[Fitting Model Guide ②] Expert Tips for Effective Photoshoot Directing

Product images play a crucial role in purchase decisions on online shopping sites. Especially for clothing and fashion items, conversion rates can drop significantly without model-worn images. In Part 1, we looked at the process from selecting fitting models to contracting them. In this post, we'll explore directing know-how for effective photoshoots and detailed pose guides for different product types.

 

 

Practical Fitting Model Photoshoot Guide: Directing and Communication Methods

Once you've recruited your fitting model, it's time for the actual photoshoot. Let's look at effective directing and communication methods.

 

Preparation Stage

1. Planning the Shoot

• Prepare a list of products to photograph
• Plan concepts and poses for each product
• Create a list of necessary props and accessories
• Time planning (estimated time per product)

2. Setting Up the Environment

• Lighting setup: Check optimal lighting conditions (natural light, studio lighting, etc.)
• Background preparation: Set up appropriate backgrounds for products
• Camera and equipment check: Batteries, memory cards, lenses, etc.
• Creating a comfortable atmosphere: Appropriate room temperature, music, drinks, etc.

3. Model Preparation

• Hair/makeup: Confirm styling matches the concept
• Clothing preparation: Check sizes and condition, organize in order
• Brief warm-up: Help the model relax in front of the camera

 

Effective Directing Methods

1. Clear Communication

• Explain desired poses and mood specifically
• Use reference images if possible
• Use easy-to-understand expressions rather than technical terms

2. Visual Guidance

• Demonstrate directly or explain with gestures
• Share images in real-time via monitor or tablet
• Provide feedback by showing successful shots

3. Step-by-Step Directing

• Start with overall pose then move to detailed adjustments
• Give specific instructions like "Please raise your arm a bit more," "Lower your chin slightly"
• Avoid giving too many directions at once

4. Positive Feedback

• Actively praise good results
• Communicate areas for improvement gently
• Maintain an open attitude to accept the model's ideas and suggestions

5. Rhythmic Progression

• Maintain shooting rhythm to keep the model's concentration and energy
• Provide short breaks when needed
• Manage time to shoot all products efficiently

 

Communication Tips

• Pre-briefing: Clearly share overall plans and expectations before shooting
• Respectful attitude: Treat the model as a professional and maintain a respectful attitude
• Use of professional terms: Appropriately use simple shooting terms like "3/4 angle," "weight shift," "jawline"
• Visual reference: Referring to already successful shots like "like this pose we shot earlier" is effective
• Creating atmosphere: Use appropriate conversation and music for a comfortable and creative shooting atmosphere

Effective directing improves with experience. You can develop better directing skills by analyzing results after shooting and reflecting improvements in your next session. Especially by using AI writing tools to document shooting records and feedback, you can build up more systematic know-how.

 

 

Shooting Know-How and Pose Guides for Various Products

The optimal shooting method and poses differ depending on the type of product. Let's look at shooting know-how and pose guides for each product category. These guides serve as important references for creating product detail pages.

 

Tops (T-shirts, Blouses, Knitwear, etc.)

Basic Poses

• Front pose: Arms naturally lowered
• Side pose: 90-degree angle to show silhouette and fit
• Back view: Pose to show back details

Points to Emphasize

• Shoulder line and fit: Emphasize fit with natural shoulder position
• Sleeve length: Express sleeve length by slightly bending or extending arms
• Neckline: Emphasize neckline details by slightly raising or lowering chin

Shooting Tips

• Make patterns or logos clearly visible from the front
• Adjust lighting to reveal texture for knits or special fabrics
• Pay attention to accurate color reproduction for multiple color options

 

Bottoms (Pants, Skirts, etc.)

Basic Poses

• Front pose: Legs slightly apart
• Side pose: Emphasize leg silhouette and waistline
• Back view: Check pocket details and hip line

Points to Emphasize

• Waistline: Tuck in tops to emphasize waist position and fit
• Hem length: Express length feeling by matching with various shoes
• Fit style: Emphasize fit characteristics (skinny, wide, bootcut, etc.)

Shooting Tips

• Manage pants to prevent wrinkles
• Create movement for natural pleats and flare expression in skirts
• Use simple design tops for bottoms-only shoots

 

Dresses & Jumpsuits

Basic Poses

• Front pose: Emphasize overall silhouette
• Side/diagonal pose: Emphasize line and fit
• Movement pose: Create natural movement in skirt portion

Points to Emphasize

• Overall silhouette: Most important point, maintain proper posture
• Waistline: Emphasize features like belted, high-waist, etc.
• Details: Highlight neckline, sleeves, hem, etc.

Shooting Tips

• Full-body shots essential to clearly show length
• Express dress flow and silhouette through movement
• Use accessories for various styling suggestions

 

Outerwear (Jackets, Coats, etc.)

Basic Poses

• Front pose: Shoot both buttoned/zipped and open states
• Side pose: Emphasize thickness and silhouette
• Movement pose: Create natural movement in sleeves or hem

Points to Emphasize

• Shoulder line: Express fitting and padding level
• Sleeve length and details: Sleeve cuffs, buttons, etc.
• Lining: Show lining design when possible

Shooting Tips

• Suggest coordination with various innerwear
• Choose styling and background considering seasonal feel
• Add close-up shots of detailed features (pockets, buttons, zippers, etc.)

 

Accessories (Bags, Shoes, Jewelry, etc.)

Bag Shooting

• Multi-angle shooting: front, side, interior, worn appearance
• Show storage space and functionality
• Demonstrate various wearing methods: shoulder, hand-held, etc.

Shoe Shooting

• Multi-angle shooting: side, front, top view, heel, etc.
• Show worn appearance with overall coordination
• Emphasize details from various angles

Jewelry Shooting

• Both worn appearance and standalone shots needed
• Close-up shots for delicate details
• Suggest layering with other jewelry

Shooting Tips

• Create standalone cuts through background removal
• Macro photography to show detailed features and materials
• Convey size feeling and usage through actual use/wear images

These product-specific shooting know-how can help you show product features and advantages more effectively. It's important to develop specialized poses and shooting methods for each product and document them to maintain consistent image quality.

 

 

Alternatives Without Models: Mannequin Use and Face-Hidden Shooting Methods

When hiring fitting models is difficult or when trying to reduce costs, alternative shooting methods can be used. Let's look at mannequin usage and face-hidden shooting methods.

 

Mannequin Usage Methods

Choosing Appropriate Mannequins

• Select mannequins with similar body types to your target audience
• Consider jointed mannequins that allow poses
• Consider skin tone and material (avoid too glossy ones)

Mannequin Styling Tips

• Use pins to adjust fit
• Create natural wrinkles and silhouettes
• Cover parts of the mannequin when needed to add naturalness

Shooting and Editing Know-How

• Minimize the artificial feel of mannequins with appropriate lighting
• Add liveliness with backgrounds and props
• Edit unnatural mannequin parts in post-production

 

Face-Hidden Shooting Methods

Effective Face-Hiding Techniques

• Place face outside the frame
• Partially hide with props (hats, sunglasses, etc.)
• Naturally adjust face angle through poses

Natural Pose Guide

• Use angles that focus on the product
• Focus on back views
• Create natural composition using model's hands or props

Utilizing Advantages

• Can use various models (maintaining consistency without showing faces)
• Photo compositions that focus more on the product itself
• Minimize copyright and portrait rights issues

Shooting Tips

• Model's body line and posture still important
• Pay attention to hand and foot poses and angles
• Maintain consistency if hairstyle is exposed

 

Flat Lay Shooting Method

Flat Lay Composition Principles

• Place clothing flat on a clean background
• Use steam ironing for natural shape
• Style with accessories and props

Effective Flat Lay Styling

• Appropriate folding/spreading to maintain clothing silhouette
• Create layered styling effects
• Position to reveal texture and details

Shooting Tips

• Use uniform natural light (or diffused artificial light)
• Appropriate height and angle for vertical shooting from above
• Use solid color backgrounds for easy background removal

These alternative methods provide opportunities to create unique product images while reducing costs. It's important to choose appropriate methods according to product characteristics and brand image, and to shoot with a consistent style. Especially in the early stages of online store operation, it's effective to start with cost-efficient methods and gradually improve image quality.

 

 

Key Points for Effective Fitting Model Photoshoots

We've looked at practical know-how for fitting model shoots and various alternative methods. Here's a summary of key points for effective shooting:

• Effective directing and communication: It's important to achieve desired results through clear communication, visual guidance, positive feedback, etc.
• Optimized shooting methods for each product: Develop customized shooting strategies for each product category (tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, accessories, etc.)
• Utilizing alternative methods: Alternative methods such as mannequin use, face-hidden shooting, flat lay shooting can be effectively utilized according to situation and budget

 

 

New Alternative to Fitting Model Shoots: Draph Art

However, these traditional shooting methods still require significant time and money. Recently, solutions using AI image generation technology like Draph Art to create AI models have been gaining attention as ways to dramatically shorten the fitting model shooting process.

 

Draph Art provides functions to transform mannequin photos to look like they're worn by real models, or to generate virtual AI models, reducing shooting costs by over 90%. In today's smart store operation environment that values time and cost efficiency, it's worth actively considering new technology that creates AI models as desired.

 

In the next post, we'll take a more detailed look at comprehensive visual marketing strategies including AI model generation, detail page creation, and ad production as alternatives to actual fitting model shoots using AI technology like Draph Art. We'll explore methods to take shopping mall image quality to the next level through continuous experimentation and improvement.