Ugly

The following opinion was posted on a modeling forum. It’s not quite verbatim, but it’s close.

Is it me, or do all overweight, unattractive models on this site do nude photos for TFP and the attractive models need to get paid.

I’m sorry if I sound mean, cause I’m the nicest guy, but I’ve come across this way to much.

I see a person on this site that is not that great (as a model) and they shoot nudes want want to work with me and I don’t even wan to do it (even for pay sometimes).

Then you get the new models on this site that say they are models even know they are just regular people who are building their portfolios who never did a shoot before that want TFP – but they don’t even know what it is.

The wonderful world of TFP in the modeling industry – got to love it!

And I chose not to address it entirely on the forums, mostly because I don’t want to get temporarily banned from the forums. But I feel it needs addressing, because certainly there are many other people in the modeling and photography realm who feel the same way.

The MySpace Shot, Portfolio Building, & 50 Shoots

The MySpace Shot & Camera Phones
When joining a modeling site (like Model Mayhem), not everyone has the means to get shots that are professional quality right away. However, there’s a difference between a “myspace angles” mirror shot, and a camera phone shot taken to show what one looks like. I’ll be a nerd and post some examples for you. The top shot is a crappy myspace pic, and the bottom shot is a photo that was taken to show what I look like. Both were taken with my camera phone, about 10 minutes ago.

Expression

Emoting on a shoot, especially if you’re a new model, can be tough. Often times, a model can end up with a portfolio full of “deer in headlights” shots. Not good. But, with a little work, a model can improve her expressions and produce images that a dramatically different. Acting classes may also help. But, for those DIYers out there, here are some tips for improving your expressions.

The Home Studio

There are some models who say a photographer who has a home studio is creepy, unprofessional, and is one to be wary of. There are even some who say that a photographer who has an actual studio (as in one separate from his place of residence) is far more legit, safer, and more professional. The reasoning is often, “I don’t want to be alone with a stranger in his house”. What’s even more mindblowing is when people say things like, “a home studio is fine as long as there’s backdrops, lights and other expensive-looking stuff, it can even be in the basement… but just shooting out of the living room with none of that is creepy!”.