Nigel Barker, known for his role on the judging panel of
America’s Next Top Model, has many other talents which include being an author,
a model, as well as a photographer.
Nigel became a successful model after his mum entered him in
to a TV show searching for new models, despite him at the time wanting to
pursue a career in medicine. It was the show that started his modelling career
after Nigel finished as a finalist. From there his modelling career lasted
around 10 years, with Nigel modelling all over the world, including Milan,
Paris and New York.
In 1998 he decided to focus on a different career after
accepting that modelling wouldn’t last forever. This career was photography.
Photography seemed to be his forte, resulting in him opening his own successful
photography studio StudioNB.
Some of his most successful shoots have taken place on
America’s Next Top Model, which he joined as a judge in 2003. However, as well
as judging the models, Nigel was given the opportunity to photograph the models
personally, helping them reach their full potential. Nigel has produced
stunning photos on, and off, the show, which not only capture the beauty of the
model, but also the beauty of the surroundings.
Nigel revealed tips to aspiring models and photographers on PopSugar TV, whilst also
giving quick demonstrations. These tips included:
- · Be yourself. Nigel says, “If you’re a goth, be a goth, If you’re a punk, be a punk, because there is nothing more beautiful than who you are.”
- · Be Spontaneous. Nigel says, “Spontaneity is very useful when you’re trying to take a picture. As a model you don’t just want to be that façade, you’ve got to have something that is going to create spark and it’s the photographer’s job to coax that out of them.”
- · Smile with your eyes. Nigel says, “There is nothing more important than smiling with your eyes, your eyes are the window to your soul and they truly tell the story of who you are.”
- · Don’t put yourself down. Nigel says, “A lot of people think they have a good side and a bad side, but that’s not the case. What you might think is your bad side is what other people might like.”
Well there you have it, some tips from a photographer who
has worked all over the world, here at LuxeModels we certainly agree with them!
