Starting Out & Patience

Having been modeling now for almost 3 years, I see a lot of new photographers, models and MUAs join a site like MM and get discouraged right away.  Some of them even want to leave after a few days, not even giving it a week.

Now, sure, it’s pretty easy to get discouraged. Joining a site like MM, OMP, or any of the various other modeling comunities online doesn’t mean the work will suddenly start rolling in.  And if it does, it likely won’t be paid work.

The work won’t just start rolling in, because networking sites require a lot of work.  I’m on 4 or 5 modeling sites, and the ones I get work from?  The ones I spend more time on.

You have to get your name out there, and show people that you exist.

But how do you do it?  Well, it’s different for every site.  But mostly, you want to interact with others as much as possible.  If you can send friend requests, comment photos, add images to lists, tag profiles, list people as “want to work with”, mingle in the forums/chat boxes, post casting calls… DO IT!  Use the networking site to it’s full capacity!  The more you get your name out there, the higher the chances of someone seeing you, the higher the chances of someone liking your look/work and wanting to work with you.

So, while it might seem discouraging that no one’s contacting you in the first few days of you joining a modeling site… don’t let it be! 🙂  Just make sure you’re doing your part to get people to see you, and that you have patience!

On another related note, a lot of times new models and photographers have trouble finding people to work with.  Especially on a trade basis.  It all boils down to the fact that you’ve got to offer something worthwhile when it comes to exchanging services.  If you can offer usable images, more power to you.  If not, figure something else out.  Great concepts often go far, as does food, wardrobe pieces (such as shoes), business card or website design, and a whole variety of other things.  There are a lot of models who barter more than just shots when working trade.  I certainly have! 🙂  You just have to be willing to ask, and make sure you deliver your end of the deal!