Using yourself as a model.

[Former_Member]

In my listings, I am am thinking of adding some pictures of my pieces on a model. However, I don't know anyone I could use a a model. I thought of using myself but I am not sure how I would take a a decent picture of myself. I don't want to list an item with a picture that looks like a back profile picture on Facebook. Anyone have tips or links to advice?

[HausofAriella]

I photograph myself in my veils. I just use a tripod and the self timer. It's a pain and you end up with a lot of crap shots (at least I do), but it's better than not having a model and hiring one is out of my budget at the moment.

[Former_Member]

I have done my own autoportraits too and it takes a huge amount of time, jumping to set up the camera with the auto timer, then jumping back into position and trying not to smile like a manic goof. But, I managed to get one or two decent shots in the end.

The answer has to be to get a remote trigger for your camera. Not always easy to buy unless you do so at the time of the purchase of the camera.

So, the best tip that I can offer here is, next time that you buy a digital camera, buy the remote trigger at the same time.

I asked my husband to take the photos of me once, unfortunately, two artistic prima-donnas in the same room taking lead at the same time, was one prima-donna too many.

Go solo and buy a remote trigger! (and save your relationship)

[Former_Member]

I use my beat-up dirty metalsmith hand for a ring model. . .

Yeah, you need a tripod. . .

[Former_Member]

I meant to say *bad* profile picture on Facebook not back. I have an old tripod I can use. @JanetDorey, I am so picky about photos, I would have a hard time having someone else do it. The remote trigger sounds like a good idea.

[Former_Member]

Set up a tripod. Get a cheap (and I mean CHEAP) camera remote online and click click click. It is going to take a lot of shots to take a good picture of yourself because you can't make adjustments as you go, but it will work eventually.

If you don't have a tripod then move an end table or something over and start stacking books and whatever else you can find until you have a pile as high as you want your "tripod" to be (make sure that it's stable). Put your camera on top and have fun!

I searched amazon for my remote, it was like 50 cents with 3 dollar shipping but I ordered more than $25 in product at the time so I got free shipping. So I only paid the 50 cents for it!

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

I do it ALL the time. I make jewelry, so it's not that hard for me... no tripod needed. It takes a lot of practice, but eventually you'll learn what angels etc work best for you. I just go outside in the evening, when my preferred backdrop is getting nice filtered light, hold the camera out, aim, push the button for auto-focus, and shoot!

Tips:
Don't look at the camera... look away or down (you want your items to be the focus, not your face).

Crop carefully. I usually crop just above my mouth to make my necklaces as centered as possible.

Edit out blemishes as needed (they can be distracting). I use picmonkey.com to edit and it's super-easy to fix any less-than-perfect areas without making it look over-edited.

Best of Luck!

[Former_Member]

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ML-L3-Wireless-Remote-Control/dp/B00007EDZG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=13421...

This is the one I have. I didn't pay this much for it though! They have a lot of others on amazon too. Many of them can work with any camera.

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

Oh, and take a LOT of photos because you will have to get rid of a lot right off the bat for being out of focus, poorly aimed, or if you are making a weird face. I probably take 15 or so per piece to get 2 that I can work with. Thank goodness for digital!

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

Arg... angles, not angels! lol

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much. There is a lot of good ad vice here.

[HausofAriella]

Oh, and take a LOT of photos because you will have to get rid of a lot right off the bat for being out of focus, poorly aimed, or if you are making a weird face.
__________

Yes, definitely! I have to take a TON of photos for every veil because so many of them are out of focus or part of the veil is out of the frame or the veil fell in a strange way. Jewelry should be a bit easier, but you still want to give yourself plenty to choose from.

I'll have to look into getting one of those remotes, though I'm boycotting Amazon at the moment (I bought counterfeit Frontline for my cats on it and Amazon refuses to do anything about it). Perhaps I look on Ebay.

[Former_Member]

I don't really like to, but I use myself as a model for my jewelry. I have my husband photograph me in front of a white background (to match my other photos) and then go from there. I hear from many people that the photos that have a model in them look better and appeal to buyers more often. So if you can, it is best to do so.

Good luck!