Kube Studios: Manchester's Photography Studio

Kube Studios: Manchester's Photography Studio

Serving Manchester and the north of England, Kube Studios Manchester is your top choice for modelling and portfolio photography. Our team are industry professionals who take pride in their work and produce great results for every customer. 

Kube Studios

Preparing for your Portfolio Shoot

Many, particularly the young, models come to Kube Studios with a suitcase full of outfits. We advise our customers to bring 3-4 outfits only, because there simply isn't time for so many changes, but we also understand the excitement that surrounds a day in the studio. It's crucial to make sure that your outfits reflect the type of model you want to be represented as - you can't change the photos once they're taken so choose outfits that you know you'll still like in six months time when you're still using the same portfolio. It's a very good idea to have a mixture - eg. 1x trouser suit, 1x dress, 1x skirt/top. For men, a combination of casual, a smart-casual, and a suit tend to give a great, rounded portfolio. If for example your portfolio ends up on the desk of someone looking for a model for a whisky advertisement, a man in a suit will more likely fit the role over one in a t-shirt. It's obvious in that sense, right?

In Kube Studios' experience, the best portfolio days are when the model has chosen a distinct look, and matches the other looks to compliment it. This way, when a scout or manager is leafing through your portfolio, there aren't major differences from one page to the next - nothing jumps out as being out of place. If you have questions about becoming a model, or would like to find out more about modelling portfolios, please visit our website and watch the Kube Studios video below. 

Kube Studios Tips for Photographers

Kube Studios Tips for Photographers

When you are faced with managing a shoot for the first time, it can be quite a scary experience. In our experience, people get easily flustered and focus on the details rather than the matter at hand. Here are some tips from Kube Studios on how to manage yourself, the models and the team on your first shoot. 

The first point to consider is whether the model knows what they are doing, and the purpose of the shoot. If he or she is a first timer hoping to get into fashion modelling then you will manage the situation differently to if it is a professional working for an advertising campaign. Once you know this, your job gets easier. Do they need a nudge, or do they need more? To get the best results you should speak your mind without being condescending or coming off as being angry, no matter how frustrating it might be! Beginners need nurturing, rather than being told off. If the subject is making mistakes, point them out in a nice way and see how they react. 

Make sure your gear is all prepped well before you are due to start. At Kube Studios, all gear is prepared the night before in most cases and double checked in the morning to make sure that appointments run to schedule. There is nothing worse than hardware failure delaying a shoot. At best, it looks unprofessional, and at worst it will lose you a customer and their friends. In a business like photography that, to some extent, relies on referrals, one bad experience can have an impact on the following months. Bearing this in mind, Kube Studios strive to provide the best results and full experience to all clients and customers. If you want to find out more about our London flagship studio, visit the Kube Studios London section of our website and watch the video below. Get in touch through our website or over the phone for booking enquirires and have a great week!

Kube Studios Manchester

Kube Studios Manchester

Kube Studios Manchester is your top choice for family photo shoots, modelling portfolio photo shoots and glamourous make over days in the north of England. Our speciality is producing high quality, industry accepted modelling portfolio shoots to those hoping to become models. Modelling is a notoriously difficult industry to get into, and connections are crucial to establishing yourself as a respected model. Many models fall into the portfolio trap of having the wrong types of shots and including shots that are below par. Kube Studios Manchester know these pitfalls and our staff of industry professionals are on hand to make sure that you leave our studios with the tools you require to apply to major modelling agencies.

Kube Studios

Portfolio Photoshoot Tips

The most important thing to remember before you go to any photography shoot is that you need to represent yourself. As a model, you are expected to be your own manager and also your own employee and representing your true self in front of the camera will give you a much better portfolio than if you try and emulate someone else. Agencies can see through posers and are looking for real characters that they can present to their clients with confidence. If you are reading this, you have doubtless read dozens of articles on the various types of modelling, how to approach agencies, and the traps many fall into by letting their ambition get ahead of themselves. In reality, the path is quite simple and you shouldn't over complicate it in your mind. Write down a list of what you need to do, if you aren't sure then companies like The Model Factory can help you figure it out, and stick to the list. Tick the things off one by one, and you can't go far wrong.

Be the Full Package

This is a phrase that is very widely used in every line of work. In modelling, it has a very specific meaning. The 'full package' includes your character, your look, your niche, transferable skills, and your people management skills. If you are known as being a fashion catalogue model, could you be presented to a client who needed a commercial model? Knowing about what is expected in each niche of modelling is important if you are to be taken seriously. In all likelihood, the agents and scouts will be older than you and expect you to be of a certain maturity and able to deal with situations as they arise. Kube Studios Manchester can help you answer all of your questions and meet men and women every day who are unsure of certain specifics regarding modelling and fashion. The best way to learn is by doing, and you can start your path with us. The video below this post will tell you more about our services and who we are. Follow Kube Studios on twitter, too!

Kube Studios: False Eyelashes

Kube Studios: False Eyelashes

There are two different types of false eyelashes: those attached to a band that you can glue on, and those that come individually. Neither are very hard to apply, the trick lies in taking your time. Trial and error is the best way to get the knack and the best application. Here are some steps from Kube Studios to get the best results from your lashes.

The first step is to prepare your eyes. Draw a line above your lash line in brown or black. Blend and smudge so it looks more natural. You can also apply a thin coat of mascara before you put on the false ones but let it dry before going ahead with the next step.

Kube Studios

Prepare your lash bands by shortening them to the width of your lash line. Use a small sharp pair of scissors and be very careful not to cut too much. You can always make them shorter but not the reverse so air on the side of caution. Flex them so that they're supple enough to follow the curvature of your eye lid.

To apply, dab a thin line of lash band adhesive to the band with a toothpick or similar, thin instrument. Let the glue become tacky, which takes a few seconds, and press them on starting from the inner corner. Hold firmly in place until set. If there is excess adhesive, it'll dry transparent so don't worry about trying to wipe it off. Check out this video to find out more about Kube Studios.

Kube Studios London: The 5:2 Diet

Kube Studios: What is the 5:2 Diet?

A leading modelling agency, Kube Studios have over 30 staff dedicated to helping aspiring models get into modelling. Kube Studios have premises in London, Birmingham and Manchester and embody quality and professionalism. 

Kube Studios

The 5:2 Diet is a name given to what is basically intermittent fasting. fasting two days a week is potentially a good way to lose weight because the body goes into repair mode rather than starvation mode. In theory this leads the body to restore damaged cells, using more energy, whereas it lays down fat when it thinks it is starving. 

For two days a week, non-consecutive days, so perhaps Tuesday and Sunday, the idea is to limit calorie intake to 500 per day. For the other five days you can eat normally, according to the recommended daily calorie intake of 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men. On the fasting days it may be a good idea to drink a lot of water and eat a bigger volume of low calorie/high water content foods; fruit, veg, seeds, nuts. 

For more information about Kube Studios and modelling news check out their Facebook page and watch the video below.

Kube Studios Folio Shoots

Kube Studios Manchester Folio

Kube Studios have been at the centre of Manchester's fashion scene for over a decade. With premises in the trendy Northern Quarter between all the top bars and clubs Kube Manchester is the only fashion studio also specialising in helping aspiring models break into the industry. 

When the camera is at face level, make sure to raise your chin. A good modelling photographer will tell you to do this, but if he doesn't, then you have to remember. In the Bowie-esque picture to the left notice that the model has the underneath of her chin in line with the camera. Doing this avoids double chins and gives a great headshot angle. 

See more modelling folio shots on the Kube Studios website! 

This model has her chin angled down, also in line with the camera but with the shot being taken from below. Using different angles and always noting the camera's position as the photographer moves is a skill that you must practice. 

Find our more about Kube Studios and watch this video.

Kube Studios Lighting Tricks

Kube Studios Manchester Lighting Tricks

Ever wondered how we get that great look? Lighting is a huge component in any successful shoot. The lighting technicians at Kube Studios strive for perfection on set to ensure a fantastic product.

Kube Studios

1. Most studio lighting set-ups only emphasise one facet of your subject’s face. By adding an additional light to the rear of the set, we can start to create a more three-dimensional effect.

The hair light should be positioned carefully behind the model to one side, but not so it shines directly into the lens. We meter this light separately with all others switched off, so that it’s half a stop dimmer than the main light.

We can use a snoot to create a small but direct patch of light that picks up the texture of the hair.

2. A real innovation in lighting gadgets is the tri-flector. Three mini reflectors are designed into a single unit, which is placed on a low stand underneath our subject.

Each of the panels can move independently to remove shadows from the right, left and underneath, leaving a stark but glamorous result.

Kube Studios technicians can add a single light pointing down slightly above the model’s eye level to achieve a flawless result every time. Additionally we can add a hair light behind to emphasise the model's silhouette for striking results.