Filed under: holidays, modeling, wardrobe, wish list | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, pay, photo shoot, photography, photoshoot, shoes, trade, wardrobe, wish list
It’s a bit out of charcter for me, but I know a lot of folks are having trouble scraping together cash for a full day (or even a half day) of rates. So I’ve gone thru some of my favorite sites and pulled some of my favorites together for a holiday wish list (which I’ll probably be showing the hubby too, ’cause I know he’s always struggling for ideas). I’ve made it a separate page so it’s easy to find, and if you’re interested in working with me, but can’t afford my rates, I’m very easily bribed with new shoes, a cute shirt, or any of the other various items. I’m still adding to it, so keep an eye out!
Filed under: modeling, new models, photography | Tags: emotions, expressions, modeling, money, new model, new models, pay, photo shoot, photographer, photoshoot
Models, if you’re struggling with posing and expressions, and can’t get through a shoot without “freezing up” because you’re so nervous, then chances are you shouldn’t be asking to get paid. It might also be wise to
Typically*, photographers pay models that have something to offer them (when they’re hiring models for things like private projects and portfolio building–when it’s a client that pays, this may be a different story). Chances are, if they hire a model who’s nervous and constantly gets stuck posing/emoting, and ultimately has one look and a handful of stiff poses, they’re going to feel a bit short-changed at the end of the day.
Just some food for thought.
*Note: I did say typically. Some photographers do hire based on things like looks and measurements before they hire based on experience. But many feel that a model needs to have something worth paying for in order to be, well, paid.
Filed under: hobbyist, modeling, networking, photography | Tags: being nice, casting calls, flies with honey, modeling, pay, photo shoot, photographer, photography, photoshoot, what not to do
You know that saying, “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”? Well it applies to models as well.
There’s a photographer about 25 miles away from me (at a rough estimate) who has a casting call up on one of the modeling sites. It is, like many many others, a TF* casting. Here’s what it says (not exact, so don’t go Googling it 
):
I’d love to shoot sometime soon. I’m not rich, so I can’t afford $150/hour right now, but I’d love to work with some local talent! I see all these profiles of people who think they’re all that, but to me their profiles look terrible–like bad car show models. I know I might not have the best models, but at least my work is classy! If you want to work with me let me know… my contact information is on my profile. I don’t have a big fancy camera or all that equipment, but I do good work, even in post production!
His profile goes on to say (again, not exact):
I just started working with models and am looking to work trade, for now. You can contact me at [myspace] or [email]. Please only contact me if you’re serious, not if you’re just going to blow me off! I’m sorry if I’m not responding right away–I just broke up with my girlfriend and I’m heartbroken! For now, all shoots are canceled. You can also contact me at [phone number]–call or text. I’m also willing to edit your photos for you–check out my portfolio an don’t be afraid to ask!
Let me ask you, dear readers, what’s wrong with the casting and the profile?
Well, let’s start with the profile. Now, when I re-wrote both things, I fixed grammatical errors like you wouldn’t believe. Run on sentences, no capital letters, words that make no sense, and… yea. Anyway, profiles (and casting calls) that are written so horrible are hard to read, hard to understand, and overall scream “this person sucks at communicating!”. Not a great first impression.
Then there’s the random bit about the heart-breaking girlfriend and all shoots being canceled. If all shoots are canceled, why are you posting casting calls? If there’s personal-life BS in your profile, make sure you keep it up to date to lessen the confusion.
Also, it’s wise to keep all your contact info together. I mean, if you’re going to share your cell phone number and email address with the entire Internet, you might as well make it all easy to find, right?
And now, the casting. That’s what spawned this whole blog anyway. The casting.
It makes no sense–none–to post a casting looking for models and to then essentially say everyone looking to get paid has shitty work that looks like a cheap, bad import model. Way to insult all of the professional models (and some of us mere hobbyists) who might have taken a chance on working with you.
That’s where that whole saying at the top of this blog comes in.
It’s also not a great idea to be so negative about yourself. It’s one thing to be honest in a PM and say, “hey, just a forewarning I shoot with a disposable Kodak… but it has an onboard flash!”. It’s another to sell yourself short by saying “I don’t have this or this or that”. It makes you seem like you don’t have confidence in your ability… no matter how good you say your photoshopping skillz may be.
Which brings me to the work itself. It’s bad. Really bad. Laughable, in fact. There’s a lot of bad post work, including over-use of Gaussian blur, badly done selective coloring, bad background replacement… and that’s not even looking at the photos themselves (for what they are before the bad photoshopping).
So when you’re looking to book a model, take in to consideration the following:
- Being nice goes a lot farther than making broad generalizations and bashing everyone.
- Being negative about yourself is bad.
- Make your profile (and your casting) easy to read and easy to understand. Take into account grammar, spelling, punctuation, and the general info you have there.
- No one gives a crap about your girlfriend breaking up with you. Modeling sites are not MySpace. You want to get all Emo on MySpace, go for it… but keep your modeling site professional.
Oh, and since I’m sure you’re wondering, no, I didn’t contact him. I sent the casting to a few good friends and got one hell of a laugh out of it all. But I didn’t contact him. I have no desire to work with someone who equates me to a bad car model, who has shitty work, and won’t even remotely consider paying me. That is the definition of not getting anything out of a shoot, and would just waste my time.
On one of the modeling sites, a new model posted up that she has been modeling for “about a month” and is looking for paid jobs. She asked for advice on getting paid jobs, wanted to know what she should do about her wardrobe (admitting to being a college student who owns nothing but jeans and flip-flops), and mentioned that she won’t do nudes. Here’s the advice I gave her.
Being ‘a model’ doesn’t automatically entitle you to getting paid lots of money. Just like spending 4+ years in college doesn’t entitle you to getting a decent paying job (let alone one in the field you studied) right out the door.
In fact, if you’re not signed (and especially if you’re just modeling as a hobby), chances are you’re going to end up spending more than you make on things for shoots (like wardrobe, shoes, traveling to shoots, stylists and MUAs, etc.). And let’s not forget the hours spent networking to make sure people know who you are and have a desire to hire you.
If you’re looking to make money, get a job at the grocery store close to your college campus. That’s a sure thing. Modeling for a month and then looking to get paid? Not so much.
Chances are, at your height and measurements, you’re going to have a hard time getting signed to an agency (unless you find a commercial one that can place someone with your look). And if you’re not signed, and not willing to do nudes, the market that will pay you (especially with only one month’s experience under your stilettos flip-flops) will be quite limited.
What will “guarantee” you money from modeling? Nudes and fetish work. There are fetishes that don’t require nudity, but you have to be comfortable with the idea of someone getting off to images of you. If you’re not comfortable with either of those things, chances are, you’re not going to make money modeling. Hell, you’ll be lucky to break even.
Now, as far as your current wardrobe goes, you’re 20 years old, and will soon be out in the professional world. You might as well start investing in some quality, classic pieces that will last you: black pumps, a dark suit, a couple modest dresses. The holidays are coming up. When people ask what you want as gifts, explain that you would like to start building your professional wardrobe, and ask for giftcards to places like The Limited, Ann Taylor, or Banana Republic. You don’t need to buy frumpy pieces, just make sure they’re not too tight or too trendy. Well-made pieces with classic lines will last you quite some time, and it’s worth spending the money on pieces like that.
For shoots, you can find a wardrobe stylist to hire, or you can try finding stuff at places like TJ Maxx, Goodwill, Nordstrom Rack, or even H&M. And always hit up the sale racks. Hell, borrow from your friends if you can’t go out and buy stuff. Figuring out where you want to go with modeling, as well as planning shoots with photographers in advance, will also help you find wardrobe pieces.
I built the basics of my professional wardrobe on holiday gifts. I use the holidays as a time to re-evaluate what I have and update it if necessary.
I rarely, if ever, buy something for a shoot that I can’t wear either to work, out, or just in general.
Oh, and I worked my ass off in college taking unpaid internships, freelancing for family friends at reduced rates, and taking on projects for my sorority and other groups I was involved in to get experience. All that hard work paid off, and I landed a job 2 weeks after graduating.
As a model (a hobbyist mind you), I worked purely on a trade basis for over a year before I felt comfortable quoting rates to photographers who asked. If I didn’t see a value in working with someone, I simply said no. I’ve worked my rear off to get people to recognize my name, my face, and want to work with me. It’s paid off, but it was a long, frustrating, tiring road, and one that needs constant maintenance.
My advice? Get a ‘real job’ if you need money, and model as a hobby if you find it enjoyable.
Filed under: modeling, photography | Tags: modeling, money, pay, photography
I am tired of working trade.
I’m tired of being asked to work trade by photographers who’s work isn’t on the same level as what I have in my portfolio, and either not hearing back when I respond with rates, or being told off when I respond with rates.
The economy is bad and money is tight for everyone. I get it. Starving students can’t afford to pay models. Believe me, I get it.
I have a dayjob that pays my bills, so I don’t need the money. I’m not a “real” model, just a mere hobbyist. I’m too short to “go anywhere”. A new model will do the shoot “for free”. I get it. All of it.
But my time, efforts and energy are all worth something. The hard work I put into a shoot, before and during, is worth something. Doesn’t seem like many hobbyist photographers get it.
But there’s a big benefit when it comes to paying an experienced model. And it doesn’t seem like many hobbyist photographers get that either.
The biggest benefit you get when you hire a model with experience is that you get someone who is comfortable in front of the camera, knows how to move, how to work with various lighting scenarios, how to emote in front of the camera, and how to follow direction. You don’t have to deal with nerves, stiffness, “deer in headlights”, or inability to follow directions. And having someone in front of your camera who knows what she’s doing?
Some experienced models, like myself, make an extra effort to make sure they’re on the same page with the photographer. Before the shoot. I personally make sure that our ideas jive, that we are both in agreement about what kind of shoot it is, if it’s trade or paid, who is taking care of what expenses (studio, makeup artist, etc.), and whatever else. I also make sure that I know where I’m going, when I need to be there, and that the photographer and I have exchanged contact info (cell phone numbers, most importantly). Most experienced models can also provide you with a ton of references, lessening the likelihood of the dreaded “flake”.
Bottom line is, if you hire an experienced model, you’ll end up with better images the vast majority of the time. Of course, it should go without saying that hiring an experienced model won’t automatically improve your lighting, shot composition, and all the other things that make a shot great. But it will get you some better stuff for your portfolio. And better shots mean more people will want to work with you, which will give you more chances to learn and improve your craft.
So the next time you’re looking to work with someone, pause for a minute and consider the value of hiring an experienced model. There are many of us floating around the Internet. Some of us are even going-nowhere, day-job-having, not-agency-represented, not-real-models hobbyists
