Ask a model??? Have you ever???

Beth81 · Jul 24, 2009

Yesterday I went to bike night and I spotted this really interesting girl. I thought about just walking up and asking her if she would model for me sometime for a photo shoot....then I thought gosh I don't have any business cards made up yet and she will probably think I'm crazy...SO my question is...have any of you ever seen someone you wanted to shoot and just walked up and asked them to model for you??? How in the world would I even ask such a thing without them thinking I'm some loony insane person?? LOL

Village Idiot · Jul 24, 2009

"I'm a photographer, I want to take pictures of you. Call me."

It also works when trying to get dates.

Beth81 · Jul 24, 2009

Village Idiot said:
"I'm a photographer, I want to take pictures of you. Call me."

It also works when trying to get dates.

LOL, that seems so direct and forward though...I know if someone came at me like that I'd just be like...mmmm ok....whatever....lol BUT if you say it works then maybe it does...after all most chics like to be all prettied up and have their pictures taken especially when they feel beautiful....my thing is I've got to find a team....someone for hair and makeup and someone for wardrobe.

c.cloudwalker · Jul 24, 2009

Why didn't you? Considering there are only two choices of answer, you had a 50% chance of getting the one you want. I used to approach women for nudes with a mini portfolio so they could see I was doing artistic work, not porn and I never had a problem. If you're not asking them to take off their clothes, it's even easier. Just ask.

Just don't try and pass yourself off as something you're not. Like, don't tell them you work for Vogue if you're going to use a desk lamp for your light when they show up for the shoot :er: Now, that doesn't mean you have to tell them you've never worked with a model (if you haven't) either. Just keep it simple and vague enough as to your qualifications: "I'm building up my portfolio" should work just fine.

Good luck.

Big Mike · Jul 24, 2009

You've got it easy (I assume you are female). It can be a lot harder to approach girl/women that you want to shoot, when you are a guy, because you have to worry about appearing creepy. :pimp:

:crazy:

c.cloudwalker · Jul 24, 2009

Beth81 said:
my thing is I've got to find a team....someone for hair and makeup and someone for wardrobe.

If you have enough experience to require such a team, go to modelmayhem.com and you'll find what you want.

If you don't have experience, don't worry about all that. Learn the basics first.

inTempus · Jul 24, 2009

I lie to them, works almost every time.

1) Get business cards printed up saying your a Talent Scout / Photographer for Elite Modeling
2) Walk up to pretty girls and hand them the card. Tell them they have the most unique look you've ever seen and they could make a huge splash on the modeling scene, then tell them you'll make them famous and walk off.
3) Wait for the phone call, which comes 90% of the time if you properly stroked their ego

inTempus · Jul 24, 2009

c.cloudwalker said:
If you have enough experience to require such a team, go to modelmayhem.com and you'll find what you want.

That's the best place on the net to find models in your area. Photogs of all skill levels and models of all skill levels, most will shoot for free (trade pics).

I like to pick girls that are modest in appearance, have crappy ports, and live close by. They almost always will shoot with you.

If you chase after the super model looking girls with professional ports, have money in hand ($70-$100 an hour or so).

Beth81 · Jul 24, 2009

tharmsen said:
c.cloudwalker said:

If you have enough experience to require such a team, go to modelmayhem.com and you'll find what you want.

Click to expand...

That's the best place on the net to find models in your area. Photogs of all skill levels and models of all skill levels, most will shoot for free (trade pics).

I like to pick girls that are modest in appearance, have crappy ports, and live close by. They almost always will shoot with you.

If you chase after the super model looking girls with professional ports, have money in hand ($70-$100 an hour or so).

LOL you lie to them??? That's not very nice...but I guess it does get their attention. I just couldn't do that personally. I did wanna ask though how does the whole trading pics work?

Big Mike · Jul 24, 2009

That's the best place on the net to find models in your area. Photogs of all skill levels and models of all skill levels, most will shoot for free (trade pics).

It's also one of the best places to find people who will flake out on you. :lol:

inTempus · Jul 24, 2009

Beth81 said:
LOL you lie to them??? That's not very nice...but I guess it does get their attention. I just couldn't do that personally. I did wanna ask though how does the whole trading pics work?

I was kidding about the lying part.

hehe.

I use Model Mayhem and have had great luck. You can see my port in the link provided in my signature line.

I've often thought of approaching women I've seen, but I've decided against it. I've seen numerous threads on it on Model Mayhem and the consensus seems to be that it rarely results in a photo shoot for most people that try it.

inTempus · Jul 24, 2009

Big Mike said:
That's the best place on the net to find models in your area. Photogs of all skill levels and models of all skill levels, most will shoot for free (trade pics).

Click to expand...

It's also one of the best places to find people who will flake out on you.

I think I have my very first flake this weekend. She contacted me, she was all motivated to do a shoot... we booked it 2 weeks ago. I sent her a confirmation email last night to make sure we were still on for Sunday and although she read the email she didn't respond.

So I have a back-up model I've reached out to that I've worked with before and she might fill the slot.

You win some and you lose some.

But you can't be the price or the seemingly limitless number of models you can contact through the site.

Big Mike · Jul 24, 2009

I did wanna ask though how does the whole trading pics work?

It's typically called 'Time for...'
It used to be TFP (time for prints)....but now it's more likely Time for CD.

They are giving you their time, and in return, you give them images they can use for their portfolio. You also get the shots for your portfolio (and give up your time) so it can easily be a win-win situation.

There really aren't any hard rules...but you should decide on an agreement beforehand and it would be a good idea to have a model release/contract for them to sign.

You can work in hair/make-up artists as well. They do their thing and you give them shots for their portfolio.

Beth81 · Jul 24, 2009

I cant believe these women are backing out....I would love for someone to do a photo shoot of me I just don't know anyone around here. When I searched models on modelmayhem....it pulled up one chic for me....LOL we just don't have a lot of talent coming from this area. LOL

Beth81 · Jul 24, 2009

Big Mike said:
I did wanna ask though how does the whole trading pics work?

Click to expand...

It's typically called 'Time for...'
It used to be TFP (time for prints)....but now it's more likely Time for CD.

They are giving you their time, and in return, you give them images they can use for their portfolio. You also get the shots for your portfolio (and give up your time) so it can easily be a win-win situation.

There really aren't any hard rules...but you should decide on an agreement beforehand and it would be a good idea to have a model release/contract for them to sign.

You can work in hair/make-up artists as well. They do their thing and you give them shots for their portfolio.

Ohhhh ok that makes sense....Now I would definitely like a contract but I don't know what all I would need to put in there. Do any of you have one that I can go off of and then I can customize it for my needs?