What's this Model Mayhem all about?

Ballistics · Feb 28, 2013

Anyone make use of it? I get the general idea of the site, but from what I saw, the credibility of the site wasn't very assuring. One very popular thread started by a very inexperienced photographer, is about her giving advice on how much people should charge and what they need to work on. I went into her profile to see her portfolio and her... "work"...is being celebrated. I don't think it's a parody account/thread either. The only word I can think of when looking at her work is... "horrible". Like, shot with an old iPhone and edited in Microsoft paint.
Yet people seem to be embracing her. And some of her worst images, have the most positive remarks.

Is this site legit? I'm interested in picking up some models to expand my portfolio (get your mind out of the gutter

) before the semester ends, and I thought this would be a good networking tool. However I'm unnerved by some of the "talent" that is revered there.

tirediron · Feb 28, 2013

It's a great resource if used carefully. Step one is to assume that everyone else is a flake, and step two is to assume that they've all inflated their qualifications & experience. After that, it's all good. I use it to find models for experimenting; if I want to try new lighting ideas, poses, etc, I put out a TFP casting call or send messages to models who have the look I want. I find that typically I have about a 50% response rate, and of those, about 50% actually turn into shoots. As a networking tool, it might work if you're in a major centre; for me in a smaller city, it's not terribly useful from that point of view. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for...

pjwarneka · Mar 6, 2013

MM can be a good way to find models for TFP shoots if you do not have regular models you use now. Look past the forums and the hype and search for models in your area. Many models just starting out are on there looking for work. Treat them right ( not that you wouldn't) they tell their friends and soon you have a whole cast of characters to choose from for a shoot.
You can also find new MUA's Designers and stylists on there. everyone has to start somewhere.

Ballistics · Mar 6, 2013

pjwarneka said:
MM can be a good way to find models for TFP shoots if you do not have regular models you use now. Look past the forums and the hype and search for models in your area. Many models just starting out are on there looking for work. Treat them right ( not that you wouldn't) they tell their friends and soon you have a whole cast of characters to choose from for a shoot.
You can also find new MUA's Designers and stylists on there. everyone has to start somewhere.

Yeah the forums are filled with a lot of new photographers giving advice like they were some sort of seasoned vet lol. Definitely made me scratch my head.

vintagesnaps · Mar 6, 2013

I think I've looked at it - maybe once, seemed amateur and iffy at best to me. You mentioned 'semester'; where you're in school is there an art dept. that uses models for their art classes? Maybe that would be a resource.

Sharon

Ballistics · Mar 6, 2013

vintagesnaps said:
I think I've looked at it - maybe once, seemed amateur and iffy at best to me. You mentioned 'semester'; where you're in school is there an art dept. that uses models for their art classes? Maybe that would be a resource.

Sharon

No models available at my school.

pjwarneka · Mar 6, 2013

Ballistics,

MM was much less congested years ago before they added the forums and other stuff. I would still suggest it for this reason, you can search by location and type of model, it is all there for you,What they want to pose for and what not.
Generally, everybody knows why they are there. Yeah, some are flakes, but it goes both ways. If you have a specific shoot in mind you can weed out and focus on exactly what you are looking for.

BTW. Ballistics, I would consider a 'lighter" ID just for MM site just so you don't come across as scary, maybe ' shelved ammo" or " tin of BB's '

there is a trust factor you have to deal with on the site.

Ballistics said:
vintagesnaps said:

I think I've looked at it - maybe once, seemed amateur and iffy at best to me. You mentioned 'semester'; where you're in school is there an art dept. that uses models for their art classes? Maybe that would be a resource.

Sharon

Click to expand...

No models available at my school.

12sndsgood · Mar 6, 2013

its like anything else really. who cares what photographers are being applauded or who is writing what crap in the forums. its a meeting site for phtographers models mua etc. so just go in with that aaspect. I dont evey bother with the forums and stuff like that, I just use it when im looking for a model to shoot when i'm working on lighting. tirediron has it right, assume most will be flakes. I mean if your not paying someone then your chances do go down with some of them. I usually gauge people just by how they respond. if your getting one sentance responces chances are they will flake on you. if they respond back quickly and get a lot of imformation and ask questions and there is a good back and forth then they will likely show up. I have met a few good girls from there. you just have to weed thru a bit of trash to find the good ones though. same thign goes with photographers on there, there are a few really good ones. but there are a lot of trash ones on there as well.

Ballistics · Mar 6, 2013

pjwarneka said:
Ballistics,

MM was much less congested years ago before they added the forums and other stuff. I would still suggest it for this reason, you can search by location and type of model, it is all there for you,What they want to pose for and what not.
Generally, everybody knows why they are there. Yeah, some are flakes, but it goes both ways. If you have a specific shoot in mind you can weed out and focus on exactly what you are looking for.

BTW. Ballistics, I would consider a 'lighter" ID just for MM site just so you don't come across as scary, maybe ' shelved ammo" or " tin of BB's ' there is a trust factor you have to deal with on the site.

Ballistics said:

vintagesnaps said:

I think I've looked at it - maybe once, seemed amateur and iffy at best to me. You mentioned 'semester'; where you're in school is there an art dept. that uses models for their art classes? Maybe that would be a resource.

Sharon

Click to expand...

No models available at my school.

Click to expand...

My ID is Shaun M. Photography on model mayhem.

Ballistics · Mar 6, 2013

12sndsgood said:
its like anything else really. who cares what photographers are being applauded or who is writing what crap in the forums. its a meeting site for phtographers models mua etc. so just go in with that aaspect. I dont evey bother with the forums and stuff like that, I just use it when im looking for a model to shoot when i'm working on lighting. tirediron has it right, assume most will be flakes. I mean if your not paying someone then your chances do go down with some of them. I usually gauge people just by how they respond. if your getting one sentance responces chances are they will flake on you. if they respond back quickly and get a lot of imformation and ask questions and there is a good back and forth then they will likely show up. I have met a few good girls from there. you just have to weed thru a bit of trash to find the good ones though. same thign goes with photographers on there, there are a few really good ones. but there are a lot of trash ones on there as well.

It's not a matter of caring what photographers are being applauded. While I just made a user name there, I figured the forums worked like other photography forums but I now learned that the less professional members make use of the forums more so than the serious members. While I do like participating in community based forums, I guess I'm going to have to take it for what it is.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Studio7Four · Mar 7, 2013

For what it's worth, I too use Model Mayhem occasionally and agree that as long as you manage your own expectations and do your diligence it can be a useful tool. I'm a hobbyist, so if it takes months to coordinate schedules with a model, or if I have a low hit to miss/flake ratio, so be it (managing my expectation). I will say that every shoot I've actually had with someone from MM (that includes hair/makeup artists as well as models) has gone off splendidly.

I don't know you, so I'm just assuming from your original post that your either a photography student or at least taking a photography class. With that in mind there are three useful paths I'd suggest:
1) Search the models in your area, sorting by newest listed first. They are most likely to be willing to work for trade to build their portfolios. The downside is that they're also more likely to have little to no experience in actually modeling (versus just looking pretty) so might need more direction from you. They tend to be hobbyists and you might have a high no-answer or flake rate, so it's your call if that fits into your schedule to fit them in this semester. If you're just looking to mess around and try things out, this might be your best bet. Often you messing around will get them better shots than are currently in their intro portfolio.
2) Peruse the profiles of models with more experience. Sometimes even more established models are willing to shoot the occasional TF shoot if you can bring something they need to their portfolio - and being able to say you're a real photography student gives you credibility that a hobbyist such as myself doesn't always get. If you have a real cool concept and want to be able to focus on the technical details more than on directing the model, this may be the route to go.
3) Pay for a real model. I don't know what sort of budget you may have, but again play the photography student card. There are plenty of "models" asking for exorbitant rates, but there are also plenty of models with reasonable rates, and some who give discounts to students (whether due to altruism or to an assumption of the quality they'll receive I don't know - but then who cares if the bottom line works for you?). These tend to be the most reliable and require the least direction.

Again, if you do your research, check their references, and trust your instincts, you can weed out most of the flakes. Also presenting yourself in a professional manner (contacting with as many specifics as you can, not just "Hey, wanna shoot sometime?") helps.

FYI, I tried searching for your MM screen name and couldn't find you. Not stalking you, just curious to see the selection of models in your area. Has your account been activated yet?

Ballistics · Mar 7, 2013

Studio7Four said:
For what it's worth, I too use Model Mayhem occasionally and agree that as long as you manage your own expectations and do your diligence it can be a useful tool. I'm a hobbyist, so if it takes months to coordinate schedules with a model, or if I have a low hit to miss/flake ratio, so be it (managing my expectation). I will say that every shoot I've actually had with someone from MM (that includes hair/makeup artists as well as models) has gone off splendidly.

I don't know you, so I'm just assuming from your original post that your either a photography student or at least taking a photography class. With that in mind there are three useful paths I'd suggest:
1) Search the models in your area, sorting by newest listed first. They are most likely to be willing to work for trade to build their portfolios. The downside is that they're also more likely to have little to no experience in actually modeling (versus just looking pretty) so might need more direction from you. They tend to be hobbyists and you might have a high no-answer or flake rate, so it's your call if that fits into your schedule to fit them in this semester. If you're just looking to mess around and try things out, this might be your best bet. Often you messing around will get them better shots than are currently in their intro portfolio.
2) Peruse the profiles of models with more experience. Sometimes even more established models are willing to shoot the occasional TF shoot if you can bring something they need to their portfolio - and being able to say you're a real photography student gives you credibility that a hobbyist such as myself doesn't always get. If you have a real cool concept and want to be able to focus on the technical details more than on directing the model, this may be the route to go.
3) Pay for a real model. I don't know what sort of budget you may have, but again play the photography student card. There are plenty of "models" asking for exorbitant rates, but there are also plenty of models with reasonable rates, and some who give discounts to students (whether due to altruism or to an assumption of the quality they'll receive I don't know - but then who cares if the bottom line works for you?). These tend to be the most reliable and require the least direction.

Again, if you do your research, check their references, and trust your instincts, you can weed out most of the flakes. Also presenting yourself in a professional manner (contacting with as many specifics as you can, not just "Hey, wanna shoot sometime?") helps.

FYI, I tried searching for your MM screen name and couldn't find you. Not stalking you, just curious to see the selection of models in your area. Has your account been activated yet?

Sorry for the short reply, I'm not home atm.
Here's my profile there.
ModelMayhem.com - ShaunMPhotography - Photographer - Patchogue, New York, US

12sndsgood · Mar 7, 2013

Well your photos are allready better then a large percentage of the MM site lol. and you have more then just naked women, so as long as you approach people the right way you shouldn't have an issue finding people.

Ballistics · Mar 7, 2013

12sndsgood said:
Well your photos are allready better then a large percentage of the MM site lol. and you have more then just naked women, so as long as you approach people the right way you shouldn't have an issue finding people.

Thanks.