What are Polaroids and how should they be made?
Polaroids, or colloquially “Polasy” are photos that are intended to show the natural appearance of a model. The name comes from the brand of Polaroid camera, which in the days before digital photography gave the ability to get pictures almost instantly. A modeling agency makes Polaroids or asks models for them in order to present their natural figure and appearance. Photographers and clients who will work with models often require the presentation of current Polaroids to find out what a given person looks like without makeup, stylized hair and, above all, without retouching. In the era of “Photoshop” advertising photos do not always show the full truth about the people in them. The KIRA369 company quite often updates the Polaroid database of the people it represents. Changes in length, hair color, or other appearance changes should be updated quickly with new Polaroid photos. The production of advertising sessions is often a team of people who prepare stylizations, make-up and hairstyles, matching them to the appearance of the people they choose, hence the importance of full information about the current appearance of the models.
How to prepare for Polaroids?
• It’s good to do them in full freshness, be well-rested and feel good. Fatigue is visible on the face, and it must be remembered that the potential client usually does not know the model from other natural photos. Therefore, it is worth trying to make an impeccable presentation of your beauty.
• No make-up is applied to Polaroids. 100% sauté!
• Pictures are usually taken in underwear. Gentlemen in boxers, and ladies in panties and a bra, and classic high heels, or barefoot.
• It is better if the underwear is classic, without many decorations, preferably flesh-colored.
• Full body photos from the front, both sides and back are needed. Portraits should be done in the same way. If your model has long hair, it is worth repeating all the photos with the hair tied back to show the shape of the face and jaw line. An additional photo with a smile is also welcome. Polaroids are not about posing skills, you have to stand straight on them without flexing your hips, although one such photo certainly won’t hurt.
• Many clients also require photos of their hands, and it’s a good idea to have them included in Polaroids as well.
How to make Polaroids yourself?
• It’s best to ask the photographer to help you in their free time. Fashion photographers usually know how to do it professionally and it will take them several minutes.
• Contrary to appearances, however, it is not at all difficult and you can make Polaroids yourself, even with a smartphone, you only need to meet a few conditions
• Polaroid photos work very well in daylight. You should take care of a bright interior and a uniform background.
• It is worth taking pictures of the silhouette from about the level of the navel, so that the picture shows the right proportions. For portraits, set the camera higher, at face level.
• All photos must be sharp and in natural proportions. If they are made with a smartphone, it is worth stepping back a little more. The latest smartphones are equipped with several lenses, it is best to use the one close to 50mm in length for the classic full frame.
KIRA369 makes Polaroids for its models free of charge and tries to update them regularly.
