How do I get work with brands?

Whether you’re a model, photographer on influencer, making money and getting work through social media is going to be a key aspect of your job. In this day and age, it’s difficult not to! Obviously being an influencer, you’re main income is going to come from collaborations or work for brands. As a model, growing an Instagram account can be really beneficial, and it will help getting work with both photographers and brands. As a photographer, social media is a chance to showcase your talent to a huge audience, and collaborate with brands to earn more money!

Where do I find brands to work with?

Social media. Easy as anything. Personally, I use Instagram and the wonderful world of google to find my brands. I get quite a lot of sponsored posts on my news feed because of the way I use Instagram, which is hugely beneficial to me as it means I don’t need to go searching too far to find brands to contact! From there, I can find more brands on the suggested tabs. If brands follow me, I always email them and usually I get a reply, which is great!

Just searching on google is another great way to find brands. Searching, for example, ‘top 20 UK clothing brands’ and then finding them on Instagram is a really easy way to find more brands.

How do I go about contacting brands?

Email them. You can’t wait for brands to just contact you, because unless you’ve got over 100,000, realistically they’re not going to come looking for you. Most companies have their contact information on their Instagram page, and if not it will be on their website, so it’s more than easy to find out an email address. Just send them an email explaining who you are and what you offer and hopefully they’ll get back to you!

But no one’s responding to me…

It’s not going to work like clockwork. I email so many brands to get work, and only a very small percentage will get back to me, and then an even smaller percentage will actually say they’re willing to pay to work with me. Offering free services to start your collaboration is a great way to create a working relationship that might lead to them paying you for your services further down the line. I always say that even if a brand doesn’t have a social media budget to spend, I will always post stories on my Instagram in return for them sending over products. If your stories get loads of views, this can be really beneficial for them, and then you’ll probably get a paid collaboration with them in the near future.

All in all, you’ve got to put in the work to find the brands to work with. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got 5000 or 50000 followers, you can still find work on social media, you’ve just got to go out and get it! If you’ve got any tips on how to find work on social media, let me know in the comments!

Dos and Don'ts of Models Working with Photographers!

It’s always comical to read stories about nightmare models and photographers and shoots that have gone wrong, when they could have been very easily avoided by just behaving in a different way or researching each other’s work beforehand. Personally, whenever I work with a photographer, I have a good scroll through their Instagram, check out their website and I usually message some of the recent models they’ve worked with to see how their shoot experience was. I find this really helps when I’m working out whether to work with a photographer or not, as I tend to on a tfp (time for photos) basis, so I can’t afford to go on a shoot if it’s not going to be worth it, and is just going to end up being horribly awkward and producing kind of rubbish photos as an outcome. As always, some photographer’s styles won’t suit me, but will suit others, and vice versa; My photos and the modelling I tend to do may not suit some photographers, but this is all my opinion so of course others won’t always agree with it. Anyway, here are my do’s and don’ts of working with photographers.

Do:

@willlamerton

Do a background check - I don’t mean stalk them facebook and find out everything about them. Just see who they’ve recently worked with, what their style of photos are and whether you think you would be a good professional match.

Be professional - you’ve got to be somewhat laid back and willing to have a conversation and a joke when necessary so that the shoot isn’t awkward, but this doesn’t mean you can talk all the time and not take the photoshoot seriously - it is work after all.

Be prepared - discuss what kind of photos you both would like, where you’re shooting, what time you’re meeting ext. You don’t want to not be prepared and then end up starting off on the wrong foot.

Be communicative - if there are more people there (e.g. MUAs or hair stylists), make sure you communicate with all of them about what the aim of the shoot is and what kind of photos you’re after. You all want to make sure you want the same goal.

@ollyshoots

Allow directions - most photographers would have done photoshoots loads of times, so would know what looks best in certain angles and lighting. Let them direct you into poses and facial expressions ext. You can’t see your own face when modelling, but they can, so they can see what looks best. It’s not rude for them to tell you to move your head up or smile a little more - they’re just doing their job.

Don’ts:

Expect the world - a photographer is there to take photos, use the lighting to the best of their ability on the day, edit the photos and come away with great shots, but a photographer isn’t a magician; they can’t make you look like Audrey Hepburn. You have to do a lot of work too and let the photographer tell you if they want you to do something slightly different

@abzmystery

Be taken advantage of - you have the right to say no to something you don’t want to do. If a photographer wants you to do a slightly dangerous pose and you don’t feel safe, don’t do it. If you feel uncomfortable and the photographer is being inappropriate, remember to say no, and leave if you need to. A way to combat this could be to bring a chaperone with you, however some professional photographers don’t agree with this, so ask first.

Assume every photographer is the same - each photographer has a different style and way of doing shoots. Some are more experienced than others, so may be a tad unaware of what to do, help them out if needed and suggest new poses ext. Let a photographer suggest what to do however, it may be more suited to them. This is why I always say to look at their portfolio first, to see whether their style suits you, and whether you’ll get photos you like

Accept free work from people you don’t really really want to work with - I tend to do tfp photoshoots with photographers, because I only really work with those I want to. I have to love their photos and imagine me fitting into their style of photos for me to do a tfp shoot with. On another note, if the photoshoot is for brand work, and someone in the project is getting paid, you should too, which is why I never do brand work if the photographer is getting paid and not me.

Overall I think the main thing is to stay safe, kind, communicative, and most of all professional. This is work and you are both doing a job. It usually benefits both of you too, so you would both want the best outcome and for it not to be awkward. You do have to remember to have fun however! This is probably the best job I could have imagined, and every photoshoot is an experience meant to be enjoyed. You should never have to have a job you don’t like!

Working with Goodeehoo - a vegan handbag and accessory brand!

Working with brands is one of my favourite things to do, especially when they produce products I love, and would definitely use on a day to day basis. I reached out to Goodeehoo simply because I loved their bags, and hence started our collaboration! Their products range from larger tote bags to smaller purses, key-chains and day to day clutch bags. I personally use the Tucuman Tote bag and a matching Tawny Large Pouch most days for when I’m out and about or in the office.

We started the collaboration by producing 10 photos of me modelling a selection of their items around North Devon. Starting at Westward Ho! and making our way to Appledore, we got a range of photos in several different locations, along with some we took in the house before we left for the photoshoot. I also changed outfit twice so that the photos didn’t look too similar, but went with a couple of dresses to fit in with the summery theme and because it was too hot to wear anything else.

When I posted the first post on Instagram, I also ran a competition too (which at time of writing is still running for another week) offering the Tucuman Tote bag and a matching Pacific Large Purse if you won. I also use the purse daily too as it’s a decent size and fits in all my other day to day bags I use. The one I’ve got is grey and blue, so fits with the grey handbag I’ve got that I use sometimes if I’m not carrying much.

All in all, I loved working with Goodeehoo, and hopefully this will be an ongoing collaboration as I can really see my followers on Instagram loving the bags as much as I do! If you wanted to enter the competition, it’s over on my Instagram (@oliviajtucker), and whilst you’re at it, you may as well go check out @goodeehoo too! If you wanted to check out their products, then head down to www.goodeehoo.com where they’ll be releasing new items soon too! So keep an eye out! ;)

Huge Jewellery Project for Philip Jones

A while ago I produced a small set of 10 photos for Philip Jones Jewellery of me modelling their items. They liked them so much, that they then asked me to produce more photos for their website of me modelling, holding and showing their jewellery in prop situations. With a collection of over 600 pieces of jewellery, this meant there were over 1800 photos to capture - a large project, but well worth it!

Modelled photos:

With the help of Will (my photographer) we went to a range of locations, mainly around Exeter, to get the modelled photos done. Changing outfits every 10 shots and locations very often meant I managed to get through most of my wardrobe throughout the 3 days we shot the photos! (I since realised I could do with some more clothes, so cheekily did a bit of online shopping too!)

Handheld photos:

These were much quicker to shoot because, although we did have to change the background every 25 shots or so, I didn’t have to change my clothes unless there was a distinctive sleeve on the clothing, making it much easier to efficiently shoot the photos. the editing was also a bit quicker with these shots too due to not having to worry too much about the lighting or tones of the photos, considering we did these in the studio.

Prop photos:

Once I set up a prop scene, the photos were extremely quick to shoot. We set up the studio lights and camera, meaning all I had to do was place the jewellery down and change the prop scene every 25 shots. We changed it every 25 shots so that there was a variation for the website and it just made the photos look more interesting as a set.

The outcome:

You can now view all of the photos on the Philip Jones website: https://philipjonesjewellery.com/

I’m really proud of the work I did for Philip Jones, and think it went really well. The overall feel of the photos was designed to be quite modern and lifestyle-like, meaning that you could see what they looked like when worn in a lifestyle situation rather than just in a studio. I do really love the jewellery Philip Jones do too, and I have several pieces I wear often too. It’s very modern, contemporary and of high quality, meaning it’s good as a gift for someone or a treat for yourself!

Working with Huers Clothing Co

Having already done a shoot with Huers Clothing Co, I was very pleased when Will said they had asked me to model for them again. A day shoot with them generally revolves around visiting different areas of Cornwall and getting loads of photos wearing different pieces from their collection, all with a laid back feel, making it a really enjoyable day.

Huers is based around Padstow and the idea of the Cornish Coast which is just stunning any time of year. We headed down to Padstow beach to begin with and got a load of photos wearing their new low tide collection, along with the occasional pic of their dog. Considering it was only February, it was surprisingly very warm and so a jumper wasn’t needed - I probably could have gotten away with wearing shorts too but the british weather is fairly unpredictable with rain at this time of year so I didn’t want to risk it.

After wondering around the beach all morning and afternoon, we made our way to Bedruthen Steps, where the cold weather definitely set in and it became rather windy with a few rain drops. It was the first time I had been there with the tide in. Usually when I go there the beach is sandy and beautiful yet this time the waves were crashing against the rocks creating a really surreal site.

Following Bedruthen Steps, we found a little rarely known cliff formation called Tregudda Gorge on the coast. Its two cliffs with a gorge between and a spikey rock formation between in the distance. I’m sure if the tide was low you would be able to walk between the two cliffs onto the other but obviously not in the windy weather we visited it in. It was beautiful and the waves were so ferocious, the sea mist coming off of them got us all drenched before I scuttled back to the safety of the car.

Me and Will made our way back to Padstow for some dinner at a little restaurant called Burgers and Fish on the harbour front. We both had burgers, but I had a blue cheese and beetroot one which was delish - they even make their own ketchup! He got some beautiful night shots of the harbour before we headed off home after a day of sea, sand and the Cornish coast.

Check out Huers Clothing Co on their website (www.huersclothingco.com) or Instagram (@huersclothingco)!

Check out Will’s Instagram (@willlamerton)!

Working with Boomer and Jen Organic Clothing

Recently I did some work for a great clothing company called Boomer and Jen where I went to Abbeyford Woods in Okehampton, and to Exeter to get a set of 10 photos, some of which I would post on my Instagram page. Will Lamerton came on the shoots and took the photos for me, which was lovely of him.

Boomer and Jen is an organic clothing company which focus on sustainable 100% cotton clothing. They’re based in Devon, so the fact that they were local and have a great ethos made me want to work with them. I was so happy when they reached out to me as from a first glance I could tell they were a great brand. Their clothing designs are also great and promote messages of environmental friendliness; they have a range of clothes for men, women and kids, along with some reusable bags as well, which are always useful.

We chose Abbeyford woods for one of the shoot locations, as it links into the sustainable natural side of the brand, and it is just such a beautiful area of Devon. It’s quite a small forest but is perfect for photoshoots seeing as though theres a road nearby, so it is easy to get to, and it is fairly flat ground. The trees are also really tall and look great in the background of pictures. Luckily it wasn’t too cold the day of the shoot, and wasn’t raining like it usually does in the UK!

We chose Exeter as the other location for the photos, specifically Gandy Street due to the colourful buildings and unique shops around. I do a lot of shoots in Gandy Street due to just how different each building is to the next so you can get so many different photos in just one location. This building specifically is a restaurant that has beautiful teal walls and little plant pots in the windows which make for a really nice backdrop.

If you have a chance, you should definitely check out Boomer and Jen on their Instagram (@boomerandjen_organic_clothing) or on their website (www.organiccottonclothing.co.uk). Also, thanks to Will for the photos so check him out on Instagram too (@willlamerton).

Working with Literarture Prints

A while ago I did some work for a literature quote based brands named Literarture Prints, which specialise in wall prints, mugs, and reusable bags featuring literature quotes. Will Lamerton did the photos again for this which was great of him as usual.

They sent over two wall prints, a mug and a bag, which we produced a set of 10 photos from. The mug was really cute and I currently use that to hold my makeup brushes seeing as though it matches the rest of the decor in my room. The two wall prints I put in frames and are currently hanging on my walls. The reusable bag I use often when popping to the local shop. I’ve now got a collection of reusable bags for shopping, which is much better than paying for a plastic bag.

We took all the photos in our house, and the cats even joined into the photoshoot. We got a range of photos, and a few of them were quite autumnal considering the shoot happened last October. We tried to keep all of the colour tones the same in the images so that the set of photos looked like a proper set and they all matched.

You can check out Literarture Prints on Instagram (@literartureprints) or on their website (www.literarture.com.au). Be sure to check out Will’s Instagram too (@willlamerton)!

Working with Neon Kactus

Neon Kactus sent over one of their mugs in return for a feature on my Instagram page, which I happily did. Their mugs are made from glass and have a grip sleeve on them to stop you from getting your hands too warm. The best thing about them, is that they are reusable of course. They’re also stylish and easy to carry around. The size is perfect because it carries the amount of a cup of tea, and isn’t too big or bulky to carry around.

I think it’s really important that we start using reusable cups so that we’re not constantly buying plastic bottles or using one use takeaway cups in coffee shops, and therefore we can reduce our waste we’re producing. Furthermore, it’s not a hard thing to do; it’s a one time purchase and a lot of coffee shops give you a discount if you bring in a reusable cup, so it;s helping you out too!

Be sure to check out Neon Kactus on Instagram ( @neonkactus) or on their website ( www.neonkactus.com)! Also, thanks to Will for the photo (@willlamerton on Instagram).