Dmin99 wrote:
... are still active.
What's up with this?
There are MANY models on here who haven't posted a single new photo in 5-10+ years.
Yet, they still check in.
What is the deal with this?
I've sent some of them messages... never get a response.
What don't I know?

I have no objection to those photographers and models who are now over a decade older from leaving their early digital image files up for us to view and appreciate the breath-taking beauty and style of images from days gone by.

They most likely still receive FR's, comments and notifications, which possibly prompts them to check in from time-to-time.

I for one appreciate being able to view the masterful skills that were necessary to produce the beauty of imagery from the pre-digital age.

When you live in a small regional Australian town with no bookstores and only one news agency you quickly develop a thirst for finding a source of quality imagery like that which is freely available on Model Mayhem.

I don't rely on Model Mayhem (MM) as a source for finding models. The nearest MM model to me is a minimum four hour round trip away, This is reason enough why MM models and myself would likely find it preferable to only connect and work with talent and creatives who live locally.

Dmin99 wrote:
... are still active.
What's up with this?
There are MANY models on here who haven't posted a single new photo in 5-10+ years.
Yet, they still check in.
What is the deal with this?
I've sent some of them messages... never get a response.
What don't I know?

Some have functionally retired from shooting,
but still hang out here socially.
Others may log in from time to time to remind themselves of what they used to do of to see happy posts from friends that they no longer see, or who may no longer be with us.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
To be fair many photographers don't update very much.  I post my new work on IG and Facebook.  Your work is excellent so, I don't know why models aren't responding.  Some may have aged out of modeling but still log in perhaps to read the forum posts.

If a photographer gains 100lbs, shaves his head, dyes his pubes fire engine red and gets a tattoo of Charles Manson on his chest... I don't see much of an issue.

Dmin99 wrote:
What is the deal with this?

I don't know.

Dmin99 wrote:
What's the point of this?

I don't care.

samreevesphoto wrote:
If those photos are eons old, you should ask for a current photo before hiring.  Otherwise it's a signal to stay away.

If, and when, one of those models ever responded I would.
One DID respond.
She had "nude" in her profile.
Her photos were 10 years old.
One "implied" in her portfolio.
She's local - so I contacted her.
I'd heard from another photographer that she'd had at least one child.
When she contacted me, I told her that I needed to see updated photos.
She told me she'd been modeling for >10 years.
Told her I still needed to see recent photos.
She never responded back.
Looked at her page recently.
She's been posting old photos.

Dmin99 wrote:
What's the percentage of models on here who are actually active and looking to work?

You can use the Browse feature that Model Mayhem provides to help ascertain percentages.

As an example, under Browse I filtered by Model / Female / Age Group / Country / State / All Cities / Active within the past 31 days i.e. a month. The result was six 6 models.

I then filtered by 'all photographers' in my State. The result was 242 photographers. That's near enough to a ratio of 1 model to every 40 photographers.

I can extend out the 'Last Active' period for both scenarios, but the ratio remains fairly bleak for photographers in my state.

In addition to this, I am located hours away from the nearest active MM model, certainly too far away for me to want to travel to them. I certainly don't take the initiative in being the first person to initiate contact with MM models who don't live nearby.

Finally, I am not aware of any MM rules that prohibit Photographers and/or Models from posting or leaving old photos posted in their portfolios'. If you are a creative who is proud of what you have achieved and are still capable of producing, for example you have a past Magazine Cover that clearly shows the quality and range of your work, then surely this is good enough reason to post and leave an old image up.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to determine that with age physical appearance can change, sometimes dramatically. As best you can, you have done your homework on this particular model and things don't appear to have turned out in your favour. However to continue to revisit her site and report on her most recent postings as being (supposedly old) images is a worrisome behaviour.

Dmin99 wrote:
Seriously?
I search for active models in my area - and she shows up.
I look to see if there's anything new.

What's "worrisome"?

It is understandable, to a degree, why a mature aged model might want to feature stunning photos from their past.

Working models generally update their portfolios whenever a significant change in appearance (hair color/style, weight change, new tattoos/piercings, etc.) occurs. Ten years is a lifetime in this fast-paced industry.

I feel your frustration toward a model who continues to post old images. IMO she is doing a disservice to herself and the industry’s push for age diversity.

Having identified her photos were greater than 10 years old and correctly pointing out you needed to see updated photos. She responded by letting you know she had not modelled for greater than 10 years. However after you pointed out for a second time you still needed to see recent photos.

She never responded back. Other than by later posting more (old) photos of herself. So why go on about it and simply just move on!

"Seriously?"

What was the purpose for pointing out another photographer's gossip about her life situation of possibly having more than one child? 

The other issue you have with her for ticking 'nude' in her profile, but not posting any nudity in her portfolio.

Many models tick nudity and not post their nude work, perhaps they do it to get extra site hits, but they don't want to allow non-professional viewers a free look at their nude work.

You have identified this model’s professional integrity is questionable and it appears she may not be seeking a professional photographer to capture images that accurately reflect her current self.

Happy New Year!

Dmin99 wrote:

If a photographer gains 100lbs, shaves his head, dyes his pubes fire engine red and gets a tattoo of Charles Manson on his chest... I don't see much of an issue.

I was speaking of a photographers more current work and not what he/she looks like but suspect you knew that.
You seem like a joy to work with.  I'm shocked that models aren't racing to work to with you.

Dmin99 wrote:
... are still active.
What's up with this?
There are MANY models on here who haven't posted a single new photo in 5-10+ years.
Yet, they still check in.
What is the deal with this?
I've sent some of them messages... never get a response.
What don't I know?

If you are sending messages and not getting responses, then you should consider reviewing what you are writing. Perhaps you could run it by someone else to get a different perspective.
There is no need for a model to send you updated pictures if you haven't even outlined the basics of a proposed shoot. If you haven't proposed a concept/genre, location and rate there is no shoot and therefore no need to send you pictures... especially nude pictures.

Model MoRina wrote:

If you are sending messages and not getting responses, then you should consider reviewing what you are writing. Perhaps you could run it by someone else to get a different perspective.
There is no need for a model to send you updated pictures if you haven't even outlined the basics of a proposed shoot. If you haven't proposed a concept/genre, location and rate there is no shoot and therefore no need to send you pictures... especially nude pictures.

Look at my portfolio.
That is what I shoot.
That is what I tell models to expect.
I give them the exact address I shoot at and the rates I pay.

Tony Lawrence wrote:

I was speaking of a photographers more current work and not what he/she looks like but suspect you knew that.
You seem like a joy to work with.  I'm shocked that models aren't racing to work to with you.

And... you miss the point entirely.
Thanks... for nothing.

Dmin99 wrote:
Look at my portfolio.
That is what I shoot.
That is what I tell models to expect.
I give them the exact address I shoot at and the rates I pay.

Well I was going to give another constructive suggestion, but I am just an old cackling hen, so I won't bother.

Dmin99 wrote:
... are still active.
What's up with this?
There are MANY models on here who haven't posted a single new photo in 5-10+ years.
Yet, they still check in.
What is the deal with this?
I've sent some of them messages... never get a response.
What don't I know?

Model MoRina wrote:

Well I was going to give another constructive suggestion, but I am just an old cackling hen, so I won't bother.

I don't think anyone will confuse you with a "Old cackling hen" you look amazing and models could benefit from your perspective and experience! Everyone had value, try to remember all you have to offer? Nice body btw!

Dmin99 wrote:

Tony Lawrence wrote:
I was speaking of a photographers more current work and not what he/she looks like but suspect you knew that.
You seem like a joy to work with.  I'm shocked that models aren't racing to work to with you.

And... you miss the point entirely.
Thanks... for nothing.[/quote

























Years ago a former MM model let me read some of the messages she received here.  WOW!  and I mean WOW!  Some of it, respectful and polite but a lot of it wasn't.  I think, MoRina was on point.  "If you are sending messages and not getting responses, then you should consider reviewing what you are writing..."  Sage advice for sure.  Sometimes our biggest obstacle is looking back at us in the mirror.

Dmin99 wrote:
Look at my portfolio.
That is what I shoot.
That is what I tell models to expect.
I give them the exact address I shoot at and the rates I pay.

Real question. You have like 500+ images, many of the same set up, like 5 in a row , all same thing etc, when a total port here of 30 would do. That would say enough about what your about. 500 plus images, really?  It comes across like you just are collecting for your own fetish wants and ideas and not much else. Models might see your port that way. Also, that's especially true if your paying. Nobody is coming to you to create, they are clocking in and thats fine, but you come across as a shooter who just wants to hire models for fetish fulfillment and then you post it all here like it means something other than you having a "thing" and not much else.

Models gotta want what you have in your port for their own, you dont seem to offer that much outside of your fetishized work. You might consider this.  There is a reason why YOU pay for it vs getting paid. Outside MM I charge, but here, its always been fun to make whatever if I dig a persons vibe and they dig what i do. Thats just me and I have a niche that works and not everyone can do. You just make a metric ton of paid fetish work. Good for the traveling models who like being paid and all, but most seems like they are passing on all your offers now. So its either all them or, you know, the one constant in your math. You.

Just something to consider. You come across as a "pron producer" and not much as an artist or pro shooter who offers great work that really creative etc etc. Do with this what you will, but you asked.

Cinema Photography wrote:

Real question. You have like 500+ images, many of the same set up, like 5 in a row , all same thing etc, when a total port here of 30 would do. That would say enough about what your about. 500 plus images, really?  It comes across like you just are collecting for your own fetish wants and ideas and not much else. Models might see your port that way. Also, that's especially true if your paying. Nobody is coming to you to create, they are clocking in and thats fine, but you come across as a shooter who just wants to hire models for fetish fulfillment and then you post it all here like it means something other than you having a "thing" and not much else.

Models gotta want what you have in your port for their own, you dont seem to offer that much outside of your fetishized work. You might consider this.  There is a reason why YOU pay for it vs getting paid. Outside MM I charge, but here, its always been fun to make whatever if I dig a persons vibe and they dig what i do. Thats just me and I have a niche that works and not everyone can do. You just make a metric ton of paid fetish work. Good for the traveling models who like being paid and all, but most seems like they are passing on all your offers now. So its either all them or, you know, the one constant in your math. You.

Just something to consider. You come across as a "pron producer" and not much as an artist or pro shooter who offers great work that really creative etc etc. Do with this what you will, but you asked.

He didn't ask you, ESPECIALLY YOU, to critique his work. There's a place for that.

Dmin99 wrote:

Look at my portfolio.
That is what I shoot.
That is what I tell models to expect.
I give them the exact address I shoot at and the rates I pay.

You have an interesting artsy  style within the genre you shoot . Not only interesting but recognizable . I dont think it matters when those photos were taken - a Model looking at your portfolio will know exactly what to expect and either they will be down for it or not

Tony Lawrence wrote:
You seem like a joy to work with.  I'm shocked that models aren't racing to work to with you.

This

Dmin99 wrote:
Add to this models who post "recent" photos that show them as young (or younger) than the 15+ year-old photos on their page.
I can across a model who has been on here for 20 years.
She has 8-10 photos.
They were all posted in 2023.
She looks to be ~20 years old.
What's the point of this?

It may surprise You but there are some Models in this world whose looks stand the test of time and may actually be better Models than they were 20 yrs ago

I started my MM portfolio with photos of a 17 year old Model i befriended through our Fashion Week , I had the feeling that this young Woman had potential - and now Coco Rocha is the Queen of the Fashion World

Garry k wrote:
It may surprise You but there are some Models in this world whose looks stand the test of time and may actually be better Models than they were 20 yrs ago

I started my MM portfolio with photos of a 17 year old Model i befriended through our Fashion Week , I had the feeling that this young Woman had potential - and now Coco Rocha is the Queen of the Fashion World

how tf would u know...you're not even a real photographer, you're an AI (prompter?  wtf does one even call u?  but whats worse you're here on MM actually (bragging) about cloning real women for their modeling agencies so they u can both use their likeness commercially (without having to pay them), what an piece of garbage

and then you're here on the forums offering "brutal critiques" 

jesus christ you are a new level of lowlife....and here in your last post we can see that u started here working with minors...u sound like u deserve the Cretin award or something

D L Photo wrote:
how tf would u know...you're not even a real photographer, you're an AI (prompter?  wtf does one even call u?  but whats worse you're here on MM actually (bragging) about cloning real women for their modeling agencies so they u can both use their likeness commercially (without having to pay them), what an piece of garbage

and then you're here on the forums offering "brutal critiques."

Don't wanna be a fool for you
Just another player in your game for two
You may hate me, but it ain't no lie
Baby, bye, bye, bye (bye, bye)
Don't really want to make it tough
I just wanna tell you that I've had enough
It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie
Baby, bye, bye, bye

D L Photo wrote:
how tf would u know...you're not even a real photographer, you're an AI (prompter?  wtf does one even call u?  but whats worse you're here on MM actually (bragging) about cloning real women for their modeling agencies so they u can both use their likeness commercially (without having to pay them), what an piece of garbage

and then you're here on the forums offering "brutal critiques" 

jesus christ you are a new level of lowlife....and here in your last post we can see that u started here working with minors...u sound like u deserve the Cretin award or something

You fail to recognize that I am a Fashion Photographer of 25 years ( and that my AI is just a side thing ) and then you call me a " low life : because I have done Fashion Shoots with 16 and 17 year old Models . ... Like other Fashion Photographers working with  Fashion Models - I realize that some of the Best Ones start Young and that it can be a big advantage to Me to work with such potential talent because it will only give me more credibility and  make me more sought after in the Industry

I shot with a 17 year old aspiring Model and opened my MM account using those photos about 20 years ago - . And this is a small part of what that Model went on to achieve

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=co … mp;first=1

and we are still friends lol

rxz wrote:
As for MM and me, it's time to move on.  When I became a nonpaying member last fall, I discovered I couldn't send messages to anyone but existing friends.  So no messaging to new local or traveling models.  But now there's no real new models in my area.  Even traveling models are limited.  Interesting given there's about 9 million people within a 60 mile radius of my town.  I no longer care if a model has photos years or even a decade old.   Now checking MM is just to check the posts in the forums.

As for my photography, two female friends who like my work have and will continue to pose for me.

You write “As for MM and me, it’s time to move on”
Does this mean you have decided to part ways with MM, or that going forward it’s time for you to move on with MM?

As for your becoming disillusioned by there no longer being an abundance of ‘real’ models in your highly populated area. Spare a thought for members like myself where there are no and has never been any MM models, but who can still manage to find photogenic locals to act as substitutes for ‘real’ models.

Lucifers_Corner wrote:

Don't wanna be a fool for you
Just another player in your game for two
You may hate me, but it ain't no lie
Baby, bye, bye, bye (bye, bye)
Don't really want to make it tough
I just wanna tell you that I've had enough
It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie
Baby, bye, bye, bye

Bye Bye Bye
Song by NSYNC ‧ 2000

rxz wrote:
I've updated my photos over the past year but no one looks at them.   So I reduced my photo port on MM from over 90 to under 30.  The next 3 women I will be photographing are not with MM, not even models.  Just female human beings.  I photographed women for almost 20 years before working with someone I found on the web.  Time to go back to the way I started.

How can you tell or say that no one looks at your photos? I look at them!

Do you realise that when people use a mobile phone to view images, there's no advantage in clicking on images which is what's necessary to generate a view on MM.

A person simply has to scroll from image to image, there is no picture quality advantage to click on an image that already fills the frame on the small screen of most mobile phones.

Anyway that's my theory and I hope no one here debunks that theory.

FYI I have never photographed a 'real' model, my source is to use photogenic locals. Many of whom are students who come to me wanting to feature in local Newspaper Modelling Searches and Calendars or in Advertising Campaigns.

In earlier times I did photograph a couple of MM models, but I had to remove their images due to MM's rule forbidding posting photos of underage [16 & 17 yr old] models.

I look back at my images and think about how much using hair and makeup artists transformed the school girl class photo look into the look of a 'real' model.  Sometimes I had to look twice to confirm I was photographing the same/right person.