Finding Models

[AuNatural]

Where do you guys find your models? I have some pics that I will share later that I took of my sister-in-law, but I don't want to ask her to pose in bikini or thong. She is very pretty, but I have known her since she was about 5 (she is 19 now) and there is just something wrong about that. She is going to come pose for some pics next weekend that should be good, but I have some pics that I have been thinking about doing that I would prefer not to use her as the model even though she is willing to do them.

So, back to my original question, where do you get your models? Do you approach women that you see and ask them if they would be interested in modelling. I am not some sicko-pervert, but how do they know that? I have business cards and a business entitity set up even though I am not officially making money at this, but being a small business owner already I thought that there might be somw advantages to having a dba established.

I would like to turn my new found hobby into something more professional, but have not had formal training. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

[Gman1524]

I once asked my friend's wife to pose for me. She must have misunderstood what type of photos I wanted. What I had in mind was a few black and white portraits. She thought I meant NUDES. She came out wearing just a bathrobe.

OMG.


Noooooooooooooo!!!!!!! That is a line I did not want to cross.

[Doughboy]

I say depending on what you do for business or whatever. Find chicks at work or gives chicks on the street a card. Say you are trying to start a photography business and you need models to help set up your portfolio. Maybe you can work for another agency before seting up your own. Also, you can depending on the situation have a portfolio on you or tell the women you can check out my protfolio to see some of my early works, cause most chicks will prob think u some kinda freak, but if u have cards and a portfolio to show them some may be more willing

Ask a member named nikonglass about it. He should give u loads of info

Good Luck bro, and I kinda do this type of thing on the side (although I only have a couple chicks ive gotten but I havent got any biz cards) so maybe u can help me when u get famous lmao

[AuNatural]

I'm not talking like skanky porn. I'll let the pros take care of that.

I have had some ideas for some cool stuff. My buddy's girlfriend is interested in doing some modeling. She used to model as a teen, so she has a good idea of how to do it. I am in the process of getting a website set up and I can start a portfolio on there with different genres of photos.

GMan that is funny. That is the line I don't want to cross with my sister in law. She works at a place similar to Hooters in Dallas and some of the girls have shown an interest in doing some shots with my buddies bikes and some other cool stuff.

Doughboy, I'm not looking to get famous just rich. When your famous there are too many damn photographers chasing you around.

[Insex]

Let me just get this out of the way. I'm not a photographer, let alone a professional photographer. So I probably should not be posting here, because photography is not my field of expertise. But I would like to offer a couple of suggestions:

1. Be professional. If you meet a lady who you think is a prospective model, then present yourself in a mature and professional manner. That means act appropriately, present a clean appearance, have a resume/portfolio on hand showing the type of work that you do and showing that you're legitimate. If you are unprofessional about it, she'll probably take you as a creep who is out to get his kicks by taking photographs of women.

2. Sign up with a casting agency. You'll find tons of potential models. At the casting agency I'm signed up with, I find tons of bookings from guys like yourself who are looking for specific models. Along with myself, there are tons of different people who are out looking for opportunities to get noticed. Just as much as you're looking for ladies to model, there are ladies looking for photographers like yourself.

Remember, image is everything. You have to make a good first impression. Act and look professional. In addition to nikonglass, another good source to consult would be this website's administrator, FitnessPhotos.

[AuNatural]

Thanks Insex, I appreciate the input. I agree with the professionalism aspect. I have been in sales and owned my own business for several years, so I have a pretty good understanding of how to approach people in a professional manner. That has been one of the biggest advantages for me. I am very likable and have a great personality. OK, most people like me if they aren't married to me.

I like the idea of the casting agency. I am going to look into that option and try to start getting some things in the works. I don't have a lot of the equipment that I would need to run a studio, but I have some good ideas and should have most of the essentials to provide good headshots, etc. for potential models.

I am always blown away by the wealth of knowledge on this site. You guys are awesome.

[AuNatural]

Just an update for y'all. There is a site called Model Mayhem that I subscribed to that has been an amazing resource. They have photographers, models, make-up artist, etc. I contacted some of the photographers about observing and helping them in exchange for some expoerience and was invited to help on a few photo shoots with models and a couple with bikes and models. I also received an overwhelming response from perspective models interested in exchanging time for cd's or prints. Looks like their are a lot of people out there that would like to be models and are willing to let a newbie learn and build his portfolios while they build theirs. Life is Good!!!

[Insex]

I'm glad to hear that the casting agency idea is working well for you. Most people don't realize it until they sign up with one, but there are lot's of models out there who are looking for opportunities to break out in the open.

Good job, and I hope you have a lot of success with it.

[irish1416]

The advice that Insex provided is priceless. Heed his words well.

I am glad to hear, though, that you have had some success working with a casting agency.

I had never read this thread before, as it is posted in a forum that I do not visit on a regular basis, and I admit my own curiousity regarding the legitimacy of some of these casting agencies was somewhat piqued.

Here are a few more that seemed to be both reputable and respectable from the research that I did:

http://www.modelgraphy.com/us/index.html

http://www.onemodelplace.com/index.cfm

http://pmgirls.com/

Depending on what it is that you are looking for, they seem to have a pretty good network.

I hope that all is going well for you.

[tellico]

a lot of women's rest rooms have ads in them looking for models- for art classes or photographers, etc. Most offer some small incentive (small as in $3/hr). I think alot of women would think posing and modeling would be fun, just for the experience, if there was nothing scary or sketchy about it.

I don't know, just a suggestion. Most flyers like that I see in coffee shops and such- Starbucks, local coffehouses (especially the ones with lots of local art displayed), sometimes Panera, wine bars, any place with an aire boheime.

also displaying your work in a place like that (coffee house type place) would add some credibility to your inquiries. just ask the manager, many places do a monthly rotation of local artwork.



***after reading the last post, well, maybe you're looking for more professional type models than what I'm suggesting. Oh well. Good luck, glad you're getting some positive response to your search for models!

[mahendraj]

it could be better if u advertise urself as a freelance photographer & portfolio developer

[Eva]

Originally Posted by tellico

a lot of women's rest rooms have ads in them looking for models- for art classes or photographers, etc. Most offer some small incentive (small as in $3/hr). I think alot of women would think posing and modeling would be fun, just for the experience, if there was nothing scary or sketchy about it.

I don't know, just a suggestion. Most flyers like that I see in coffee shops and such- Starbucks, local coffehouses (especially the ones with lots of local art displayed), sometimes Panera, wine bars, any place with an aire boheime.

also displaying your work in a place like that (coffee house type place) would add some credibility to your inquiries. just ask the manager, many places do a monthly rotation of local artwork.



***after reading the last post, well, maybe you're looking for more professional type models than what I'm suggesting. Oh well. Good luck, glad you're getting some positive response to your search for models!

lol I've never seen ads in a restroom...guess I"m going to the wrong ones

[Eva]

Originally Posted by mahendraj

it could be better if u advertise urself as a freelance photographer & portfolio developer

try putting the info on your website profiles, myspace, here, etc....and asking if women in your area would be interested in modeling...I think it would be better than approaching them on the street or something...this way, you can find ones who are already interested in what you are doing, who have probly taken pics before and who are used to it.......

i think it's easier over the computer......that way you can also get to know some women and maybe then simply break the idea to them....

[AuNatural]

Well I have had some success with the modeling websites and should be getting some more pics up here pretty soon.

Thanks for all of the advice and input.