Model
Pa Model - Laura Mae
Posts: 43
Brickerville, Pennsylvania, US
I recently have had two non-nude, bikini website offers. They seem compelling because it's paid work and this is a rare thing for me to find since I have little experience.
People will bascially being paying to see me in a bikini. This seems kind of odd to me. Aren't there countless pictures of beautiful women on the web that can be viewed for free?
Also, this website work, is it generally respected? It seems like it can sometimes be looked down on. But I have also heard it has helped careers.
What do you guys think? Anyone who has had positive or negative experiences with this I would LOVE to hear from you.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
It's respectable work. Go collect and cash that check. It won't hurt your "career" on any level what-so-ever.
Model
Pa Model - Laura Mae
Posts: 43
Brickerville, Pennsylvania, US
That's good to hear. I have heard that it has helped some models remarkably. Any other opinions?
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28822
Phoenix, Arizona, US
I'm not so sure that it would hurt or help your career, it could really go both ways. What it will do, if you put the time and the effort into it, is make you a steady paycheck.. and if done right can make you a small fortune. That said, it does take a lot of effort and dedication to make something like this successful. It's not something that will make you rich overnight..
Model
theda
Posts: 21719
New York, New York, US
How could anyone really tell you if it's respectyable based on what you've told us? There are some respectable non-nude paysites out there and some sleezy ones.
Photographer
Moraxian
Posts: 2607
Germantown, Maryland, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
I recently have had two non-nude, bikini website offers. They seem compelling because it's paid work and this is a rare thing for me to find since I have little experience.
People will bascially being paying to see me in a bikini. This seems kind of odd to me. Aren't there countless pictures of beautiful women on the web that can be viewed for free?
Also, this website work, is it generally respected? It seems like it can sometimes be looked down on. But I have also heard it has helped careers.
What do you guys think? Anyone who has had positive or negative experiences with this I would LOVE to hear from you. It depends on the site, the producers, the photographers, etc. on whether or not it will help and hinder your modeling career.
The main thing, however, what you are looking to do as a model. What are your career goals? Will the shoot be good experience, will it add something to your resume`? Since it's paid work, the producer is going to dictate what is shot, but you always have the right to say something is making you uncomfortable, or is not something you want to do.
I will say this, posing in a bikini takes a lot of poise and a lot of ability. Being able to act casual even though you're almost completely naked is a skill not every model has. Good luck with it, whatever your decision is. 
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
theda wrote:
How could anyone really tell you if it's respectyable based on what you've told us? Because she said it was a bikini shoot? How raunchy can those get if the suit stays on?
Nevermind, I just thought about those sheer Brazilian bikinis that become invisible when wet.
Photographer
Glamour Boulevard
Posts: 8628
Sacramento, California, US
Monsante Bey wrote:
Because she said it was a bikini shoot? How raunchy can those get if the suit stays on?
Nevermind, I just thought about those sheer Brazilian bikinis that become invisible when wet. Ever seen a micro or micro mini bikini?
http://the-bikini.com
to make a long story short, lets say the front of the bottom is as thong as the back lol
Photographer
Zunaphoto
Posts: 429
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Ruin...unless your goal is to become a web-model.
Photographer
area291
Posts: 2525
Calabasas, California, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
it's paid work and this is a rare thing for me to find since I have little experience. What other options do you have? You could continue playing around with TFP or make some $$ with this offer.
Face it, the modeling offers to make money aren't going to roll in due to you being statistically challenged and by your lack of committment due to other priorities stated in your portfolio (school).
This is the type of work that goes with the Internet territory.
Model
Cynthia Leigh
Posts: 799
Orlando, Florida, US
It's a mixed bag. If you're suitable for commercial and/or runway modeling then it's not worth it and will only hinder you in the end.
But if you can't make those markets, you're going to be a part of some niche market or another. So, I see no problem with being a "net-model" or any other type of modeling that's generally frowned upon if you're getting paid.
If you can't be the next Cindy Crawford, you might as well laugh all the way to the bank like they do.
Photographer
Zunaphoto
Posts: 429
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Anyone know any strippers, personally, who are "laughing all the way to the bank?" Everone I know, distantly, operating even fringe "Adult" websites, are also running women in every other way. It's a natural for them, they possess the cunning to lure and deal with people who are willing to trade themselves for a bit of cash. You don't want to know these people. You don't want to work with these people. You don't even want these people to know you exist. Stern warning time...you have NO idea what is out there once you start moving away from truly legitimate work, clothes on. Sorry, my 2 bits from knowing too many scumbags. They are ruthless.
Model
Pa Model - Laura Mae
Posts: 43
Brickerville, Pennsylvania, US
Yes, Zunaphoto, I have been extremely cautious b/c I have heard horror stories as well. I also am an avid Lifetime movie watcher (haha) and they had a movie about online models and how horrible things can get.
I'm actually looking into working with an agency so I don't have to feel so stressed about figuring out what I should and shouldn't be doing; there can be such thin lines with modeling in regards to what is good legit work and what is not.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
Zunaphoto wrote:
Anyone know any strippers, personally, who are "laughing all the way to the bank?" Everone I know, distantly, operating even fringe "Adult" websites, are also running women in every other way. It's a natural for them, they possess the cunning to lure and deal with people who are willing to trade themselves for a bit of cash. You don't want to know these people. You don't want to work with these people. You don't even want these people to know you exist. Stern warning time...you have NO idea what is out there once you start moving away from truly legitimate work, clothes on. Sorry, my 2 bits from knowing too many scumbags. They are ruthless. Yea that's it, fill her head with garbage. As if the Lifetime network doesn't do enough damage.
Photographer
Zunaphoto
Posts: 429
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Garbage? Really? You should get out more if you think for a second this stuff isn't real.
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28822
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Monsante Bey wrote:
As if the Lifetime network doesn't do enough damage. LOL. That part was funny!
Photographer
Miguel Book 1
Posts: 1473
Washington, District of Columbia, US
I will say that all depend on what is your ultimate goal as a model.
Make money or be succesful under any circunstance?
Make money or be succesful keeping certain values that are important to you?
You are going to receive mix messages in the forum.
The go ahead and the don't do it.
Only you know what matter to you.
So far for what we can read you are starting, bottom line, move in the direction that you would like to see yourself in 10 years.
Bikini?
Swim wear?
Print?
Web?
Nudes?
And my last question will be:
If I really have the potential for what I am dreaming for?
I would love to be a basketball player but with 5.6 , will never make it.
So I do things that I may have some talent and try to work,improve and polish my skills to make it better.
Thanks
Dr Phil
I mean Miguel
Photographer
The Don Mon
Posts: 3315
Ocala, Florida, US
are you here to model or chat with people?
model...so go model
Photographer
Glamour Boulevard
Posts: 8628
Sacramento, California, US
Ever notice how when a model asks" should I do this" they are told to be careful, especially by photographers. Yet a lot of those same photographers will shoot anything for money,lol.
Photographer
Zunaphoto
Posts: 429
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Photographer
BlindMike
Posts: 9594
San Francisco, California, US
Glamour Boulevard wrote:
Ever notice how when a model asks" should I do this" they are told to be careful, especially by photographers. Yet a lot of those same photographers will shoot anything for money,lol. Well it's not like I'm getting naked when I shoot people. Yet.
Photographer
Marvin Dockery
Posts: 2243
Alcoa, Tennessee, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
I recently have had two non-nude, bikini website offers. They seem compelling because it's paid work and this is a rare thing for me to find since I have little experience.
People will bascially being paying to see me in a bikini. This seems kind of odd to me. Aren't there countless pictures of beautiful women on the web that can be viewed for free?
Also, this website work, is it generally respected? It seems like it can sometimes be looked down on. But I have also heard it has helped careers.
What do you guys think? Anyone who has had positive or negative experiences with this I would LOVE to hear from you. Laura,
Get their money and smile all the way to the bank.
Photographer
A. H A M I L T O N
Posts: 325
Coventry, England, United Kingdom
I'm actually looking into working with an agency so I don't have to feel so stressed about figuring out what I should and shouldn't be doing; there can be such thin lines with modeling in regards to what is good legit work and what is not. http://www.newmodels.com/
At 5'2" your chances of landing an agency are about 1 in (What's the current planetary census again?) Give or take a few million. That isn't cruel, that isn't mean, that isn't rude, that's simply the way it works.
That leaves various forms of artistic, promotional, and Internet modeling. Almost all of those "gigs" revolve in some form or fashion around your body as an object...You either have a problem with that, or you don't, but no one here can make up your mind for you. It won't ruin your "career" in modeling because without that type of work, you don't have one, sorry to say.
Andy
Photographer
American Glamour
Posts: 38813
Detroit, Michigan, US
My real question is What did they offer you?
So many of these deals are vaporware, percentage deals that never turn into anything, anyhow.
Whether or not it will hurt your career hinges on a lot of things. What is true is that few of these non-nude sites do very well (unless they are 18 year olds doing very suggestive implied) so what do you expect to make?
Unless they are very established companies with teriffic affiliate programs making you an offer you can't refuse, look at the deal carefully.
So my comment is this. First look at the deal. Is it really going to make you any money? If it is unclear, then you have to ask why you would want to expose yourself heavily on the net for nothing?
If there is certainty you will make money (and I am skeptical of these non-nude sites), then balance the money against your concerns.
Basically, don't do it for free. Be sure you will be paid and paid properly or don't bother. Once you know the real dollars, then you can do the balancing act.
That is just my view.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
Zunaphoto wrote:
Garbage? Really? You should get out more if you think for a second this stuff isn't real. No, YOU should get out more and experience life.
I know PLENTY of strippers that are laughing all the way to the bank. WHY do you think they're strippers???? For the showmanship??? HAHAHA!!!
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45475
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Zunaphoto wrote:
Anyone know any strippers, personally, who are "laughing all the way to the bank?" Everone I know, distantly, operating even fringe "Adult" websites, are also running women in every other way. It's a natural for them, they possess the cunning to lure and deal with people who are willing to trade themselves for a bit of cash. You don't want to know these people. You don't want to work with these people. You don't even want these people to know you exist. Stern warning time...you have NO idea what is out there once you start moving away from truly legitimate work, clothes on. Sorry, my 2 bits from knowing too many scumbags. They are ruthless. Yes, I do personally know strippers who laugh all the way to the bank! BUT what do strippers and models have to do with each other? Absolutely nothing!
Not that being a stripper is a bad thing, it isn't, but models do get pictures taken that they are paid good money to do regardless if it's seen in an advertisement in the newspaper or on a website. Modeling in a bikini for pictures posted on the Internet is not much different than if she modeled for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue ... in fact it would be online either way. ALL MAJOR PUBLICATIONS have websites, and many of these major publications are subscriptions sites.
Now I would like to introduce you to a beautiful model by the name of Jessica Marie Jones who has a very busy modeling career. She DOES NOT pose nude even though she has been photographed and video taped as a spokes model for Playboy.com. Jessica has been the most clicked on model on OneModelPlace.com or pretty darn close with over 3 million hits! She has an extremely popular yahoo group and a website that does charge a small fee (I think it's around $5 a month) to subscribe. Jessica is also signed by a mainstream agency, and is very popular with photographers plus clients all over the globe! Does having so much exposure on the Internet hurt her one bit? Not at all!
So tell me once again what you consider "truly legitimate work?" Sorry to blow up at you, but it makes me mad when ignorant people equate models on the Internet as doing porn. "Non nude" means exactly that!
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45475
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
I recently have had two non-nude, bikini website offers. They seem compelling because it's paid work and this is a rare thing for me to find since I have little experience.
People will bascially being paying to see me in a bikini. This seems kind of odd to me. Aren't there countless pictures of beautiful women on the web that can be viewed for free?
Also, this website work, is it generally respected? It seems like it can sometimes be looked down on. But I have also heard it has helped careers.
What do you guys think? Anyone who has had positive or negative experiences with this I would LOVE to hear from you. It wont hurt your career one bit. Might even bring more jobs your way!
Besides, even if you were to start your own website like some models I know, the income can be better than what any talent agent can get you! The traditional talent industry is being shaken up in more ways than one by the Internet! You ought to see what it's doing to the major record labels! They are shitting their pants because many of the same formally signed artists are finding that they can make more money from having an e-label than when they were signed by the major label. I'm very happy to see it happen because I've know many friends who were so terribly excited to get signed to million dollar contracts as soon as they turned 18, yet were very disappointed when they found out the small print stipulated that they had to pay for all the expenses of recording and touring. Many came home owing the record label money! The tide has turned and we have the Internet to thank for it!
Photographer
Zunaphoto
Posts: 429
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Yup, lots and lots of ...jobs. Very legit and real jobs too! Let's make sure all the 19 year old's dive in the deep end with no warnings, but lots of encouragement, to "model" like this for fast money. Nothing wrong with it. Who knows? maybe one day YOU will need to shoot her! Mustn't discourage anyone! And of course anyone who tries is just "ignorant". Not reasonable, ignorant. Give your head a shake, pal.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45475
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Zunaphoto wrote:
Yup, lots and lots of ...jobs. Very legit and real jobs too! Let's make sure all the 19 year old's dive in the deep end with no warnings, but lots of encouragement, to "model" like this for fast money. Nothing wrong with it. Who knows? maybe one day YOU will need to shoot her! Mustn't discourage anyone! And of course anyone who tries is just "ignorant". Not reasonable, ignorant. Give your head a shake, pal. You have not given one single logical reason as to support why she shouldn't do this modeling job other than to compare it to "stripping?" So if you have some substance to back your claims that this is in any way harmful to her career then let's hear it!
At 5' 2" in height, Laura's prospects for the traditional "fashion runway" work is limited. She photographs very well in a swimsuit, so of course she should take the job!
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45475
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Heck, google any celebrity and you'll find gangbusters full of more sites than Laura is on right now! And many are sites you have to pay to subscribe to. I shoot for magazines. Any magazine worth getting in has a website!
It does not seem to hurt anyone's career as an actor, musician or model to get their pictures on the 'net unless it's some sort of uncompromising poses! Even the porn tapes have not killed off some of those celebrity careers!
Photographer
Arizona Shoots
Posts: 28822
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Patrick Walberg wrote:
Now I would like to introduce you to a beautiful model by the name of Jessica Marie Jones who has a very busy modeling career. She DOES NOT pose nude even though she has been photographed and video taped as a spokes model for Playboy.com. Jessica has been the most clicked on model on OneModelPlace.com or pretty darn close with over 3 million hits! She has an extremely popular yahoo group and a website that does charge a small fee (I think it's around $5 a month) to subscribe. Jessica is also signed by a mainstream agency, and is very popular with photographers plus clients all over the globe! She is freaking HOT! Holy Cow!
Model
Athenachan
Posts: 24
Astoria, New York, US
Do it. I've been doing non nude internet modeling for 2 years now. Unless your on SSgirls there is no "dark side" If they arange the shoots, bring an escort and you'll be fine.
why do guys pay for this? I'm not sure. I've talked to a few and they honstly perfer the more natural look to a airbrushed playboy spread. A few also would rather some one skimply dressed than someone with it all hanging out.
It won't hurt your carrer and it might even give you a few good shots for your port.
(cause all I'm seeing now are snap shots)
Photographer
Carl J Speed II
Posts: 2662
San Antonio, Texas, US
I know you're speaking from your personal experiences, but doesn't that sound like a tad bit of a generalization? Business is business, and adult photography/porn/websites are a business as well. Maybe some are lecherous and creepy, but I'm also willing to wager that there are many who are just in it to make money. Sex sells. We can all skirt around the issue, tell ourselves we won't lower ourselves to that denominator, it doesn't mean we have to hate on those who do. There are plenty of creepy guys trying to get models to do adult internet stuff. There are plenty of guys who are normal, and just businessmen, who are trying to get models to do adult internet stuff. Zunaphoto wrote:
Anyone know any strippers, personally, who are "laughing all the way to the bank?" Everone I know, distantly, operating even fringe "Adult" websites, are also running women in every other way. It's a natural for them, they possess the cunning to lure and deal with people who are willing to trade themselves for a bit of cash. You don't want to know these people. You don't want to work with these people. You don't even want these people to know you exist. Stern warning time...you have NO idea what is out there once you start moving away from truly legitimate work, clothes on. Sorry, my 2 bits from knowing too many scumbags. They are ruthless.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
Patrick Walberg wrote:
You have not given one single logical reason as to support why she shouldn't do this modeling job other than to compare it to "stripping?" So if you have some substance to back your claims that this is in any way harmful to her career then let's hear it!
At 5' 2" in height, Laura's prospects for the traditional "fashion runway" work is limited. She photographs very well in a swimsuit, so of course she should take the job! He doesn't, and he can't. That's why his "points" are asanine at best.
I mean hell, she has swimsuit pics in her portfolio, so it's not like it's something she won't do in front of a camera.
Next he'll be saying that they'll cut her head off and paste it on top of a naked body. lol
Model
Pa Model - Laura Mae
Posts: 43
Brickerville, Pennsylvania, US
thanks everyone, I think I have heard all the sides now. I also have researched a little more and have made my decision.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
And what would that be? Don't leave us hanging.
Model
Pa Model - Laura Mae
Posts: 43
Brickerville, Pennsylvania, US
I decided for right now, I'm not going to do the website work, especially the offers I recently got. An angency just contacted me and is interested in working with me so, I'm hoping that can lead me to some print and promotional jobs that I don't have to worry about as much. Maybe eventually I will do website work, but I don't want to do something that I'm not comfortable with, or something that I will lie awake at night and worry about. I researched both of my website work offers and really began to question them due to the poor quailty of their other models' sites and how their images were no better than the ones taken of me by my younger sister (many were off-centered, with bad lighting, and had models in corny outfits). I guess when I heard paid job I was so excited I overlooked the truth. Thanks again for your time everyone.
Photographer
Monsante Bey
Posts: 2111
Columbus, Georgia, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
I researched both of my website work offers and really began to question them due to the poor quailty of their other models' sites and how their images were no better than the ones taken of me by my younger sister (many were off-centered, with bad lighting, and had models in corny outfits). I guess when I heard paid job I was so excited I overlooked the truth. Ah, an excellent decision based on these points, indeed!!
Model
Candy Poses
Posts: 3380
Seattle, Washington, US
Zunaphoto wrote:
Yup, lots and lots of ...jobs. Very legit and real jobs too! Let's make sure all the 19 year old's dive in the deep end with no warnings, but lots of encouragement, to "model" like this for fast money. Nothing wrong with it. Who knows? maybe one day YOU will need to shoot her! Mustn't discourage anyone! And of course anyone who tries is just "ignorant". Not reasonable, ignorant. Give your head a shake, pal. There's a difference between giving reasonable advice and assuming that a model is a poor little girl who can't think for herself and make her own decisions. You've been doing the latter.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45475
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Pa Model - Laura Mae wrote:
I decided for right now, I'm not going to do the website work, especially the offers I recently got. An angency just contacted me and is interested in working with me so, I'm hoping that can lead me to some print and promotional jobs that I don't have to worry about as much.
Maybe eventually I will do website work, but I don't want to do something that I'm not comfortable with, or something that I will lie awake at night and worry about. I researched both of my website work offers and really began to question them due to the poor quailty of their other models' sites and how their images were no better than the ones taken of me by my younger sister (many were off-centered, with bad lighting, and had models in corny outfits). I guess when I heard paid job I was so excited I overlooked the truth. Thanks again for your time everyone. On this one, it sounds like you made the right decision. There are hundreds, if not thousands of webmasters who go into the business of making cookie cutter and amateur model websites. That is not what I thought you had been in contact for. A friend of mine had recently wanted me to provide some of the photos we had shot for her to be a model on a website. I researched it and right away red flags came up!
I help models with building their own websites, so I network with other legit webmasters and photographers. This company that she was wanting to "work for" wanted her to be responsible for getting pictures shot! The offer was too good to be for non nude work, plus there was no guarantee that she would get paid. So I check out everything about this so called business. It seemed to be run by a marketing firm that places ads on websites. The sample websites all were the same template and looked exactly the same for each model. Each of these sites were in various degrees of completion, but what struck me as odd was the small percentage that even had a fully operational billing page. There were broken links on almost every poorly put together site, and the photography was very poor ... to the extent that I assume that many of the models were shooting themselves! Where they got paid was from the ads and number of "clicks" on their page. I was very unimpressed with the whole business layout, and explained my findings to her, and my friend decided not to do it then.
So doing research is important! If it were a photographer on here who has a nice website and were going to pay you for modeling, that would be different! There are many legitimate people who are running modeling sites as a business. If it were one of those, then I would still say "go for it!" But the biggest problem in the business of Internet modeling is getting paid! So if you do develop an interest in Internet modeling, research other successful websites, learn as much as you can before launching your own site. There are many successful models who run their own websites!
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