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Having a problem with getting models to talk to me
You should definently try San Antonio and Austin. There are alot of us up here so you may find what your looking for.  Jan 05 06 12:59 am Link Ryan Hundl wrote: make friends with a fashion designer thats been in the buisness for a few years. we usually have tons of models we can refer you too. exp if you do free work for us.take a look at my page and my friends list as well as my photo pagefor example Jan 05 06 01:35 am Link Deadly Design Make-up wrote: that also helps. Jan 05 06 01:36 am Link Frank Hart wrote: Thats a good bit of advice....lol Pay thousands of dollars for the best equipment money can buy or you an afford- buy a computer, pay for phone line, pay for printing, paper, ink, lighting equipment, studio rental, back drops, refelctors, location costs like, parking fees, scrims, books, classes, pay for special siminars often costing hundreds of dollars, pay for your film, pay for additional updated equipment, gas for photoshoots, meals, toll roads, etc etc etc. Just to produce really professional images, to then turn around and get to work for free doing TFCD, what a privledge.... Jan 05 06 01:44 am Link Ive never paid a model once in my life ... =P Or a makeup artist for that matter .. heh. Ok .. Once I gave a makeup artist $40 for a last min shoot, but you really do not need to pay for models. Not begining models, or models with crappy books at least. A good photographer that can give you a decent print for your book is hard to come by. Once you find one, you have to find about 14-19 more good ones to fill up the rest of the pages. To me, and this could be ego talking, but models are a dime a dozzen. Its great images that are hard to come by. Jan 05 06 02:07 am Link I agree with those that say ur gonna need to build ur book with more models. Right now with ur portfolio ur coming across as a decent photographer, but still justs a GWC. (Don't feel bad, EVERY starting photographer goes through these growing pains. I did. But now the only frustration I feel is turning away models, cuz I'm basically a nice guy and don't like to hurt anyone's feelings.) In attracting new models I think honesty is the best policy. Walking up and handing a card doesn't work. People'll think ur a weirdo. Shooting strippers doesn't either, cus ur port will look like a bunch of strippers, and that will scare off the decent models. (Most starting photographers want to jump off into nude work immediately and that's a BIG mistake...that will really get you the GWC label with the word weirdo in the list of ingredients.Just like a starting model, don't expect too much too soon.) I'd sugest you take ur current weakness, (lack of models in your book) and turn it into a strength. Tell potentials right up front ur new, just starting out, and needing to build ur book. (Kinda like Bush did before the debates in lowering the expectations by basically saying he just "looks like" an embisile but really isn't before hand, so everyone wouldn't realize he really is an idiot.) Let them know u'll take them on whatever terms they'll give. Don't act like they'll love every shot, but surely they'll get a few good ones out of the deal. (Remember right now u need new and different faces.) Keep ur standards high. NEVER put ugly models in ur book cuz the models will think working with you would be beneath them. I'd suggest four things: 1. Contact ur local community theatre groups and college drama departments and tell then ur a new photographer and looking to shoot headshots and fashion TFP. (Making it clear ur not trying to get anyone naked.) 2. Continue to write models on the sites but do it with the tone ur new and need their help building ur book. New models UNDERSTAND the notion of someone needing a break or opportunity. (Again, don't make any promises they'll immediately suspect u won't come through on.) 3. Place ads in ur local student papers offering paid assignments, and be prepared to fork over some cash. There's lots of good looking potentials that would jump at 25.00 an hour (again staying away from nudity) and in 2-4 hours u've got a new face/image to add to your portfolio. 4. Try to affiliate with a local established photographer or two and ask for help. Ask them if u can come in and shoot a few models in tandem with them. In about a year of doing this...u too can be a choosy-fluzie! Good luck! Brian Jan 05 06 07:35 am Link male-portfolios wrote: I agree competely! The right to shoot (or pose) nudes should be an earned privledge. There is too much risk of damage to reputations of both the model and photographer from bad nude work! Jan 05 06 12:27 pm Link just a pasing comment, who or why would anyone be a 'regular' in a strip club? in the middle of bum-fuck america no less? sheesh people? pick up a fucking book, go to the gym, work on your tan, rescue an animal, learn a foreign language, or even english, or something for crissakes. sit in a topless bar everday? alone? i got nothing against strippers, or porn stars, a few are really good friends of mine but i dont watch them work everyday sheesh. now, i get models to pose for me by telling them i really dont have time to shoot them Jan 05 06 08:56 pm Link "I agree competely! The right to shoot (or pose) nudes should be an earned privledge." LOL. Jan 06 06 11:29 am Link I've just been through explaining to a young local guy how to do this, and he was a great example of how people don't see opportunities that are right in front of them. The hard part is to get those first few shoots. First, I'll spin off what Susan said, because I don't do commercial anymore so my approach needs to be a little different than what she suggests. I do agree with her that most attractive women are constantly approached by guys with cameras. That memans you need to establish credibility somehow, usually in the first 30 seconds. Otherwise you're just another one of those guys. So first, you need some work to show. Easiest way to do that is to start with friends, just tell them you need a favor, explain why, be honest. With the guy the other day, first thing I noticed is he knows a ton of people. While we're talking a girl walks in who knows him well, and who I casually know. So I demonstrated, said hey, Charles here needs to build a portfolio, will you help? We were shooting half an hour later. Then once you've got shots, carry a small book, I use a simple 4x6 that fits in my pocket so it's always handy (never know when you'll meet a potential model down at the coffee house), or carry a larger one if it's an event where there's a high probability of meeting models. Keep posting work online as you get better and more confident, and the models will come. You'll smile a few years from now when you think about this, and models are contacting you more often than the other way around. It does take time though, be patient and keep at it. Another helpful hint: If there's a young lady you're close to, ask her to walk you through how to approach models without sending a creepy-vibe; learn how to see through the eyes of the person you're contacting. Jan 06 06 11:45 am Link I like that. Shes absolutely right. By nature, I just have a sort of way with women, but ask your sister, or mom how to approach a girl. That just might work. =P j/k No, good avice. Jan 06 06 11:52 am Link What kind of models are you approaching? Most beginner models would love to TFP, try One Model Place. Jan 08 06 04:02 pm Link See if there's a glamour workshop in your area, so you can build up your model portfolio. I shot my first model shots at workshops. It's a pretty bad place to shoot, but you can get some good shots to post here and on OMP, so models see that you have some experience. Jan 08 06 06:46 pm Link Have you tried One Model Place? There are many newbie models that would love to TFP. I guarantee you would have no trouble there. Jan 09 06 12:03 am Link Ryan Hundl wrote: Hi Ryan ....for Start rewrite your all thread and do not use the word " try " this will change Jan 09 06 12:27 am Link I love those stories. Jan 09 06 12:36 am Link susan_seattle wrote: Okay I'll bite....what's the dif? Jan 09 06 12:21 pm Link I just contacted the fashion/retail dept at a local university and they seemed thrilled with the idea of my shooting the students and their fashion creations. They even have some backdrops available. Ken PS I am asking my daughter's teenage friends to pose (after checking with the parents first!). Jan 09 06 12:23 pm Link I put a 50.00 dollar bill on the end of a string and drag it behind my car....the models come out in droves. Some... i have to push off with a stick. Yeee HAAAwww. On a serious note...find a pretty girl and ask her. Once you have her under your belt ...she will have friends that will like to shoot with you and so on. The first model i photographed was ugly...i almost lost a lens just pointing it at her face. After removing the trackmarks on her arms and the bad tattoos with Adobe she ended up looking like a 3 out of 10 but the practice I had with my new lighting system was priceless. Jan 09 06 12:50 pm Link $$$$$$$$$$$$ Jan 09 06 01:06 pm Link From a model's perspective - I am always a bit leery of new photographers. They usually set off the 'They might be an axe murderer' alarm. I HATE it when a newly listed photog sends me a message going, "Hi! I like your look! Let's schedule a shoot!" That tells me NOTHING. One of my now favorite photographers sent my his first message saying, "Hi! I'm a military photographer professionally and I shoot models on the side. I like to do ____________ style work, but I also want to shoot what YOU want, for YOUR portfolio too. If you have an idea, tell me. Here are my ideas: ___________. " And then he listed a phone number, gave me references, etc. He is one of the most professional men I've worked with period. (And yeah - I don't have a ton of expeirience, but still... a good photog is a good photog) I, personally, like to hear a little about the photographer in his first contant. As someone else up there said - WHY do you want to work with ME. What is it that you see in my port that you'd like to add to yours. Don't just tell me you want to do 'artistic' work and leave it at that. 'Artistic' has become just another word for naked-chick-in-dark-halway-shot. (but that's another rant) And as other's have said - recruit a girlfriend, sister, neighbor, whatever and get 4 or 5 really good shots in the style you're wanting to shoot, and have those models act as 'references' for you with other girls. Good luck. oh - and your baby is adorable! (I've got a 7 month old m'self...) Jan 09 06 01:17 pm Link Brian Diaz wrote: I gotta agree with this one- while TFP isn't my thing- when it is- the photographer with the MUA will often win over the one who doesn't have one. Jan 09 06 01:30 pm Link Ryan Hundl wrote: I'll pick on your last question first: Ryan Hundl wrote: ...in general terms - None of us here with experience and tenure can claim to have started that way. We did our time, and paid our dues, to learn the art and craft (and with many, the marketing aspects, too). Even with four years' experience, you're still a beginner and novice. There is no magic pill to instantly transform yourself into the future with the acquired skills, understandings, and wisdom that that timespan can bring you. Roll-up your sleeves, prepare to get frustrated, and grab onto a sense of patience. Ryan Hundl wrote: First, your work isn't professional grade (no offense intended, just an honest observation of your pictures). See my notes above on growing skills. If you want to find some models to work with locally as you grow these skills, try not looking for "models" but dancers and/or musicians. Be willing to develop a rapport with them, som you can work with them over time. Ask friends if you can photograph them to gain experience. Jan 09 06 08:16 pm Link The Don Mon wrote: Geez! Don't scare Ryan! Jan 09 06 08:22 pm Link If you can come off not sounding creepy, and maybe meeting the models for a few shoots outdoors/public places, (until you get a bit more established) dont be afraid to use myspace.com as well. Jan 10 06 03:41 am Link Deadly Design Make-up wrote: Will they be worth it? Jan 11 06 07:38 pm Link |
