Photoshack wrote:
I used to be "big" on OneModelPlace.com and ModelMayhem some 10 years ago; great emerging models and photographers connecting for TFP and paid gigs.   But do models even need these when they can just TikTok themselves and get contacts?

Just wondering if it even makes sense to spend time here if that's the trend today (social media is direct to the person.)

1) Models have their own hidden forum here because it was never productive for them to reply in the "model colloquy". Although I hear not much is going on there either.

2) You're in Irvine, CA. I can confirm that a casting call in this region last month on this site received over 100 replies. More when non-nude. I think the LA region is an outlier as many other photographers are saying they can't find models. But they're all here so it doesn't apply to you.

BethanyKay wrote:
I haven't been on here since I started using FB more,
BUT I came back to Model Mayhem recently because: PRIVACY from friends, family, neighbors, literally every person I know....
AND you can get away with NSFW photos here.

Good reasons as to why MM could make a comeback, time will tell.

TLVPhoto wrote:
Based on the lack of conversations in the forums, it looks like MM is on a slow death. Has been that for a while IMO.

I hate social media. If that is the future, it will suck for me because that is not something I like to use. My usage of MM has dropped a lot as the the interaction on the site has gone down. I really don't see the need to keep a paid account anymore.

Let's not forget MM leaving accounts that have not been used in years active making it look like they have more users then they really do.

Sorry, my little rant is over.

I suppose we must all take some responsibility for the success or failure of MM. After all, a site is only as  good as it's members. However, I do have to agree with you that for the last several years, it feels as though MM has been on autopilot. The contest entries are more than half what they once were and the voting is even less. Finding a new member in my area is a very rare moment (and, I'm in South Florida). I could be nit-picky and point out all sorts of silly issues with MM, but, I could do that with Instagram and TikTok also. Still yet, MM platform, should it be managed with excitement and creativity, would still outway...overall...the trendy platforms...but by all means....PLEASE MODEL MAYHEM...it's time for a make over!!!!!

BethanyKay wrote:
I haven't been on here since I started using FB more,
BUT I came back to Model Mayhem recently because: PRIVACY from friends, family, neighbors, literally every person I know....
AND you can get away with NSFW photos here.

Do you realize that your profile is public here? And the forums are public? And you don't have your profile set to members only?

Al_Vee Photography wrote:
Considering how horrible photographers were treating models on the message boards here a few years back, it's no wonder they've/we've (I'm a former pro traveling model posting from my photographer account) largely stopped coming here to network. 2019 was the last year I actively toured as a nude model, and I booked most of my work from Instagram and Facebook groups that year. I have some interest in resuming modeling in 2023, but MM activity will remain pretty limited for me. I was on here posting and commenting constantly, from 2008 or so, through about 2017.

I am in agreement with these statements. It does take more effort and more time to book models from Instagram but that is where a lot of the models are now. A hell of a lot more than on MM anyway.

Weldphoto wrote:
What I am finding is in my area which has three colleges and a fairly young population, very few models are signing up.  In the past year I would guess two or three new models have joined Mayhem.  Also the age of the models is going up.  That makes me wonder if the 18-30 age group is not interested in the kind of modeling Mayhem appears to offer. Perhaps it's just not the fun thing to do it once was.  Are other medium sized cities finding fewer and fewer new models?  Has modeling lost its appeal?

If so or even partly so, I don't know what Mayhem could do other than post better pictures on IG where, in my opinion, the postings are cheesecake type with little or no style.  How does Mayhem work to attract new models?

In my experience, MM has always been biased in favor of female models who are tall, rail-thin with very narrow hips, and under 30 years old. It can feel, to a lot of models, that photographers are on MM more to suit their own fantasies, than to create images that are interesting and relevant. Body modifications were always more accepted here than in the mainstream industry, but only a little bit. There's still an anti-modification undercurrent (and by that, I mean everything from tattoos to cosmetic surgery) here that is absolutely antiquated. I agree with you that model demographics are changing, and they're changing favorably to include more gender expressions, tattooed and modified models, and bodies with different builds and shapes. They are changing everywhere, except not as quickly on Mayhem.

As a photographer, the vast majority of people I shoot are 40+ year old females who are performers of various sorts, comfortable with nudes, but who would not be well-received on sites like Mayhem. Many of these people are very talented, passionate and have unique and captivating features when a photographer takes the time to adjust their poses, and put them into environments where their creativity is nurtured. Some MM photographers do that - but many do not. Out in the "real world," people think of MM in a pretty negative light - as a place that exhibits some pretty outdated and misogynistic attitudes. They are not wrong.

We've entered a time when models have decided they're tired of being "dolls," who must groom themselves and present according to artificial standards created by some genuinely hateful and bigoted expectations. Models are humans, and deserve body autonomy just like anyone else. I modeled professionally for more than a decade. Like many of the people I work with today, I reached a point where having men try to tell me how my public hair needed to look became absolutely sickening to me. I was also told by Mayhem photographers over the years I needed to be around or under 100 pounds, because I am only 5 feet tall. As a lifelong athlete, with a higher than normal amount of muscle, I would literally be dead if I weighed 100 pounds. I wanted to feel, finally, like a full human. That meant largely avoiding networking in places where patriarchal beauty standards remained the norm. For others, they find an expansive market for more diverse looks via other networking modalities. As demographics continue to change, models will continue to meet their employers and collaborators in more egalitarian spaces.

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
I'm surprised that more photographers are not booking models because of OnlyFans, models are busting ass to get fresh content, and they are hiring photographers to create that content.

If they are they already had a working relationship. Or more likely they've puchased their own equipment.

Did you see the Cash Me Outside girl just paid 6.1 Million dollars cash for a home?

Another article said one was making up to $600K per month at one point.

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
I'm surprised that more photographers are not booking models because of OnlyFans, models are busting ass to get fresh content, and they are hiring photographers to create that content.

Magic in Light wrote:
If they are they already had a working relationship. Or more likely they've puchased their own equipment.

Models have purchased their own equip & learned photography?
Wow.... fascinating theory you have brought to my attention.

*laughs in tri-x*

Even with models creating their own content, many are still hiring photographers to help them produce enough for their sites.

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
*laughs in tri-x*

My models laugh in sRGB.

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
I'm surprised that more photographers are not booking models because of OnlyFans, models are busting ass to get fresh content, and they are hiring photographers to create that content.

As an old pervert that wants to shoot fresh content, how do I go about doing that?

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
I'm surprised that more photographers are not booking models because of OnlyFans, models are busting ass to get fresh content, and they are hiring photographers to create that content.

Robert Randall wrote:
As an old pervert that wants to shoot fresh content, how do I go about doing that?

Get an instagram account, go through a bunch of your older work that has cute sexy, boudoir, glamour, work, start posting tagging & interacting with accounts of OF models.
Go out! Yes outside & network in person, go hit a bar or three, gallery shows, strip clubs, all the girls who have OF will chat you up, send them your in instagram, stay in touch, and get booked!

Having a studio puts you miles ahead of most of the locals.
You also have a great personality & not a creep.

Weldphoto wrote:
What I am finding is in my area which has three colleges and a fairly young population, very few models are signing up.  In the past year I would guess two or three new models have joined Mayhem.  Also the age of the models is going up.  That makes me wonder if the 18-30 age group is not interested in the kind of modeling Mayhem appears to offer. Perhaps it's just not the fun thing to do it once was.  Are other medium sized cities finding fewer and fewer new models?  Has modeling lost its appeal?

If so or even partly so, I don't know what Mayhem could do other than post better pictures on IG where, in my opinion, the postings are cheesecake type with little or no style.  How does Mayhem work to attract new models?

I live in an area with a number of universities. Two of them are huge. In 2012, MM was flush with students from USC etc. However, 10 years later and gen z tends to look at social media and the modeling industry way differently the us older generations do. A lot of what was considered huge advances for gender and equality to previous generations is much different in the eyes of gen z. They grew up in a much more hyper sexualized society. They grew up with social media. A lot of them saw nudity and adult material at a much younger age then we did. A lot of what we found mysterious, titling and curious in our early 20's they are desensitized to. Being a 'hot model girl' seems dated and sexist. That goes for college aged kids who are both liberal minded and conservative minded. Gen Z tends to be more classic feminist in how they view women. In my generation for example 'sex positive feminism' was popular. Meaning women were considered liberated by nude modeling. However, gen z finds it degrading to think of a woman sexualized in that manner. As things do, the generational pendulum is swinging back the other way. This is just part of the balance of the social order as I see it.

I have mentioned in a previous post. I am seeing if they want to model. Gen Z tends to be very social media savvy. More of them have carved out their own brands on social media via Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, tik-tok and their personal blogs. Most are working directly with brands from their popular Youtube hulls. Or showcasing fashion on personal blogs. There are also girls who are a little more adventure and go straight to doing their own subscription based sites themselves. Like onlyfans and c4s. Basically, they aren't joining MM because they do not feel they need a middleman and are more DIY. They don't see the need to deal with photographers. I am basing this based on my interactions with the local college students.

BethanyKay wrote:
I haven't been on here since I started using FB more,
BUT I came back to Model Mayhem recently because: PRIVACY from friends, family, neighbors, literally every person I know....
AND you can get away with NSFW photos here.

That's exactly why I came back! To be honest, I've missed it. I like the direct interaction with other professionals and knowing they're professionals, or learning. Social media has to many scammers and unknowns.

Iona Lynn 2 wrote:
snip

Even with models creating their own content, many are still hiring photographers to help them produce enough for their sites.

I know quite a few that create their own content and don't hire photographers because their significant one seems to do a good job, or they self shoot. Besides, You have to realize that the content they produce will sale regardless of quality. In fact their customers and followers in that genre care less about quality. They want quantity.

Varton Photography wrote:

I know quite a few that create their own content and don't hire photographers because their significant one seems to do a good job, or they self shoot. Besides, You have to realize that the content they produce will sale regardless of quality. In fact their customers and followers in that genre care less about quality. They want quantity.

I started to self-shoot a lot of my own content in 2017, and I found that people liked it far more than much of the work I'd created with other photographers. I enjoyed self-portraiture so much that I began photographing other people, and rapidly built a photography business. I was coming into shooting already having 10 years experience as a traveling model under my belt. I knew how to make people look good. Ten years ago, people made fun of models created their own content, but the fact is, many became competent photographers with a long-term career that allowed for significant diversification of their skill sets.

neoracer wrote:
IG is a dead end. Sent out over 22 shoot requests and not one has been read, let alone replied to. Probably so many D*ck pics they wont even bother to read messages anymore. That and yes, OF has destroyed everything. They dont need pro pics to satisfy the customer base so why waste time? Of the few models I have talked to they instantly ask if I will buy their 'Content'...yeaa.. I take pics I dont buy them.

The idea of model photography being profitable for photographers has changed dramatically over the past couple decades thanks to easy availability, plus low cost of digital cameras (even phones.) Also the Internet platforms evolving towards what we have today like OF .. where models really don't need to get paid by photographers, as they can shoot, market, and sell themselves with quantity over quality being the key factor.

I grew up in the era where photographers were respected professionals.  I shot many weddings and portraits as my bread & butter or the money maker.  On occasion I've had photo studios of my own, and worked for others with photo studios.  I was shooting "beautiful models, fast cars and rock stars" as more of my dessert, my fun projects or even "hobby" if I wasn't charging.  On top of all that, I knew how to get in the door of concerts, and other fun events by freelancing as a photographer and writer for print media. The icing on the cake was I am knowledgeable on how to run One Hour Photo daylab equipment as well as knowing my way around a darkroom doing hand processing. All through the 1980's and 90's, it made me a valuable asset to businesses.

That all changed!  The model who last posted before you has left the website.  It's so typical.   Members of this website have found it obsolete. Old schoolers like myself are obsolete.  Now it's just history I can teach.  The younger generation is cynical towards the past.  Those few that ask me what I think of them picking up a DSLR and shooting models, I'll tell them it's a fun hobby if you can afford it, but you'd be better off learning coding.  Want job security?  Become a mortician.  I know a former drug dealer in town.  He got clean, did his time, and is now a mortician.  Sadly, he is very busy.  He is burying many of his former customers. 

I am truly amazed that this website has lasted as long as it has!  18 years is a long time in cyber space. It beat out Myspace.   Many of those who are no longer on this website as members have moved on to other things to do, other places to go, and some have passed away.  As I've gotten older, I think less about money and more about legacy.  Every day I wake up feeling blessed and happy for a another chance to make a difference in someone else's life. We don't have an unlimited amount of time.

"You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." - Nightbirde

neoracer wrote:
IG is a dead end. Sent out over 22 shoot requests and not one has been read, let alone replied to. Probably so many D*ck pics they wont even bother to read messages anymore. That and yes, OF has destroyed everything. They dont need pro pics to satisfy the customer base so why waste time? Of the few models I have talked to they instantly ask if I will buy their 'Content'...yeaa.. I take pics I dont buy them.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Send a dick pic and you might get a reply.

Samantha Grace wrote:
I live in an area with a number of universities. Two of them are huge. In 2012, MM was flush with students from USC etc. However, 10 years later and gen z tends to look at social media and the modeling industry way differently the us older generations do. A lot of what was considered huge advances for gender and equality to previous generations is much different in the eyes of gen z. They grew up in a much more hyper sexualized society. They grew up with social media. A lot of them saw nudity and adult material at a much younger age then we did. A lot of what we found mysterious, titling and curious in our early 20's they are desensitized to. Being a 'hot model girl' seems dated and sexist. That goes for college aged kids who are both liberal minded and conservative minded. Gen Z tends to be more classic feminist in how they view women. In my generation for example 'sex positive feminism' was popular. Meaning women were considered liberated by nude modeling. However, gen z finds it degrading to think of a woman sexualized in that manner. As things do, the generational pendulum is swinging back the other way. This is just part of the balance of the social order as I see it.

I have mentioned in a previous post. I am seeing if they want to model. Gen Z tends to be very social media savvy. More of them have carved out their own brands on social media via Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, tik-tok and their personal blogs. Most are working directly with brands from their popular Youtube hulls. Or showcasing fashion on personal blogs. There are also girls who are a little more adventure and go straight to doing their own subscription based sites themselves. Like onlyfans and c4s. Basically, they aren't joining MM because they do not feel they need a middleman and are more DIY. They don't see the need to deal with photographers. I am basing this based on my interactions with the local college students.

^^^  This is the very best response/comment so far!  ^^^
I believe Samantha is right about why the youth are no longer interested in modeling.

neoracer wrote:
IG is a dead end. Sent out over 22 shoot requests and not one has been read, let alone replied to. Probably so many D*ck pics they wont even bother to read messages anymore. That and yes, OF has destroyed everything. They dont need pro pics to satisfy the customer base so why waste time? Of the few models I have talked to they instantly ask if I will buy their 'Content'...yeaa.. I take pics I dont buy them.

It went from an art form that paid good, where the dream was to get runway work in NYC or chosen to be the next Victoria Secret 'angel' for lingerie.    But now its' just a way to make plenty of big money fast, if you choose to do anything explicit and graphic .  As a model, they would call it 'kink' or fetish work.  But it's just simply about money for showing everything, for making cheap short porn vids in a short time.  Lots of money if they do what ever the 'creator' of film asks you to do.