Sapphire Media Studios

"Oh my gosh!!! They look amazing!!! Thank you Drew." - Semi-Sweet

"Drew... you're on your way to rad'ness Keep up the team spirit, don't forget your Sobe, and I'll be seeing you again...!" - Barbie Blue

Hello MM!  I'm a person of many hats...here, my hat is Glamour, Editorial, Portraiture, and Fine Art photography.  Working creatively is what I thrive on and that is a benefit to your photo shoot with me.  I bring to the table top level equipment, an eye for detail and an attentiveness and interest in obtaining the best possible photos that will be the most beneficial to your portfolio.

** Note**

Policies in regards to models:

* Photo IDs of model and escort will be required and copied due to a recent theft of personal property by escort.

* Model release is required, copy available upon request.  Must be signed prior to shoot and includes all images taken unless discussed prior to day of shoot. 

* Underage models will only be scheduled after photo session has been discussed with parents in detail.  Parent's must initiate contact for planning of photo shoot.

Escorts remaining at shoot must not be a parent as every one of us seek our parent's approval on at least a subconscious level.  To get the best images, you must be able to focus 100% on the camera, not distracted by someone waiting on you.  The best images are obtained when a model does her due diligence in vetting the photographer and has developed a comfort level and a self confidence in her decision as it shows in the final image.

*I will not shoot nudes unless requested by model and model must be over the age of 18 with proper age documentation.

* TF* Shoots mean trade of the model's time and travel expenses for photo session resulting in digital raw images on DVD/s, plus a negotiated number of edited and finished images.  This will depend on several factors such as the model's makeup, skin condition, number of tattoos, or if paint/glitter & lace are used.  If it takes more time to properly edit and finish the images, the lower the number of images provided. 

I allow models to chose which images they want finished.  Only edited, finished images with my watermark may be printed or published online.  If I finish a different image for my portfolio, you will also obtain a digital copy of this image or the series created.

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** Note**

Advice To Models As New Members:

To place one of your images as your avatar and get rid of the (newb) box, go to 'my stuff" and than manage photos.  You will find a link under your images to choose the image you want to represent your profile.

Our experience on MM and the experiences of the models we have photographed would lead us to offer this general advice:

* Be prepared to be overwhelmed with all sorts of offers!

* Be cautious as there are many scams!!  You can't be too cautious!!! (Beware of someone sending you a bogus check and then asking you to send portions of it to other participants in planned shoot.)  You shouldn't have to pay makeup artist's fees or studio rental fees when you are being offered a paid shoot.  Samples will be provided upon request. They will prey on you as you are new to the site or that you acknowledge you have little experience. 

* It is better to say that you do have experience as your images should show.  You can always tell the photographer as you are discussing the shoot, the amount of experience you have had.

* Use stage name and closest big city name, not real name and town.

* Do not provide any identifying information in your profile, including contact information.  You can always provide this to a photographer after you have had a chance to review their profile and check their references.  Providing an email address in your profile will result in getting a lot of spam.

* Always check at least 3 references and try to talk to at least one over the phone as models may not put the negatives in writing.  Add to your profile that multiple references are required and will be contacted.  If you don't find any models listed under credits, then ask!!  Be cautious if they haven't worked with models on the site.

Questions for references?

1.)  Ask them if they worked with the photographer, the date and how long. 
2.)  Would they work with them again or would they refer a close friend?
3.)  Any inappropriate language, touching, or undo pressure?
4.)  How would the photographer deal with an inexperienced model?
5.)  Were they happy with the images received and were the images delivered as promised?
6.)  How do they deal with escorts?
7.)  Is there any thing else you should know?
8.)  If the two of you were talking over the phone or in person is there any thing else they would tell you? 


* Beware that many paid shoots may involve nudity of some sort and some photographers do expect that they are purchasing more than eye candy.

* If you are very inexperienced with doing nude shoots, don't publish that you do them as this will attract the guys with cameras and result in most of your headaches with this site. You can always tell a photographer after you have developed a comfort level that you would be interested in doing implied or more.

* Add to your profile that you require an escort to attend every shoot with any new photographer.  We have had countless models say this yet when they have checked references, choose not to bring an escort as there is no such thing as a non-intrusive escort.  This is the opinion of the models we have photographed as many of their previous shoots have been effected negatively by bored, restless escorts.  The most critical part of any shoot planning is the contacting of references.  The more you contact, the more comfortable and confident you will be about participating in the shoot. 

(The best escort is a makeup artist, stylist or 2nd model.  Any other escort will have detrimental effects on the outcome of the shoot.  In a lengthy shoot, familiarity and creativity increases with time as does the quality of images.  Any one waiting on you during the shoot will effect the most crucial part of the shoot.  You will feel guilty in the fact that they are waiting for you, rushing the shoot which typically leads to pre-mature termination of shoot.  Parents and siblings are some of the worst.  Why?  You will be performing for them first and then posing for the camera.  Thus your decision regarding choice of escort will be on of the most critical decisions regarding the outcome of your shoot.)

* The models we have photographed all report that their biggest pet peeve about photographers is the constant pressure from many to take their clothes off.  When models say they do implied or nudity vs. having some pictures showing that they have done it, the pressure will increase many fold.  You can always tell a photographer once you have developed a comfort level with them that you would be interested in implied or fine art nudes, but telling everyone may be a mistake. 

* In business negotiations, it is always better to have what is known as a ‘higher power.’  This is someone you must check with before you make a decision.  In this case, it would be your manager.  You don’t have one, no problem!  Just say you have to clear any shoot offers with your manager as this gives you time to think about it and discuss it with a friend.  It is always easier to say my manager does not approve.

* Ask the photographer to email you a copy of the model release that you will be signing.  Make sure that it does give you permission for you to use their images as this will be required for you to print out any images which have been watermarked. 

* Beware not all agencies or managers are legit.  You should never have to pay an agency to represent you as they derive their income from the jobs they obtain for you.  We recently became aware of a model manager who took photos of his models, placed their face on nude bodies and then published them.  CHECK REFERENCES!!!!

* Beware of freelance agents or photographers who ask for more images via cell phone or auditions via webcam.  Once you send out an image, you have no control over it as no contract has been signed.

* Beware a simple swimsuit shoot with the wrong photographer can cost you future modeling jobs.  You must know with whom you are working.  No escort will protect you from a photographer or manager from taking your face and placing it on a nude body.  No escort will protect you from a simple swimsuit shoot in which the photographer publishing your images on a celebrity porn site.  From that point on a simple Google search will result in your images be found on multiple porn links. 

* You must understand the various types of shoots!

1.)   Model is paid.  When a model is paid, the photographer has purchased the rights to the images and has full control over their use.  The photographer owns the images and has all right to them including not only publishing them but any future use.  The model can't use the images without written permission by the photographer or it could be copyright infringement.  The model gets her money and no images, unless the photographer would decide to provide her with some.  Therefore, paid shoots rarely help build diverse portfolios as the models may not get the best images.

In the case described earlier when the swimsuit image was submitted to porn site, the model would have no control or say so if she was paid for the shoot without any specific contract prohibiting such use. 

2.)  Photographer is paid.  Photographer receives the money and has no rights to the images unless you give them permission.  Since you own the rights, you can sell the images or use them any way you desire. 

3.) TF shoots, neither paid. Image rights are shared between model and photographer, meaning both model and photographer can use them for self promotion and each still have control over future use.  Neither photographer or model can benefit from them financially without written agreement. 

* Beware, models who say they shoot nudes only for pay are giving all rights to the their images to the photographer and have no control of the images use now or in the future. 

Thus, it is critical that you understand the shoot, the contract, and all potential risks inherent to what you choose to do.

An extremely good site to review that will address most of your questions and concerns is

http://www.newmodels.com/

If you have any questions about shoots, modeling, or Model Mayhem, don't hesitate to ask.  Don't forget to review the various Model Mayhem forums concerning new models.