Taken from my previously posted thread in the Photography forum on dA with a couple other posts as credited. While about 90% of this information was written by me ; and brought up excellent points that I felt should be added in, especially with the Artistic Nude and legal information. The original thread is at [link] for more information. I hope this stuff will help a couple of you out.

I've done a few photoshoots with amateur models, and am about to start working with professional models. So, I figured I might as well give my advice as to what to bring and how to work with a model, and just general tips on a shoot. Also, get some tips from you guys as well, I don't do any actual photoshoots inside as I don't have a studio nor a place to go. So all my information will be given for outdoor shooting, but if anyone has any advice for shooting indoor (especially with flash) let's hear em. As always correct me or ask if you feel my advice is wrong.

Anyway, when shooting outdoors, check the forecasts when you can, and then the day of the shoot. So your prepared for the weather, know what gear to bring, or reschedule or change the location of the photoshoot.
Make sure your stuff also works the day before the shoot, and three hours before the shoot. Make sure the batteries are all charged, and the cards are all empty.

Plan for the things that can go wrong. I'd suggest that you find at least two nearby alternative locations beforehand, particularly for outdoor shoots. There's nothing like showing up at the location you scouted the day before, after making a two hour drive, and finding a family camping there.

Know the place where you are shooting before the shoot, so you can have a theme or an idea of how you want the model, this can include how she dresses, the poses, where to pose, etc. Once again, this will also let you know what gear to bring, if you need extra flash equipment, which lens, etc. Also, getting there early before the model gets there helps me as well, so I can calibrate my equipment, make sure my settings are all good, and just setup anything I need to without being distracted.
This brings me to another thing, make sure you bring a 18% grey card to set your white balance to when you get there, if you can't find one I've heard using caucasian skin works as well. However, unless your caucasian that may result in an awkward reliance ie "Sir, may I take a closeup of your hand".
Bringing something to bounce flash also helps as well, so you can get the kind of lighting you want.
Also, bring extra batteries and cards(or film, whichever your using), it should be a given but we all forget to think of something, sometimes.
Bringing props is also fun.


As far as asking what the model to bring, let her know what kind of theme your planning on doing. This works really well, because she will know what kind of clothes to bring, and she'll also have some ideas on how she wants to pose and such, which helps the creative process and it also IMO makes the shoot alot funner and interesting.
Bring water or any kind of drink you want, or maybe snacks as well if it's going to be a long shoot. As you may get distracted in the photoshoot instead of paying attention to the model, you'll be thinking "God, I am so thirsty" especially if drinks and food aren't available within a reasonable distance. Another thing, is (which has happened to me on several occasions), the model (if she wants a drink) may do something funny with the drink, or even pose without thinking, which will result in some fun shots or maybe some interesting shots.

If there are no restrooms nearby, also a roll of toilet paper and either a small folding shovel or a plastic bag (well, someone had to say it).

Make the lighting and environment work for you, if you need to move or push something, or get something do it. God has given you hands and if legally you can adjust your environment than make it work for you.

Reflector and diffuser panels, these are your friends in a location shooting, when the light is to harsh, using a diffuser panel helps making the light more smooth and the reflector panel is great used as a fill light.

Keep moral high, personally I like to be serious in a shoot but at the same time I want to have fun, so tell a joke here and there, be a little loose but don't be a clown.


Also it is important to repeat it to the other people that don't know, you must not try to pull any fun moves on your model, models are like any other professional, they aren't oversexed machines as the vast majority of people think, they go to work, they smile, they may do a sexy look or pose, but it is a sexy look and pose for the camera not the photographer, if a photographer claims to be "professional" while working, he/she should know this.
As well, ask the model if she works better, or poses better with a friend, or boyfriend(or girlfriend) just as long as the person won't get in the way than invite them. Also, tell the model that they may be using the friend for different things in the shoot. An extra pair of hands never hurt IMO.

"... whatever you want to drink" -- that isn't alcoholic. Remember that your model will be signing a release afterward. If his/her capacity is dimished, it won't be a legal contract.

Lastly, I get alot of sleep before a shoot so I can be creatively thinking. It also helps me to look at other photographers work and get some ideas, much like a traditional artist might look at poses and other drawings or characters to get ideas for what their going to draw.

Poses that look relaxed and natural work best. Don't go TOO far with this though -- if your model looks asleep or dead, it probably isn't going to work well. You see a lot of "nude draped over a rock" poses that are like this. Looks like the aftermath of a tragic climbing accident.