|
Forums >
General Industry >
Asian and African American models
Seems to be very hard to find truly good (whick includes dependable!) Asian and African American models. Thoughts? Jul 28 06 06:42 am Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: I'm lost.... Are you saying that you haven't found any African American and Asian models that are dependable and can model efficiently? Jul 28 06 07:35 am Link dee740 wrote: That's pretty much the gist of it. I have tried, repeatedly, to find Asian and African American models for shoots, with no success. Casting calls get no responses--or very little, and the very few times I have discussed a shoot with a model or booked a shoot, the model flaked. Jul 28 06 08:09 am Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: Yes , it may be because of your location... NOT NYC or other Urban areas but did you try using MMer's browse function and use the filter for state and Ethnicity? Jul 28 06 08:18 am Link CameraSight wrote: Thanks! Jul 28 06 08:23 am Link You don't live in a good area 2 find either group. I would suggest you make a trip to more suitable location. Jul 28 06 08:23 am Link I find that to be very bizzare. There are a ton of African American models on MM that appear to be looking for paid work or just wanting to expand there port. I know because i'm one of them. I'm always looking for the opportunity to meet new photographers and show them what i can do. I would agree with CameraSight do a detailed search for these models. We are out there. Jul 28 06 08:29 am Link There are very willing models who fit your casting that are professional & very dependable to work with....like myself and sooo many more...Just expand upon your resources. ~Jenelle~ Jul 28 06 08:35 am Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: Well I personally agree with what others have said you are not in a general area where those models populate....but if theres a will theres a way! I agree that contacting all the models in the ethnicity that you are looking for in your area will help, all of them cant possibly flake, but have you ever thought of traveling to the models that you want to work with or at least have them come to you, Im sure that there are plenty of models that would be glad to travel to you if you are willing to provide transportation! Also you mentioned that you have posted casting calls on the forum with no response, that would probably be because it is kinda hard to find a casting call in your area let alone somewhere else that you are interested in, in the forum mainly because the castings come so fast and there isnt a search function in the casting calls that you can go by state so going through every last page of the casting calls can get teadeaous (dont think I spelled that right oh well its early) so dont get discouraged by that! Jul 28 06 08:47 am Link you live in Indiana ! Jul 28 06 10:05 am Link hot topic wrote: co-sign Jul 28 06 10:32 am Link The problem lies somewhere with you. (attitude, presentation, ability, professionalism, etc.) There are dependable models or all races everywhere. The ratio of models in a location is unimportant. If you can't find them, you are doing something wrong. For instance, there are a ton of agencies catering to client needs. Doesn't sound or look like you are working with them. Also I'm curious as to who you are casting for or do you mean that you are offering to pay models? Lastly, you're only a state away from me. Although we might be hundreds of miles away but I shoot girls from all over. OH, NY, FL, CA, MI, TX, AL, etc. And that's just the US girls. Don't blame it on the models, take a closer look at what you're not doing. Not to say that all models are dependable but in my book, those that you refer to are not actual models. Jul 28 06 11:36 am Link It just seems strange because even if there aren't as many Afircan Americans in your area, there are so many in some of the surrounding states in the midwest. For instance I'm from Detroit, and that is SATURATED with black people. Places like Chicago and St. Louis would be good too. But most African Americans that I know of that live in Indiana live in Gary. Jul 28 06 11:40 am Link Fred Brown wrote: Sure am glad you are not my doctor. Your "diagnosis" says more about you than me, my friend! Gosh, I didn't know, after all these years, that I am unprofessional, lack presentation skills, and have no ability. Thank you for your infinite wisdom! Jul 28 06 11:44 am Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: I agree with you, it is good that I'm not your doctor because you wouldn't see the help that I am offering you and you would stay sick. - lol I never said you weren't any of those things. Listen with the intent of hearing, my friend! Jul 28 06 11:47 am Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: Hmmm. . .me thinks it has to do wit location mon. Ow many Asian an Africaaaan Americaans do dere be in Indiana? Jul 28 06 11:48 am Link Fred Brown wrote: "The problem lies somewhere with you. (presentation, ability, professionalism, etc.)" Jul 28 06 11:52 am Link Many photographers have the creative part in hand but miss how to market their talents and also how to get the look and type of models they want. For example this photographer seems to be able to get White models but he wants to expand to minorities and by the way thats cool. The question is how? Because their may be limited minorities in his area he may have to look at areas like Gary as one model suggested or he might try advertising in a local newspaper. I'm sure that there are lots of models who would like to shoot with him if they only knew he was available. I often think though that just saying someone should look at themselves is pointless. It may be true but lets offer real help as in ideals just being critical mostly leads to nothing and the problem still exists. P.S. If you are shooting agency models think back to a time you weren't. Jul 28 06 12:02 pm Link I have never had a problem. It might be the area you are in, or the person you are, I dont know you so I cant say. It also might be the way you shoot. People can be picky. If its your quest, then just keep at it. If it means anything, I cant seem to shoot white models. Since I have been on here, only 3 have contacted me, and I havent made a trip to Los Angeles to shoot them yet. I have contacted between 10-15 and none of them have writen back... message read Jul 28 06 12:16 pm Link You could move to New York City or L.A. or Chicago or Gary, Indiana. *jokes* Jul 28 06 12:24 pm Link UnoMundo Photography wrote: LOL! My thought exactly! Come to Cali, there are plenty of both here! Jul 28 06 12:27 pm Link I guess I am lucky...  Jul 28 06 12:30 pm Link It's the location thats it thats all. You can roll into Gary ( bring yo heat) and have a good time lol. Hell I got fam down there need to go myself. Jul 28 06 12:34 pm Link This is a bunch of mularkey! That's all I get (Black models) and it is the quite reverse for me! I can't find White models that are willing to shoot with me and that are "quality" as you put it. The black models all show up and I have had very little problem over the years with flakes, but White models? Wow, that is truly another story. Let me tell you, if you are a White model and you make an appointment with me, you can expect the Grim Reeper to show up at your door step hours before the shoot or car trouble or accidents or a whole miriade of unfortunate events that are going effect you. I guess if I were a White model, I'd stay away from me, too! (Tongue firming implanted in cheek!) Two flakes in the last two weeks and they just happen to be non-Black. That's not counting over the years, those who are very late, no-shows and just hard to contact. Oh, I've had my fill of Black models doing that, but I guess it hasn't happened lately and definitely not to the extent of White models. I just don't understand why, but, what can you do except keep shooting those who are willing. Jul 28 06 12:42 pm Link CameraSight wrote: Ditto Jul 28 06 12:54 pm Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: Or you can go to your local agencies (sorry I don't know any in your area). Those will be pre-selected models (not random aspirants) who will show up on time, and are professional. The rate can be high, but a very high percent of them know what they are doing. Jul 28 06 01:15 pm Link maybe in indiana. i've lived in seattle, la, and now ny, and asian models are abundant (and reliable, so far). haven't worked with many black models, but those with whom i have worked were reliable. Jul 28 06 01:17 pm Link LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION !!!! Fly out to California or Florida. Plenty ! Jul 28 06 01:20 pm Link You should also try putting what you're currently casting for on your profile, in case Black or Asian models happen to come across you while browsing. Jul 28 06 01:23 pm Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: He's right. I don't think that he's stereotyping, but I haven't had any flakes. Never had, but I have had it from both black and Asian models who have contacted me to shoot and we talk, suppose to setup to meet and don't hear anything from them ever again. Jul 28 06 01:24 pm Link My net is wide here in Texas. I work with models from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Oklahoma city. Some places at least 4 hours away. These are large metro areas with lots of minority models, but you still may have to go out of your area to find some. You are at least in the net to find models in Indianapolis, Chicago, Gary, and lots more places. Maybe you just aren't looking hard enough or maybe you are selling what they don't want. Jul 28 06 01:26 pm Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: My port has been dominated by Asians for the reason that they have been the MOST reliable/dependable. Jul 28 06 01:28 pm Link Tony Lawrence wrote: Something else that has to be taken into consideration here too. He has to look at the type of personality that he's dealing with. This is why I had addressed white on the list too. There have been plenty of photographers who have addressed white models doing a no show. As a matter of fact, it happens more often with white women that it does with black and Asian. It's obvious because many have posted complaints time and time again on these forums. They now have a blacklist on who not photograph. Jul 28 06 01:31 pm Link DigitalCMH wrote: My port is diverse with Asian, African American, white and Hispanic. Jul 28 06 01:35 pm Link Yeah, you're over in Indiana and I'm over in San Diego,CA. Do you compensate for the model to travel there or would you be more willing to come to CA? I know I usually look for gigs in California and not another state. Also, maybe they feel like they don't meet your requirements. There could be numerous factors. Like a lot of people are saying, location is the key. Jul 28 06 01:38 pm Link I'd say that you'd either have to move or make it clear that you're willing to pay for transportation. Jul 28 06 01:45 pm Link I'm way in south Texas and I'm finding it hard to find models. I planned to travel to New York which would have been this month. Although I heard from plenty of models many weren't what I wanted and those I did like were very slow to respond to emails or phone calls. New York isn't close or cheap. I planned to pay but even many of those responded slow or not at all. I wouldn't want to make a trip that far for that kind of stuff. Location is a part of the puzzle. Paying models to come to me isn't out of the question but I'd rather see what I'm getting then offer someone cash only to be disapointed. I thought you said you looked like Janet Jackson not Freddie Jackson. Jul 28 06 01:49 pm Link Tony Lawrence wrote: That's funny. But that is another thing that the photographer has to take it into consideration. The type of model that you are looking for. Take multiple things into consideration and not just one. Jul 28 06 02:00 pm Link Maybe it's because your port doesn't display enough diversity for either group to wanna participate. Their probably thinking, what does this "white person" have to offer that would make me want to work with them. People feel more comfortable working along with folks whom they can see themselves within their work that is displayed. Like if your entire port is filled with only nudity, a person may be reluctant to reply to your AD seeking clothed models, because what creditability as a photographer do you have for clothed subjects? Your photos have kind of a "redneck or hillbilly theme" to them, which may not interest a "non-white person"? Thatâs all, later MM folks! S.D. Jul 28 06 02:01 pm Link Stevens Photogrpahy wrote: I am fortunate to live in ethically diverse Houston. Jul 28 06 02:10 pm Link |
Any suggestions?
