|
Forums >
General Industry >
How Do You Introduce Yourself to the Girl on the Street
This question only applies to legitimate photographers, be they professional, amateur, or somewhere in between. Photographers, when you see a woman in the supermarket, school, or any other area (not on the job) how do you introduce yourself as a photographer who is interested in photographing her, especially with photos that are revealing to a greater or lesser degree. Have you done this? Any success stories? Models, how would you react under such circumstances? What would make you listen, and what would make you walk away? Jun 23 05 10:12 pm Link I'm very suspect when a "photographer" or someone who says they can get me into the TV business...or whatever...approaches me in a everyday setting. The first thing I ask for is a business card and if they have a website, before we even start talking. If after I have looked at their site, I may try and get in contact with any models they have listed that they've worked with. If everything checks out, I'll give them a call and we can get down to business. There are sooooo many guys out here that claim they are photographers, but when you show up all they have is a Kodak disposible camera (it happened to a girl I worked with on a shoot). Everybody now days claims they have all these connections and "if you just give me your number, I can get you this and that." Oh please! Sometimes they may be well connected, but unless there is some professional evidence of their status I'm not going to take the time to find out. These digusting people have totally ruined it for legit photographers because us models are very hesitate to even repsond to a photographer, especially we're approached on the street, grocery store, etc. Just my 2 cents Jun 23 05 10:46 pm Link I think answering this question would be too much help for the GWC's lurking around here. Jun 23 05 10:46 pm Link Ched, you may have a point! One sociological observation, though: I've found that women in other countries (in Europe & Asia) seem much more open to being asked to model. There's not the "Is he a pervert?" reaction that seems to be second nature here. Jun 23 05 10:52 pm Link Try "I'm a photographer and I'd like to photograph you. Here is my card." Do not try "I am a world renowned photographer. I can make you famous. I'll have you on the cover of vogue. Here is my number written on the back of a receipt from Juanita's Porn Shack." That only works for Erics. Jun 23 05 10:55 pm Link Well said Theda  That's what I was trying to get to, but I got a little carried wayJun 23 05 10:57 pm Link Right, Theda. I never present myself as anything other than the humble amateur I am. By the way, what's an "Eric"? Jun 23 05 10:57 pm Link Posted by theda: Right! That's BS and anybody who pulls a line like that isn't the legitimate photog that I had in mind. Jun 23 05 11:00 pm Link Posted by theda: The thing is, I have really freakin' awesome business cards. But, the receipt from Joe's Porn Shack often gets more callbacks from the REALLY skanky babes. Woohoo! Jun 24 05 12:11 am Link Opening your raincoat will surely get her attention! Jun 24 05 12:24 am Link Posted by theda: The times that's worked for me, the girl has checked out my web site. More often than not, they won't bother checking, so you'll never hear from them. Jun 24 05 12:25 am Link Posted by theda: I really hate it when people use "Joe" in their stupid euphemisms. Jun 24 05 12:35 am Link Posted by Joe K. Perez: Edited. Jun 24 05 12:43 am Link Posted by Glamour Studio /Gary: This was a legitimate question. Your response may have been funny to you, but it was not a helpful answer. Jun 24 05 12:45 am Link Posted by Nealean: Nope! You weren't carried away! So, do you think the photographer should suggest a sequence of confirmation steps for his new model to make? This would help the person who's not familiar with the industry. Jun 24 05 12:48 am Link I am a photogrpaher - here is my card with all my websites in it - please take a look - if you like what you see - please contact... but you have to ask if they have any interest in modeling.. Or its just a waste of time... I have asked at least 50 times the past year and ended up with only a few that were not chickens... not becasue fo me - becase most will not actually get in front of the camera - Jun 24 05 12:49 am Link Posted by Brent Burzycki: Unfortunately unless it is at a local fashion show I'm too afraid to ask but seeing how people handle it I just might. Jun 24 05 12:59 am Link Posted by Ched: Posted by Eric Muss-Barnes: Posted by Joe K. Perez: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by HenryS: Really? Then you should have mentioned all the others which were not intended to be helpful either before you start to single people out. With your prejudice attitude it's no wonder you need help approaching models off the streets. Jun 24 05 01:04 am Link I'll act like this is a serious question...so, take your absolute best shots & print them out (professionally if you don't have a very good photo printer) as 8x10's & put them in a nice binder using clear sleeves. Now you have something to show future prospects when you ask them about photographing them. Have some professional cards printed, carry your cards (& book) everywhere you go & keep on the alert for good model prospects. (My daughter will often spot them before I will & she provides the perfect "this-guy-isn't-a-weirdo" defense when approaching strangers). Whatever the case...walk up, look them in the eye, introduce yourself while handing them your card (with an address to an on-line portfolio like MM on it), tell them you would be interested in working with them sometime & then walk away. Don't gush (or otherwise act weird)...it will pan out or it won't. Don't sweat it...a 10% return is above average. Jun 24 05 05:15 am Link I normally snatch their purse, run 5 blocks and dump it in a post office box with my card in it. Jun 24 05 05:27 am Link ME: Excuse me but are you a model? GIRL: No! hehe *giggle* ME: Well today is your lucky day! Jun 24 05 06:43 am Link Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: What do you do when they don't giggle? Jun 24 05 07:06 am Link Posted by theda: Then I say, well you should be! Jun 24 05 07:10 am Link Posted by Brent Burzycki: Thank you Brent! Jun 24 05 07:14 am Link Posted by urban prospect: Posted by Brent Burzycki: Unfortunately unless it is at a local fashion show I'm too afraid to ask but seeing how people handle it I just might. I guess that it can't do harm! Be sure to tell us how it works out! Jun 24 05 07:16 am Link Posted by Glamour Studio /Gary: Posted by Ched: Posted by Eric Muss-Barnes: Posted by Joe K. Perez: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted by HenryS: Really? Then you should have mentioned all the others which were not intended to be helpful either before you start to single people out. With your prejudice attitude it's no wonder you need help approaching models off the streets. Several comments WERE definitely off the mark, but suggesting that one "open a raincoat" is more than off the mark. It was just too inapproprite. Jun 24 05 07:21 am Link Posted by Monsante Bey: I don't think I'll try or recommend that one! Jun 24 05 07:22 am Link Posted by DRowan: Those sound like good ideas, especially the walking away part. Somehow that seems to add credibility. Maybe my grandchildren can take the daughter's role? LOL Jun 24 05 07:28 am Link Posted by HenryS: So then you are being prejudice. Jun 24 05 07:47 am Link Posted by Glamour Studio /Gary: Posted by HenryS: So then you are being prejudice. To all the other photographers and models: I'm just letting this mini-thread drop although I'll probably be accused of some other vile deed for doing so. Jun 24 05 07:59 am Link You could of gotten away with approching a stranger on the street many years ago when Pro photographers had their expensive Nikons, Canons or Hasselblads and the rest had their poor quality amateur Kodak Instamatics or 110 cameras but today everybody is a "photographer" using their $200 4 megapixel point and shoot digital camera. I am in the process of putting a web address on by business card so models can see my work. Jun 24 05 08:20 am Link Hi. I got to say you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, And if given even half a chance, I would love to sleep with you. However, Since I am also a business man, and I never mix business with pleasure, I would much rather Photograph you for my art work. This has two benefits, One, You get incredible artwork out of the deal, and two, you are safe from me ever trying to sleep with you in the future. If you are interested, in either offer, here is my card." Seems to work more often than not. I have had 5 offers for sex from that.... But not a single offer for them to model.... Ok, serious note here. I was on a cruise, and I saw this drop dead gorgeous girl, must have been 6' tall (was taller than me and I am 5' 9" (and three quarters, depending on the shoes) We were at the ships bar, there were 900 geeks and maybe 20 women. I went up to her and said, "I do not want you to take this the wrong way, But have you ever thought about modeling?" Her response was, "Why? Are you a talent scout?" I said, "No, Not really, I use photography to make fantasy art work, but it was mostly a curiousity question. You have the height and the shape and the look for it." She replied, "you should consider being a scout." I replied, "Really, Why is that?" She Replied, "I am a model for Elite." At which point I decided I was way way way out of my league, and would never get her to bed me, much less shot for a hack like me. So I bought her a drink (On Olga's account... I paid for nothing there) and we chatted a bit about her, right up until Sven the 6' 7" muscular dude came up and took her away! Why all this conversation? No freaking idea. I love to read my own posts. It is kind of like loving to hear myself talk. (c: Jun 24 05 08:21 am Link Ty, at least you point out that women are indeed approachable! Jun 24 05 08:37 am Link Posted by HenryS: Posted by Glamour Studio /Gary: This was a legitimate question. Your response may have been funny to you, but it was not a helpful answer. *raises hand* Jun 24 05 09:06 am Link Ok, seriously: "Hi, I noticed you standing over here and the light hit you just right. Have you ever done any modeling? Well, I'm a fashion photographer and I would like to do a test shoot with you. If you're interested, here is my card. Give this to your father or mother and have them call me so I can answer any questions they have and we can set up an appointment." Of course, this doesn't help you glamour guys who work with the 18+ crowd. Jun 24 05 09:21 am Link Posted by Ched: Hey! Dude! I was just going to ask you about that! Jun 24 05 09:26 am Link Posted by HenryS: Truthfully, I have found that most are flattered, if done properly. Jun 24 05 09:26 am Link I went to www.print-it.com and made a postcard of one of my better photos - a tasteful fine-art nude (may as well be up front about what I'm after) - and printed contact info, the URL of my website, and a very small FAQ on the back. It basically says, "If you're interested in posing for me, please contact me by any of these means {list}. I pay based on your experience, and am flexible in agreeing with my models on how the images will be used. For more detailed information read the FAQ on my website {URL}" 1000 postcards with a really nice aqueous gloss finish and a good quality photo cost me something like $200. It's gotten my a couple of really good shoots so it's paid for itself pretty quickly. I carry a few of them around in my car and briefcase and use them as a business card/calling card/drop card. If I see someone I want to ask to pose, I usually nip over, "hi, I couldn't help noticing how striking you look, and wanted to drop this with you. I'm a photographer and I'm pretty good at what I do - if you're interested in posing for me there's information on the back. Sorry to interrupt you!" One time I went to a techno club in a college town and put about 40 of my cards in the postcard rack near the bar; I got a couple emails and did a good shoot from one of them. I talked to one of my prospects and she said that the postcard approach was really appealing because it was something she could look at after she was done giggling and go, "hey, this really IS pretty cool..." I also invested $40 in going to Sony's imagestation site (imagestation.com) and having a nicely printed and bound book done of a bunch of my photos. It's professionally bound in a linen cover, with a title page and captions and it looks pretty freakin' good. I keep that in my briefcase also and if a prospect says, "do you have any of your work" I can say "this is a coffee table book I did of some of my stuff..." mjr. Jun 24 05 09:44 am Link Posted by CameraSight: You seem to be laboring under some weird impression that the cost of the camera has some kind of relationship to the skill or professionalism of the photographer? Jun 24 05 09:46 am Link Personally I love theda's response be honest and direct. For year's I did sales and the one thing we were constantly reminded of is, you have to get past your NO's to get to your YES's. No matter how polished your approach, remember you still have to make the approach because it might finally be your YES. I don't approach as many Woman as I want to because of the GWC's that have given us legitimate photographer's a bad reputation. But when I see that one I really would like to work with a make my move with card in hand. Here is sample of my busines card;  I designed it purposely like this because it shows a sample of my work right there on the spot. You don't have second chance to make a first impression. There was one woman, she looked liked a more mature version of Melyssa Ford, she even said she was interested. Made an appoinment, cancelled due to working overtime. Then never heard from her again. I never call potential model's back, because then you look like your hounding them, it that makes them nervous. If they want to work with me they will call me and stay in touch with me. Jun 24 05 09:47 am Link |
