how do i hire models for the first time? (not a tutorial)

[save_alkaline]

preface: I've done some searching and wasn't able to find much info. hopefully i'm not starting a topic that's already been done before. also, i wasn't sure where to post this. if it needs to be moved, please do so.


the recent thread about hiring models online got me thinking. i'm very amateur to this whole photography game but i'm having fun learning and look forward to improving my skills. eventually, i plan on hiring models and shooting with them. however, i have a lot of anxiety on doing this for the first time. i've been getting some practice with my wife but i think even she is getting sick of me constantly asking for her to pose, haha. plus, she doesn't let me share most of what i shoot so they don't do me much good for critique and / or portfolio use should i ever take that route. so i have a few questions.

at what point do i know i'm ready to hire a model? at this stage i certainly don't feel prepared. i have a basic DSLR with a single lens and no lighting. i still have much to learn. but if i want to learn to shoot the figure, how can i do so without a figure? it's kind of a, 'which came first? the chicken or the egg?' situation. i do know i would like to add a prime lens (see sig) and get at least a SB600 flash before ever thinking of getting a model.

also, what's that first shoot like? what can i expect? i don't want to be some nervous, bumbling guy who obviously looks like he's new. i want to have some confidence and i want to be prepared.

and is it common to setup in a hotel or something? i'm sure a lot of that varies on where you want to do the shoot. but think of a first time, newbie, learning, sort of guy. is it weird or common to say, "yeah, we're going to so and so hotel downtown"?

any stories of what your first shoot was like?

sorry for the long post. and thanks for any help.

[OsmosisStudios]

You have friends, yes?

Bingo: Free models.

[yolanda_b]

I can't answer your question specifically but as a woman I have some ideas to help you round out your picture.
One would be to start approaching young adults in parks asking if they'd help you out by posing. Try and focus on people involved in sports or lounging and shoot them on location.
Also, when hiring models and you don't have a studio, a hotel room is likely a very bad idea. It would make you look sleezy. Better to find public places to pose the ladies. When you are a photographer with some weight behind you, then you will have a studio, and it will include at least one female assistant of some sort, to keep things clean even if nudity becomes part of your portfolio. Another approach would be to include your wife and have these young models in the living room. While there is plenty of stories wherein both wife and husband colluded to nefarious deeds with strange young adults, it will still help assure people that you are honourable.
Far too many bad people use photography as an excuse to get young women (and men) alone and vulnerable, so you must consider that when you wish to work with strangers as models and make extra effort to remain trustworthy and transparent. Given how little you've yet invested in equipment this becomes even more important.
Or you could pay sex industry workers to model in motel rooms, if you don't mind mixing with that crowd (there's hazards in that too) Then who cares what you may or may not do (except your wife, you should discuss this with her).

[Rolling Stone]

I don't know what type of area you live in, but downtown areas' have a large variety of lighting situations. That would be where I would look first. If you live out in the country, then you'll have to work with what nature gives you. But you have to explore lighting and how it works for you.
Or you can tell the missus your hotel theory. She may decide to be you permenant model. ; )

[cphoniball]

I'm with OsmosisStudios. Friends are great for modeling - doesn't matter if they're guys or girls. You'll feel really awkward asking them the first few times (I did anyway), and you'll probably get the, "Pictures? You mean you just want me to model for you? What for?" a couple times, but once they get used to the idea of a photographer needing to practice you'll be ok, and you'll get more comfortable asking them.

Good luck!

[save_alkaline]

thanks for the tips and advice. that helps. like i said, i'm definitely not at a point where i'm ready to be looking into models just yet. but i do hope to get to that point in a relatively short amount of time.

yolanda, i think i will steer clear of the hookers and such. although that is a very interesting idea. i guess if i really had to i could, haha. i do plan on keeping everything as kosher as possible. i have no intent of being, or even coming off as, a sleazy guy trying to take advantage of people. that's part of why i asked, so your tips to address that, in particular, are especially helpful. i was already hoping to recruit my better half as some sort of 'assistant' to help keep my image as trustworthy. at least until i get plenty of experience to help prove myself as being a reputable photographer.

thanks again! this has been helpful.

[jcoyle]

you could be your own model. I've learned so much by taking self portraits.

[save_alkaline]

thanks, jcoyle! i am trying that as well. i got a remote for my camera for that exact purpose.

oh and i clicked on your flickr. your self portraits are amazing! great work!