Vegas Alien wrote:
They have variety packs? Makes sense as "not all women are created equal". Do they come with toy surprises?

No toy surpises, but they do come with coupons and plungers.

theda wrote:
The variety pack sounds good. Most women have their own preferences for thses things, but will not be too picky in a pinch.

See!

I never knew there was such a thing as a "variety pack" for tampons. That does sound the most sensible since different women would have different preferences.

Learn something new everyday.

Eric Muss-Barnes wrote:
See!

I never knew there was such a thing as a "variety pack" for tampons. That does sound the most sensible since different women would have different preferences.

Learn something new everyday.

The variety pack thing is a pretty new.  Amazing no one marketed it before a couple years ago. So you are vindicated.

William Kious wrote:
Now a male photographer has to worry about dragging tampons around?  Seriously.  If a woman doesn't have the good sense to be prepared and her period starts during a shoot, she can fend for herself.  What about women who don't use tampons?  Should the photographer drag around a variety of maxipads, too?  I know!  I'll install a dispenser in the bathroom!  Maybe I could wear tampons in a bandolier around my chest! 

Has the concept of chivalry deteriorated so much that a man having tampons on his person is considered heroic?

Hey, you're the one that has to photoshop out the blood stains if she's caught unaware. Have fun!

William Kious wrote:
If a woman doesn't have the good sense to be prepared and her period starts during a shoot, she can fend for herself.

A cursory glance at your portfolio shows me that, like many photographers, you shoot a lot of thin, pretty women. It may surprise you to know that, ESPECIALLY for women thin enough to model successfully, body weight can affect the regularity of a woman's period. I knew a gorgeous girl with perfect model proportions when I was in high school-- some months she might have three separate flows, and then go 4-6 months without a period at all. Unless you're ready to start shooting women who are exclusively on Depo or plus-sized models, it's something you have to understand isn't as predictable as you might be lead to believe by television. I mean, if it were like TV tampons would be all we talked about and we'd all leak gross blue stuff. Ew.

I don't have periods, personally, but the more I think about carrying tampons for female models, the better of an idea it seems.

dissolvegirl wrote:
A cursory glance at your portfolio shows me that, like many photographers, you shoot a lot of thin, pretty women. It may surprise you to know that, ESPECIALLY for women thin enough to model successfully, body weight can affect the regularity of a woman's period. I knew a gorgeous girl with perfect model proportions when I was in high school-- some months she might have three separate flows, and then go 4-6 months without a period at all. Unless you're ready to start shooting women who are exclusively on Depo or plus-sized models, it's something you have to understand isn't as predictable as you might be lead to believe by television. I mean, if it were like TV tampons would be all we talked about and we'd all leak gross blue stuff. Ew.

I don't have periods, personally, but the more I think about carrying tampons for female models, the better of an idea it seems.

That's not exactly true. It's not body weight so much as nutrition and heredity.  I've been 20-40 pounds underweight my entire adult life and you could set a clock by my ovaries.

theda wrote:
Hey, you're the one that has to photoshop out the blood stains if she's caught unaware. Have fun!

Hey, if the model was willing, I would make a theme out of it!    If not, *click click* and they're gone.  I'm not insensitive, but my wife (and none of the women I dated before marriage) were ever caught "unprepared". 

Why do you think cars have gloveboxes?

dissolvegirl wrote:
A cursory glance at your portfolio shows me that, like many photographers, you shoot a lot of thin, pretty women. It may surprise you to know that, ESPECIALLY for women thin enough to model successfully, body weight can affect the regularity of a woman's period. I knew a gorgeous girl with perfect model proportions when I was in high school-- some months she might have three separate flows, and then go 4-6 months without a period at all. Unless you're ready to start shooting women who are exclusively on Depo or plus-sized models, it's something you have to understand isn't as predictable as you might be lead to believe by television. I mean, if it were like TV tampons would be all we talked about and we'd all leak gross blue stuff. Ew.

Wow... ummmmm... I think you may want to rethink your take on female biology.  A woman has to be seriously malnourished to experience amenorrhea (or a hard-core athlete.)  A woman's weight - unless you are talking about the extremes of malnutrition and obesity - has little to do with her menstrual cycle.  General health and genetics, yes  - the number on the scale, no.

And don't generalize about me, either.  I will shoot with anyone willing to pose (and have, for that matter.)  I don't care about body size, skin color or any other trivial issues.  I don't see any plus-size models in YOUR port.

William Kious wrote:
I don't see any plus-size models in YOUR port.

That's because you're looking in the wrong portfolio.
http://www.istockphoto.com/litebox.php?liteboxID=275781

That's a small sampling of the "reality-sized" women (they'd kill me if I said "plus") that I've shot, and there's more on my personal website, elizabethshoemaker.com. I shoot anyone I can get in front of my camera, same as you. I just haven't posted any of them here, because there aren't a lot of plus-sized models on MM from my area (at least that I've found). It's all about tailoring your book to your audience.

theda wrote:

dissolvegirl wrote:
.
It's not body weight so much as nutrition and heredity.  I've been 20-40 pounds underweight my entire adult life and you could set a clock by my ovaries.

Theda, if I set a clock by your ovaries, could they read it? Should it be wind-up or battery? Alarm? Glow-in-the-dark?  You leave us with so many questions...

dissolvegirl wrote:
I shoot anyone I can get in front of my camera, same as you. I just haven't posted any of them here, because there aren't a lot of plus-sized models on MM from my area (at least that I've found). It's all about tailoring your book to your audience.

There are very few "plus size" models located in my area as well.  I have some friends that I would love to have pose, but all of them are too self-conscious.  That seems to be the double-edged sword of shooting "reality-sized" women: models are too far away and non-models are uncomfortable with the idea.

If gas wasn't $2.90/gallon I would drive to them!

Eric Muss-Barnes wrote:
So, ladies, clue us single-guys into what brands and types you like the best.

But seriously, what kind do you like so we single male photographers can get an education on this.

Beaver Dam brand tampons are the best.

theda wrote:
I would suggest something with a cardboard (not plastic) applicator for environmental reasons.

personally, i hate cardboard tampons

William Kious wrote:

Wow... ummmmm... I think you may want to rethink your take on female biology.  A woman has to be seriously malnourished to experience amenorrhea (or a hard-core athlete.)  A woman's weight - unless you are talking about the extremes of malnutrition and obesity - has little to do with her menstrual cycle.  General health and genetics, yes  - the number on the scale, no.

That isn't entirely true. I am very small, and although I am a perfectly healthy weight, if I'm seriously stressed out, overly active, or just not getting enough iron, it will stop for  a couple months.

Eric Muss-Barnes wrote:
Due to the topic in this thread, I have decided to start a new one.

The notion of photographers carrying a supply of tampons for models is really a brilliantly chivalric courtesy in my opinion.

However, I know nothing about brands and preferences becasue, well, I don't need to buy them.

So, ladies, clue us single-guys into what brands and types you like the best. Are some better than others? Are some more effective? ... Ribbed? Scented? Bettery-powered? (Oh, wait ... those are other things. Nevermind.)

But seriously, what kind do you like so we single male photographers can get an education on this. (I say "single male" because the females already know and the married men SHOULD know.)

get bounty paper towels "they are the quicker picker upper....and they get stronger when wet...." that was a joke....just so you dont think im serious!!!

Ed Burns Photography wrote:
I guess it is a good idea to keep a box lying around.  Of course, if you plan on shooting Paris Hilton, you might want to consider keeping a pen of sheep instead.

LMAOOOOOOOO. Oh Ed, that was eye candy... thank-you for making me laugh. I needed to. Seems like I havent smiled in so long.

BCG wrote:
i gave my wife a bag of cotton balls and some string and told her it was a make your own tampon kit...she did not laff.

Then you'd better make sure you never bring home a sheep with a rope tied to it's tail.

It could get VERY ugly

Ed Burns Photography wrote:

Then you'd better make sure you never bring home a sheep with a rope tied to it's tail.

It could get VERY ugly

a sheep and a rope???...that could cause SEVERE dehydration!!!

dissolvegirl wrote:
That's a small sampling of the "reality-sized" women (they'd kill me if I said "plus")

Really?  I was under the impression that "plus" was an industry term.  That's the category I fit into and the phrase I embrace.  Although I do prefer the term "reality-sized" better.  The one phrase that I detest is "full-figured."

nyx wrote:

That isn't entirely true. I am very small, and although I am a perfectly healthy weight, if I'm seriously stressed out, overly active, or just not getting enough iron, it will stop for  a couple months.

I must agree with you as well.  There are woman with only one ovary that works regularly which means a cycle every other month... weight not being an issue at all, but just how each woman's body functions.