How to ask someone to model for you

[plainAlicia]

I am just starting out in photography and I want to try my hand at portraits. I'm trying to get some kind of portfolio started but I want diverse models. I started a new job about a month ago and there are some really interesting people I want to shoot but I don't want to come off as creepy. I don't take any photography classes and I don't have anything to really show so I am thinking they might be a little less willing if some random person they don't know wants to take their picture. Is there a way I can go about asking without scaring them off? And how would I get to know them? I read online that someone makes a fun questionnaire to get to know their models. What would you suggest?


plainAlicia

[yrot.tory]

maybe you could ask your friends to start off with? instead of asking some random people... yes thats kinda weird.

[OsmosisStudios]

Starting with friends is the best idea.

[douglas]

I don't know what your job is...so it may not be possible. But if you can take your camera to work ,have it on your desk...take some pictures of the office and etc. I'm sure some of your workmates will notice and start a conversation...make friends and take it from there. Ask to take pictures of them in a non threatening situation, like the office.
Just my 2 pennies worth

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by douglas

I don't know what your job is...so it may not be possible. But if you can take your camera to work ,have it on your desk...take some pictures of the office and etc. I'm sure some of your workmates will notice and start a conversation...make friends and take it from there. Ask to take pictures of them in a non threatening situation, like the office.
Just my 2 pennies worth

This is what I was thinking. I take mine to work everyday, actually everywhere. People are so used to it now, they don't even notice, or hide from it anymore.

[Indigo November]

Bribes work best. Threats too.

How to ask someone to model for you

[plainAlicia]

Thanks for the help. I work at a pet store so I cannot take a camera. The thing is there are a few people at my work with such interesting style and I'd love to capture it on camera. I will definitely start with friends but eventually I would want to shoot them.

[Nekrose]

You should look into model mayhem. There are a lot of people just starting out with modeling that would want photo's done for their portfolio, and it would give you great experience working with people.

Asking friends and family is also a very good idea, like the others stated.

[Jojie]

Originally Posted by Nekrose

You should look into model mayhem. There are a lot of people just starting out with modeling that would want photo's done for their portfolio, and it would give you great experience working with people.

Asking friends and family is also a very good idea, like the others stated.

they can be picky. I have been with them for about a year and I guess my approaches are not good enough because I can't get any of them to work with me. But I am in the same vote. I would like to shoot more portraits and try new things... but I'm still stuck on that simple portrait stuff because I don't have models to shoot with.

[AndyM2020]

This article I wrote for dPS may be of use to you Working with a Model For the First Time.

You can ask friends and family to pose for you, but when this is not an option, working with models is perhaps the next best option and possibly easier than approaching total strangers (that are not models, that is).

There are several web sites where you can go to find models (I've listed several at the bottom of that article) - put out a casting call on one or more of them saying you are a beginner looking for models to gain experience with. You can ask for TFP or TFCD, but unless the model is a beginner as well, you may not get much luck as the photos you give the model is his/her payment, so they need to be at least reasonably good.

So, you may find it advantageous to pay an experienced model or two to start off with. You don't need to hire Cameron Diaz, so it needn't cost a fortune to hire a model for a couple of hours. Hiring a model also means you won't have the pressure of delivering photos for them, and they can also help you by showing you how to pose a model.