Some of these tips are general photo tips. Others are specific to showing your body.

1) Water - Drinking water before a shoot reduces vascularity. There are a variety of ways to shed water from not drinking it to sweating it out by running the morning of a shoot. But, then you risk dehydration. Only you can know your body. Do not drink any alcohol within 24 to 48 hours, it affects your skin and how you'll show up in images.

2) Avoid Sodium - anything high in sodium will make you retain water and make you puffy and/or loose your definition.

3) Rest - Get enough rest for several days prior to the shoot.

4) Schedule - Show up on time and maintain a consistent personal structured schedule.

5) Tan - Ensure a consistent even tan. But, do NOT try for the last-minute tan within 72 hours whether natural or electric. Tans are beautiful and enhance the look in images. There are very good self tanning products available. Click here.

Tan lines do not enhance the look. If you use the electric beach, then move and shift throughout the tanning by lifting your arms and bending your legs to avoid the half moons. I've heard and seen a variety of self tanning products & lotions. As of 9/2/07 my new opinion is that there are not any specific products that I recommend. There are numerous ones to avoid because they produce inconsistent or awkward color, especially around the eyes, face and joints. I've recently seen some of the spray-on tans produce good results. Conversely I've seen horrible results. And, what some people think looks good, can be horrible on camera.

If you show up for the shoot with reddish skin or odd color, then we'll have to reschedule.

6) Body Hair - Is all dependent on if you're doing a fitness, artistic or personal shoot. Please do not cut the hair on your head within the week prior to a shoot. For body hair, please ask the photographer before you decide to shave. Each look is different. In some cases, body hair is preferred. Other times, it's better shaved to show muscularity. Fitness shoots generally require a shaved body. Do not shave your pubic hair! For underarms trim slightly, never shaved. Facial hair should be shaved or trimmed for your normal everyday look. Ultimately remember that shaving or removing hair can cause redness or bumps. So, know your body to ensure a clean shave.

7) Skin Care - Keep your skin clean and clear. When drying always pat dry, don't rub. Patting is gentle on the skin and minimizes stretching. Always apply moisturizer within a few minutes of stepping out of the shower.

There are two products that I found to be nothing short of amazing for clean pores and clear skin: 1) "Phisoderm Clear Confidence" skin care body wash. It's in a clear bottle with mint green cap. 2) Purpose soap. It's in a sky blue box. Both can be found at any drug store in the skin care aisle. 3) Afterwards apply a moisturizer such as Aveeno's 24-hour moisturizer.

Also see the difference that learning how to use makeup can make by clicking here.

8) Puffy eyes - Ice! ....tea bags dipped in ice water and placed on your eyes for 10 minutes.

9) Itchy eyes - Don’t rub. It stretches the skin and leads to wrinkles while grinds whatever is irritating your eye in the first place. Use artificial tears.

10) Food - Do not eat within one to two hours of the shoot. Some models choose to keep a very lean diet on the day of, or several days prior to a shoot. If you normally tend to be fitness conscious, then additional diet information is not necessary. Pay attention to your body.

11) Exercise - Stick to your regular workout. It's ok to workout on the day of a shoot. But, don't go direct from the gym to the shoot, since working out increases blood flow, thus engorging the muscles and reducing vascularity.

12) Tight Clothing - On the day of your shoot, don't wear tight clothing or elastic, such as socks or underwear, which can leave indented lines in your skin that take hours to disappear. Also, wear sandals, not shoes. Do not wear sun glasses the day of the shoot! Glasses leave marks on your nose.

13) What to Bring to the Shoot - Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Also bring a variety of clothes, hair brush, skin products, snack. Avoid clothes with logos. If you have a particular hobby, bring your gear and/or clothes associated with it.

Print "Photo Shoot Preparation"

TRADE (aka: Time for Prints "TFP" or Time for Digital "TFD" images)
If you like my work and you’re willing to contribute to artistic expression, want to enhance your portfolio, or are new to modeling, then you could qualify for a free set of amazingly beautiful digital portfolio images. I’m always on the lookout for amazing people with unique characteristics, hobbies or adventurous spirit for contributing to creative images. Thus, Trade/Test or Time for Print (“TFP”) services are available where you contribute to my artwork portfolio with time and talent and I provide you with the same contribution of time and talent, plus a set of amazingly beautiful digital portfolio images for your use all for free.

HOW DO I APPLY?
Ifyou would like to model for my photography, please e-mail me at photo@sergstudios.com and include:

• a note describing why you’d like to be photographed
• any unique qualities are characteristics (style, hobbies, etc)
• a few gif/jpgs of yourself.
• if you don’t live in San Diego, indicate the dates you plan to visit

Successful candidates have a down-to-earth confidence and a certain level of exhibitionism. Frontal nudity is not required. Creative images are better than bad nudes. You must be over 18. We'll talk on the phone to discuss the possibilities. If we meet in person, please bring any other portfolio images that I might not have previously seen.

Questions? Contact Ken at 619-299-0262 or photo@sergstudios.com.