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Best way to approach a random person?
I have found the best way for me to approach someone is to tell them not to go to my site for even a perv can build a website. I tell them google search my name and you will see my work and find out that it can be found in over 10 pages of references. I also add to not be intimidated by what they see, that I shoot to a models comfort level. If they write to me then I will provide references of models that are in my pictures and that seems to reassure them it is ligitimate. GW Jun 23 06 01:43 pm Link Interesting replies to this thread to say the least..some of which were rather funny. I somehow think I may skip throwing rocks at people though! Personally I don't really have an issue finding models but I could see how it could be a problem. The easiest way I've found is trying explaining what your going to do. Myself I just say hey I have a store and this is what you'd be doing. Pretty simple concept. Most girls love the idea of getting there pictures taken and for a lack of a better term playing dress up. Jun 23 06 01:52 pm Link I had out my business card and 4x6 cards with photos on them, sometimes with my wife present, sometimes not. The most common response to, "Excuse me, I'm a photographer and I would love to do a casual photo session with you sometime" (or something to that affect) is, "Oh, thank you, I'll give you a call". No slaps, or rude comments. The trick is them contacting you. They forget, or where just being nice, or they think of all of their imperfections and just can't work up the confidence to do a photo shoot. Works probably 1 out of 15-20 times average. Jun 23 06 02:09 pm Link I've approached soooo any women in my day. Not so much anymore, just gets exausting. Especially difficult in L.A. MUCH better success rate in BOSTON. What works for me is SINCERITY. It simply doesn't matter what you say, if a women/girl believes it, you're in.......................AND IT SHOULD BE REAL! If you're a PRO, you're projects are serious business, and should sound believable. A GREAT CARD/PROMO etc. is KEY. I disagree with GW, that a web-site is not a closer, if models WENT to my sites, they usually always called me. Jun 23 06 02:18 pm Link Living in the middle of nowhere.. I use this to get most of my models.. It helps to have another hot model always with you,but just in case you dont have that luxury.. Its Confidence #1 You are selling a product.. If you dont have confidence in your product..your gonna suck at selling it.. Its You that You are Selling!! Photography is the medium you use..... If they do not like You they are not gonna buy it... In my backpack with all my gear,I carry a very large portfoilio..Its got a couple hundred 8x10s... It goes with with me wherever i go..Except going thru the Airport metal detector,where i slide it off and feed it thru the x-ray machine..forgot to take it off last time..thought airport security was gonna tackle me.. If there are any other people in a 100 yard area..try to be descret.. Cause they will move in too see what all the excitment is about... This can also be a plus because of other model posabillities in the crowd... You may walk away with quite a few shoots lined up... Oh Yea!! "I have never had a walk up model fail to show up for a shoot" (:-------- Hj Jun 23 06 02:49 pm Link I find that jumping out of some bushes yelling "GIMME YOUR WALLET!!!" is a great ice breaker. Honestly, I've approached 3 women and 2 of them did a shoot. When I see someone I reallllly want to shoot, I'll scope them for a bit. Make sure they're worth the humiliation of approaching. It's VERY important to keep VERY professional. Don't come across as cocky "I'm the best photographer you'll ever meet" or sleezy "I'll make you a star baby". My last one was simply this... "Hi, my name is Paul. I've been looking at you from over there hoping not to look like a stalker" (little humor). "I'm a photographer who does portrait photography and you have a very nice look and lines. I'm not sure if you've ever been interested in modelling for photography but if you are, please take a look at my website if you get a chance. If you like my work, all of my contact information is there." Simple. Not blowing sunshine up the butt. Not coming on to the model since you tell her to check out your portfolio BEFORE responding. This 'model' actually turned out to be a dancer and has been referring me to other girls who work in the same club as her and I'm getting work from there as well. Long story short... keep it on the up and up and you never know what will happen. Every once in a while you just have to bite the bullet and reach for that brass ring. -PKD Jun 23 06 04:36 pm Link GW, That's a great approach....if you ARE GW Burns. Most of us don't have the rep you do. Maybe one day...ahhh dare to dream. -Matt Jun 23 06 04:48 pm Link At public events like car shows, boat shows, etc., the exhibitors hire models to attract people to their display and hand out literature to potential customers. Many of these ladies would like to have new photos for their books, you might even take a camera and photograph them and offer to give them a print or two it they contact you. And then you can talk about doing more work together. Jun 23 06 04:52 pm Link I'm surprised no one has said: "Another "weekly" thread. 'SIGH.' " Ok, there - I said it.... Now, having said that, this is not a method of model sourcing that's ever worked for me. I've never been slapped, maced, kicked in the groin, or even remotely "dissed." FWIW, I've always gotten polite a "thank-you" and a smile - but not one single shoot has come from it. One of the sales people at the local Victoria's Secret knows me and frequently refers prospective models to me. That started with my giving her a card when I was shopping for a shoot earlier this year; maybe I should give the random approach another go...... Jun 23 06 05:09 pm Link Be sincere. Others have said it, its worth saying again. This is in some ways related to picking up a girl for a date. If you try to approach her and are focused on her body, she's not going to go for it at all. If you approach her genuinely interested in HER for who she is, she'll be a lot more interested. There is a fine line between being interested in and coming on too strong. It will take practice to get right, for sure. If you've got a girlfriend or another woman you can practice on, thats probably a smart idea. Complement her, but without being gushy or overdoing it. It'll take practice, but if you work at it you should be somewhat successful. Just be patient especially. Good luck! Jun 23 06 05:19 pm Link Just talk to them like it's a normal conversation. I've had two "scouts" literally chase me once in a mall and out of Mcdonalds. Needless to say, they scared the crap out of me and I didn't want to talk to them. Introduce yourself as a photographer. Don't start out with "have you ever done any modeling" because it sounds fake from the get go. Jun 23 06 06:57 pm Link Of course, I've thought about this when I've seen great-looking women on the street. But it doesn't seem worth the effort. It's cold-calling, like selling can openers door to door. You'll spend a lot of shoe leather for poor results. And why, when you have hundreds of thousands of models who you know want to model on MM, OMP, etc., etc.? Jun 23 06 07:58 pm Link Just remember that you may get a "no". Don't freak out and take it personally. Be respectful of people's space and time. Short and sweet. Don't flatter. You have to show your worth, and being the drooling buttkisser is going to give them the upper hand. Don't be a snob. Just be confident. Say what you gotta say and walk away. And try to wait until that person is out of sight before trying it on another person. As a matter of fact, if you want to make a habit out of it (which is a bad habit, it should be more spontaneous), then don't make it look like a habit. Don't troll the same malls at the same times. People catch on quick and it will make you look desperate or perverted or both. Business card. With website or MM link. Keep that in mind, though that even if you get a yes, that person may not make a good model. A photographer can only do so much. (But I was lucky with my Avitar Karen la Rockera. She was a waitress at a seafood restaurant. Had been dying to do this type of photoshoot.) Jun 23 06 10:46 pm Link Vivus Denuo wrote: I can certainly understand & respect your reasonings. Jun 24 06 01:18 am Link Mark A Lively wrote: If you're at a venue where you're able to see them again (like they work at a restaurant or in my case, I bump into them on campus), don't be afraid to ask for a followup & enquire as to what they thought. Jun 24 06 01:26 am Link This is a good thread. Most of my time I find my models online, but I was talking to someone casually at the cafe and tehy happened to be a beauty pageant winner and interested in being phtoographed. It helped that I had my laptop with me so I could show her my portfolio. I guess always be prepared. Jun 24 06 11:07 am Link chrisphoto wrote: This is so true. As far as approaching strangers, I've always been taught, "you won't know if you don't ask". Jun 24 06 04:57 pm Link C R Photography wrote: LMAO!!! C R has serious issues!! Jun 24 06 05:01 pm Link Jun 25 06 09:11 am Link buisiness card + website , then let them call or email Jun 25 06 09:14 am Link Jun 25 06 10:02 am Link Tell them your name is GW Burns...and give them a fake business card...lol...j/k Have a buisness card with you. Approach them, give them the card, and tell them simply: "If you're ever interested in allowing me to take your photograph, I would appreciate hearing from you." And walk away. Jun 25 06 10:10 am Link Jeff Marsh wrote: Best answer I have seen! And moving on quickly saves getting slapped! (Just kidding). Let the card with photos speak for your professionalism. If they have any questions fine. Otherwise no pressure and tell them to check out your site and call if interested. Jun 25 06 10:12 am Link or "FREEZE..........DROP THE IPOD.....BACK AWAY FROM THE CAR..........TURN AROUND SLOWLY SO I CAN SEE BOTH HANDS, NOBODY GETS HURT............" then, Hi, I'm..................... Jun 25 06 10:18 am Link Jeff Marsh wrote: Damn Jeff Marsh is always stealing my ideas...hahah...J/K Jun 25 06 10:19 am Link JJD Productions wrote: Technically, you are right. Agents/scouts do actively seek talent. Yet what is low on the totem pole photographer supposed to do when he's got a project that Joe Schmoe off the street would be perfect for. Is it supposed to shell out X-amount of dollars that he doesn't have to a middle man to do the very job that is right in front of him? Jun 27 06 02:39 pm Link Not ONE of you said have a professional comp card. Anyone can make ink jet prints and slap thier name on it. I approach girls with my comp. "Any perv can have a website" someone said but, if your work isn't pervy, it shouldn't be a problem! Jun 27 06 02:46 pm Link JJD Productions wrote: You're not looking at the big picture... Jun 27 06 02:51 pm Link |
