Finding Models ...

[missoliel]

I'm not entirely sure if this is the right section to ask this question; feel free to move it!

I'm looking to find models to photograph to get (a) some experience and (b) expand my portfolio.

I am starting out at the moment, doing that whole Time For Print/CD situation.

I've exhausted my own contacts who are, quite frankly, sick of me sticking my camera in their faces.

I've noticed there are sites like this:

Where Professional Models Meet Model Photographers - ModelMayhem

I see it's a place for models of all experience levels to connect with photographers.

Has anyone here ever actually used this as a way to meet models? Not quite sure how legitimate it is. What other ways can you suggest of networking to find models who are willing to work with you?

Thoughts and ideas appreciated.

[cyber3d]

Try modeling schools, fashion schools, make up schools. Don't know where you'd find male models. Don't use Craigslist or an ad in the newspaper. IMO - too risky

[missoliel]

Originally Posted by cyber3d

Try modeling schools, fashion schools, make up schools. Don't know where you'd find male models. Don't use Craigslist or an ad in the newspaper. IMO - too risky

Great ideas, thank you. I'll look into my local area and see what it offers.

I'm with you on Craigslist and newspaper ads; not willing to risk it!

[zona5101]

model mayhem is ligit...but you just don't know what you're going to get sometimes (experience-wise) and expect some people to say "yes" then not show up. Best thing is to have some example of your work for people to see and understand your not a GWC.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by missoliel

I'm not entirely sure if this is the right section to ask this question; feel free to move it!

I'm looking to find models to photograph to get (a) some experience and (b) expand my portfolio.

I am starting out at the moment, doing that whole Time For Print/CD situation.

I've exhausted my own contacts who are, quite frankly, sick of me sticking my camera in their faces.

I've noticed there are sites like this:

Where Professional Models Meet Model Photographers - ModelMayhem

I see it's a place for models of all experience levels to connect with photographers.

Has anyone here ever actually used this as a way to meet models? Not quite sure how legitimate it is. What other ways can you suggest of networking to find models who are willing to work with you?

Thoughts and ideas appreciated.

ModelMayhem right now is the only and most popular network database to network with all types of people within the freelance model photography industry. There are others but they're not as active with the biggest pool of choices (recruitment lingo) in your geographic area. It's not perfect, its not great, but it will give you options.

Here's my advice based on my own experiences with Model Mayhem... build yourself a system of processing potential models or other people interested in working with you. A vast majority of the models on there (that are active) are either fakes or/and just not as serious as you are in setting up a photoshoot and could care less about your time. If you have an extensive process like I do you will turn off and weed out the not so serious and fakes from ever wanting to working with you... its fine with me because I take my time very serious and I only want to spend my time with serious networking opportunities.

Many photographers on model mayhem may disagree heavily with my methods but the only difference is they don't take their own time as serious as I do, thats it. So its your choice, do you want to deal with fakes, flakes, and not so serious networking opportunities? or do you only want to deal with real and very serious networking opportunities?

[Dennismc]

Not sure where you are from, but around the midwest there is Green Martini Welcome, also search on FB for Imodelnet group. Very active and most of the members are serious.

There are a lot of good groups on FB as well, with very active members.

[WooD]

I've been on Model Mayhem for around 3 years, and have made a lot of friends from the site. One model takes care of my house, and cat when I'm out of town.

I've never had a flake yet, and have only shot one diva type girl.

You have to submit 4 images for the gate keepers to check out before they let you set up an account.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by WooD

I've been on Model Mayhem for around 3 years, and have made a lot of friends from the site. One model takes care of my house, and cat when I'm out of town.

I've never had a flake yet, and have only shot one diva type girl.

You have to submit 4 images for the gate keepers to check out before they let you set up an account.

wait, wait... 3 years and zero flakes? How is that possible? Do you not shoot TF ever? or/and you make TF models go through a process like mine? (http://www.main.chrisadval.com/2011/07/interested-in-modeling.html )

[WooD]

Originally Posted by ChrisAdval

wait, wait... 3 years and zero flakes? How is that possible? Do you not shoot TF ever? or/and you make TF models go through a process like mine? (Chris Adval Learning Model Photography: Interested in Modeling for Me?)

Not a single flake. All the MM models I shoot are TF.

After checking out your link......I can see why you might have problems.

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by WooD

Not a single flake. All the MM models I shoot are TF.

After checking out your link......I can see why you might have problems.

I had problems without making models read necessary reading materials on the link I provided in the link above... now I only work with serious models who don't have problems reading... yea it may cause a lot less of a flow of models but the quality is much higher and since my time is too important to waste I make sure I only deal with serious models. I still have a hard time believing you had no flakes... do you live in a big city? I ask that cause the amount of models for my area that are active, aren't very much, at least in the 100mile radius search option I have on MM.