| Author | Thread |
|
|
12/29/2008 12:20:52 AM · #1 |
Hi - as the subject says I'm new to photography and looking to gain experience. Just looking for tips on how to find models who'll work for free or for the off chance there might actually be some pictures they like in what I take?? I know with me learning there's a slim chance of taking any gorgeous ones.
I guess I'm wondering where to find them and how to work out the deal to where they arent getting paid (i'd hate to spend a ton of money on models when I probably would just butcher the shoot anyway lol).
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
- Clay |
|
|
|
12/29/2008 12:42:05 AM · #2 |
| Family, friends, coworkers, clients, neighbors, etc... that'd be a good place to start. Set up a site where you and your subjects can share the images and allow word-of-mouth to get you more models. |
|
|
|
12/29/2008 12:48:23 AM · #3 |
| i'm pretty much in the same boat but every chance i get i get family and friend to help me out but ive heard a lot of good stuff about the site called //www.modelmayhem.com check it out you may be able to fine someone in your area? or more of the info your looking for good luck! |
|
|
|
12/30/2008 06:00:31 AM · #4 |
If friends and family don't work, then try craigslist or modelmayhem. At the very least though, if you're looking for a trade opportunity then at least offer more than the hope that maybe there will be an image they'll like. Something a little more tangible and concrete would increase your chances. Give them images they can use.
|
|
|
|
12/30/2008 07:27:51 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Joker1114:
i'm pretty much in the same boat but every chance i get i get family and friend to help me out but ive heard a lot of good stuff about the site called //www.modelmayhem.com check it out you may be able to fine someone in your area? or more of the info your looking for good luck! |
Agreed. What you've described you are looking for is pretty-much what MM is all about.
See this thread for some related discussion and a list of other DPCers who are also MMers.
Tread carefully with craigslist. Not saying it's a bad idea; just lots of news stories and "issues" recently with CL and various nefarious activities and lots of law enforcement involvement; scouting for "models" might put you on someone's radar, depending on how carefully you word your ad. I'm just sayin'........
|
|
|
|
12/30/2008 09:14:10 AM · #6 |
| And just because you are still learning doesn't mean you can't / shouldn't pay the models. Just a thought, but if they are paid you might get a more experiences model who will actually help you learn. If they are paid, it won't really matter how the photos turn out, as they are being paid for their time and professionalism. |
|
|
|
12/30/2008 09:18:35 AM · #7 |
If you're serious about this, then you will probably find that pretty much any local recreational sports team.....cheerleading, soccer, football.....would be delighted to have an official team photographer, and you'll find that the parents of the kids will be delighted to have portraits of their kids.
I've done that with two different teams my daughter's been a part of, and I got a bucketload of experience for free.
[thumb]750725[/thumb] [thumb]620350[/thumb] [thumb]674208[/thumb] [thumb]656335[/thumb]
[thumb]731930[/thumb] [thumb]731929[/thumb]
The flip side is that you should expect to do some portraits either for free, or for the nominal costs involved with printing for the free model trade-off.
I also have been doing a series of portraits for the young women at the salon where I get my hair cut.
[thumb]647236[/thumb] [thumb]749304[/thumb] [thumb]749306[/thumb]
They get some themed protraits to hang in the salon, and I get referrals.
Don't expect anything to happen overnight, and remember that you're investing your time for your experience.
You might also check out the local beauty/modeling schools, and camera clubs to see if they have any portrait shootings/clinics that are free or for a nominal fee.
I joined the one camera club to go to some of their training seminars/clinics for $25 a year, and discovered to my delight that at the beginning of every year, we have a model shoot for 6-8 hours where all you have to do is show up with your camera, and they have two or three "Studios" set up with lights, backdrops, umbrellas.....the whole thing......and you can even bring your own mosels.....but you have to share. I took my daughter last year, and I'm taking a friend this year.
This one: [thumb]748438[/thumb]
I also do volunteer shooting for a food bank/charity org that has events like dinners and gatherings, and they are just thrilled to have someone donate their time and images for their newsletter. Sometimes you end up with jewels like this from an event:
[thumb]744835[/thumb]
You can also go to retirement homes and offer to take portraits and/or candids for the homes' newsletters, and you can get images such as this:
And every single animal rescue shelter in the free world is looking for photogs to do portrait work for their websites/newsletters of adoptable pets....local farms have animals.....
 [thumb]644226[/thumb] [thumb]738648[/thumb]
Street fairs, benefit concerts, Fridays, church occasions, the gym, the doctor's office, the homecoming dance........
[thumb]744350[/thumb] [thumb]735461[/thumb] [thumb]734219[/thumb] [thumb]689000[/thumb]
[thumb]599206[/thumb] [thumb]566923[/thumb] [thumb]599884[/thumb] [thumb]632472[/thumb]
They're all out there, just waiting to be "shot", and the beauty of the random, candid, not knowing what to expect scenario is that you will get experience, you'll learn to thinmk on your feet, you'll get the shots you cannot pose, and you'll live life larger......and if it all works out, you'll leave something of yourself in the hearts and minds of many people.
Just my little take on the free model thing......YMMV.....8>)
|
|
|
|
12/30/2008 09:21:08 AM · #8 |
| Jeb, you're awesome, you inspire me. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2026 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 05/06/2026 10:28:27 AM EDT.
