Behind the Lens: A No-Nonsense Guide to Directing and Working with Models
Let’s be honest, pointing a camera at someone is an inherently vulnerable process for both of you. Whether you’re working with a seasoned professional who knows their angles or someone stepping in front of the lens for the very first time, getting a great shot is rarely just about your lighting setup or your gear. It’s about how you interact with the person on the other side.
If you want to pull genuine, striking emotion out of a shoot, you have to know how to direct. Here is a practical guide on how to work with models of all experience levels, make them feel at ease, and get the exact look you’re after.
The Foundation: Comfort Above All Else
If your model is cold, anxious, or unsure of what’s happening, it’s going to show up in the final images. Dead eyes and stiff posture are the immediate results of an uncomfortable environment. Your first job, before you even take the lens cap off, is to create a safe space.
Communicate beforehand: Send over mood boards and clear expectations days before the shoot. No one likes turning up and being surprised by the wardrobe or the concept.
Set the vibe: Ask for their favourite artists or playlists and have that music going when they arrive. Keep the studio or location at a comfortable temperature.
Check in constantly: Ask questions like, "Are you comfortable holding this pose?" or "Do you need a quick break?" Read their body language.
Respect physical boundaries: Never touch a model to adjust their hair or clothing without explicitly asking for permission first. Usually, it’s better to just mirror the pose yourself to show them what you want.
Read the Room: Adapting to Experience Levels
Working with Beginners
You can’t direct a beginner the exact same way you direct a seasoned pro. When someone steps in front of the lens for the first time, they usually feel awkward and are convinced they look stiff. If you just tell them to "work it," you'll get the classic deer-in-headlights stare.
Here is how to get them out of their head and into the moment:
Never stop talking: To a beginner, silence behind the camera means they are doing something wrong. Keep a steady stream of positive reinforcement going. If you need a second to change a setting, tell them so they don't panic.
Mirror the pose: Don't give complicated instructions like "drop your left shoulder and shift your weight." Step out from behind the camera and physically do the pose yourself. It removes the guesswork and breaks the tension.
Give them a task: Standing perfectly still feels unnatural. Ask them to walk towards you, look over their shoulder, or play with the fabric of their clothes. Movement creates fluid, natural shapes.
Show them the screen: People are their own worst critics. Five minutes into the shoot, grab a killer shot and show them the back of the camera. The moment they see hard proof that they actually look good, the anxiety drops and the real shoot begins.
Photos by Dan Charles | Bella Maree Music | Taken at Honeymoon pools WA Photos by Dan Charles | Bella Maree Music | Taken at Honeymoon pools WA Photos by Dan Charles | Bella Maree Music | Taken at Wellington Resevoir WA
Series of photos taken for Strange Angel Music: By Dan Charles Photography
Working with Experienced Models
Working with an experienced model is a completely different game. They already know their angles, they understand how to catch the light, and they absolutely don't need you micromanaging their hands. If you treat a seasoned pro like a beginner, you’ll just stifle their creativity.
With the pros, your role shifts from being a director to a collaborator. Here is how to get the best out of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing:
Give them a concept, not a pose: Pros don't need to be told how to stand. Give them the mood instead. Tell them the overarching story; whether it's a sensual, atmospheric vibe or channelling the energy of an ancient myth and let them interpret it physically.
Speak in micro-adjustments: You won't be telling them to turn their whole body. You’ll be asking for tiny tweaks to perfect the shot. Think "tilt your chin down a fraction," "part your lips slightly," or "bring the intensity to your eyes."
Let them flow (but guide the ship): A good model will move fluidly through a series of poses without stopping. Let them run with it. Your job is to catch the magic they throw at you and just call out when they hit a shape you want them to hold.
Keep up with their pace: Experienced models work fast. If you are constantly stopping to fiddle with your lights or check your settings, you'll kill the momentum. Have your gear dialled in so you can match their energy and keep the shoot moving.
My Secret Ingredient: The "Character" Technique
If there is one massive piece of advice I can give for getting the right emotion, it’s this: stop telling people to "look angry" or "look sexy." It forces people to overthink their face, which almost always looks fake.
Instead, I use a technique that I run with constantly on my own shoots. I tell the model to imagine themselves as a character in a book, a video game, or a film, and I give them a specific scene in the moment.
When you give someone a scenario, it takes the pressure off "posing" and turns it into acting. The body language naturally follows the mind.
Picture taken at Honeymoon Pools, WA | Model: Bella Maree | Photography by Danny Pavey
How it works in practice:
Instead of: "Look fierce and stare at the camera."
Try: "You’re an ancient deity who has just woken up after a thousand years, and you’re staring down someone who just disrespected you."
Instead of: "Look lost and ethereal."
Try: "You’re a character in a dark fantasy novel who has just realised the forest around them is entirely made of illusions."
Instead of: "Give me something sensual but grounded."
Try: "You're in a neo-noir film, sitting in a dimly lit pub, waiting for a lover you know is about to betray you."
Giving them an immediate, visceral scene to play out in their head changes everything. You’ll notice their breathing shifts, their eyes focus differently, and the tension in their shoulders changes to match the narrative.
The Wrap Up
Photography is a two-person game. You can have the best concepts in the world, but if you don’t invest time in knowing your models, making them feel secure, and finding creative ways to communicate your vision, the photos will fall flat. Treat them like collaborators, give them a story to step into, and watch how much easier your job becomes. subjects, tell your stories, and let the beauty of the natural world inspire your creativity.
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