Cover Model Photography

Cover Model Photography

By: Sharmeen Shivji

So I am very excited to share this blog post because I was FINALLY able to take pictures of my cover model. My cover model had to switch dates at least 3 times because of his busy schedule and even the day of I only had 20-30 minutes with him since he had to go somewhere. So this photoshoot was definitely a rollercoaster.

So to begin with, I told my cover model that we would need 2 outfits, one for a wide shot and the another for a close up shot. We started off  by going outside since the sun was out, which I thought would be the perfect lighting. However, it didn't quite work out that way because the sun was blocking his eyes and switching positions also didn't work out. I got 1-2 good pictures out of the outside shoot but here are all of them: (the background was going to be edited to a blank background so just ignore that)

As you can see in some of them the lighting is not equalized or his shoes get blocked which is the main star of his outfit. However, some of these I like which were the candid ones. 

We then moved indoors since we thought the background would look better there, however these pictures were also not the best. I was definitely at fault for some of that since I wasn't really giving him any creative direction which I realized later for the other pictures which cam out way better. Still, there was some pictures which came out pretty good that I plan on using, here are those: (also ignore any background disturbances as all of those will be removed)

Next, we moved onto the close up shots which to be completely honest were all terrible. Again, I should've given him more direction but in these he looks like he is taking mugshot. I will not be using these pictures at all but here they are:

Lastly, after all of these pictures I realized that I didn't really get any close up shots that I was completely happy with using on the cover so I told Nadir to change so I could try again. These ones I gave him direction and and chose his outfit which then turned out to be way better. I will be using these pictures for the cover and for my double page spread so I am really happy:

He was just more of himself in these, after I was trying to make him laugh and giving him more direction.

In the end, this photoshoot was a learning experience as I realized I need to be more active in the photoshoots rather than just clicking a button in the camera. I'm really happy with how the pictures came out and I hope you like them too!

These are the final pictures that are my favorites and that will be incorporated into my magazine in someway:

Also, I was able to visit his store in Pembroke Pines Mall and take some pictures there which I want to include somehow: