not show up on a     booked shoot or production. There reputation is at stake.

6. Work with a specialized fashion photographer, Just like you would not see a foot doctor for your Cardiac problem, You should not have a product photographer shoot your protfolio.

Summary:

a. First step is to prepare yourself. by honing your craft.
b. Find a good photographer, who will help you launch and guide you through this process.
I have never shot someone's portfolio without meeting them, It is my responsibility to analyze and see if you are ready for the shoot yet or not. If you are ready I still give you about 2 weeks to prepare for your shoot with me, I create the looks work with my creative team, make up artist and hair stylist  and even stylist for some shoots to come up with the best possible looks .
c.  Create your marketing plan
d. prepare your outfits and accessories for the shoot
e.  Never pay any agency to represent you.
f.  You have become thick skinned learn to rejections and critisicm
g. Always remember you are beautiful and God has made you unique and amazing no matter what anyone says.
If you have any questions please shoot me an email at info@vikranttunious.com
I want to help you, it does not matter if you have shot with some other photogpraher, if you need my help reach out to me, I can help you with setting up your book, critique your portfolio and with any other tips.  Good luck and i should say be blessed work hard with dedication and honesty success will seek you. " A journey of million miles starts with a single step".

All the images are copyrighted to Vikrant Tunious Photogrpahy any unauthorized use will be subject to legal proceedings.

Commercial hair shoot

Recently I did a shoot which I was longing to shoot for quite some time. We worked on one image for this shoot as it was pretty intrigued.
I wanted to shoot the hair so it is flowing and has uniformity. If i used any kind of fan or blower I can't reach that, simply because the hair will fly on all sorts of direction and won't be uniform on one focal plane. I also did not wanted the model to lie on the floor because the dimensions and angels can never be the same when you are lying on the floor versus you are standing.  The idea I had was to carefully place the hair on plexiglass . once I got that I stared creating my images. I had already planned to retouch the missing areas and filling in later on. So I also shot some hair by itself. I used Elinchrome  27" Beauty dish and also a deep Octabox. Just give some extra jump to the hair I lit it up form the back with a honey comb grid.  Without much ado here is the final image.
Credits:
Photogrpahy: Vikrant Tunious
Hair stylist: Tokyo Bradshaw
Makup artist:Chey Rivera
Model: Aleeya Mcfadden
Assistant: Mario Glover

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from the shoot

You cannot miss something special in this behind the scenes video

Portrait Shoot with RevDr Jamillah Mantilla

Another fun filled week at the studio.  We shot with RevDr Jamillah Mantilla, She is an amazing person and also very well know in the christian world.  She is not only associated with one of the mega churches of America, Faith Fellowship church in Sayreville NJ. She educates people about business and ethics and right practices. She loves my work and we have shot before, It always feel good when you have returning clients. We have been going over the shoot ideas and concepts and worked out some fun images for her. The whole idea revolved around the new face of business. So with out much ado I will share the images with you.  I thought i should share some fun shots too my assistant testing light he has to wear different hats in the studio.

Vivica A Fox Commercial hair shoot's Behind the scenes

First day of our three day shoot ended shoot ended today with some great images in hand.   Mood board consisted of 10 different looks out of which we have shot 7 looks.
We started with the sports look where I shot a boxing look and also a treadmill run shot.
The second look was like out of the bed look with coffee by her window side, I love this look as I shot it in all natural available light with some reflectors.
The third look we shot was behind the shoot, getting ready look.
fourth look was shot to make it look like a still from her movie shooting. This will be completed later in post.
I had to create a very cinematic lighting effect. fifth look was a beach stroll with resort wear.
Sixth look was nice where she is wearing a short skirt and shirt  she is out in the mall on a shopping spree.  This look will completed in post also.
seventh look was glammed up party look.
I thought to share some behind the scenes images with all of you.  Oh I forgot to tell you the best part that my team including myself prepared a cool dance step which we did as a welcome back to Vivica Fox, I love the fact that we have such an amazing team and light atmosphere in my studio. I am simply thankful and feel blessed to be able to do what I like to do, it was never that easy to live your dream.

Spring summer collection catalog and editorial shoot for Modern Frock

Images from the Modern frock Spring collection 2015. For this shoot we combined the  editorial and catalog shoot together.

What qualifies you to be a fashion model ?

Recently I was approached by Gina and her mom in regards to her portfolio, As a rule I do not shoot a portfolio before a personal or Skype consultation with the model so my studio manger scheduled them in. Gina and her mom came in for the consultation and we went over every thing. As I like to give as much information as possible to make sure that if you are new model you understand how the business of modeling works. I like to analyze  what would work best for the model, not every one can walk the ramp but when you watch commercials how often you see just fashion models there. You will see more and more people of different walks of life, so it is very important for me to understand what category you would fit as a model. To be able to work as a professional female fashion model you should  be at least 5'7" or taller some agencies prefer to start at 5'8" or taller. Miss universe qualifies you if you are 5'7" or taller.  As a male fashion model you should be 6 feet or taller, certain agencies would qualify you if you are 5'11" also.  it is very important for you as a model know what you are getting into. I tell all the new models that you have to take it as if you are starting a business. After all modeling is a huge business globally. As a fashion model you have to practice your walk. Walking the ramp is one of your main jobs. You also have to know your body and your posing is very important. If you are hired for a shoot the photographer or the director would give you briefing about the shoot and then expect you to perform. In my initial meeting I tell the new models the best ways to practice there posing and what to watch when they are in front of the camera. How they can look irresistibly attractive to the agents and scouts. I love to direct and help them pose during the shoot since all my career I have worked helping new and existing models with there  portfolios it has just become a second nature to me. At the initial meeting we decided the number of looks we would be shooting and i developed the mood board for the shoot, I got my make up artist, hair stylist and wardrobe stylist filled in about the mood board. It is very important to plan the portfolio shoot and I give the models a 2 weeks preparation work sheet. Gina did great and worked hard on all the guidance. Her shoot date came and we started the shoot at 10:00 am and wrapped it around 5:00pm. my portfolio shoots also give the new model an experience of working on a high end commercial shoot.

               Before picture