How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 5 Creating Anxiety

"Okay, let's take a rest."

Having been a master photographer for two lifetimes, Wang Yao's shooting skills had long since become muscle memory, especially for tasks like shooting model cards where he directly applied formulas.

When shooting a full-body shot, use a low camera angle, with the knees level with the camera, and shoot upwards, ensuring the subject's feet are at the bottom. This makes the subject appear slimmer and taller.

Shooting a half-body shot is a mid-range shot, with the camera level with the waist. When composing the shot, place the eye at one-third of the way down the frame, with the frame positioned around the thighs. This creates a natural and focused effect.

To shoot a close-up, use a high camera position, with the camera level with the model's eye level, and adjust the model's posture to convey emotions.

All that's left is to take several photos from each angle and then select the best ones.

Just have hands.

After hearing that it was time to rest, Naza breathed a sigh of relief and glanced furtively at Wang Yao, who was reviewing the footage in front of the monitor.

This guy is so different at work than he is in real life. He usually seems gentle and kind, but when he's working, he's like an emotionless machine, cold and hard.

I wanted to go and see how the filming went, but I was too afraid to get close to Wang Yao.

Fortunately, Nazha's mother had already reached Wang Yao's side, and Nazha tiptoed over to her.

"Mr. Wang's photos are really good." Nazha's mother hadn't had high expectations for Wang Yao's skills.

After all, Wang Yao is so young. She has taken Nazha to take countless photoshoots since she was a child. She has seen all kinds of photographers and can be considered a semi-amateur.

Moreover, the entire shoot took less than an hour, and there was no correction of Naza's movements or adjustment of the lighting. How could such a quick and hasty shoot produce anything of value?

It's simply because her daughter is pretty, so the photos don't turn out bad.

But to her utter surprise, the unedited photos were a revelation.

Against a simple, solid-color background, paired with simple clothing, and without any frills, the beautiful and youthful face of the adorable daughter Nazha is a delight to behold.

This is definitely the cleanest and most natural set of unedited photos she has ever seen.

This is the vitality and beauty that an 18-year-old girl from northern Xinjiang should display.

Nazha's mother highly approves of Wang Yao's aesthetic sense.

"Auntie, you can just call me Xiao Wang or Xiao Yao," Wang Yao said with a light laugh.

Naza's beautiful eyes couldn't hide her joy, and even her fear of Wang Yao lessened a bit.

"Then Auntie won't stand on ceremony. No wonder Mr. He said you're a genius photographer. Xiao Yao, you're the best photographer I've ever seen for Nazha in all these years." Nazha's mother was a little speechless.

“Most like me!” Naza exclaimed happily.

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Over the years, I’ve taken at least 8,000 to 10,000 photos of her, and they all felt a bit off. Whether they looked good or not was another matter, but they just didn’t look like my daughter. But this set of photos of yours is really good.” Nazha’s mother nodded in agreement.

"It's Miss Nazha who's beautiful; I only captured a tenth of her beauty through the camera," Wang Yao said with a smile.
"Normally speaking, without photo editing, a camera can only reproduce one-third of a person's appearance at most. After all, even the most advanced machine pales in comparison to the human eye. Miss Nazha is far more stunning in the eyes of the human eye than in a photograph."

Wang Yao's smile was warm and his eyes were clear. Even though his words were empty flattery, they sounded incredibly sincere coming from his mouth.

Naza's face instantly turned bright red, and she hugged her mother, hiding her face.

“If you keep praising her, she’ll get all cocky. Xiao Yao, how much do you charge for taking on projects now?” Naza’s mother patted her daughter’s bottom and turned to ask with a smile.

“I usually only shoot portraits, 2000 yuan per hour,” Wang Yao said with a smile.

In the current domestic market, photographers who charge 1000 yuan per hour are extremely rare. Those who dare to charge 2000 yuan per hour have at least won relevant awards or have other commercial advantages.

Wang Yao certainly didn't reach that level, but that didn't stop him from asking for that price.

In any case, when you're out and about, your worth is determined by yourself.

"So expensive," Naza exclaimed softly.

The highest she ever received was 3000 yuan a day.

"So most of the time, no one asks me to do any work," Wang Yao said with a light laugh.

“It’s worth it.” Naza’s mother smiled, her eyes crinkling.

"It's lunchtime, let's go eat. Mr. He has something to do at noon, and he specifically told me this morning to take good care of Auntie and Miss Nazha." Wang Yao noticed that Nazha's hand was always on her lower abdomen, and he didn't know whether she was hungry or in pain.

“No need for that. Your time is precious too. Let’s focus on our work,” Naza’s mother said, waving her hand.

"I don't agree with what you're saying, Auntie. Work is important, but health is more important. Although I haven't been in the industry long, many of the models I work with prioritize work all year round."

"Being plagued by gastrointestinal and immune system diseases at such a young age might seem like something you can just tough out when you're young, but it could leave lifelong health problems. If Miss Nazha is going to enter this industry in the future, health is the most important thing; fame and fortune are secondary," Wang Yao said seriously, shaking his head.

Naza's mother stared wide-eyed in surprise upon hearing this.

Shouldn't a college student of Wang Yao's age be taking advantage of his youth and ruining his health?

Why does this young man in front of me speak with such an old-fashioned tone?
Oh, maybe it's because children from wealthy families receive a different kind of education from a young age.

"Then Auntie will treat you to dinner." Nazha's mother turned to look at her daughter and, seeing that her daughter's complexion was indeed a little unwell, said with a smile.

I remember this girl came over this morning without eating breakfast so she could sleep a little longer. Although she only filmed for a little over an hour and didn't seem tired, it was actually quite physically demanding.

"Then I'll accept your offer without hesitation. I'll take you to try some local Shanghai cuisine." Wang Yao smiled.

"Great!" Naza popped her head out and laughed. Watching Wang Yao and the others leave, chatting and laughing, the others in the filming room began to murmur amongst themselves.

"Young Master Wang is such a good conversationalist! He's practically charmed this mother and daughter into submission."

"Moreover, the shooting technique is also somewhat different from before, and it even has a bit of a back-to-basics feel to it."

"Have you never seen a peacock display its tail feathers before?"

"Miss Nazha is indeed beautiful, but I don't think Mr. Wang is too interested in her."

The 2010 BMW was the undisputed representative of luxury cars.

The 5 Series, in particular, is basically the standard equipment for young white-collar executives in big cities.

Although it perfectly fits the stereotypes that Gulnazar and her mother have about Shanghai's elites.

But for Wang Yao to drive this car at his age seems a bit too young.

"Xiao Yao drives this car very steadily," Nazha's mother remarked casually.

"This is the company car. My car is in for maintenance. Actually, I prefer riding a motorcycle or electric bike. There are too many cars on the road in Shanghai, and the traffic jams are terrible," Wang Yao replied casually.

Nazha's mother subtly picked up on the information: they had their own car, as well as their own motorcycle and electric scooter.

Judging from Wang Yao's expression while driving, he is definitely a calm and experienced driver, and he is very familiar with luxury cars like the BMW 5 Series, so it can be basically confirmed that he comes from an extraordinary family. "Electric bikes are fine, but motorcycles are a bit dangerous."

“Yes, I rarely ride anymore after I started working. Does Auntie know how to drive?” Wang Yao asked with a smile.

"I can drive, but I'm not very good at it. My husband isn't in good health, so I learned to drive," Nazha's mother said with a smile.

“Auntie is clearly a capable person, just like my mother. I admire women like you the most,” Wang Yao said in a deep voice.

"Is your father not in good health either?" Naza, who was usually quiet, suddenly interjected.

"..." Naza's mother pinched her daughter, somewhat speechless.

That brat, how can she talk like that?

“I’m from a single-parent family.” Wang Yao smiled at Nazha in the rearview mirror.

Naza's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly panicked.

“It must have been very difficult for your mother to raise you all by herself.” Nazha’s mother felt a pang of empathy upon hearing this.

“Yes, she is great, but I am also very obedient.” Wang Yao smiled brightly.

Naza felt guilty again after seeing this.

Waaaaah, I deserve to die.

"We're here." Wang Yao stopped the car.

"Northern Xinjiang cuisine?" Nazha asked in surprise as she got out of the car.

Isn't this Shanghainese cuisine?

"Are you worried that we won't be used to the food?" Nazha's mother saw through Wang Yao's intentions and felt that the boy had a maturity and thoughtfulness that was different from his peers.

"It's authentic Shanghai-style Xinjiang-style braised chicken. Auntie will know once she tries it," Wang Yao said with a smile.

Wang Yao chose a restaurant specifically run by people from northern Xinjiang, because the meal wasn't the main purpose. The conversation at the dinner table would involve signing the contract, and being in a restaurant run by people from his hometown would increase Nazha and her daughter's sense of security and relaxation.

The environment is very important in negotiations.

In e-commerce terminology, this is called a consumption scenario.

As expected, when fellow countrymen meet, tears well up in their eyes. Nazha and her daughter, who were initially wary and cautious about the unfamiliar metropolis of Shanghai, became much more lively after entering the store, chatting enthusiastically with the owner in their hometown dialect.

Wang Yao ignored the conversation, focusing solely on ordering food and sterilizing the tableware.

As the dishes were served one after another, Wang Yao and Nazha's mother chatted at the table while Nazha buried her head in her food.

It was mostly Nazha's mother who was asking about Wang Yao, such as his university and family. Wang Yao's answers were watertight but ambiguous.

Seeing that Naza had eaten almost all of it and was starting to feel dizzy from the charcoal, Wang Yao felt that he had laid the groundwork enough and cut straight to the point: "What are Auntie's plans for Naza's future?"

Nazha's mother raised an eyebrow and wiped her mouth. "Yesterday, Mr. He talked to us a lot and gave us a lot of suggestions. To be honest, we don't really have much of a concept of models or actors."
We originally planned to have her audition for a local performing arts troupe, but the competition for spots is fierce, and she's not a good student. Last month, Ms. Li Ai invited us to participate in her program, so we thought we'd come and check it out; we didn't really have any other plans.”

Wang Yao nodded. "Although I have a management title at Tianhuo, I'm actually just a college student. I was quite clueless when I entered this industry."

“At least boys won’t be bullied, but it’s different for girls,” Nazha’s mother said.

“Auntie is mistaken. Men and women are the same. As long as there is profit to be made, they will be bullied by bad people.” Wang Yao shook his head with a smile upon hearing this.

Naza's mother was stunned.

Wang Yao's answer was unexpected, because she knew that Wang Yao was a lobbyist who wanted to sign Nazha. Normally, someone in his position should give reassuring answers that would make her feel at ease and anxious, such as how safe the company was, how united the team was, and that she would never be bullied after joining.

Why are you creating anxiety?

(End of this chapter)