Model Mayhem - Oops or Awesome?

[nycphotography]

or they may have to approve it? or its NSFW, but if that was the case, you'd get a red image saying as much.
dunno. i'd give it a day to see if it's an overnight update / caching type thing.

 

[PinkDoor]

Did you designate an image to be your profile picture? My Stuff > Manage Photos > find an image and select the "set as avatar" button. Sometimes it takes a minute to refresh.

Smarty pants - that worked!

 

[orljustin]

If you like shooting in hotel rooms, you'll do just fine.

 

[Tee]

I think one big thing photographers new to MM need to realize is that if they think they're going to make big bucks by charging money they need to stop hitting the hookah. The models have the cash advantage and since 90% of the models don't meet the industry standard runway/fashion sizes, implied and nude modeling rules the day. Vice versa, 90% of the photographers are weekend warriors or hardcore hobbyists. I, too, budget cash to pay models who have a stronger portfolio than I which gives me better images in return. I shoot TF as well but when I pay a model, it's my time to try new stuff and continue to progress. One note about the MM forums. Be careful of how you conduct yourself. If you create an online personna that goes against the MM grain, it could come back and bite ya. Here's some thoughts I wrote on another forum that I wanted to share here:

Profile Red Flags: I've photographed several dozen MM models and believe I have a higher than average success to flake rate. I truly believe the profile and portfolio review are key to success. If I see the following I will not contact a model and move on:

• I always bring an escort
• I will have all images burned to a disc or thumbdrive prior to leaving
• text slang
• other demands (I do not sign releases, etc)

Yes, I know I may be missing out on some great models but like I said, I have a high success rate, zero drama rate and I plan on keeping it that way.


Correspondence: If I'm making inital contact, I keep things very professional. I avoid anything that may be perceived as suggestive or creepy. Here's what I address in initial correspondence:

• What type of shoot (boudoir, artistic nude, beauty/ fashion)
• Location
• How long the shoot will last
• Compensation (pay vs. TF)
• Any other members on shoot (MUA, hairstylist, etc)
• model release/ usage license
• no escort policy (driver ok but drops off and leaves)

I then ask them if they would be interested in shooting and if there is anything I should be made aware of. This is a great way to know if they bring escorts in case they leave that out of her profile.

If they are contacting me, sentence structure and content are priority and essential. "Let's shoot!" and nothing else is a pass for me. Again, I know I'm narrowing my field but why take a chance on B.S.?

Pay versus TF: Sometimes I pay, sometimes I don't. If I pay, their compensation is money. I do not give them images. A mentor early on told me it would pay off in the long run to pay experienced working models in the initial portfolio building stage. I avoided models that had blatant images by GWC's. I avoided the whole climbing of the proverbial ladder filled with hacks and wanna be's. I'm now getting TF offers from models with solid portfolios. I also heavily utilized MeetUp group shoots to begin networking and to shoot on my own.

*Note: if you (in general terms) can afford a D-SLR and the toys that come with it, you can afford to hire a model. Make an offer of $50 an hour with a two hour minimum. I have never been told no even when their profile states otherwise. If you can get a MUA to do TFP, the incentive is better. There are creative ways to hire a great model without breaking the bank.

Release/ Usage: I have the release and usage license on two separate forms. The release gives me the right by the model to photograph her (I have different releases for nude/ non-nude). The usage details what images I will provide (finished/ unfinished), how I will provide them (CD, email, etc) and the quantity. It also has reproduction, where images may be displayed and for what purpose (commercial, portfolio, etc).

Escorts: this is a hot topic and will only express my opinion but I do respect the opinion of others. For me, it's a no-go if the model demands an escort. It's not that I am going to do something creepy or cross boundries. I just simply find them a distraction. I have had a no escort policy in place for a year and haven't had any problems finding good models. Prior to, some issues I have had were: broken 50mm lens, directing model behind my back, model looking to b/f for non-verbal approval, etc. I guess what bothers me is the reflex notion that one has to instantly demand/ cave-in to escorts if it involves nudity. This goes back to my personal strict policy of how I find a model to shoot. From due diligence comes positive shooting sessions.

Model Mayhem in General: Like all social networking sites, there is good and bad. I think MM can be a valuable outlet for amateur photographers such as myself to find great models who love to be in front of the camera. It just takes work and research. I personally feel that those who have bad experiences are not seeking out the right models.

Lastly, listen to your inner voice and be picky to an extent.

 

[PinkDoor]

Great tips Tee! Any advice on "shouts" or "announcements"? Do you use them?

 

[e.rose]

Holy sweet mother of Gawd... an entire post by e.rose and not one emoticon????? WTF? Rosie... ya' feelin' okay girl?

Actually... no. I've been sick all day... and I didn't call off from work... and I was wishing I had at the time of that posting.

 

[e.rose]

Nothing ever for me at MM. But your a pro, with a beautiful book and are in a big city. You should do great!

Good luck!



E.Rose...WOW, great pix at your sites!

Thanks :sillysmi:

 

[e.rose]

I'm echoing everyone else. I use it... I've had a 50-50 flake rate and, yes, you can always tell of they're going to flake based on responses.

As soon as someone says they're interested, phone numbers are exchanged. They don't wanna give me their number, I don't shoot with them.

If the shoot is farther out, I confirm two weeks out... Then the week of... Then 2 days before.

If they fail to confirm closer to the date, I write them off, cause they're gonna flake. I've never been wrong about who was gonna flake yet, haha.

You'll start noticing patterns.

Lol I did not flake out, you said blonde, woman, short. I'm tall, dark, male with raven black hair and I got booted .

Sorry 'bout it.

 

[tirediron]

...Escorts: this is a hot topic and will only express my opinion but I do respect the opinion of others. For me, it's a no-go if the model demands an escort. ...

Interesting; I'm just the opposite, at least when working with female models. I require them to bring an escort, at least to the first shoot. Once we've done one shoot together, then I may relax that, but for the first shoot? No escort, no shoot. Bear in mind of course that most of my shoots are done in secluded areas where there isn't likely to be anyone else around. Besides, escorts make great VALs!

 

[12sndsgood]

escrorts can go either way. I had a shoot where the mom and sister and sister friend came. that was the flaky diva who I will never deal with again. last time was a new girl that this guy who contacted me is going to be her "agent" she was nervous. and him and his assistant who sat there joking and laughing the whole time were obviously making her even more nervous so in that regard i'd rather not have one there. too distracting. on the other end if it's someone working with someone new then i'd want them to feel safe as well.

 

[bunny99123]

Wow, I know I am older, but I have modeling for free for my photographer friends. Dang, I am charging from now on!

 

[tirediron]

escrorts can go either way. I had a shoot where the mom and sister and sister friend came. that was the flaky diva who I will never deal with again. last time was a new girl that this guy who contacted me is going to be her "agent" she was nervous. and him and his assistant who sat there joking and laughing the whole time were obviously making her even more nervous so in that regard i'd rather not have one there. too distracting. on the other end if it's someone working with someone new then i'd want them to feel safe as well.

I always put the escorts to work. Just give them a reflector to hold (even if you don't need it) and they'll usually feel like they're part of the shoot and calm down.

 

[nycphotography]

Escorts are ok... so long as they are not boyfriends, moms, sisters, or anyone else who is likely to disapprove or make the model nervous.

Also, if possible, they will wait in another room while working. Inside earshot for a yell or cry for help, outside the work area, and outside earshot for eavesdropping.

 

[12sndsgood]

escrorts can go either way. I had a shoot where the mom and sister and sister friend came. that was the flaky diva who I will never deal with again. last time was a new girl that this guy who contacted me is going to be her "agent" she was nervous. and him and his assistant who sat there joking and laughing the whole time were obviously making her even more nervous so in that regard i'd rather not have one there. too distracting. on the other end if it's someone working with someone new then i'd want them to feel safe as well.

I always put the escorts to work. Just give them a reflector to hold (even if you don't need it) and they'll usually feel like they're part of the shoot and calm down.

I do like them for outdoor shots. esp when im dealing with cars I always tend to invite a few cars/people and put them to work lol.

 

[Tee]

Escorts are ok... so long as they are not boyfriends, moms, sisters, or anyone else who is likely to disapprove or make the model nervous.

That's why I don't allow them as they are 99% boyfriends and girlfriends. I once had a pimp show up and was booking appointments for the girl after our shoot ( I was unaware prior to the shoot she was a lady of the night). I'm the first to admit I am very picky about communications with models on MM. If they have even 1 image showing a wrinkled bedsheet as a backdrop, I move on. Written profiles saying it's not a dating site, or they have a boyfriend, or they bring an escort for safety get an immediate pass. That shows aggression and I'm not into photography for the drama. What most of those models who fall under this category don't understand is their written word and choice of photographers is what is putting them in the situation of having to proclaim they're not there to date, etc. Look at all the top paid traveling models on MM and they are straight up business like.

I'm in a good spot now, though. The guy who I rent the studio from has a huge Rolodex of non-Model Mayhem girls and he does the photography for the local cosmetics schools so I can email him with the type of girl I want (TF or paid) and make-up artist and he gets the initial communication going. It's win-win and bypasses the troubles of MM.