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Poor me.
[self-pity] What am I doing wrong? I can't get a model to save my life! I think women are the most beautiful and interesting subjects for photography that exist. Nothing is more powerful than a sexy female - they can start wars! I want to take cool pictures of them and try to make some art, and maybe even make a little money. Since I decided to finally get serious about photography tho, I have had a 100% failure rate with TFP. I realize some of my stuff is a little weird and possibly intimidating, but I'm very careful to let models know in advance exactly what I'd like to shoot. And I mean it - I'm not trying to trick them into doing porn or something. To me, a shoot is no fun unless both model and photographer are comfortable and enjoy the collaboration. Also, I'm not picking models who list strictly mainstream modeling - I look for girls who have stated an interest in glamour/lingerie/retro/pinup on their listing. I have no desire to cheat them, or have any dealings with them except purely on a professional basis. I'm not looking for dates! And if I could pay them, I would! I've already spent a couple of thousand bucks on equipment, lingerie, props, etc. As it is, I offer a 50/50 TFP so we would both own the images to do with as we each see fit. I shoot digital now, so it would be no problem to give the entire shoot to a model, and if she were patient enough I'd be happy to give her some prints and/or corrected images on disc as I finish them in a timely manner. Escorts/assistants are no problem - I understand I'm an unkown, and an amateur with no professional photography references, so I'm not offended. If my sister were doing retro/fetish/art shots for someone with my meager credentials, I'd insist on accompanying her myself! In fact, I've been wanting to rent out this local Victorian bed & breakfast to use for location shots (it's really beautiful, especially during the summer months), and offered to let the models and their escort stay there overnight at $100 a night. My treat! And I offer to pay for their travel expenses, too. I also tell them I'd be happy to do some more conventional portfolio stuff as well. And I mean it - I'm no Richard Avedon (yet), but I can produce at least a few solid shots for an aspiring model to use in her portfolio. Portfolio stuff can be a lot of fun to shoot, and I really enjoy working on it. But I've had nothing but failure so far. Every model I've contacted (or has contacted me) has bailed on me before I can get one shot - even when they say 'Wow, I like your stuff and I'm really excited about the ideas you have for a shoot! Can't wait to work with you!" It wouldn't be so bad if I'd had one or two shoots out of the whole process, but not even one photo so far. Then we set a date and they disappear, never to be heard from again. I've been trying to get shoots going for over a month with over a dozen different models, some of whom have nothing but camera phone pics for their portfolio. Am I doing something wrong? Should I give up on trying to shoot artsy/fetishy stuff? Am I giving off some weird, Charles Manson vibe? I mean, I know I'm a weirdo @_@ but I'm a nice, harmless one, and sincere to boot. Plus, I'm a lot of fun to work with! Maybe I'm too enthused when I find a model? My eagerness might be a little off-putting. Am I coming across as a GWC? Anyway, I'd be very happy for some constructive words/advice. I'm more than a little discouraged. In the meantime I guess I'll just troll the streets and cafes for models, which I don't like doing. I'm very self-conscious about being a man in my late 30's approach a 19 year old and asking her to pose for sexy pictures. I'd rather work with professionals and enthusiastic collaborators, though. [/self-pity] Ok, I'm done whining. Thanks for listening to me, but I've got to make some more phone calls...(sigh). Jul 18 05 12:12 pm Link try Craigslist, that never fails to get me hundreds of replys, also remember for nude work it is almost impossible to find someone willing to do that for TFP. Alternative models have learned early on that they can always get paid, cause they are in demand, heck sometimes I have trouble getting my friends to pose for free and they bail for paying gigs... Star Jul 18 05 12:41 pm Link My suggestion is to change your port. Take off all the drawings and art photos. Replace them with T&A tease pics. See most of the "models" you see on here are looking to strike it rich. They want stuff that gets them noticed not you. Second put more words in your "about me" section, people don't read, but a bunch of words makes it look like you have been doing this for ages. (sad but true) Third on TFP "models" make the time from contact to shoot as short as possible. Gives the "model" less time to go flakey. Chances of them shooting with you drop after a couple of days. Multiple emails to set up the shoot makes them put forth an effort and that really screws with the "something for nothing" mindset. Fourth, keep your drive local unless you know/worked with the model before. Nothing worse than driving a couple of hours for a no show. If you are willing to give up a ton of usage rights, look for models with pay sites. They always want content and they don't want to pay for it. Offer a trade. You do content and they do what you want. Give them usage on the content but you keep ALL rights and usage on your photos. (you know the artsy stuff) Jul 18 05 12:42 pm Link my heart goes out for you, i have the same problem. but ofcourse i have only been persiuing certain specific's. you have to get them at the immediate moment just as they are. im really hoping some of the girls on MM here that say they will do what were asking of them, (which isnt much) inorder to help out the both of us (them and me), inorder to advance to that next level. unfortunately for us we will just be GWC untill such time is that we get atleast a couple of "professional" shoots under our belts! (BTW that is an expression and nothing sexual is inferred just because of the location. note this isnt refferring to paul but to any prospective models that might actually read this) what? models read text? Jul 18 05 12:49 pm Link Posted by Star: I didn't know Craigslist did stuff like that - I'll have to check it out. Jul 18 05 01:01 pm Link I understand. You are in Michigan though which is not really considered a hotbed for models  I'm in southern California where there are models and aspiring models EVERYWHERE and I have still had trouble finding some to work with on a TFP/TFCD basis. Of course, if you are offering money, you really have no problem at all. Sadly, most models only do TFP/TFCD work with "exceptional" photographers. Most photographers are only willing to pay "exceptional" models, so there lies alot of the problem. Don;t give up and hopefully you can find some willing models to help get you started with a portfolio Jul 18 05 01:03 pm Link Posted by MichaelBell: Not true, I have offered $150 for 3 hours to no name, all I got is webcam pics, models and still had them flake. Jul 18 05 01:06 pm Link Posted by Mike Cummings: Thanx, Mike - good advice! Jul 18 05 01:08 pm Link Posted by Mike Cummings: No, I meant REAL money Jul 18 05 01:25 pm Link If your really interested in making good work, then i suggest gathering some balls, making promo cards, and go to a mall or something and ask pretty girls there. Where models are scarce, you have to stop looking for them and just start finding interesting people who may not be interested in modeling for a living, or even a hobby. Jul 18 05 01:32 pm Link Posted by MichaelBell: Posted by Mike Cummings: No, I meant REAL money $50 an hour seems like good money to me when the model is not know at all. Hell for $100 an hour I can get a decent looking whore to pose Jul 18 05 01:39 pm Link geeeeeeeeeeez, you should crawl over broken glass on your tummy to shoot me, then, right? i'm only teasing!!!!! Posted by Mike Cummings: Posted by MichaelBell: Not true, I have offered $150 for 3 hours to no name, all I got is webcam pics, models and still had them flake. Jul 18 05 02:18 pm Link I think you should take down the self portrait, looks kinda Stephen Kingish. Unfortunately we all have pre-judgements. (side note) I'm a big Stephen King fan, I think he is an awesome Author. So say you, Roland of Gilead. Jul 18 05 02:33 pm Link It could be a combination of things like the content of your photos, your voice, your attitude on the phone, the area you live, where the shoot will be done ect. Maybe even a "Better Thing" came along for the model. Jul 18 05 02:44 pm Link Posted by George Butler: Yikes. I hadn't thought of that till you mentioned it - now all I can see is Stephen King! I'll not only take it down, but also burn the negative so it can't hurt innocent people. Jul 18 05 03:06 pm Link Posted by Zoe: Posted by Mike Cummings: Posted by MichaelBell: Not true, I have offered $150 for 3 hours to no name, all I got is webcam pics, models and still had them flake. Maybe over broken styrofoam cups.. ;-) Jul 19 05 12:07 am Link |
