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Ask Heidi:

Heidi Van Horne
October 2006

Hello from Heidi Van Horne: "I'm really excited to bring my "Ask the Experts" feature from the Punk Rock Domestics board over here to Java's Bachelor Pad to help pass some knowledge along to the new folks comin' up--and hopefully help you avoid some of the mistakes I have made and seen others make! I'll reply to questions and posts at PRD and via email as they come in, but for now, here's a good starting point--some safety reminders and basic Pin-Up Q's I seem to get asked a lot. 




Heidi Van Horne's Pin-Up FAQ's 

I Wanna be a Pin-Up Model! Where do I start? 
I started shooting my own pin-ups with a tripod and a self timer--just like Bunny Yeager did (and still does to this day!) Being able to experiment with different looks and poses and being the only one to see when I fail or things don't work gave me a lot of experience and I learned my strengths and weaknesses, my best angles, etc. Blessed is the digital age, when trial and error is much cheaper than it was with just film! If you can't shoot yourself or don't have a camera with a self timer, get a friend, perhaps someone else who wants to try pinups, and take turns shooting each other and playing around with photos. To practice--don't be afraid to be a dork in the mirror--experimenting with your expressions will only help you in shoots! Its funny how we think we look a certain way when we do something, and then seeing yourself on video or in a pic it looks very different. The more you can play around and evaluate what you do and don't like, the more prepared you will be to express different looks and emotions on a real shoot. 
     If you really want professional photos--consider investing in a shoot. If the photographers you wish to work with don't respond to your requests for TFP (time for prints), consider saving up some money and paying for a pro session with one of them. Then you are the client (and often can use the images as you wish.) It shows that you are invested in it, and if you hit it off with the photographer, they might keep you in mind for clients and future work. 

I wanna do pin up, but I don't have the “pin-up look”! 
I hear this one SO OFTEN! If you ask 50 people what pin-up is, you'd get 50 different answers. Its my opinion that pin-up art is an image of a beautiful woman. And hey, every woman is beautiful in one way or another! So, a true pin-up celebrates women and any woman can take a pin-up photo! True, there are certain body types and facial features that strike us as more of a classic pin-up look than others, so it may come easier to some women, but I truly believe that its just about choosing what to focus on! So...concentrate on focusing the photo on the feature you feel best about. Great smile? Get a good headshot! Long legs? Take a leggy pin-up! Whatever the feature is--flaunt it! The most attractive thing in any photo is the confidence and emotion that come out through the eyes and when the model's personality shines through! 

How do I get my name out there/meet other pinups or photographers/become a part of the burgeoning pinup community? 
One of the best ways to integrate yourself into the modern pin-up “scene” (if you will) is to submit some of your favorite photos (self pinups or whatever shots you have) into pinup contests. Lots of them are out there, among them are: of course, Java's Bachelor Pad's Cheesecake Contest which is part of Java's Bachelor Pad--a place where you can read about and view tons of photos of lots of famous original pin-up girls as well as modern pinups (like Bernie Dexter, Kay O'Hara and myself); RetroRadar has a monthly contest with great prizes, from the folks behind the late, great Atomic Magazine; and sites like My Vintage Hut, Nuclear Wardrobe, Kustomsville, and many more have similar pin-up girl contests. You can also often join contests like these at car shows and events. 
     Another good idea is to have somewhere online that people can research you--its great if you can afford a website, but its costly and if you aren't looking to work professionally, but more for fun and the occasional job, it isn't even necessary. Build a MySpace page, sign up on sites devoted to modeling networking such as Model Mayhem, One Model Place or RetroKitten, which specializes in alternative and pinup modeling. Pay attention to people who's work you like, or keep finding yourself drawn to--keep an eye on who they work with and what they seem to look for in models and what type of work they do. Be smart--do your research! 

I wanna work with ___(model/magazine/photographer/company)___! 
Read their site--some folks take unknown models, some have strict requirements. Make sure you know what type of stuff they shoot before you tell them how much you love their work! Then, send them an email! Express your interest to them, send photos of yourself and a link to your site or online portfolio! Then be patient. Most of the time, they will keep you on file until a shoot comes up that you'd be right for. Stay in touch every so often--but don't be a pest! You want to let them know that you are interested, not desperate! When the time is right, they'll reply. Sometimes people wait until you've shot with someone they know, and then suddenly several people at once are asking to shoot! It takes time and often is about building relationships, like any other business. 

What the heck is a release form/what does my contract mean? 
Get it in writing! (And read before you sign anything!) The sad truth is, most likely any dispute over a pin-up shoot would not be worth suing over-- no matter how badly it goes! Getting everything in writing at least helps avoid most problems that could arise. When you are first starting out, you'll likely be asked to sign release forms. This is a sticky situation--you need to do TFP work in order to build a resume and portfolio and get some experience and exposure, yet signing away your rights means your image could be resold and used anywhere. Just because you and the photographer share common interests or aesthetics, doesn't mean you see eye to eye on what sort of end result the images should be used for. One way to fix this is to include/add--on to your contract or the release form they provide, details that would ensure certain provisions are included, such as (from my release form/contract): 

“No images may be used in or in conjunction with any adult product, services, websites or 800/900 numbers and the like.” 
     Some people will have no problem, some people will be strict in their terms--know what you are willing to bend on and what is not flexible--and whatever you do, be sure to communicate your needs/guidelines to the photographer/client IN ADVANCE! On set is not the time to negotiate terms! Make sure you BOTH sign the release form and that you BOTH get a copy! 

What are some safety tips for shoots? 
I have read online many photographers who claim to not allow escorts on shoots, but to me, especially with photographers you "met" online, this is a huge red flag! No one wants someone on set that will be a distraction or disrespect the shoot in any way, and over-protective parents or jealous boyfriends are sure-fire disasters, but anyone who tells you you can't bring an escort/friend seems fishy to me. Once you have worked with someone, you usually feel safer and know if there is a makeup/hair artist(s) on set with you, and its not usually necessary after the first shoot to bring an escort, but having a friend come along to make sure you are okay is smart the first time around. Paid agency work is the only exception to this in my book, as they are most likely legit companies with lots of paperwork filled out through your agent in advance. On every shoot, you should ALWAYS, NO MATTER WHAT, leave the address of where you are shooting and names of people you are working with both at your home and with someone you trust. You'd much rather be the girl who is overly cautious rather than another one gone missing! Err on the side of caution on this! Your life is too precious not to! 

What are the limits of pinup? Can/Should I do topless/nude/implied/etc?
First off--if you are under the age of 18, stick to cheesecake, my dears! No nudity or even implied nudity, and beware the sexy poses! It doesn't matter how grown up and mature you feel, it's the weirdos looking at you with wrong intentions that underage modeling unfortunately promotes. It really doesn't matter how mature you act or feel, its inappropriate for adults to portray you in a seductive way. And illegal in this country, to boot. Stay with the cute headshots and vintage dress & fashion pics until you are legal! Doing otherwise invokes nuthin’ but trouble and kiddie-porn freaks! 
     Setting limits on nudity is a personal choice--one for each adult person to decide on their own-- but keep in mind that your pictures will be out there forever once they're taken. Know before a shoot what is expected of you--and make sure you are clear with the client/photographer on what your limits are (No nudity at all, implied only, topless, etc.) Deciding in advance what is okay with you and sticking to it is easier than going with the flow and submitting to any kind of pressure on set. Know that--sad, but true--nude photos are more sell-able, so if they can talk you into losing your top, it just means more $ for them. Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with! These pics will likely be around longer than you are, so make sure you are agreeing to what you want to do, not just what they ask of you. 
     Also*** Not taking your top off will NEVER result in you getting “black listed” or not having a career, or any other bullsh*t excuse anyone tries to give you. There are tons of girls who do well without doing nudity, and there are tons of girls who specialize in it- and if nudity is what they wanted for the shoot, they could have easily hired someone who openly does it. NEVER feel pressured!***

Come back next month for more tips and a lil' Q & A!
 

A little about Heidi: "I starting acting in Texas at age 13, I have worked and trained as an actress in film, TV & commercials for most of my life, as well as working behind the lens on various projects. I have been shooting my own retro pinups since late 2003, when I started doing self-shot photos (just like Bunny Yeager did!) with a self timer and a tripod in my home. Since then, I've been on the cover of 3 books ("Hot Rod Pin Ups" by David Perry and MBI Publishing, "How to Be a Dominant Diva" by Avalon Press, and the new "Modern Vixens: World of Winytiki" by Octavio Arizala and Goliath Press) as well as being featured on the cover of 3 (and inside 2 other) Pin Up Calendars for 2007, magazine covers and countless layouts, features and interviews in counter-culture publications, as well as a few mainstream mags. I've gotten to work with tons of amazing companies and photographers, including original pinup, pinup photographer & living legend, Bunny Yeager--shooting on the same beach where she and Bettie Page made Pin Up history! Living in LA pursuing my acting, I've kept myself busy on the side shooting the genre I love the most- and I'm thrilled to see how the niche has grown and grown worldwide!" 

Have a question for Heidi? E-mail us and we'll send it along to her!
 


 
 

View Heidi's Femme Fatale Page>>>


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