How Do I Get Into Pin-Up? ~ Wyoming Pin-up Photographer

1. Pin-up is a fun hobby! It really is! But it's not a wage-earner. You might get paid shoots, but it won't be enough to pay the rent.

2. Please don't expect this to be a magical short-cut to a life of glamour and marabou-trimmed negligees and no more office work or standing in queues or going to Tesco's to buy baked beans. Not even Dita makes a living solely from "being a pin-up". Bernie Dexter has an online shop and sells vintage items on Ebay. Sabina Kelley works in a tattoo parlour. Morgana does web design. Some girls add the money from paid shoots to money from burlesque performances and costume-making and pin-up classes, but they are not solely working as pin-ups.

3. Get a professional shoot done. If you've read anything about mainstream modelling, models need a portfolio of pics in order to join an agency. Pin-up is no different - in order to be seriously considered by other photographers (or indeed shops & magazines etc), they need to see samples of your work to see what you're capable of. Myspace-style photos in a bathroom mirror, or out-of-focus things taken on a self-timer with a basket of laundry in the background (when not intended as a prop, obviously) are not sufficient. When you're starting out, the best shoots are ones when you pay because you will be taught how to pose for the camera. There is a list of photographers at the end of the page.

4. Go back a step and think about what you mean by "getting into pin-up". Doing some pin-up photos and having fun doing the shoots? Being a celebrity? Having people cue up to tell you how wonderful you are? If you say yes to the first option, then bravo, you're being sensible. Fame and adoring fans aren't a given. Doing photos and enjoying the process is the basis of "being a pin-up".

5. As with all forms of modelling, there are limited opportunities for larger women. True, there are more opportunities than in other kinds of modelling, but do be aware that there are often size limits on the models required for some shoots, and if you protest, you're ear-marked as a trouble-maker. I rather enjoy being a trouble-maker myself, though.

6. Tattoos: whilst being a central part of rockabilly, and while some people develop an interest in vintage coming from an alternative background and might have tattoos, don't be surprised if people don't want to photograph you if you've got obvious tatts. Last year, someone said to me "You're not very vintage, are you?" because I have tattoos, and put me at the back of the all the group photos so you couldn't even see me. You might drive a Cadillac and live in a vintage house, own racks of original dresses and listen to nothing recorded after 1959, but that swallow tatt on your arm is going to limit what you can do. That said, some photographers seek out tattooed models, but I find they're more interested in vast quantities of piercings as well. It's all rather odd what the invention of Photoshop and airbrushing, but what do I know... "I'm not very vintage, am I."

 7. Networking is important but don't make unreasonable demands on people. You aren't the only person who "wants to be a pin-up". I'm often asked by people if they can model for my shop, and I'm now having to say that you must have previous modelling experience. Even if it's a shoot you've paid for with The Hourglass or The Casting Couch. It isn't fair to bombard people with photos you took of yourself in your bathroom mirror and demand that you're hired. Don't leak bad karma into the cosmos! (man). You MUST have a professional portfolio!

8. Enter competitions, participate in online groups, etc etc etc. For example, The Pin-Up Lifestyle Network. Just being generally involved in burlesque or rockabilly, swing or WW2 re-enactments, which have pin-up as important elements of their culture (though please don't profess to liking rockabilly if you don't really like it - it's kind of annoying. Or indeed the other things - no-one likes an egomaniac interloper who's only turned up because they want their own personal fan club. Please don't be that person). Come up with your own ideas for websites or online groups or forums. Whatever. Be creative. This is "being a pin-up", the second thing you do after enjoying doing your shoot and being pleased with your photos. Don't expect everything to fall into your lap.

9. It might be worth joining Model Mayhem and/or Net Model, but as I've mentioned elsewhere, there are often rather unrealistically stringent size requirements so larger girls will find it very hard, if not impossible, to find shoots. Even shorter-than-average girls might struggle.

10. You don't have to perform burlesque as well. Shocking, I know, but it's true.

11. Learn how to do your own hair and make-up. This will open more opportunities for you, as it means the photographer won't need to hire a hair and make-up artist.

12. Wardrobe: please don't call yourself a pin-up or an aspiring pin-up or an up-and-coming pin-up or any combination thereof without a wardrobe. You need to have at least one dress - if not more, because if you use the same dress in 10 different shoots, it's rather boring. I know somewhere you can get nice dresses too.... Although posing in your undies isn't vital for a pin-up, you need to have a nice selection if you go down that road, and What Katie Did have an amazing collection so there's no excuse. Of course you'll also want their stockings. Make sure your footwear is adequate, and if the sole of your shoe is showing in the photo, please make sure it's clean. DO NOT expect to be given clothes for shoots (please don't even ask!) unless you have developed a name. People do not run businesses just so they can give out things for free.

13. Be careful with the term "vintage". If you call yourself a "vintage pin-up" then please make sure you have the right look. "Vintage" isn't a term to fling before the word "pin-up" unless you know what you're talking about, otherwise you will look very silly. This is true even of calling yourself a "rockabilly pin-up" - unless you're involved in the rockabilly scene, it just won't work, as there's more to rockabilly than someone with tattoos wearing a circle dress. Go to the original sources, read books, look at photos and paintings, hone your styling skills, watch films, learn from others. It isn't hard, but it takes dedication, and it's really obvious if it looks slapdash and cobbled together.

14. You need luck. Being at the right place at the right time is vital but unfortunately a bit of a pain to schedule into one's diary.

15. You MUST be 18 or over. No reputable photographer will photograph you under that age.

Contact Jacque Russell at 307.286.1908 or email at info@jrussellimagery.com to book your pin-up session.