How can I use mirrors within a shoot?

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How can I use mirrors within a shoot?

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What’s better than one abbywinters.com model – two!

ABOVE: The model Miya ‘hanging out with herself’ via a mirror.

Why use mirrors?

Mirrors can be a great creative tool for parts of a shoot. Mirrors offer several creative opportunities. Mirrors can:

  • Double the amount of appealing content within a frame
  • Be used as props
  • Enable the model to see parts of her body she can not usually see (labia, anus, buttocks)
  • Allow customers to see details of the action from two opposite sides simultaneous
  • Enable SPs to fill an entire frame wall-to-wall with the model
  • Be used as part of a creative narrative

Mirrors are suitable for use in any Shoot Type.

Requirements

Mirrors must be thoroughly cleaned before use. Smears and dirt on the mirror obscure details and looks unprofessional.

ABOVE: The framing for of Catalina is fantastic, customers get to see her bright smile and erect nipple as the main focus, with her pubic region teased in the mirror. Unfortunately the mirror is very dusty (unacceptable)! The layer of dust pushes the model’s image further back – observe where there are lines in the mirror where fingers have moved the dust, the models skin is much brighter in those spots because it is not hidden below a dust “filter”. The mirror smears are distracting.

Using mirrors to increase the view

In addition to allowing SPs to “pluralise” models within a frame using their reflection, mirrors also help to show more of the Setting. The value in this is that it helps to ‘prove’ that the model is in a real home, not a studio, a big part of the abbywinters.com paradigm.

ABOVE: The inclusion of the window in the mirror’s reflection behind Bonnie T not only adds in some colour but also helps to give the Setting some context. The model is in a suburban area with trees and a lawn outside – she is not in a porn studio on an industrial estate! Seeing two opposite walls of the same room again confirms that the model is in a real room, not one that has been fabricated in a studio. This image would be even better if the SP had Set Dressed the space with the mirror in mind, placing small items ‘clues about the model’s life’ about the room (eg, window sill) so they would be visible in the mirror. Small details help Customers build up a bigger picture of the model and add to the ‘realness’ of a shoot.

Using mirrors as a prop

A large mirror attached to the wall or furniture is not a prop, it is considered a set piece. Still very valuable to use in a shoot, but not something that will count towards the Solo assessment area Actively use suitable props.

A handheld or compact mirror is considered a personal personal prop if it belongs to the model or a general prop if the item has been borrowed from the SP or was found within the location.

ABOVE: The mirror set within the wardrobe is a set piece, not a prop.  The SP has made great use of the mirror to show both the front and back of Jenna K at the same time, while also filling the frame with her image.
ABOVE: The model Jill is using a hand held mirror as a personal personal prop she is actively using the item to look at herself.