Working with Models on Film – Setting Expectations
Shooting with film doesn’t just change how a photographer works — it changes how a model experiences the shoot. For someone used to digital cameras firing hundreds of frames a minute, the film process feels different: slower, more deliberate, sometimes even unnerving at first.
That’s why setting expectations is crucial. When a model understands what film brings — the rhythm, the limitations, the rituals — it transforms the session from uncertainty into collaboration. At Liquid Light Whisperer, this conversation happens before the first roll is loaded, because trust is as important as light.
Photographed on a Mamiya C330, this was Valyria’s first experience with film after working with hundreds of photographers. The slower rhythm of analogue allowed her to pause, relax, and reveal more of her own personality, bringing a natural depth to the shoot.
The slower pace of film
Film photography demands pauses. Rolls need to be loaded. Light needs to be metered. Shots are taken carefully, not in endless bursts.
For the model, this slower pace has real effects:
Poses linger longer — instead of changing every second, expressions are held, refined, and felt.
Energy builds gradually — shoots unfold like a conversation, not a sprint.
Moments are savoured — the absence of machine-gun shutters lets everyone breathe.
That pace is often unfamiliar to models who only work digitally. But once they settle into it, many find it liberating.
One of my earliest model shoots, captured digitally. Even then the process was unhurried—lighting the scene, shaping the model, and working with the props set a natural rhythm. Slowing down has always been part of the craft.
No instant playback
The biggest shift is the absence of screens. There’s no back-of-camera review, no instant reassurance. For a model, this can feel exposing. But it also creates something rare:
Deeper trust — the model places confidence in the photographer, not the preview.
Greater focus — without constant checking, they commit to the moment.
Authenticity — poses and expressions emerge from connection, not correction.
Some models describe this as unnerving at first, then freeing. The lack of playback shifts attention away from perfection and towards presence.
Chloe was new to modelling, and the slower pace allowed her to settle into her own rhythm. Shooting with a longer lens gave her space and freedom to move naturally—reminding me that respecting a model’s space is key to bringing out their best.
Explaining the process
Setting expectations means demystifying what happens. Models benefit from understanding:
How many frames a roll holds (12, 24, 36).
That a pause between shots isn’t hesitation — it’s deliberation.
Why light meters or Polaroids might be used before the real roll.
That negatives will be carefully developed and archived after the shoot.
When they see the logic behind the slowness, the process stops feeling strange and starts feeling intentional.
Rituals matter
The ritual of film makes an impression: the mechanical advance of film, the click of the shutter, the silence that follows. Models notice the weight each exposure carries.
These rituals become part of the collaboration. They heighten awareness, remind everyone that each frame has value, and make the process feel ceremonial rather than casual.
Shot on Kodak Double-X and developed in Pyro. The weight of the scene, the cloak, and the sword carried more than enough presence—film has a way of drawing out atmosphere that goes beyond the subject.
Building reassurance
Not all reassurance has to wait until negatives are developed. Some photographers use Polaroids or instant film alongside 35mm or medium format. These test shots show models what the light is doing, give them confidence in how they’re presenting, and act as tangible proof that everything is working.
At LLW, instant tests are sometimes folded into the shoot for precisely this reason: reassurance without breaking the analogue rhythm.
Why setting expectations matters
When a model knows what to expect, nerves give way to confidence. They stop worrying about the absence of screens or the slower pace, and start embracing the presence film demands.
That confidence translates directly into stronger images. Collaboration deepens, energy feels natural, and the final negatives reflect not just the subject’s look, but their comfort.
Olga remains one of my favourite collaborators. Over time we’ve found a rhythm that lets each frame breathe—her pace, her presence. What emerges is a shared energy: the life that comes from trust, enjoyment, and the pursuit of making art together.
Why it matters for clients
For clients commissioning portrait sessions or editorial work, a model’s comfort isn’t a side issue — it’s everything. A comfortable subject makes better photographs.
By setting expectations upfront, shoots run smoothly. Everyone involved — photographer, model, client — understands the flow, the rhythm, and the intent. The result is an experience that feels calm, personal, and human, with images that carry that energy forward.
Creating images at this level takes more than just a camera. Professional shoots rely on the right mix of make-up, hair, lighting, and on-set support. When each element comes together, your vision has the foundation it needs to fully take shape.
Closing: Preparation is collaboration
Working with models on film isn’t just about technical choices. It’s about people. By setting expectations clearly, the process becomes a shared one — slower, deeper, and more meaningful.
At Liquid Light Whisperer, this preparation is part of the craft. Because when everyone in the room understands the rhythm of film, the collaboration doesn’t feel restrictive. It feels alive.
And that’s when the photographs work — not as records, but as moments of trust, presence, and memory.