Model Mayhem - worthwhile or waste of time?

[cgipson1]

sounds like good common sense advice, Buckster!

 

[spacefuzz]

I do know a guy at work who gets his girfriends off model mayhem, he usually shoots porn style stuff so guess thats not a stretch.

I tried setting up some free shoots this week and was kind of amazed at how much some poeple wanted to charge.

 

[TPTPhotography]

MM, what can I say - guilty... lol, anyway, I have gotten quite a few shoots from there, and yes I shoot TF. Only reason I shoot for the TF is to experiment, try new lighting styles, experiment with new equipment etc and of course the most popular reason was to build my portfolio when I was starting out. I do not like to experiment when I have a paying customer in front of my camera. You can always tell future clients that you are a great photographer but you need to show your work as well. I agree there are too many fakes, wannabees and people with hidden agendas on the site but the truth of the matter is if you know what YOU need and the site has the potential to give it to you, then go get it and expect nothing more than what you set your sites on. I have picked up a couple of paid shoots from there but do not put my efforts into getting business from the site. Once again used strictly for practicing and experimenting. Hope this helps the newbies

 

[Tee]

Model Mayhem is a great tool if used properly. There are many GWC's who could really care less about improving their craft. There are MANY models who specifically cater to said GWC's. It's easy cash. If you've ever seen a girls port with incredibly horrid images and wondering why they charge or rather who in the world would pay them, this stems from two basic reasons: 1) they cater to GWC's 2) they went to an amaturish group photo shoot where the photographers had to pay them to shoot one on one. This gives them an inflated sense of self worth to the modeling world and an entitlement to charge money. Good for them, I say. Someone's gonna pay them and it doesn't have to be you.

My way of doing things is to research the models. I look at who they have credited and then look at those ports, tags left on their page to see if there's any recent "great shooting with you" messages and I actually read what they have written on their profiles. If I get a drama queen vibe, I move on. I always shoot models who have equal or better ports than I do (which is about 99% of the models on there ) and I will pay for the right model if it means increasing the quality of my port. One line emails like "Let's shoot!" go right to the recycling bin.

Lastly, network network and network with other photographers and models. I attended a lighting workshop last month. From networking at that one workshop, I was given 4 models that flew under the radar on MM and found two nearby studios that rent at a steal of a rate. I found that workshop through Model Mayhem.

If you're new and expecting models to flock to shoot with you, you're probably gonna be a little disappointed. Get out there, message models and do your homework. One last thing- a model release for every shoot. Protect yourself and the model.

 

[Raian-san]

ETA: It's always a good idea to not be alone too, and that goes for both the photographer and the model. Have an "assistant" with you, even if only to be there as a witness.

Truth! I'm sure it's not hard to find a guy friend who wouldn't mind being a witness

 

[shootermcgavin]

I actually found out about the site from a buddy of mine who is not even close to be a photographer or anything else related to the site. I told him I was getting models of craigslist to shoot and he's like you should use model mayhem... I think eventually I'll use it, but I don't think anyone can disagree that there is a creep factor to it. I was reading one guys explanation of why someone could not bring along a chaperon because it takes away from the connection the photographer and model must have for a good shoot. It also seems like half of the girls that say no to nudity somehow are ok with suggested nudity like hands over breasts or a pretty much see through shirt. I think I will use it most for out of town shoots when I'm on vacation or in other countries... kind of speedier than craigslist I would imagine.

 

[Iron Flatline]

I've had very good contacts via MM. There are some very professional models there, esp. the Fine Art Nude models. They all know each other, it's a smart and tight group. I don't shoot nudes much anymore, and fashion models tend to be agency-represented, so I've wound down my activity there... But MM is a good place if you have some common sense. It's a perfect place to transition from GWC to Artist or Commercial Shooter. But you get what you pay for. If you want to improve your photography spend some money on models. You will get more out of it than another lens or some other piece of gear.