First Shoot with Jennifer Mestizo
As a photographer, I am very selective about who I work with because my portfolio represents my artistic vision and professional identity. Every now and then, I browse photography groups for inspiration and occasionally come across beginner models eager to get started in the industry. Normally, I am not interested in working with beginners, but this year, I wanted to collaborate with one or two models who could bring life to some creative shoots I had in mind.
While searching for potential models, I came across Jennifer Mestizo. At first, I wasn't sure if she would be the right fit for my portfolio, but after doing some research on her Facebook and Instagram posts, I decided to reach out to her via Instagram messenger.
Messaging Models
When reaching out to models, I follow a structured approach to establish a professional and welcoming connection. In my initial message, I do three things:
Compliment their social media presence.
Ask if they would be interested in working together.
Redirect them to my website so they can view my portfolio and understand my style.
After sending the message, the waiting game begins. Some models respond with interest, while others may not reply at all. Fortunately, in this case, Jennifer responded positively.
After exchanging a few messages discussing different concept ideas, we finalized the vision for the shoot and scheduled a session.
Scheduling the Shoot
I always try to schedule TFP (Time for Print) shoots alongside other TFP or client photoshoots. This approach maximizes studio time and ensures I have a backup plan in case of cancellations or no-shows. I discuss this strategy further on my YouTube channel.
On the day of the shoot, I like to arrive at the studio about two hours early to prepare. From my experience, about 90% of my clients and models tend to arrive late, especially if it's their first time visiting my studio. For clients, I usually offer a 15-minute leeway to accommodate any delays.
The Shoot
To my pleasant surprise, Jennifer arrived 20 minutes early—an excellent first impression. We proceeded with the shoot as planned, focusing on one particular look. The session went incredibly well, and the results were nothing short of amazing.
Here are some of the stunning photos from our incredible shoot. Stay tuned for more creative collaborations in the future!
