Jewelry is a particularly difficult subject to photograph: a misplaced glare or lack of light, a careless angle or finger smudges can hopelessly ruin a shot. At the same time, photo shoots with people and still lifestyles are very different. Today we will consider the specifics of shooting on a model!
Step-by-step recommendations for shooting jewelry on a model
- Decide what nuances can be adjusted at the post-production stage.
Such prudence allows you to reshoot a shot that is unlikely to be corrected by retouching. Skin color and texture, model’s shape, white balance (if you shoot in RAW), and brightness lend themselves well to correction.
When photographing necklaces, chains, beads, and similar jewelry, do not forget about retouching the neckline. Jewelry will look even more attractive against the background of smooth skin and a high lush bust. It’s easy to make your neckline perfect by going to retouchme.com/breast-cleavage. Thanks to the RetouchMe app, you can get a professionally processed photo in minutes.
- Conceptualize the photoshoot
The model’s type, makeup, hairstyle, manicure, and clothing should match the nature of the jewelry. It is necessary to involve the customer in the concept development. If you want to shoot jewelry of your design, you need to form the concept and aesthetic vision yourself. Just answer a few questions to yourself: what prompted you to create the collection, with what thoughts did you develop the design, and how do you see your client/customer? All that’s left is to look for reference images online. Plan different angles and shots for each product so that the potential customer can see it in detail.
Decide on the direction of the shoot. A model can show jewelry “as in everyday life”: using simple poses and angles. In addition, fashion jewelry shoots are gaining popularity. This option involves non-standard, sometimes fantasy images, unconventional posing techniques, etc. In this case, it is better to choose a model who already has experience of shooting in this style.
- Prepare for the shoot
On the part of the model, the preparation will be standard, but the photographer will have to pay attention to various nuances. Choose in advance the place of shooting, and props, and decide on the type of lighting (usually recommended either natural or artificial). If the photo session will be held outdoors, do not forget to check the weather forecast.
Before starting work, thoroughly wipe your jewelry with a soft cotton or microfiber cloth. In general, it is recommended to work with jewelry in textile gloves – fingerprints become especially noticeable on close-ups, they are very difficult, sometimes impossible to remove in post-processing.
Preparing for the shoot, do not overdo it – the abundance of secondary details will distract the viewer’s attention from the jewelry. This means that you need to refuse complex motley backgrounds and the same outfits.
- Set up your camera correctly
Camera settings depend on the kind of light you’ll be shooting in. There are universal recommendations that will help you get spectacular photos.
Generally, diffused soft light is appropriate for jewelry, but some pieces (especially those with gemstones), may require individual settings. Use only external lights, and do without flashes. Set the white balance so that the color of crystals and metal is as close to reality as possible.
You can shoot jewelry on a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even a smartphone with a good lens, which can boast flagship models. Make sure the jewelry is always in focus. A 50-85mm lens will do — you won’t need a macro lens. Use the rule of thirds, golden ratio, and other composition techniques to show the jewelry most effectively. When working with a model, waist-length portrait shots and larger ones are optimal. If you are shooting hand jewelry (rings, finger rings), close-up photos are a must. Otherwise, the items may get lost against the background of other details in the portrait.
