Janna of Timelessstyle.nl and I booked a short posing and catwalk session. We called it How to become a model (not the official title haha). You can find Janna on Instagram. It was great fun and we learned a lot, which I love to share with you. So this post will be a bit different from the usual ones.
You may ask “Why on earth did you book such a session? Do you want to become a model?” The answer to that is a yes from Janna and a hesitant yes from me. We both get our pictures taken hundreds of times; me for my blog and Janna for her Instagram account. We both love clothes and being a magazine model. Janna has already been featured in five different magazines and I in only one. The funny thing is that if I let myself go grey I might have more chance of being asked to model. Older models are being used more often these days, but they do prefer models with grey hair. (So there is no mistake that you are “older”??)
We both struggle with poses when our photo is taken. You know one of my favourite poses is sitting down. As soon as I see a bench, I’m on it. I feel the head-to-toe shot is necessary to clearly show the whole outfit. I always get so angry at fashion magazines showing a model and then saying something like: “Shoes: brand XX”, when the model’s legs have been cut off the photo. What shoes? I know there are more important matters to fuss over, but it niggles me.
Anyway, Janna and I decided to call in professional help with Jessica Gyasi, owner of Model Up. She used to model for big fashion brands all over the world while living in Paris. As she explains, despite this dream job, she lacked confidence and didn’t have a positive image of herself. After ten years she stopped modelling, got her papers and started Model Up, training a new generation of models. Jessica doesn’t only want to teach the practical sides of modelling (how to look, how to walk, how to sell yourself to agents etc) but also make sure you feel good about yourself.
(Disclosure: Janna and I paid for the training; this is not a sponsored post, just an enthusiastic one.)
Below: Jessica.
Were we intimidated by such tall beauty? Hell, yes. If she had no self-confidence, where does that leave us? But, being older and wiser, we know that this is not how the mind works.
Below: Jessica, Janna and me. Jessica turned out to be a very sweet person and a good laugh. She had no problems teaching us ‘old dogs’ some new tricks.
As I didn’t know whether it would be warm or cold in the studio, I had put on many layers. It would have been better if I had worn something more form fitting so Jessica could see whether I was making the right moves, but that couldn’t be helped.
Below: A video about how to walk, turn while looking at the photographer and not trip over my own feet.
The first thing we learned was how to carry our body in the (up)right position. Posture is everything and I struggle with posture. I should practise every day. It makes a world of difference how you stand and sit.
After the catwalk training we practised different poses. Janna and I were both very interested in ‘chair poses’. Here are two poses being elegant on a chair, flexing your front foot so the photographer isn’t looking at your soles.
Below: Janna looking mischievous. Straight back, legs together in an elegant position.
Below: We had great fun over this pose (which I requested). I was lucky because I could drop my dress before my crotch, but nevertheless, we agreed to leave this pose to the younger girls haha.
Below: I got a compliment about my core (back and tummy muscles) from Jessica for this pose. It looks simple but bear in mind I have no seat back to lean against.
Jessica showed us how we could work with our legs, hands, head, face etc when being photographed. I tried to copy her, totally forgetting my posture, not being able to pull the right faces at all. It is an art and it takes hard work to improve.
Was it all seriousness and hard work? Of course not. We had some good laughs in between.
Below: Me picking a hair off Janna’s chest made for a good laugh.
Below: And me, looking very suggestive and flirty at Janna, got her in stitches.
I think we will do another training at Model Up as it was great fun and we learned a lot. We also have a lot of videos which we have to study.
Afterwards we went for cappuccinos and a reality photo. High heels in the bag and combat boots on.
A day of joy.
What happened in my life this week
Two words: stomach flu. Ron caught it last week and he passed it on to me, which started in the night of Friday to Saturday. That was highly inconvenient as Saturday was the first morning of my photo (camera) course. I so wanted to follow it that I got myself ready and went. I looked like death warmed up and I kept well away from the others, scared as I was they would catch it through me. I learned a lot and I was glad I had gone, but as soon as I arrived home, I threw up again (sorry girls if you are disgusted now). How lucky that it didn’t happen during the course.
We got a few photo assignments, so from Monday afternoon, when I felt a little better, I was quite busy trying to do my ‘homework’.
Below: Example of a ‘low key’ photo. Low key is when you set your camera darker than you normally would, to reach a certain effect.
Below: Example of a ‘high key’ photo which is the opposite of low key. The good thing is, there is no right or wrong, just personal taste and view on the matter.
We also had to take a ‘movement’ photo which I found hard to do. I have submitted a few examples but I cannot say I am very proud of them. I have always known I have no talent for photography as I simply do not have ‘the eye’.
As my stomach flu was still active, I couldn’t go to mum on Sunday. Luckily my niece had visited her the previous day.
Below: I took Marianne to the hospital for a final check-up (she is fine) and wore this outfit but with lower heeled boots than in the original post. I don’t like it at all. Ron loves it, but I want a larger jumper covering my crotch. Also, these boots are terrible with it, but good to run around in them. Marianne took the photo in the hospital.
Below: Oh… selfies are so terrible. Marianne and me.
I did a photo shoot for the blog with Loes and visited friends Wednesday evening. I hadn’t seen my friends for about a year so it was fun. A second date is necessary soon as we couldn’t cover everything in two and half hours.
See you next week.
Greetje
That class looks so cool! The mischievous pic of your friend is very close to my stair pose that I do. It’s all about creating angles so that it looks right from the front for a photo. Posture is huge, isn’t it? I remember seeing my early blog photos and being horrified at how slouchy I actually was.
I like that outfit too – they aren’t leggings, it’s okay to see your crotch, lol. The boots are fine – they echo the light top under the jumper.
I hope your stomachs have settled down again!
You are right, your stair pose is very similar.
I am still slouchy but I have instructed the photographers to shout to me: Straighten your back, tighten your belly.
Actually, they are leggings, although thick ones.
I liked the outfit with the boots as well. I am so glad I bought them.
And yes, we are both fine again.
Well, I never imagined seeing you modeling, in my opinion you already have your own style and your personal poses. I love your printed dress, even though I would have worn it without jeans. I hope that the issue of gastroenteritis is history and you are both well and recovered.
Yes, we are both fine now thank you.
I have worn this floral dress on the blog before. With just thick tights and booties and with jeans and flat booties.
This modelling post I wore warm leggings with it. I was trying to stay warm.
This looks like a lot of fun! (although you can also practice all the poses from the book I gave you? – perhaps a challenge: post every single pose on the blog!
That book you gave me, is wonderful and I did get a few poses from it which I applied. But it is really a very good photography book, with studio lights and settings. Which is more for a good photographer, so I gave the book to Kitty. But only after I had read the interesting bits for myself, three times. There were a lot of crouching poses in the book, which I skipped for obvious reasons. I’d never get up anymore haha.
Well, this was an interesting entry in your blog. Poses for models. You and Janna are both so attractive. I do really like her grey hair but yours is very nice too. As for your photographs, I liked what you said about no right or wrong. If you enjoy something, go forward.
Thanks Linda. I wasn’t sure whether everybody would like a post like this, but it seems to be going down well.
Also thank you for your compliments to Janna and me being so attractive. You make me shy.
I have now had the second session of my camera/photographing course and I feel I am really improving. Fun to do.
There are two, currently popular model photos I despise: the crotch shot and the squatting-in the woods-to-pee shot. We see both here! Honestly, what’s the point? To show that the trouser fabric stretches?
Minor rant aside, this looked like fun, except for the high heels on the slick floor. Was this required in order to emulate a catwalk?
Your hair was especially beautiful and you looked happy!
Maybe you’re on the precipice of something new — wishing you success!
Hahaha…that was funny. The squatting-in-the-woods-to-pee shot. I have another one: crossing your legs while standing. I call that the “I have to pee”pose.
The crotch shot you will see in many very good photo books. I think it is fun and some other readers too, but Janna for instance didn’t like it one bit. We are all different.
High heels make your body look different, more ‘on edge’ and for high fashion shoots and modelling, yes, this is required. If you don’t want that, don’t start modelling.
Mind you, I just take from the lessons what I can use. I have no expectations of ever walking the Paris catwalks haha.
What a brilliant idea….modelling school! I think you did really well walking in the video, Greetje!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks Suzy but remember, that was only a short moment. Well…it is a start haha.
Great idea Greetje, you’re never too old…
Indeed you are not. Besides, it is great fun doing such a session. Educational and fun.
This sounds such fun. I am very impressed by your model walk. I know I would find it hard as I tend to move very quickly everywhere I go.
Hope you have said goodbye the stomach flu!
Yes, the stomach flu is totally gone.
Lovely to hear you are impressed by my model walk haha. I don’t walk too fast normally and of course Jessica was teaching us.
This is such a fun post Greetje.
You look great!
xxx Yvonne
Thanks Yvonne, it was a lovely (and educational) afternoon. I wasn’t sure whether my readers would like it, but they do. So nice.
What a fun time. I would love to do a class like that. Sure, we may take photos a lot, but that doesn’t mean they are always good. I may look into this for my crew. Thanks for the idea.
Hope you’re feeling better,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jessica has a TedX talk on youtube. It was a translation but enjoyable, nevertheless.
A fun topic this week.
I looked it up and it was in English. Very good. Not really about modeling but about confidence. Janna and I didn’t need that coaching haha. We are both confident women, feeling good. But Jessica is of course right in saying that the majority of young girls don’t possess this. And she can help them.
I was really please Janna found Model Up. I had been trying to find one as well, but didn’t really succeed. Model Up was exactly what we were looking for. I was afraid Jessica might not want to teach us as she usually trains young models, but she was fine with us ‘oldies’.
Wow, I’d love to take a course like that. I’m terrible at posing, have 1 or 2 and that’s it…but I’m usually taking my own photos too so that tends to limit the options.
I’m so sorry you’ve had the stomach flu. It’s the worst! I was just reading that there’s a big spike in norovirus (the one that causes intestinal upset).
I am feeling fine again, not to worry.
I also only had two poses really. So this course was really helpful. Janna found Model Up and booked the session. So glad she did. Now I have to study the videos Jessica made of and for us.
Wow! That was so much fun! Love the poses, and it looks like you also had fun.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
I am feeling all right again. Not to worry.
It surprises me that so many readers really liked this post. I wasn’t so sure about it, but wanted to give it a try.
That modeling looked like you two were having so much fun!!!
Oh you betya. We had a lot of fun. But we were seriously learning at the same time.
This post was fun to read. You have a lovely low key sense of humor. Your posts are always entertaining! And your sense of style feels good also. Thank you!
What an interesting post, and you seem to have that catwalk walk nailed! Hope you are feeling better now.
Yes, I am fine now.
Believe me, there is still a lot to learn about catwalk walk. But this little bit was not too bad. I wouldn’t be able to convince a booking agent haha, but that is not to expected after only a few hours.
When my sense of humor trickles through, I am so pleased. Thanks for these awesome compliments.
Lieverd! Wat schrijf je toch onderhoudend! Genieten van je humor en relativeringsvermogen vermogen !
Op naar onze volgende shoot
Kijk…van zo’n commentaar word ik erg blij. Heel hartelijk dank en ja…graag op naar onze volgende shoot.
You did an awesome job with your runway walk! I’m impressed! Plus you looked relaxed.
I liked the open leg shot on the chair.
I hope you’re feeling better.
Suzanne
I was relaxed. I was doing something I love and I am learning. The atmosphere was relaxed, I was with a friend and Jessica, the teacher was lovely. A great afternoon.
Funny, there are more readers who like the open leg shot on the chair haha. And yes, I am feeling fine again.
Wow! I am so impressed with the modelling class. You and Janna both look great. I would have been terrified, but since you had fun while learning, Jessica is a good teacher.
There is nothing to be terrified of Cynthia. Nobody is going to hurt you, laugh at you or other nasty things. Doing it together with a friend made it even nicer of course. And yes, Jessica is indeed a good teacher.
The “crotch” shot is one of my favorites, and many others as well. This is the coolest post. Love all the modeling photos. So much fun and energy.
Wow. And here I was, not so sure whether you would like or hate the post. I am so pleased.
Sorry to hear that you and Ron had stomach flu, but glad you are feeling better.
Fascinating post about the modeling class. You both look great!
Have a good week.
Fascinating even? Wow..how lovely to read that. I wasn’t sure whether you would like it.