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In today’s post, Inside Look at a Coaching Call Part 1 – Spokesmodel Team Q&A, we’re taking a look behind the scenes of a coaching call about spokesmodel teams. This is part 1 of our series, and in this first part, we are addressing questions such as how to schedule group photoshoots, how to best communicate with your model team, how to go about styling your models for themed photoshoots, and more!

When it comes to working with a senior model team, every year can be so different. Each group will come with new excitements and challenges that will grow and stretch you as a senior photographer! The best part is that with every passing year that you have under your belt, you’ll be even more equipped for the next. My hope is that this post will leave you feeling more confident as you communicate and work with your senior model team so that on both ends, you have a great experience. So, let’s jump in!

Inside Look at a Coaching Call Part 1 – Spokesmodel Team Q&A

How to Communicate With Your Senior Models

As it goes in any relationship, your relationship with your senior model team is no different. Communication with your senior models is key! The method and style of communication is completely up to you, but it’s best to make sure that whatever you choose, it’s also best for your models. For example, some model teams prefer to communicate through Instagram messages. However, other models might not check their Instagram messages regularly, and they may respond better to a group text or a GroupMe chat. To determine the best method of communication, simply ask! At the start of the season with your models, ask them how they’d like to stay in touch with you and with each other.

Once you have your method decided on, what’s next? You can use your communication method to communicate important information to them throughout the year. You can remind them about upcoming photoshoots, events, important details, etc. Remember, at the end of the day, your models are still teenagers! So be sure to give them a little grace and communicate clearly and often. 

Now, keep in mind that they might not always respond. And that’s okay! But when you’re good about keeping in touch with them at an appropriate level, they will feel more confident and involved in the model program.

Another way that I connect with models is by making sure I like and engage with anything they are posting on Instagram. This makes them feel connected to you, and makes them feel like you care about them and what’s going on in their lives. Ultimately, this builds trust with them and helps encourage them to have a good experience.

Communication With Senior Model Parents

One year, I thought it would be a good idea to have a Facebook group for the parents (mainly the moms) of the senior models. But after doing that once, I realized it wasn’t very helpful or necessary to the model program overall.

Instead, I find it helpful to communicate with parents through a group email to keep them in the loop on everything. I’ll also send the parents the links to the photoshoot galleries to ensure that they have them once they’re ready. Having an open line of communication with the parents of your senior models is key, because should you run into any communication misunderstanding with the senior model, you can always refer back to your communication with the parents.

If things get sticky for any reason, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give the parent a call! Most communication issues can be quickly resolved when you can hear the voice of the parent, and explain any misunderstandings to get to the bottom of an issue.

Ultimately, it’s important to balance the line of communication with the models while remembering that they are still teenagers, and also communication with the parents. You don’t want to overinvolve the parents, but you also want to make sure that they are in the loop. When in doubt, communicate!

Scheduling Model Photoshoots

Depending on your schedule and other events you might be working around, you could set up photoshoot scheduling in a couple of different ways. If you can’t have all the shoots scheduled in advance, you could start with some scheduled shoots, and some shoots could be more of a “pop up” style where the models vote on a date. However, if you do decide to schedule all photoshoots in advance, make sure to communicate these dates with both the model and their parents well in advance so that they can schedule around it!

With scheduling, it’s important to remember that they are paying for these photoshoots. So, be sure to schedule some guaranteed photoshoots that are included in what they’re paying for. Communicate early about what is included in what they’re paying for, and share your policy on what would happen if turns out that they miss a shoot that’s included in the pricing.

Be Aware of School Yearbook Deadlines

Be aware of the schools that your models attend, and if they have a senior picture deadline for the yearbook. If you’re working with a school that has a deadline, the earlier you can schedule your model photoshoots, the better! I find that the summer before their senior year is a great time to schedule the model individual photoshoots, and I usually have a deadline date that they have to take their photos.

For example, you could have all the models agree and sign on to be models at the end of their junior year and schedule their photos throughout the summer. That way, you have all of their photos done by the start of the school year, and you could use the model team photos as a promotion for seniors to book you for their senior photos.

One of the goals of your model team is for marketing purposes, right? So, be sure that you are timing out their photos in a way that allows you to use their photos for marking purposes! You’ll want to keep strategic scheduling in mind for group model photoshoots as well.

Additionally, you’ll want to be aware of any specifics that the school yearbook might ask for in the photos that can be included in the yearbook. Some schools might have very specific requests of what the senior photos can look like, and some schools might be more relaxed. No matter what the specifics are, you just want to be aware of them before you start shooting.

Styling Model Group Photoshoots

Ahead of a styled group photoshoot, send an inspiration board that shows the theme and has links to certain clothes that would work well with the overall vibe. If you’re going for a very specific color scheme or theme, the more specific you can be, the better! It’s also helpful to give any specific “do’s” and “don’t” that may apply. You may want to have some extra clothes on hand, just in case a model shows up in something that stands out from the theme a little too much.

How To Handle Outfit Approval

If you want to ensure that the models will look coordinated, you could have them send you their outfits ahead of the shoot for approval. If you do have them send their outfits in advance, be sure that you’re consistent in your review, say no for a good reason, and give helpful suggestions for improvement if you deny an outfit.

You’ll also want to make sure that you give them a deadline far enough in advance to make sure that if you do have to deny an outfit, they have time to put together something else. The more clear you are in your initial direction and inspiration, the less likely you are to have to deny anyone’s outfit! 

How To Handle Outfit Modesty

If you’re looking for outfits to be of a certain level of modesty, I highly recommend including these details in the model guidelines and any contract materials from the very beginning. A modesty conversation can always be a little bit awkward, right? With teenage girls, it’s likely to be a conversation that you will have, regardless. However, if you start the conversation from the very beginning when you sign them on to be a model, you can always refer back to what they originally agreed to. 

Another way to avoid any modesty issues is to have your models use very traditional poses. If a model is wearing a shorter skirt or dress, for example, be sure that their poses are traditional and don’t lead to any additional exposure throughout the photoshoot. It’s also helpful to have some clothing pieces on hand that they could borrow, such as a jean jacket or a scarf, should they need to cover up a little more.

Encourage two-way communication between you and the models. When they feel comfortable asking you questions, they are more likely to understand and nail the vision you have!

Inside Look at a Coaching Call Part 1 – Spokesmodel Team Q&A

And there you have it – the first part of the inside look at a coaching call – spokesmodel team Q&A coaching series! Remember, communicating with your model team in a way that is helpful, kind, and clear will grow your relationship to be mutually beneficial and positive. Handling sticky situations is part of the job, but with each model team, you’ll be more equipped for the next! In part 2 of this inside look at a coaching call series, we’ll dive even deeper into spokesmodel teams. Don’t miss it!

And thank you to my two amazing coaching students who were a part of this conversation! Check out their websites for more of their work.

Jaden Giorgianni of jadengiorgianni.com
Bekky Warczak of beelizzyphotography.com

If you need more help with growing your senior photography business, The Seniorologie Semester is for you! You can learn more about it by visiting www.seniorologie.com/semester.