What Makes a Great High-Fashion Model
I’m a NYC-based fashion photographer, and over the years I’ve learned that – it’s the living energy between photographer and model that makes an image come alive. On set, trust and collaboration are everything. I remember shooting Rebekah Allred on location, and how her quiet confidence put me at ease. She would nod and smile at my ideas, trusting me to guide the shot. Because Rebekah trusted my vision, I felt free to try new lighting and angles. That trust made me work fearlessly. In fact, many photographers stress that a good model is open to ideas and willing to try any vision the photographer suggests. Rebekah exemplified this – she was game for anything and never stiffened up. Her openness turned each frame into a true collaboration.
Great models also bring positive energy and professionalism. Rebekah told me once (and I’ve seen it echoed in modeling tips): “On set you can control two things: your attitude and your effort. Provide positive energy and professionalism, and it will change your career for the better.” Every time she stepped in front of my camera, Rebekah brought a spark that lifted the whole shoot. That kind of upbeat energy is contagious: it pushes a photographer to create bolder art, and it sets everyone in the room at ease.
Self-awareness and authenticity go hand-in-hand with confidence. Danielle Herrington taught me this too. She insisted on wearing her own braided hair during our shoot – a decision the editors fully supported because true confidence comes from feeling authentic. Danielle was literally showing me her truest self, braid by braid, and that made her glow on film. When a model is grounded in her own identity, it shows. For Danielle, that authenticity even made history: she became the third Black woman on an SI Swimsuit cover (after Tyra and Beyoncé). Knowing she could be herself – unapologetically – is what made her extraordinary in front of the lens.
A good model is also versatile and emotionally available. I’ve worked with models who can seamlessly switch from a high-glamour look to something edgy or vulnerable. That range keeps an editorial shoot exciting. Rebekah, for instance, could go from a carefree smile to a soulful gaze in an instant. Photographers and models like to say that modeling is a bit like acting: it’s about telling a story with every frame. The strongest models let their guard down when needed – they show a bit of vulnerability to convey real emotion. I feel that vulnerability from a model when I can capture something genuine in their eyes. (And a model who resists everything never gives a chance for magic.)
Ultimately, the best models I’ve worked with are humble collaborators. They bring their own ideas, help with styling, and communicate what feels good or not, all without ego. On my shoots, Danielle and Rebekah both gave suggestions for poses or lighting tweaks – and trusted me to make the call. That creative back-and-forth feels a lot like the legendary photographer-muse duos of the past. Think of Helmut Newton and Grace Jones, or Herb Ritts and Naomi – they all talk about mutual trust and energy. In that sense, I see my own journey continuing a tradition: learning from legends and from the incredible Black women who continue to redefine fashion. In fact, models like Iman and Bethann Hardison banded together back in 1988 (the Black Girls Coalition) to demand respect and recognition. Today’s models stand on their shoulders, but the core lesson remains the same: talent, dignity and collaboration win the day.
Key Traits of a Great Model
Self-Awareness & Authenticity: A top model knows herself and feels comfortable in her own skin. She embraces her identity (like Danielle embracing her natural braids), and that authenticity shines through in every shot.
Trust & Collaboration: She’s open to the photographer’s ideas and willing to try new poses and concepts. As one photographer put it, “the willingness and trust of the models to try any pose their photographers suggest” is what makes a model exceptional. Rebekah’s easygoing trust always pushed our shoots to new heights.
Energy & Professionalism: A great model brings positive energy and work ethic to the set. By staying professional (and smiling through long shoots), she boosts creativity and teamwork. This attitude keeps everyone focused and inspired.
Embodiment & Physical Storytelling: She tells a story with her body. Through movement, posture and expression, she conveys mood without a word. I look for models who can dance, pose and shift seamlessly – they make each image feel alive.
Vulnerability & Emotional Range: The ability to show vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. A powerful model can go from strength to softness, allowing real emotion to come through. This emotional openness often captures the viewer’s imagination.
Versatility: Finally, a model shines when she can adapt to different styles – from high couture to raw street fashion – without losing her essence. Versatility means she can be reborn in every new shoot.
A great model is more than a pretty face; she’s a true creative partner. I’ve learned this from my idols and from every amazing person I’ve met behind the lens. Working with Danielle and Rebekah – as well as watching Naomi, Tyra and so many others – has shown me that the magic of fashion photography comes from connection. When a model is self-aware, trusting, and fully present, she lets the photographer do what they do best. The result is a photograph that’s not only visually stunning but also brimming with soul.
In the end, the “secret” to a great model is hard work meeting heart. They inspire us to push boundaries and tell stories that matter. I’m honored to be part of this journey and proud to highlight the Black excellence in modeling that continues to change the industry for the better. As Tyra once reminded us, achieving that kind of history-breaking moment “felt like being Beyoncé with the wind” – it comes from feeling free and powerful in your own truth. That is the essence of a truly good model: a collaborator, a storyteller, and above all, herself.
