Mirror
Mirrors, they are always so tempting to use in a shoot, yet they can also be the most frustrating and awkward prop you can imagine.
For a start they always seem to be reflecting some part of the studio, or the photographer, or the lights or the whatever it is that's not supposed to be in shot.
If it is showing part of the environment, then you still have to make sure that it is properly lit to match into the overall lighting theme for the shoot.
The final part - and most crucial is the models eye line. The model can look direct to the camera or, look directly at the reflection of the camera. Both will work, but take care that the "other" eyes (live or reflected) are not left in a strange direction and with too much eye white showing.
The model can also look directly at herself - a more natural look, but this tends to turn the head so the back of the head is to camera.
Finally, take care about your camera focus - you must always focus on the eyes that are strongest in the image - probably the ones looking to camera. You can use your autofocus to focus on the reflection - it will get it right. Just make sure you are not focussing on the back of the model.
The first image is an example of direct to self gaze.
The second image is a direct to camera gaze, but we are using the lipstick brush as a symbolic tease.
The longer shot is about giving a nice bum view - especially for the partner. The setup is sort of natural, the sitter has to bend over to see herself in the mirror - but I've also kept the gaze to camera as this lends a certain "cheekiness" to the shot that lifts it above the crass.
key points
Always check what's reflected in the mirror - then check again as soon as you move to a new position.
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