Re: Meeting Photographers
I think you may be a bit too naive for this type of thing. You are not going to get famous and it isn't going to pay your bills. A lot of photographers, good and sleazy, have an alert set for new accounts. They mostly all send the same cut and paste message to everyone.
Can't that photog at least meet you at a Starbucks!?
Re: Meeting Photographers
What the photographer is wanting to do is called a "meet & greet". Honestly, they aren't really all that common. The only photographers who should be doing this are the ones who are so good at what they do, but don't use agency models, & they don't want to waste time on a model who may not look anything like her photos. In other words, if the photographer is asking for a "meet & greet" he better "rock your socks off" with his portfolio. Otherwise discussing ideas etc, can all be done by e-mail or phone. If he is not really that great of a photographer, but you want to work with him, tell him you need to be compensated for travel expenses (gas). Also, since you are new I would suggest that you do two things:
1. Check references at random. People won't tell you who they worked with that DIDN'T like them, only the ones that did. Search via Google to find other people who worked with them & send out 5-7 email to other models for references. If the first 3 that respond are positive, the person is probably okay to work with.
2. Let someone know where you are going (address), times, & who you are meeting
3. Take someone with you whom you are NOT romantically involved with & have them bring a book or magazine to read
Also, feel free to send me the MM account number of the photographer if you need an opinion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
strippername
A lot of photographers, good and sleazy, have an alert set for new accounts. They mostly all send the same cut and paste message to everyone.
I don't know about any new "alert" feature, but many do use the browse feature to find new model accounts, & they will send an introductory e-mail sometimes asking to shoot. Most new models get bombarded with offers for shoots because of that, & then it quickly dies off.
However, when photographers need a model, they will usually send a request for a shoot to -/+ 30 models at a time... hoping one will say "yes".
Re: Meeting Photographers
Again , its not for fame, its never for fame , Im not interested in fame.
I dont want it to "pay the bills" either hehe as odd as is sounds..
I just want it as a personal hobbys. Its something im interested in.
Something i can do besides camming , not for the "money"
But just to get out of the house really.
As for that particular photographer , i dont think
i will meet with him , because i sent him some questions
that he totally blew off, But there are a cople im interested in
i think might acutaly be worth the trip.
Im not in it for the fame , or the money. Its just something im
interested in.
Kinda like how some people like to skateboard
Its a cool hobby , that dont get famous for it
and they might dream about it , but their not getting payed hehe.
Re: Meeting Photographers
Maybe offer to "meet" with them over Skype after explaining how far you live from downtown Dallas? This solves the problem of them wanting to see how you REALLY look, and makes it easier to discuss everything face to face.
Re: Meeting Photographers
In my other life, I work with photographers and hire models, so I can give you some general advice in case it's useful, though there's already great advice in this thread. Sometimes we use MM.
While photogs are checking you out as a model, you should be checking them out too. There are pros, and then there are men with cameras - massive difference. The best way to go is to shoot with the best possible photographers in your area, especially if you're just starting out. They're the most professional, their photos are the best, and it's ideal to have their photos in your portfolio (and your photos in theirs) - it will get you more jobs. The better the photog, the less likely he'll pay unless he's specifically casting for a paid shoot. It's more likely that he or she will be down for a trade.
If it isn't a straight-up casting or a paid shoot, there's no real need for a meeting. If the photog is casting for a specific project, it's totally normal to see the model in advance, primarily to make sure that there aren't any surprises on the day of the shoot, when they've got hair and makeup and the location all set up. But if the photographer is just doing tests, or experimenting, or shooting for fun during his downtime, then a meeting shouldn't be necessary at all.
Remember that anyone can sign up and say they're a photographer. Some guys (too many guys) sign up for MM just to meet models. Real photogs only meet to get a sense of how the shoot will look, or to give you advance notice of a shoot's concept. Random dudes meet to try to get laid by pretending to make you famous, or whatever. (They're the worst human beings.)
When picking a photographer, spend a lot of time on his portfolio first. Has his work been published (including online)? Does he have a good reputation? Do you like his style? This is important. I know when we check out models, when they have a ton of photos from random men with cameras, with no talent, it's hard for us to see how good the model is because the photographer is so bad. And sometimes we get models by talking to photographers we respect. Photogs make recommendations to one another, and to magazines, all the time.
Some models like to bring escorts. Most photographers hate that because your friend might interfere or try to direct the shoot or just generally get in the way. If the photog is a pro and doesn't like the idea of you bringing someone along, it doesn't mean he's sketchy. You can assure him that your friend won't get in the way - sometimes that's enough. That said, if he's not a pro or his work is questionable, bring an escort. Bring ten.
If you want to make money at modeling, the best way to go is to build up your portfolio with reputable photographers and do it for free/trade. Once you have a few great photos, you can start charging other photographers for your time. It's still good to shoot for free from time to time, but only when the photographer is really well-respected and can add real value to your portfolio. Don't shoot for free is the guy's just starting out or trying to build his own portfolio.
And if you just want to have fun and shoot with a few photographers without taking it too seriously (which is cool), I'd just keep basic safety in mind, the same way you'd protect yourself if you're meeting any stranger for the first time.
Re: Meeting Photographers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kylea2
What the photographer is wanting to do is called a "meet & greet". Honestly, they aren't really all that common. The only photographers who should be doing this are the ones who are so good at what they do, but don't use agency models, & they don't want to waste time on a model who may not look anything like her photos. In other words, if the photographer is asking for a "meet & greet" he better "rock your socks off" with his portfolio. Otherwise discussing ideas etc, can all be done by e-mail or phone. If he is not really that great of a photographer, but you want to work with him, tell him you need to be compensated for travel expenses (gas). Also, since you are new I would suggest that you do two things:
1. Check references at random. People won't tell you who they worked with that DIDN'T like them, only the ones that did. Search via Google to find other people who worked with them & send out 5-7 email to other models for references. If the first 3 that respond are positive, the person is probably okay to work with.
2. Let someone know where you are going (address), times, & who you are meeting
3. Take someone with you whom you are NOT romantically involved with & have them bring a book or magazine to read
Also, feel free to send me the MM account number of the photographer if you need an opinion.
Kylea is right. :)
Some photographers will require a meet-and-greet (but I don't see this on too many of their profiles, luckily), and they say it's so that you (the model) and him can get comfortable with each other and know what to expect.
Everything else said in the above quoted post is right on. There are some scumbag photographers out there who want you to believe that every model had a positive experience with him, so checking references is a good idea. And do not let any photographer pressure you into going beyond your photo shoot limitations. If you tell him that you'll shoot lingerie but don't wish to shoot full nude, he should not be pressuring you to shoot nude. A good photographer wants his models to feel comfortable and happy...not nervous and intimidated.
Good luck and have a good time!