Image K wrote:

No.

Be proud to be a photographer.

You're acting like your 15 yrs old.

R-E-L-A-X.

Hand her your business card, and tell her to contact her if she is interested. Act like you don't care if she ever calls you.

If you act desperate, she will never call.

Now, take a d-e-e-p breath...

...good advise.
There's nothin to it but to do it.

HenryS wrote:
Your original post was a month ago.  We'd love to hear the good news about what happened.

Wow! I never realized that this thread was still alive. Been in twice since and she hasn't been working.

Patrick Walberg wrote:
If the thought of other photographers approaching her before you doesn't motivate you, then I don't know what else will?

I have thought about that, it's a matter of going in and finding her working now. Hmmm? Maybe she was already discovered?

perc powell photographs wrote:
I think what you said in your opening remarks is pretty good.. Honesty. Just say it to her directly.

Perc.

That's my plan. I'm going to lunch there this weekend. Hopefully she will be on shift.

lotusphoto wrote:
hi, i'm a photographer, perhaps you've seen my work on myspace, i would like to take you out to the desert for some test shots...

don't worry about all those tv shows where the photographer takes women out to the desert and they are never heard from again.. my wife will be with us..

she does make-up, when she's finished with you no-one will be able to identify you...

by the way, don't worry about all those husband and wife serial killer teams, i'm a photographer...'

Ok, you're not helping matters one bit...

GLB Graphics wrote:
Ok, you're not helping matters one bit]

...

actually grasshopper, you just smiled..

Tim Baker wrote:

I recently frequented the new Hooters that opened near my studio.  I had several Tent-Invitations/Business Cards with me.  My girlfriend went with me, too.  We invited three or four of the 'less than stunning' models for a free shoot - and then waited.  Soon, our table was swarming with all the more attractive models just trying to get our attention.  We handed out three or four more 'invitations to shoot' and ended up with four paying clients and we're now the 'official' photographer for this particular Hooters resturant.

Which leads me to another point: Make friends with the staff, including the manager, and they will actually help you out when you want to shoot of of their staff.

Terriffic suggestion... a no pressue invitation. Great strategy as well. ***Just love your portfolio ****** I'm absolutely gonna try something like this.....on those "gotta shoot" gals I occasionally encounter.

lotusphoto wrote:

actually grasshopper, you just smiled..

Grace You wrote:
Definately don't put the pressure to decide when you're talking to her, she'll think you're creepy.

If you're a regular there and everyone knows you already, you don't really need to worry about coming off creepy if you just act like yourself.  She'll be really flattered and the other waitresses there will be jealous that you didn't approach them too.  If you were someone they didn't quite know and you came up to one of their waitresses and you were nervous and uncertain, they would be able to catch onto an unprofessional vibe and categorize you as creepy.  A lot of it is how you carry yourself.

hi grace, please don't tell anyone how shy i am, i don't want anyone to think i'm one of those guys who talks a lot on the internet because people make me nervous..

Grace You wrote:
If you're a regular there and everyone knows you already, you don't really need to worry about coming off creepy if you just act like yourself.

Unless they all already think I act creepy.

lotusphoto wrote:
hi grace, please don't tell anyone how shy i am, i don't want anyone to think i'm one of those guys who talks a lot on the internet because people make me nervous..

Awww you're a sweetie and don't try to pretend to be shy! I heard you talking shop with everyone sitting at the table we were at

GLB Graphics wrote:

Unless they all already think I act creepy.

That's why you give them your business card and tell them to think about it, and if they choose not to contact you, it saves you the feeling of a direct rejection and at the same time you don't know the reasons why she didn't call.  For example she doesn't feel "pretty" enough to model, boyfriend won't let her, feels too tired from her job, etc.

Dave Wright Photo wrote:
All these people keep saying that you should have you wife do the asking - Makes me wonder how many photographers feel like they can't talk to people they see in public about posing for photographs.

Yeah, I have decided that I will be the one doing the talking. I just hope she is on shift this afternoon.

Class Act Photography wrote:
Talking to a girl at a bank, or at a market, or to one that's just eating with her friends, can be a bit intimidating. This is because girls are usually leery of photographers just walking up to them for a shoot.
However, talking to a waitress is probably the easiest of all.
I was in a similar situation once. You don't need to ask her. She will ask you. You come to the restaurant with a camera with the biggest lense you have and put it on the table with a light meter. Also bring a few 8x10's of some beautiful pics you took and spread them around the table like your viewing proofs or something. You don't have to bring up the topic. She will. By the time she refills your second cup of coffee, she'll say "Oh, are you a photographer?" or "That's pretty, did you take those?" or something like that. Then you can strike up a conversation from there and give her your card.

I did something like that last summer. I met with a model at a restaurant, where I had seen a waitress that I wanted to do a shoot with, to give the model her prints. As I was showing the model her pics the waitress came up and was looking at them, she liked what she saw. The waitress and I have done a few shoots together, with plans for a few more.

jonathan ledeux wrote:
with a smile and if you cant aproach her with a smile dont bother, son

That is a given. Ya gotta smile...

Dave Wright Photo wrote:
All these people keep saying that you should have you wife do the asking - Makes me wonder how many photographers feel like they can't talk to people they see in public about posing for photographs.

You might be right in a certain sense, for some photographers. I rarely have had a problem approaching a person I wanted to photograph (and I AM shy at times, believe it or not!). I try to be myself, without any pretentious photo BS. Most of the time, I am alone when when I do the asking. But there have been circumstances that when I had a women with me (usually another photographer or stylist), things went smoother. Sometimes the wife or girlfriend, if she is not in the business, might feel insecure (but not always, depending on the woman and how strong and secure your relationship is with her). This could be a never ending topic. Didn't someone write a book about it?

Grace You wrote:
That's why you give them your business card and tell them to think about it, and if they choose not to contact you, it saves you the feeling of a direct rejection and at the same time you don't know the reasons why she didn't call.  For example she doesn't feel "pretty" enough to llama, boyfriend won't let her, feels too tired from her job, etc.

Thanks for reminding about some of the other reasons they don't call back. And I thought it was my bad breath or something I said (hahaha) . . .

Grace You wrote:

Awww you're a sweetie and don't try to pretend to be shy! I heard you talking shop with everyone sitting at the table we were at

you mean, just smile and be ones self???

you're weird

GLB Graphics wrote:
Recently while having lunch at a local restaurant, I noticed that they had hired a new waitress. This girl/woman, age approximately 21/22, is a total knockout. By looking at her I would say she is likely Persian. She has these real exotic features about her face, my wife and I even sat there and discussed various make-up applications for awhile.

I'm kind of freakin' for one reason or another and kind of hesitant to ask if she would be interested in a shoot. So what is wrong with me? Why am I being so backward about this? How should I approach her?

Gary

You don't approach them. Let them approach you. If for some reason they didn't approach you, then going to plan B.

Kidnap her and force her against her will.


OK... that's a bit drastic and scary.

Huynh Photography wrote:
You don't approach them. Let them approach you. If for some reason they didn't approach you, then going to plan B.

Kidnap her and force her against her will.

OK... that's a bit drastic and scary.

it is, a bit

Class Act Photography wrote:
Talking to a girl at a bank, or at a market, or to one that's just eating with her friends, can be a bit intimidating. This is because girls are usually leery of photographers just walking up to them for a shoot.
However, talking to a waitress is probably the easiest of all.
I was in a similar situation once. You don't need to ask her. She will ask you. You come to the restaurant with a camera with the biggest lense you have and put it on the table with a light meter. Also bring a few 8x10's of some beautiful pics you took and spread them around the table like your viewing proofs or something. You don't have to bring up the topic. She will. By the time she refills your second cup of coffee, she'll say "Oh, are you a photographer?" or "That's pretty, did you take those?" or something like that. Then you can strike up a conversation from there and give her your card.

Couldn't agree more.  Best suggestion is not to approach her and eliminate all the concerns about interuppting her work, her fellow employees etc etc.  Eat a meal, have a coffee..leave your gear on the table and review a portfolio..either a slection of shots or all of one girl from an actual shoot.  Let HER make the approach..and she will if you are any good and she has any normal interest.  Take it fromthere.  Works EVERY time for me.

Jason McKendricks wrote:
You should go up to her, pick her up and carry her over your shoulder to the studio. Along the way tell her she is going to model for you.

HINT: Try slapping her butt before you toss her over your shoulder!

Might have to try this, "the Fred Flinstone" approach............