How do you find models (NOT family / friends)?

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro for Canon

04/10/2006 03:43:20 PM · #1

Hi all,

I'm looking to get into taking more model pictures for my stock portfolio, as well as for my general learning. I would like to work with people outside of my family, and I don't want to ask people I work with. How do you go about getting models to work with? Do you just walk up and ask (not likely something I would do)? Do you put an ad in the paper? Do they come to you because you are generally known in your area as a photographer (wouldn't THAT be nice!)? And once you find someone to work with, do you typically pay them with prints or money? I welcome your thoughts / suggestions / tips / experiences. Thanks in advance!

-Don

heydandy

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

04/10/2006 03:51:16 PM · #2

check //www.onemodelplace.com

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 15:52:05.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/10/2006 03:53:59 PM · #3

There are a number of sites on the web that focus on models and the photographers that want to work with them. Internet based modeling is very different from traditional land based modeling agencies and you will typically encounter models with a wide variety of skill levels and reasons for being on a 'modeling' site. You will also encounter photographers with a wide variety of skill levels and motivations. Now with that warning in place, here are some of the sites to try: OneModelPlace, Solomodels, MuseCube, ModelMayhem.

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

04/10/2006 04:02:53 PM · #4

Since I'm poor, and I can't afford to pay models, I use family and friends. Unfortunately, my family is hostile to being photographed, and like me...most of my friends are fat. Anyway, one of our clients recently agreed to let me use her 15 month old son as a model. Her payment is that I'll make prints of any of the pictures that she really likes, free of charge. I also wanted to use her as a model, but she kept insisting that she is ugly. So, I got one picture of her nuzzling her son (it's in my gallery). Everyone here at work has been gushing about what a beautiful picture it is. Even she was impressed. I said to her, "Didn't it ever occur to you that the reason you have such beautiful children, is because you are beautiful?"

Apple iPhone

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

04/10/2006 04:03:57 PM · #5

put an ad in the local paper... prints for time... if they give you x amount of time yougive them an 8 x 10 for their portfolio..

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

04/10/2006 04:09:20 PM · #6

I've seen some people put ads in their local www.craigslist.org for model picture trading. Maybe head to a local art school or fashion school and ask around.

04/10/2006 04:10:09 PM · #7

Originally posted by Di:

put an ad in the local paper... prints for time... if they give you x amount of time yougive them an 8 x 10 for their portfolio..

I'm thinking of going that route. Thanks for the links, as well. I've tried the web sites, but model mayhem requires you to register. I have no problem with that, but you need to submit photos before they will "take you in". Well, there's a catch 22 there (hence this post!), because I don't HAVE any true model shots in my portfolio. I found a place on the web for models in my area, and I emailed a couple of them. I haven't heard back yet, though, and I'm a little suspect as to the professionalism of some of these models. I love how they list themselves as being beginner or amateur, but they won't work for prints. Hello?? Unless you have big name agencies knocking down your door, shouldn't you be trying to get what you can? I have no problem paying a model as long as it's reasonable. Prints would be better, of course, but whatever works.

04/10/2006 04:16:18 PM · #8

I should have mentioned that models and photographers trying to build their portfolios typically use Time For Prints (TFP) or Time For CD (TFCD) as a way to exchange skills and time for the resulting images. In most cases even an inexperience photographer can find an inexperienced model to work with and both end up learning a lot in the processes. Both models and photographers find a lot of competition as they seek out more talented individuals to work with, despite the fact that that both parties are working for free. You're likely to encounter debates about when a model pays a photographer or the other way around, simply avoid the topic and focus on improving your work with those are are interested in your work.

04/10/2006 04:27:22 PM · #9

Originally posted by Pixl Mastr WannaB:

... but you need to submit photos before they will "take you in". Well, there's a catch 22 there (hence this post!), because I don't HAVE any true model shots in my portfolio.

I got on to OneModelPlace with just one senior portrait style image in my portfolio and then managed to find Jess. Desiree saw the work with Jess and pointed me to her portfolio on ModelMayhem. I haven't paid to work with either model and they are both very professional. The key is to ignore 90% of the people on these sites and find just a couple of people to work with while you get started.

04/10/2006 05:00:19 PM · #10

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

Originally posted by Pixl Mastr WannaB:
... but you need to submit photos before they will "take you in". Well, there's a catch 22 there (hence this post!), because I don't HAVE any true model shots in my portfolio.

I got on to OneModelPlace with just one senior portrait style image in my portfolio and then managed to find Jess. Desiree saw the work with Jess and pointed me to her portfolio on ModelMayhem. I haven't paid to work with either model and they are both very professional. The key is to ignore 90% of the people on these sites and find just a couple of people to work with while you get started.

Do you think I could get in with this?

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

04/10/2006 05:07:49 PM · #11

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Unfortunately, my family is hostile to being photographed, and like me...most of my friends are fat.

Oh, you are SO not that bad.

DjFenzl

04/10/2006 05:13:38 PM · #12

.

Message edited by author 2006-04-11 10:47:33.

04/10/2006 05:16:47 PM · #13

Originally posted by Pixl Mastr WannaB:

Do you think I could get in with this?

Not bad, definitely good enough to show that you know how to use your camera. You might want to consider an artsy B&W treatment beause the abstract nature of B&W will make it less about your kids and more about kids in general.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 19:06:36.

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

04/11/2006 05:57:13 AM · #14

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:

Unfortunately, my family is hostile to being photographed, and like me...most of my friends are fat.

I (and my model) have had some quite positive feedback of some nude shots I've taken of a friend who was, at the time, somewhat overweight.

04/11/2006 09:28:26 AM · #15

Originally posted by paddles:

Originally posted by ragamuffingirl:
Unfortunately, my family is hostile to being photographed, and like me...most of my friends are fat.

I (and my model) have had some quite positive feedback of some nude shots I've taken of a friend who was, at the time, somewhat overweight.

Any chance you could post an example or three? Purely for artistic reasons, of course. :o) It sounds wierd asking to look at your friend's nude photos, and if they aren't comfortable with that, I absolutely understand. But since you brought it up...
Personally, I admire women (and I guess men, for that matter) who are willing to pose nude no matter WHAT their body shape or condition is. That takes guts for sure! Oh yeah, and not to stray too far from my original post--I'm highjacking my own thread! Any other thoughts on finding models are still appreciated.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon

04/11/2006 10:17:31 AM · #16

I just posted my exact same original post on the istock forum. I'll be curious to see what people say over there. If they offer any great tips that we didn't discuss yet, I'll post them over here.

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

04/11/2006 11:20:25 AM · #17

Originally posted by Pixl Mastr WannaB:

Originally posted by paddles:

I (and my model) have had some quite positive feedback of some nude shots I've taken of a friend who was, at the time, somewhat overweight.

Any chance you could post an example or three? Purely for artistic reasons, of course. :o) It sounds wierd asking to look at your friend's nude photos, and if they aren't comfortable with that, I absolutely understand. But since you brought it up...

Yes, you can see them at //www.zeta.org.au/~paddles/photos/nudes - referring to the second row of four photos.

(Aside: website hasn't been updated for a long time, and I'm planning to move it to a different address some time in the future. If the link is broken, check my profile.)

fotomann_forever

04/11/2006 11:34:29 AM · #18

I've been working on myspace to find models. Cheap and effective. Just remember that the media has villianized Myspace, so you must use a LOT of tact. Also, keep your profile professional looking and clean.

Keith Maniac

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/11/2006 01:42:57 PM · #19

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

...keep your profile professional looking and clean.

So we should avoid things in our profile like naked pictures of ourselves holding cheese, LOL? Just teasing...

lifeofamodel

06/07/2006 06:40:52 AM · #20

I don't mean to self-promote, but having been a model for almost ten years, I have recently set-up a website offering free advice on just the sort of things you are asking here. Why don't you have a look or drop me an email: //www.lifeoamodel.com ; info@lifeofamodel.com

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 06:41:22.

xianart

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/07/2006 07:22:43 AM · #21

Originally posted by paddles:

I (and my model) have had some quite positive feedback of some nude shots I've taken of a friend who was, at the time, somewhat overweight.

the final one of the model on the shell (great use of paddling pool/sandbox!) is wonderful. her skin looks super, and the abundance of flesh is just luxurious. a beautiful, complementary image of a beautiful woman.

edit - can't type!

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 07:23:10.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/07/2006 09:24:39 AM · #22

In San Diego we have GPI which is kind of Model meets Photographer kind of thing. For 25-80 bucks depending on the setting... Three or four models show up and 10-25 Photogs take pics at places like Balboa Park or the beach. They run several a month (some are up in the LA area).

Just an easy way to get used to shooting other people and watch the other photogs pose the models etc.

Message edited by author 2006-06-07 09:33:06.