Take for instance when coming up with a DJ set for an upcoming gig. If you're going to be playing all current tunes you have to acknowledge that not all the songs you will play will be incredible, but you better at least have the ones that get the crowd moving. You have to pace a set so that there are stand out songs at least every third track or you're going to end up clearing the dance floor rather quickly. There's nothing wrong with a couple filler tracks in between, but it can't all be fluff. Having a few extra tricks up your sleeve when mixing between songs is also a plus, but you don't need to do it for every single cross fade.
A photo set for SG needs the same thing. Choose an theme. Pick a great outfit (matching underwear and stockings always work!). Pick a fantastic location. Take at least 500 shots and expect only 100 to be good, 50 to be great, and 5 to be amazing. Put them in order (That, at least, has to be the easy part and yet some hopefuls don't even get that right.). Edit, edit, edit. If you have 9 pictures of the same pose in a row trust me, we don't need to see all of them. Just the best one.
A set needs movement, different angles, different poses to stay exciting. If your photographer has a tripod and doesn't move it at all during your set you can pretty much guarantee it's probably not going to get accepted. Most of all they need what I call "set stoppers." Photos where you can't help but say to yourself, "Damn, that's an amazing photograph." The ones where you click "Add to favorites" immediately.
Scott Smallin, Shazzy, tmronin are all masters of this. For great examples check out Scott's photos in Addison's Attic and Car's Jr sets. There are at least 20 beyond incredible photos per set. She should never have her picture taken by any other person in this world. They are an amazing team. tmronin's work with Kyra, Vivid, Willow. Shazzy's pictures of anyone, really. You need to know what makes a set great first if you plan on making one.
I realize that not everyone can get their hands on a staff photographer. Your boyfriend and his $100 digital camera aren't enough though. While there may be a comfort level that you can't get any other way you'll have to overcome your shyness and be willing to work with someone who is much better. Someone who actually understands lighting, set design, theme development, and props. How do you go about finding that? Well, it doesn't happen overnight. Do your research. Ask around, ask who is safe to work with, as well. Don't immediately throw your trust to the first person willing to show up with a spotlight and a Canon Rebel. Take your time and get it right.
Learn to take constructive criticism well. Believe it or not, there are some people who aren't cynical, who offer great advice and mean it. They might really think you have a shot, but that you're missing the mark in a few key places. The ones who tell you, "I can't understand why this didn't go live!!!" aren't helping at all. Hype and false hope are things you don't need to hear.
And lastly, ask yourself. Why do you want to be an SG. Is it for validation? Is it for popularity? Those aren't the right reasons. Do it because you really want to show yourself to the world in a creative, artistic, and empowering way. That you believe in yourself first. Show us your charisma, your sexiness, your passion, and most of all your confidence.
My favorite hopefuls...
Kya
Analysis
Oogie
Lacuna7
Antionne
