Words of wisdom from both sides of the camera: Behind the scenes of a megMORGAN photoshoot… featuring an interview with fashion model Erin Michelle

I have been trapped inside all winter and we know what that means – yes, I drank a bunch of wine and designed my 2016 collection…don’t judge my process. So with that comes a spring photoshoot! I like to think that over the years I have learned a few things about successful photoshoots, so this is my list of what to do and what NOT to do as a designer. I also bring in my girl Erin Michelle for a one-on-one interview for the true side of modeling. So get ready for a whole lot of truth in this post!
 
“We learn from failure, not from success!”(Bram Stoker) and trust me I have made ALL of these mistakes in my career as a designer, and I’m sure I’ll make a few more along the way (so look for a sequel of this post). But for now this is all I have for you, so save yourself a hard lesson or two and keep reading!

    · Your friend’s success will not look like your success! There is no magic formula to be a designer; what works for you and your brand will not work for others. Fashion is an art, and all art is different. My best advice is to know your market and know who you are trying to sell to and build on that.
    · Your friends are beautiful, but they are not models! It’s not as easy as it looks! Think of it this way – how many pics does it take for you to take a good selfie? (I’m just going to leave that there but you get the point!)
    · Do not take 1000 pictures of the same dress! If you have a good photographer and models who know what they are doing just cover the basics. Oh and make sure to get vertical and horizontal shots. You never know when you are going to need them, but when you do you REALLY DO!
    · Please stop ticking people off and give credit on social media for everything! If you are a small designer, chances are you are working with artists who are also hustling to grow their business just as much as you are, so support them!
    · Feed your crew! The saying that models do not eat is SOOO false! I have seen a model eat half a pizza in one sitting (some girls have all the luck!). Backstage at the shoot you are either running full steam, or sitting around just waiting – so pack an ice chest with water and a few snacks for the downtime.
    · If you are just starting out and have friends that are also in the trade, ask them if they would like to do the photoshoot with you! When I had just started out, I had two designer girlfriends who always did shoots with me. We made sure to change hair of the models between designers, and we made sure that the backdrop was slightly different. By sharing some of the cost, you are able to get a better picture in the end – trust me, it’s worth it!!

This post got me wondering what it’s like to be on the other side of the camera. As a designer, you are the one with the reigns – it’s your party, but what is it like to have to show up as a blank canvas with a shoe bag, a smile on your face, and be made up into another person’s vision? To help explain this I brought in a local Dallas runway model who has walked in shows such as The Pin Show, Designers Choice Fashion Preview and Dallas Fashion Week. She started walking for me when she was 14, and has grown into a well-known name in the Dallas fashion world. So with out further ado, here is my interview with the always fabulous Erin Michelle.
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How did you get started in modeling?  I actually started as a photographer’s model by signing up to do some TF (trade for) shoots.  I was lucky enough to have great fashion images taken by some amazing photographers, who also happened to be in the “business,” and they suggested that I do some runway shows so I started attending some castings and getting picked to walk for shows as well! 
 
Any advice for someone who is just beginning?  I was told at the very beginning to remember that I was a clothes hanger for designers, and that it was my job to make the clothes look great, and to understand it is not about me at all.  And that perspective helped when I wasn’t picked, or told I was too short, too big, too tan, or “too” anything.  It isn’t personal; a designer should choose what will make their brand stand out.  It also makes you very proud when you are picked, so a model should do everything possible to help that designer be successful. I would also tell a person to also be on time, have a great shoe bag, never complain about hair/makeup choices or clothing, and be willing to go with last second changes.  Thanks to Willie Johnson, I think I have a great runway walk!
 
What is your most humorous experience on the job?  In a runway show, you have the catwalk pace, but then there is a mad dash to get changed and back on stage in no time flat.  At Fashion Cited one year, the pace was so crazy that I had two personal dressers along with my mom who was a “fetch” person, and designers.  I was steps from walking out when a designer came running out and wanted me to change shoes to an ethnic style he had brought.  I put my foot out like Cinderella, he bent down and put them on me, and I walked out.  Afterwards, when I took them off, I saw they were a size 6.  I wear a size 9.  I still don’t know how I was able to even walk!
 
 Any advice for designers from a model’s point of view? …be nice to us ;)  I’ve actually had awesome experiences with designers, but have learned they can be somewhat eccentric at times (LOL).  I have also learned that in many cases, whatever is selected for me to wear at a fitting is NOT what I will end up wearing on the runway, as so many last minute changes happen!  At Designer’s Choice one year, my parents totally missed me on one of my walks because of a very last minute change on what I would be wearing that totally changed my appearance.  The only thing I would advise is for designers to make sure to give models clear expectations of what they want.  If you want us to bring Cowboy boots with us, for example, let us know because they aren’t a standard part of my model shoe bag (even though I have about three pairs at home).
 
What’s your favorite snack that has been served on set or backstage?  I love it when designers or show producers realize that models aren’t going to all of a sudden get too big for their clothes if they serve them pizza or non-healthy foods and give us a selection!  Have you watched models eat?  We are hungry, and we do a lot of waiting around for hair/makeup and fittings sometimes. It’s not the celery and carrots we go for; it’s the good stuff!  I prefer finger food and definitely choices that aren’t greasy, and I love fresh fruit.   My favorite was when every model got a personal Bundt cake mini to eat.  YUM! 
 
So there you have it friends, wisdom from both sides of the camera. Whether you’re a model or a designer, I think the best overall advice is to just have fun and be nice to everyone. Oh and don’t forget to feed the models!