...trying to keep this predominantly formal...

Greetings,

I came across your profile...no, wait...in truth, I was searching for it, as the moment I saw the image of yours hosted on HotGoth.net I went on a hunt for any personal website or myspace profile you might have. That alone perhaps is sufficient information to suggest my obvious visual interest.

The second part of this message you can probably ascertain by looking over my profile: I'm a digital photographer and webmaster of the website MidnightAngels.com.

So the fact that I find your features excrutiatingly intoxicating follows that I pester you for potential artistic collaboration.

(translation to normal english-) I'd love to shoot with you.

Please feel free to look at MidnightAngels.com and my online portfolio (both of which are linked to via banners on my profile page here) and perhaps you'll find something sufficiently visually appealing there to provoke a response. That would be quite a treat.

Be well and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

All the best,

~Rob

Her response:

Hey, I'm flattered that you took the time to find me and I appreciate the compliments. I didn't believe that picture was so amazing. Pretty maybe, but not amazing. I'm not really interested in doing a shoot at this time. I really don't want pictures of me to end up on a TGP, website (unless it's my own) or something out of my control.
You take very lovely photographs. You may want to join www."someadultsite".com and find some alt. models there. It's an adult community site.The company I work for owns xpeeps and a ton of other sites. Do you have a webmaster affiliate program for MidnightAngels.com?

Blessings,
XXXX

So...let me first requote the above response and include (in bolded italics) what I'm reading between the lines of her sentences:

Hey, I'm flattered that you took the time to find me and I appreciate the compliments. I didn't believe that picture was so amazing. Pretty maybe, but not amazing.(I didn't directly compliment the technicality of the photo, yet she seems to be insinuating I apparently have a poor eye when it came to the judgment of the shot...at least that one shot, that is) I'm not really interested in doing a shoot at this time. I really don't want pictures of me to end up on a TGP, website (unless it's my own) or something out of my control.(WTF? She's presuming I'm going to willy-nilly start plastering images I take of her not only to adult thumbnail image gallery sites, but other places she would not be comfortable with? As if...what? I would do so without her consent, or in deliberate violation of any verbal agreement assuming we HAD discussed concerning how she wanted the shots to be used?!)
You take very lovely photographs. You may want to join www."someadultsite".com and find some alt. models there.(Because I must be having trouble finding models to work with if I have to message her?!) It's an adult community site.The company I work for owns xpeeps and a ton of other sites.(So now she's turned this around and is pimping out her site to me as if I'd requested a salesperson to push one on me?)Do you have a webmaster affiliate program for MidnightAngels.com? (A further attempt to suggest ways in which she or her "company" can aid me in my helpless situation?)

Blessings,
XXXX

So...am I PMSing here and way out of the ballpark, or is there an underlying something there that isn't just right?

The technicality of the image isn't what prompted my response.

Not all my imagery is for MidnightAngels...as a matter of fact, those are specifically chosen contractual agreements. As it's easy to see, the breadth of models present on my online portfolio is not at all represented by the 8 Angels. I don't find myself running into any shortage in that department.

So...no, the would-be TFCD (trade) images would not have ended up on free adult sites or anything not mutually agreed upon...particularly not anything that would entail any profitting. They certainly haven't thus far.

I don't foresee an affiliate program for MA being a necessity down the road (as the monetary income falls secondary to the artistry), but I do have the contacts in the industry should I wish it to be advertised to that extent and in that vein.

~Rob

Ransom J wrote:
Seems cut and dry.

Cut and dried.

Thanks for the input.

Maxwell Digital Art wrote:
Your letter to her sounds too much like a pick up line.

Yeah that too.  I didn't want to expound on it though since you didn't ask. But i was waiting for you to ask her out to dinner and a movie lol.

Maxwell Digital Art wrote:
But I dont get the whole goth culture.  As far as I know you should have sent her a dead chicken.

Well, where the hell were you when I started this introduction?!?! Could have avoided all of this with a simple poultry purchase. Sheesh.

And thanks.

So Shoot Me! wrote:
Besides, it's all speculative (including what I said). 

-- Rick

Agreed and thank you. You make some good points.

I do realize it's mostly speculative...I guess this is more an introspective foray into my own brain than anything else.

Ransom J wrote:
Yeah that too.  I didn't want to expound on it though since you didn't ask. But i was waiting for you to ask her out to dinner and a movie lol.

Can I just hire you guys as editors from now on? Someone start a 'proofing' thread in the Critique section so I can make sure I'm sending the right impression to these folks!

Christine Summers wrote:
yea, just let it go and move on

Thanks for your opinion.

So it seems I'm really just a pissy bastard?

Maxwell Digital Art wrote:
"Hey wanna study, wink wink nudge nudge"

I lol'ed!

Maxwell Digital Art wrote:
I did this as a joke, but that is really how I would have taken your letter if I was her.  Girls dont want to be treated like they are the most important thing in a strangers world.  Especially if he has an adult site.  I didnt look at your site, just going from these posts

Taken with a smile. *looks at smiley* Wait...does that mean I'm coming on to you now??? I'm so confused!!



So just trim down my wordy nonsense to the meat and potatoes from now on, eh?

If you are willing to discuss it, Id like to show your some of my work, I'm an art photographer. If you like it, I'd like to see if you'd be willing to model for me once or twice. Takes about an hour or two, and in exchange you'd get several art photos and a copy of the raw images which is normally around about 200 or so.

No nudity is required and you can bring a chaperone, Im not a creep and this isn't a pickup line. I'm just asking you discuss it with me.

Scribe of Souls wrote:
Not to be rude, but get a life guy.

Are you intentionally idiotic and of the mentality to rub people like sandpaper, or is it a subconscious character flaw of yours? This has nothing to do with the topic. How you conclude I lack a "life" (whatever that means in your world) from the delineated sequence of events above, I do not know.

Scribe of Souls wrote:
You came across like some stalker, then when rejected, (very nicely I might add) you read things into it that are not there...then ask for confirmation of your paranoid ideas.

And you can't read either, smart ass. Check the replies. Everyone has voiced the opinion that I probably overreacted. Nowhere have I whined at the responses or demanded confirmation of my thoughts...in fact I've agreed with the comments and thanked people for their input.

At least I am aware enough when my "paranoid ideas" may be my own misinterpretation...unlike some folks...

Amy Rose wrote:
Again with the fluff.  All that really needs to be said is Please take a look at my work and let me know if it is something that could benefit your portfolio as well.

Thanks for giving me a different eye into the issue. Personal flaw of mine: the use of an unecessarily expansive vocabulary. If you talk to people who know me, though...you realize it's not an attempt to augment my apparent intelligence. It's just how I actually talk *shrug*. I can see how it can be taken a bit strangely, though.

Kristin Excell wrote:
hmmm. Yes I think her message was rude, however, to be honest i think that you might have come off sounding just a little like a stalker. I def. would have been a little weary if I got your message. Just my thoughts, lol, though I'm sure you shoot great work!

P.S. please don't copy my message and blog about me ;-)

Lol...cute little dig. *copy & pasting*

Just kidding.

I guess I let the fact that I was quite taken by her look affect the way in which I introduced myself a bit. I suppose I should presume that my interest is a given by simple fact that I've contacted someone without having to express it with such flowery excess.

Even though I agree with what everyone's saying, it seems weird to me that (at the core) the moral of the story seems to be this:

Do not compliment the model you wish to work with.

I realize that is a gross oversimplification...but it does seem that way, no?

Wynd Mulysa wrote:
Yes.

Whew. That's a total relief!

SLE Photography wrote:
yeah, sorry bro the intro letter was off-putting
if I were a chick & got one of those I'd say no, or at least insist on a goon escort

Well, this is important to know. Makes me wonder how I've gotten as fortunate as I have thus far...

*scratching head*

(Disclaimer: None of the above is intended to be read with any sarcasm at all. I'm actually serious.)

Maxwell Digital Art wrote:
Something like this

Will I have to pay you royalties for the use of this, or can I fill out a buy-out contract?

Nihilus wrote:

Thanks for giving me a different eye into the issue. Personal flaw of mine: the use of an unecessarily expansive vocabulary. If you talk to people who know me, though...you realize it's not an attempt to augment my apparent intelligence. It's just how I actually talk *shrug*. I can see how it can be taken a bit strangely, though.

Please don't take offence to that..  It's not always the case, just alot of the time..  I actually have alot of very good friends who talk the same way, who are far from arrogant.  Just that in an initial email I feel it's better to be to short and to the point. 

Amy Rose wrote:
Please don't take offence to that..  It's not always the case, just alot of the time..  I actually have alot of very good friends who talk the same way, who are far from arrogant.  Just that in an initial email I feel it's better to be to short and to the point. 

No, no. You're right. Even my Dad (who is part of the reason I've always been so focused on grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary) teases me about it from time to time.

Amy Rose wrote:
excrutiatingly intoxicating.

lol yeah right, that line even made ME quiver! Who wouldn't want to shoot with someone who thinks your

Amy Rose wrote:
excrutiatingly intoxicating.

;-) jk

Kristin Excell wrote:

Amy Rose wrote:
excrutiatingly intoxicating.

lol yeah right, that line even made ME quiver! Who wouldn't want to shoot with someone who thinks your
;-) jk

All you excrutiatingly average models are so below me...







*waiting for the wave of models asking to collaborate with me now...*

Amy Rose wrote:
It is absolutly ok to compliment a model.  But do it simply.  Say something like I love your look.  Or I think you are very beautiful.  Just don't put things like excrutiatingly intoxicating.

Exactly.  If/ when I contact a model for a collaboration i simply state that i liked her look, thoughtshe would be suitable for _____ project and what said project entails, refer her to my portfolio for her discernment, and let her know if a MUA and or stylist will be on hand for the shoot.  Simple, to the point and if they have any more questions i find out in the return message.

Nihilus wrote:
Thanks for giving me a different eye into the issue. Personal flaw of mine: the use of an unecessarily expansive vocabulary. If you talk to people who know me, though...you realize it's not an attempt to augment my apparent intelligence. It's just how I actually talk *shrug*. I can see how it can be taken a bit strangely, though.

I myself have a large vocabulary too(damn B.A. in English), but when you mix in large words and *smile* you come acrossed as someone who is really trying. Keep all contact with a potential model, especially someone off a non-modeling website, very professional, keep it simple(think what you would read in the newspaper) but don't throw in or *giggle* or any of the mangled lanuage used in a blog.
I often approach people off of myspace, first by offering them a letter, asking them to check out my work, look over my profile, offer a link to my other work, state I am not asking them to model, but if they would like to someday please send me a friend invite back(letting them take the initiative if they are interested). Then if they send me one, I know they will eventually model for me, in fact I usually get a resply asking about what I am currently looking for with the friend invite.
I'm now going to do a second reply and edit your letter for you.

Amy Rose wrote:
I definitely agree with that..  Your extensive vocab would definitely make for some powerful reading..  Have you ever thought about writing..

Oh....I SEE!! It's okay for the models to compliment the photographers...but not the other way around?!?

I'm so offended at this misandristic, dogmatic bigotry I think I will cry!!!





*whisper...*
Thank you both for the compliments...it's never actually occured to me...

Lazyi Photography wrote:
I myself have a large vocabulary too(damn B.A. in English), but when you mix in large words and *smile* you come acrossed as someone who is really trying. Keep all contact with a potential model, especially someone off a non-modeling website, very professional, keep it simple(think what you would read in the newspaper) but don't throw in or *giggle* or any of the mangled lanuage used in a blog.
I often approach people off of myspace, first by offering them a letter, asking them to check out my work, look over my profile, offer a link to my other work, state I am not asking them to model, but if they would like to someday please send me a friend invite back(letting them take the initiative if they are interested). Then if they send me one, I know they will eventually model for me, in fact I usually get a resply asking about what I am currently looking for with the friend invite.
I'm nowgoing to do a second reply and edit your letter for you.

*vigorously scribbling notes*

This is good stuff......