5. At The First Shoot
When you get to your first gig, a lot of photographers will ask to see photo ID; some may copy it or take a photo of it. This is standard procedure to cover their own asses in terms of underage models.
No matter how ridiculous you think it is, bring a bag of supplies with you. Several changes of clothes, hair products, mirror, full make up, make up remover, accessories, aspirin and any other medicine you ever find yourself using, nail file, tweezers, maps, plenty of spare change and emergency cash, umbrella, raincoat, small towel, any props, concealer!!!, small sewing kit, bottled water/juice/energy drink, fruit/protein bar/little snacks, fully charged cell phone, a changing robe or gown, slippers, fully charged digital camera and laptop if you have them, blank CDRs, at least two copies of your contract, your calendar/Palm/whatever, two pens, tampons, moisturizer… I just named most of the things I can think of that I have ended up needing off the top of my head due to emergencies and whatever else. Other things should be added at will.
Drink lots of water the night before the shoot (even if the shoot is the following evening). For at least two hours before a shoot, do not wear tight clothing or anything with an elastic band such as socks, tights, panty hose, undergarments (no shitting), or strappy shoes. The clothes WILL leave a mark on your skin, particularly if you are moving around or start to get nervous, because your skin swells when hot. If you do end up with marks, the best way to get rid of them is to take a hot shower and massage the marks under the water. When you get out, massage a nice cream or moisturizer into them, and drink more water. Everyone’s skin varies, but even my gimpy body returns to normal after 30 minutes of the above.
Arrive to the shoot with your hair and make up done; your photographer will appreciate this immensely. Touch ups on set are fine, but don’t get there thinking you’ll have a mirror and enough time… usually not.
Don’t expect any privacy in terms of changing your clothes. Another sad but true, as most places (at least in my experience) and photographers are used to not only a lack of inhibition but also quick changes, and of course, nudity, nudity, nudity! I’ve only had a few photographers watch me (in an unprofessional manner) while I have been changing or during a shoot, and they are not the norm. In most cases, there is just one room and nowhere to change (count your blessings if there is a modesty curtain).
Find out before the shoot what the location is like, and be sure to check the weather. I have lost count of the number of concrete floors in an unheated or underheated space that I had to stand naked on for hours before I learned to find out in advance. This is why slippers and robes are good (not just for modesty!). Also keep in mind how hot photography lights are if you are lucky enough to be working with a photographer who uses them! Bring water, wear sweat proof makeup, bring a “sweat towel” and even a small fan if you think it’ll be necessary, but make sure to check that the place you’re shooting has electricity! On the reverse side of the coin, I once ended up at an indoor/outdoor shoot in 40 degree weather, and we didn’t figure out where the one working electrical outlet was until halfway through the shoot – two hours without a space heater! You don’t want this to be you; all the models and photographers got sick right after the shoot. So check in advance, and if there’s electricity and the weather is extreme, seriously consider a small fan or space heater.
