Your Top Model

Coordinating your first photoshoot can be a nerve-wrecking and costly experience.

Heres a few tricks to help save you some timemoney and mistakes

1. Go With a Pro: While you may be tempted to use your cutest friend as your brand model keep in mind a highly experienced model can drastically improve the flow and timing of your shoot. At the minimum look for a semi-pro that may not be signed with an agency but has clocked some hours in front of a camera.

2. Work with an Agency: If youre a savvy negotiator dont be afraid to call on the top agencies like Ford and Elite. They have different levels of models and many times will negotiate costs based on the models need for experience/photos, timing and the notoriety of the photographer you use. Sites like modelmayhem.com are also a good resource for finding someone on a more minimal budget.

3. Get some Raw Pics: Not like that But, you want to see your model in their current hair and no makeupas they would appear on the set. Before the shoot date share these pics with your photographer as well as your hair and makeup person so they come prepared with everything theyll need to turn her into a glamazon on shoot-day.