Milessa final selection
Last week I already showed a first quick preview, and today I can show the final images from the session we did last week with Milessa.
This session was very special for me because without a doubt Milessa is the youngest fashion model I ever had in front of my camera, she is only 12 years old. I did get some remarks from people that they think this is way too young to model and although the remarks were all in a friendly way I can understand that some people really wonder what drives me to shoot someone that young. So let me explain.
Some children love to watch movies, collect comic books etc. and that’s all ok of course.
Some children love to play musical instruments and excel in that area, now we have to make the distinction between young children that REALLY love to play that musical instrument and young children that are forced by their parents to play the instruments and are not really enjoying it. I think when someone really loves what they are doing it’s no problem how old someone starts, I see it as a huge step forwards in a career when you start young.
With models it’s always a double edge sword of course.
Our son is 13 and loves to work with computers, we try to limit his time with games but when he wants to do creative stuff like play around with Photoshop I see no reason to limit him, on the contrary I think he can’t start young enough and being creative is the best thing a child can do.
Now back to our 12 year old model.
I do understand the reactions of people saying that children of that age should play, however after some mails with the model herself, seeing the moodboards they came up with, the enthusiasm both the mother and daughter showed made me convinced that Milessa REALLY loves to model, and in that case I think it would be a wrong decision for me to decline her wish to book a shoot with me. I do have to add that during the photoshoot I am a bit more concerned about the workload on a model, this was a long day, so I asked her several times during the session if she was having fun and liked the outcomes, to say the least she was super motivated, worked like a pro and to make a long story short she loved the day.
One of the tips I do always give my models (especially the younger ones or starting ones) is that they should always carefully select their photoshoot. Before you know it you’re shooting a session every day/week and the quality is often not that good. A model is judged by her last session I always say so you better do 1-2 sessions a month and make them rock than to do 10 sessions a month that are all mediocre and do one rocking session. Photographers will select models based on the quality of their portfolio and not on the amount of shots in a portfolio, actually when I get a mail for a shoot for my own portfolio I will always look at the images and when there is only 1-2 good shots and 30 bad ones I simply will not do the session. However when there are a few stunning images and maybe 1-2 lesser ones I will do the shoot. I shows me that the model does know what quality is, has the knowledge to recognize and good shot from a bad one and that’s the kind of model I love to work with. For me this also means that she/he will be going for quality in our session and not for quantity.
For me it’s also always very important with minors that one of the parents are there for the shoot. I know there are photographers that will say that there already is a MUA (Makeup Artist), an assistant etc. but for me having a parent on the set makes sure that there will be someone that knows the model and know how to approach the model IF something would go wrong. So for me the parent(s) on the set are something that actually makes the session go more smoothly. I do have to add that until now I have had no problems what so ever with parents on the set, actually it’s always fun.
For me it’s sure that if Milessa keeps enjoying the photoshoots and she is careful with the photographers she selects (quality) she will have a great future in modeling, she is already tall enough to do fashion shows (although I really would wait with that until she is older) so I think there will be almost no limitations. I think that in a few years we will see Milessa again in front of my camera. I’m already looking forward to that.
Het was leuk om het enthousiasme ook goed te zien tijdens de live- reportage van de shoot, we hebben echt een model gezien wat er heel veel plezier in had.
Complimenten voor de fotograaf, model, visagiste, hairstyliste en de rest van het team
Thanks Berry 😀
I think these images are tasteful. Yes, she is young, but too young to model? Perhaps not. She sounds like she is motivated and knows what she wants in life. To me, this young lady will make it far in her career. Look at Brooke Shields (USA) who started in a commercial at 11 months old. Then she became the youngest model at age 14 to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine. From the look of these images, she has a long, prosperous career ahead of her. I feel as long as her mother is by her side, guiding her in her young career, there is nothing wrong with this.
Frank,
Normally I’m not much of a commenter on blogs or forums but this blog is triggering me to do so. First of all I agree on most, if not all, of you comments or tips. I can even relate to a 13 year old photoshopping as well as a 12 year old modeling. I have a 10 year old who loves to be in front of the camera. I truly believe that if a young child has a passion for something one should encourage them and help them in a lot of ways, also in modeling. To me, however, this topic is not about the dilemma of letting a 12 year old model but it is more of an ethical issue and that is exactly what I’m missing in your blog. Shooting a model at the age of 12 being a 12 year old is very different in my opinion as opposed to shooting a 12 year old in a much more mature setting, including the heavy make-up and somewhat seductive looks and poses. Perhaps the question is not ‘should a 12 year old be modeling’ but ‘should a 12 year old model be portrayed as a young adult (with heavy make-up and seductive looks/poses/outfits)’.
Paul
Can’t say I disagree Paul.
I would for example never do more sensual shots with a younger model, however this theme is what she brought in (Africa) and to be honest for me she delivered the part.
But again I agree, I think you should value it per session.
Paul,
I’m completely with you. I know Frank has a son, but me… I have da daughter and I really understand the fears a father (and mother) can go through seeing a child behave as an adult while still being a child inside. Just plain and straight: teenage moms. At 12 they start going out ’till mornign, and by the age of 14-15 they get knocked up. I’m with you on this one. For sure, Frank won’t do a nude shoot with a minor, but ethically? I wouldn’t do this either. Say… 16? Topless and all 18 (of course).
Paul, this is what it means to be 12 in 2012. I won’t disagree that these is adult-level dress-up. I do take issue that you’re reading these as seductive. Just for instance, there is no eye contact with the camera.
After reading of Frank’s evaluative consultation beforehand, and whole experience of the shoot, it sounds like a wonderful, nurturing memory worth cherishing. I hope that remains true for Melissa and her Mom for the rest of their lives.
Oh… my page didn’t refresh… so I see this post just now… (after my comment). Well… it’s a thin line I guess. ;-P
I would’ve never guessed she was only 12! She worked the session very well. I think that there are some who will make generalizations about children and parents. Sadly, there are parents who will allow their kids to make images which are not appropriate for their ages. That said, I think it is the responsibility of the the photographer to ensure that our youth are not exploited and do NOT make photographs which portray them in such a way. As a mother of a 13 year old son (well tomorrow he will be), and a 15 year old daughter, I would not make photos which I would not want made of my kids.
On the topic of portfolios, I think many aspiring models would benefit from reading your thoughts on this. We have local models that are doing TFPs all of the time. I think some should be more judicious about the images they’re using in their portfolios. Even if those images that are not used, happen to be mine.
Awesome work as always Frank!
~Mel
She has a future in the modeling field, wonderful thoughts on the subject of young subjects, and kids in general as well, I too have a 13 yr. old boy, I feel your pain. LOL….
Great Photos as always Frank……thanks for the posts. I love your work!!!
I had the pleasure shooting with Milessa even before her 12th birthday. Since then I had to defend myself why I worked with such a young model, but never managed to explain it the way Frank did (well done!). Indeed, she performed best with her mother around, and when the mother disappeared for a moment the “top-model-to-be” transferred into a young insecure teenager, but when mum reappeared Milessa was back at her best. It’s amazing how much she developed during the short time spam in which she started modelling. I wish her all the luck in her modelling career (but finish school first!) and look forward following her, hopefully one day I can be proud to say “I had her in front of my camera in her early days and look where she is now……”.
Well, you’re certainly not going to model teenage clothes on a 20-year old. *Somebody* has to model the accouterments for the younger people. May as well be somebody who actually enjoys modelling!
What is a moodboard? I’ve never heard that term before.
A Moodboard can be a lot of things, ranging from a mail with sample images, to a real “board” with clippings, structures, colors etc.
It sets the “mood” for the shoot, that’s why it’s called a moodboard.
The comments have been really interesting to read, and have given me lots to think about. I think that if she has found her passion then let her go with it. Of course keep her from doing mature shots, but some people go their whole lives without finding passion for something. I just hope that her parents also help her to value more than just her beauty. Because, in the blink of an eye it could disappear.