Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
I have to admit...I know I'm not the best photg in the world (and have never claimed to be), but I think I can hold my own and get some good images.  Do you think it makes a difference that I work from a home studio?

I highly doubt it.

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
I have to admit...I know I'm not the best photg in the world (and have never claimed to be), but I think I can hold my own and get some good images.  Do you think it makes a difference that I work from a home studio?

Nope.. I've worked in home studios where the final product looks like it came from the most high tech place around.

Ivan123 wrote:
I find that most models don't answer email in the first place.  But if I set something up, then it happens.  I don't have a huge problem with no-shows.  I have discovered one thing though:  talk on the phone.   Somehow if you communicate ONLY through email, the commitment must remain more impersonal and must be easier to blow it off at the last second.  Once you talk to someone on the phone you become a "real" person, the model is more relaxed about showing up and feels more guilty about not showing up.  I think email is the problem.

HA !

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
I have to admit...I know I'm not the best photg in the world (and have never claimed to be), but I think I can hold my own and get some good images.  Do you think it makes a difference that I work from a home studio?

It might.  I once hired a model (paid) for a stock photography session, and the day of the shoot she asked for directions, and when i told her that the studio was in my house, i immediately noticed her voice tense up and she started stuttering and told me she's call me back in a minute when she was on her way.... I knew she wasn't going to show up the moment we hung up.  some models do have reservations about it, but most of the models i shoot indoors have no problems at all with it.  You can always tell them they can bring a friend!

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
I've found web based modeling sites to be a big waste of time.  It is a great idea (I'll give credit where credit is due). The main problem I have is after weeks of planning and setting up shoots (with with models on these type of sites),  it usually ends up being canceled or with a no-show.  Personally,  I don't get it!  If you are going to put a profile up as an available model why not make the effort to actually model? 

I am hoping that maybe someone can shed some light on this subject for me.  Please help me understand.  Are there really that many jerks out there posing as photographers that models have to be afraid?  Or is it that these so called models just get a thrill by seeing if anyone is interested in working with them, and never have any intention of going to a shoot?

Models on these kinds of sites can have any level of experience, so it is important to nuture the relationship to cut down on the disappointments.

My advice:

If you spend weeks in planning & setting up shoots, then the shoot is critical to you, so it is important that you reserve those sitting to models with good track records (especially track records with you). 

Check references.  I don't understand why more people don't do that.

Are you paying the model? 

Or, how are you motivating the model?  If she is doing TFP, she may feel that she's doing you more of a favor that you are doing her.  If TFP, is the concept exciting to her?  How have you communicated your enthusiasm?


My bottom line:  flakes happen, but with a little effort, a photographer can cut down on his flake ratio.  If a photographer just sits back & expects the model to worship at his feet, well, he may have to learn to deal with disappointments.  On the other hand, if the photographer woos the model by providing her with worthwhile compensation & exciting concepts, the model will be more likely to show up.


Photographing a new-to-you model is like gambling -- don't invest more than you are willing to lose.

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
Maybe these types of sites should have a rating system.  A place for comments  attached to each profile where you could put positive or negative posts . It could be (or rather.. should be) for models and photogs alike (sort of what Ebay has for consumers and sellers).

That situation would have a LOT of problems from misuse. People who had disagreements could end up getting reviews that were quite untrue. There are an awful lot of unprofessional people here.

phcorcoran wrote:
We all have the same problems with unreliable models.  I've found the following practices to be helpful in weeding out the flakes:

1.) I use experienced models.  A model who has put time into developing his or her portfolio is serious about modeling.  Let the beginning models look for photographers, not the other way around.

2.) I pay my models.  Models who earn money at it tend to me more reliable.  I don't pay my models a great deal of money, but I pay them at least as much as I'd pay a boy to mow my lawn or something.  When people do work they should be paid for it.

3.) I ask the models to telephone me.  I include my telephone number in every email I send to a model.  After only one or two emails I ask the model to phone me.  If a model writes back with more questions, I just reply with: "Phone me."  Models who don't take the trouble to call me on the telephone won't take the trouble to show up for the shoot either.

4.) I only contact models for work they already show in their portfolio.  I want nudity, for instance, I only contact models who show nudity in their portfolio.  Upon initial contact I am specific about what I want the model to do, where, and when. 

5.) When I contact a model I always give a deadline for reply: "If you're interested in doing this shoot please telephone me before 10 PM tomorrow."  If a model doesn't respond in time then I offer the gig to another model.  If the first model does eventually get back to me I tell him or her that I may like to work with them sometime, but that I've already offered the gig to someone else.

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
Maybe these types of sites should have a rating system.  A place for comments  attached to each profile where you could put positive or negative posts . It could be (or rather.. should be) for models and photogs alike (sort of what Ebay has for consumers and sellers).

Hey!  That is a good idea!!  Tyler should read this!

e-string wrote:

That situation would have a LOT of problems from misuse. People who had disagreements could end up getting reviews that were quite untrue. There are an awful lot of unprofessional people here.

Although I see her point as well

phcorcoran wrote:
We all have the same problems with unreliable models.  I've found the following practices to be helpful in weeding out the flakes:

1.) I use experienced models.  A model who has put time into developing his or her portfolio is serious about modeling.  Let the beginning models look for photographers, not the other way around.

2.) I pay my models.  Models who earn money at it tend to me more reliable.  I don't pay my models a great deal of money, but I pay them at least as much as I'd pay a boy to mow my lawn or something.  When people do work they should be paid for it.

3.) I ask the models to telephone me.  I include my telephone number in every email I send to a model.  After only one or two emails I ask the model to phone me.  If a model writes back with more questions, I just reply with: "Phone me."  Models who don't take the trouble to call me on the telephone won't take the trouble to show up for the shoot either.

4.) I only contact models for work they already show in their portfolio.  I want nudity, for instance, I only contact models who show nudity in their portfolio.  Upon initial contact I am specific about what I want the model to do, where, and when. 

5.) When I contact a model I always give a deadline for reply: "If you're interested in doing this shoot please telephone me before 10 PM tomorrow."  If a model doesn't respond in time then I offer the gig to another model.  If the first model does eventually get back to me I tell him or her that I may like to work with them sometime, but that I've already offered the gig to someone else.

I do pay the models for any shoot that shows some skin (lingerie thru nudes) and I pay them well I think...It's not uncommon for me to offer $100/hr for nude work.

I have used all the reliable models in my area (all 5 or 6 of them) several times each.  so I'm forced to take chances with the new faces as they pop up.

I do like the idea of giving deadlines but unfortunately I don't have that many reliable models that I can fill a spot that quickly.

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
Maybe these types of sites should have a rating system.  A place for comments  attached to each profile where you could put positive or negative posts . It could be (or rather.. should be) for models and photogs alike (sort of what Ebay has for consumers and sellers).

Whoops, totally scrolled too fast and missed that one... ditto man, ditto...

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
Any suggestions on how to find models off the web?  I don't want to be like this creepy guy who asks every girl he meets to model for him (but I feel like I should just to get the odds in my favor).  I can't advertise in the local paper...they do not allow ads for models unless you're a registered modeling agency.  Flyers and business cards don't seem to work well either.

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
I do like the idea of giving deadlines but unfortunately I don't have that many reliable models that I can fill a spot that quickly.

If you need to fill spots quickly then giving deadlines is a necessity.

In order to find models for bigger projects I used to shoot lots and lots of test shoots, nearly every Saturday.  I contacted almost all new models in my area, offering them $20 plus a CD of digital photos to come to my studio for a two-hour fully-clothed shoot.  I would contact about 30 new models a month (the Boston area always has plenty of new models).  In any given year I would shoot perhaps 40 models, and from that lot I'd find maybe three good models worth hiring for serious work.

Now I shoot only art and erotic nudes.  The art nude models flake about 50% of the time.  The erotic nude models tend to be more experienced and professional (they're doing it strictly for the money) and are nearly 100% reliable.

I occasionally get commercial projects, and for commercial projects I always hire models through agencies.  The better agencies guarantee their models' reliability; I won't work with any agency that doesn't give a cash guarantee.  I have to shake my head sometimes when I read so much online about models wondering if they are too short or too heavy to get work through agencies, and yet you never read them addressing the number one concern of agencies: money-earning agencies look for availability and reliability above all other considerations.

e-string wrote:

That situation would have a LOT of problems from misuse. People who had disagreements could end up getting reviews that were quite untrue. There are an awful lot of unprofessional people here.

Ok, Ok, I'm a moron...but this is true too, but there is the possibility of the site operator setting a list of premade comments for selection only, not leaving room for the mouths to jabber and say any sort of comment that is irrelevant to the situation, i.e.:

Instead of:
That dumb twit screwed me out of my $20, and she smelled too!

Use or select from the list:
Failure to pay

or

Instead of:
Is your F****** e-mail busted or can't you read?

Use:
Doesnt respond to inquiries


Not bad? Maybe?

Chris Goodman/ CMG Pho wrote:
Any suggestions on how to find models off the web?  I don't want to be like this creepy guy who asks every girl he meets to model for him (but I feel like I should just to get the odds in my favor).  I can't advertise in the local paper...they do not allow ads for models unless you're a registered modeling agency.  Flyers and business cards don't seem to work well either.

Here's something to think about.  Check out your local college or university.
Take a class or two.  Usually the school will let students advertise things so
look for models.  I used to ask fellow students to model for me and it works.
You should consider offering something.  Even $10.00 a hour will get you
some beautiful models and they are usually cool and fun to work with.
Some will shoot for a free lunch but offer a few bucks anyway.

Archer Photography wrote:

Ok, Ok, I'm a moron...but this is true too, but there is the possibility of the site operator setting a list of premade comments for selection only, not leaving room for the mouths to jabber and say any sort of comment that is irrelevant to the situation, i.e.:

Instead of:
That dumb twit screwed me out of my $20, and she smelled too!

Use or select from the list:
Failure to pay

or

Instead of:
Is your F****** e-mail busted or can't you read?

Use:
Doesnt respond to inquiries


Not bad? Maybe?

Well that's a great Idea....

Archer Photography wrote:

Ok, Ok, I'm a moron...but this is true too, but there is the possibility of the site operator setting a list of premade comments for selection only, not leaving room for the mouths to jabber and say any sort of comment that is irrelevant to the situation, i.e.:

Instead of:
That dumb twit screwed me out of my $20, and she smelled too!

Use or select from the list:
Failure to pay

or

Instead of:
Is your F****** e-mail busted or can't you read?

Use:
Doesnt respond to inquiries


Not bad? Maybe?

Yep.. that would be a lot better. It's similar to OMP's thing.