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How to Use Pinterest for Modeling Inspiration

You may already be familiar with Pinterest. Think of it as the digital equivalent to the old fashioned “inspiration board” without the hassle of cutting up every ad you love from magazines and tediously pinning each one to a bulletin board. Simple searches on Pinterest will give you hours of entertainment. Just be warned you may fall into the “Pinterest vortex” and realize you’ve been online for hours! You can waste the day away looking up recipes, crafts and street style outfit ideas, but as a model what I mostly use Pinterest for is inspiration — in particular, photo shoot inspiration. I look for images that move me, excite the senses and make me want to recreate the feeling of that moment in a shoot of my own. This is especially helpful when you’re working for trade and have creative input. You can literally put yourself directly in the fantasy with a photographer who shares your same passion.

See my last article for more information about getting the most of TF shoots


Model: Valerie Wyndham; Photographer: Lee South

A few of my favorite key phrases to search for inspiration are global editions of fashion magazines. For example, if you search for “Vogue Russia” or “Bazaar UK,” you’ll see some of the best photography in the world. I also like to type in the names of my favorite current supermodels such as Cara Delevingne, Poppy Delevingne, Lily Aldridge, Karlie Kloss, and Gigi Hadi. But don’t forget the classic supermodels we all aspire to be (even remotely) like: Tyra Banks, Daniela Pestova, Shalom Harlow, Kate Moss, Daria Werbowy, and possibly my all-time favorite for her amazing range – Natalia Vodianova.

It’s important to remember all the names of the photographers, magazine editors, stylists and, of course, models whose work you admire. As a huge “America’s Next Top Model” fan, I love searching for past shoots from various cycles and (even more so) specific names of modeling contestants I was drawn to. A few of my favorites are Elina Ivanova, Katarzyna Dolinska, Brittani Kline, and Raina Hein. The same goes for classic models of the past! Some of my top picks to search for in preparation for a pinup shoot or anything classic or retro inspired are models/actresses like Suzy Parker, Marie-Helene Arnaud, Brigitte Bardot and Lauren Bacall.


Model: Valerie Wyndham

Below, I’ve included a link below to my personal Pinterest page that I hope you’ll enjoy. Every image that I pin is for a different reason. For some it’s the location. For others, it’s the makeup, hair, or styling. Some are for the model’s pose alone. If you model frequently, it’s so easy to get into a rut and not challenge yourself to create shapes with your body that make for a more interesting shot. Trust me, it feels silly at first, but if you push yourself you’ll be happy you took the risk. Some of the most impressive shots I have in my portfolio felt downright stupid at time. But that’s the beauty of photography, isn’t it? If you let loose and get into character with complete disregard for what is around you or what feels weird, it can seriously pay off.

Just remember –sources of inspiration are everywhere! Allow the beautiful images you find on Pinterest to open your eyes to a world of possibility. Luckily for you, all you need is a photographer and an open mind.

You can follow my Pinterest board at www.pinterest.com/socalvalerie.

Valerie Wyndham

Valerie Wyndham is an American host/model/actress of English and Welsh descent. Valerie specializes in Fashion, Glamour/Pinup and Lingerie modeling with experience in Print, Tradeshow and Fitness modeling. She is currently a feature model for ‘MuscleMag’ and is a host for “Impact Wrestling” seen every Thursday night on Spike TV. Her website is valeriewyndham.net.

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One Response to “How to Use Pinterest for Modeling Inspiration”

  1. February 16, 2015 at 7:11 pm, r c said:

    Perhaps if I took all of your photos, stripped the data from them and hosted them on my server for everyone to view so I could make ad revenue money without paying you a red cent on your effort, you would have a different view of that site. Pinterest is the biggest scum on the Internet. How nice of you to glorify them without any realization of how they de-value the craft of photography.

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