Tag: Model Portfolio

NOTEWORTHY: This Is How You Do Pageant Photography

It is that time of year again when the most successful national pageant in the world, Miss Venezuela, gets underway. The unveiling of the official photos of this year’s contestants reveals the reason for the success of Osmel Sousa’s enterprise. Venezuela always manages to take the contest to new heights, this year through photography.

fullsizeoutput_1a3c

Miss Venezuela photographer Alejandro Lee captures the imagination which images that look made right on the (IMG) Miss Universe stage.

Everything is on point, the styling, the shoes and the retro swimsuits, which highlight the hourglass figures.

It shows the care and attention to detail that goes into the planning of the Miss Venezuela pageant and the performance of their winners internationally.

Regretfully, most national pageants chose to hate rather than emulate the Miss Venezuela Organization. Yet, nothing succeeds like success!

 

Effortless in 2017, Jakub Kucner, Mister Polski 2017 & Mister World Poland 2018

As we have said before, we consider the Mister Polski contest one of the two best national male competitions in the world (the other is Mister Brasil CNB). It is run over several months, with preliminary competitions to select the final 20 who will compete for the coveted title.

Many themed photoshoots are organised and the social media presence for the contest should be an example for competitions, both male and female, are over the world. The contestants are presented as examples of down-to-earth masculinity, a practice most male competitions would do well to follow.

This year, we pegged the very charismatic Jakub Kucner as the one to beat and he did prove to be unbeatable in a very strong field of finalists.

21271124_1654177241320621_3250268789751288654_n

Jakub has a strong social media presence, with which he shares his life with us. From cheeky childhood pictures,

fullsizeoutput_19ef

to his experience as a model,

to his charity work in the Gambia,

20915346_1638766532861692_925110186820801068_n

to regular, everyday activities, including his physical transformation.

fullsizeoutput_19ec

Through it all you get to know Jakub as a well-spoken, caring human being, who takes full advantage of life opportunities, without putting on airs or trying to show off.

fullsizeoutput_19f1

The Effortless Mister Poland will be a force to reckon with at the next Mister World competition.

 

 

Effortless in 2017: Matheus Song, Mister Brasil CNB 2017 & Mister Brazil Supranational 2017

The third contestant in our Top 3 Mister Brasil CNB 2017 prediction, Matheus Song, is the one who ended up winning the competition.

IMG_0558

Besides the obvious qualifications for winning the title, what sets Matheus apart is his down-to-earth-ness and the fact that he is exceptionally photogenic.

In fact, the new Mister Brasil CNB is a chameleon in front of the camera. He can go from the (fourteen year-old) boy next door, to everyone’s best mate, to a suave man of mystery, to the hunk whose pictures make you feel the need to turn on the air conditioner. All this without seemingly trying, truly effortless.

We foresee a great future as a model for Matheus, as well as frontrunner status at Mister Supranational 2017 and anywhere else he is called to represent Brazil.

 

 

 

 

What did we Learn from our MASTERCLASSES on the Best Gown Looks of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant?

  • the Miss Universe title is won in a bespoke creation by a proper designer, never in an off the rack knock off by a so-called “fashion house”
  • find the classic shape that will highlight your best features and then look for a unique fabric
  • wear elegant shoes that fit with and complement your gown
  • hairstyles should be elegantly simple
  • keep your neck unencumbered
  • do not overaccesorise
  • stay away from too much bling

Styling Perfection

15073555_10154852033549180_8405151238107485157_n

Anna Burdzy, First Runner-up Miss Universe Great Britain 2014, gives a Master Class in evening gown styling. From the flawless make-up to the perfect accessorising. Most notable is the perfect hairstyle to highlight one of the most beautiful features of a woman, her neck.

Too often we see beauty queens covering their necks with hair, necklaces and gown necks, absolutely not the way to go for evening gown.

Anna, we commend you for your styling perfection.

 

NOTEWORTHY: This is How You Do Pageant Photography

13199473_989834577790288_1218633161_o

Zara Nortley, Miss Galaxy England 2016

Photographer: Stacey Clarke

Make-up: Sascha Martini

 

 

NOTEWORTHY: This is How You Do Pageant Photography

Alexandra Krijger, Miss Curaçao World 2015

Photographer: Niko da Costa Gomez, www.instagram.com/nikodacostagomez

NOTEWORTHY: Gowns with nude material

THIS IS HOW YOU ROCK A NUDE FABRIC GOWN:

AND THIS IS HOW YOU DO NOT:

 

BEING PHOTOGENIC

An important tool to have when competing in pageants is a photographic portfolio, basically a model portfolio with some pageant specific shots included.

Modelling work, both catwalk and commercial, is an important part of what is expected of the modern day beauty queen. This is why pageant management and, sometimes, judges, want to see what a contestant looks like in pictures.

It is very important that the pictures actually look like you, so the viewer can recognise the person standing in from of them in these.

One fantasy or glamour shot is OK, but the images should not be edited within an inch of your life. If you end up looking like Barbie, plastic skin and all, you are in trouble. As a photographer you learn that agents and advertising execs want to be able to see pores in facial pictures (unless you really have no visible pores).

emma-med

Particularly swimsuit shots should be true to your figure, as people working the fashion industry do not like surprises. So, please stay away from photographic diets.

Important is not to only show different looks, from very casual to glam and everything in between, but also different expressions. Give evidence that you are a brilliant photographic actor.

Lastly, decide in advance if you want a colour or black+white portfolio. Having a mixed portfolio is not deemed professional. My advice though is to go with colour for your pageant portfolio.