Tom deL wrote:
A message from


Top Drawer member and co-founder of the Stage Two theLIST Nina Pak has condensed the answer to What does being an active theLIST member mean? into a very nice, compact list. The full FAQ follows.

Being an "active member" of The List means...
* Shooting newbie models when possible. Preferably once a month.
* Mentoring of newbies, at the shoot or to be available for questions if needed on MM.
* Giving the model good quality edited images and/or prints for their portfolio.
* Entering your newbie in the weekly contest when you have images.

If we don't see your images, or hear from you, then we consider you not active and you would be removed from The List.

                 ***** theLIST FAQ *****

What is the List?
Experienced Photographers who have pledged to provide assistance to beginning models, who donate a photo-session to start or enhance the models portfolio.

How will the List help the new Model?
Give a solid base and a new start, building experience for future work Valuable camera time with a seasoned photographer Providing positive publicity with the Newbie contests.

How will the List benefit me as a photographer?
There is prestige and positive publicity associated with membership in a juried group, especially now that the selection process is governed with discretion. You benefit from strengthening the model pool, and you gain the respect and appreciation of the models you work with.

What are the requirements for membership in the List?
For consideration as  the List member, a photographer will be expected to possess:
A grasp of photographic techniques which will facilitate the creation of quality photographs for a model's portfolio.

What type of photograph does the model need?
The model will need some standard portfolio images. Headshots, a few lifestyle images, where they are dressed in more than a swimsuit. Some artistic images are wonderful, but the model will also need to have the basics.

What are the requirements for remaining a member of the List?
Maintaining your involvement in the program:
Working with newbie models once a month, when possible Entering your shoots in the Newbie Model of the Week Contest.

What if I apply for membership in the List and am not accepted?
Please consider joining the mentoring programs. As an applicant who is not accepted it doesn't mean that you are not an excellent shooter, but if your portfolio doesn't show images of the basic nature necessary for a Newbie then a bit of guidance about how to work with beginning models, and how to fulfill their needs, may be helpful to you. Photographers who are experienced in the field will give you guidance.

Is membership in the List an endorsement of a photographer's ethics?
No. Unfortunately we have no reasonable way to validate or determine this. We are however serious about these programs and will be very receptive to complaints of misbehavior by the List members or newbie models who fail to show good faith ethics.

Is membership in the List an endorsement of a photographer's skill?
For the List In its reorganization, we wish to implement reasonable quality standards. Our goal is to provide a list of photographers with good basic shooting skills and an understanding of the new models needs.

You are strongly encouraged to look critically at the portfolio of anyone with whom you wish to work. In doing so you should determine of the photographer is capable of improving your portfolio and if the photographer's work is in a style that will benefit you.

Our application process now consists of six steps (only one requiring the applicant's input):

1. Post a reply of intent in theLIST thread.
2. We will send you a PM with an e-mail address for you to send a presentation.
3. You will tender your application with a NEWbie Model of the Week nomination.
4. We will then send this presentation to a small group of Top Drawer volunteers.
5. The volunteers will review your presentation and if they accept it:
6. We will then submit your application to the entire Top Drawer membership for vote.

This shows us that applicants are earnest in wishing to invest their time in
the programs and during our trial period this method has proven quite effective.

Our sincere thanks goes to all who have supported these programs!
  - Tom and Nina

Candidates for the 284th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, May 35
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 15
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday June 16 and June 17
Winner Announced: Wednesday June 18

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

Candidates for the 285th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, June 15
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, July 27
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday July 28 and July 29
Winner Announced: Wednesday July 30

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

natural beauties of qld wrote:
I have been trying to contact you for several months.

Could you check your in box to see if there are messages from me?

Tom deL wrote:
I will ASAP. I have been extremely busy and am barely able to keep up with the weekly chores here.

Thank you for your patience.
  -Tom

Still waiting to hear from you. 

Sample portfolio was sent to your blackflute.com email address in December 2013

Candidates for the 286th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, July 27
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Sept 14
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday Sept 15 and Sept 16
Winner Announced: Wednesday Sept 17

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

Candidates for the 288th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Sept 14
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Oct 12
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday Oct 13 and Oct 14
Winner Announced: Wednesday Sept 15

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

Candidates for the 289th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Oct 12
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Oct 26
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday Oct 27 and Oct 28
Winner Announced: Wednesday Oct 29

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

Candidates for the 290th Newbie Model of the Week Contest
Submitting period
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Oct 26
Midnight (EST) on Sunday, Nov 9
Top Drawer votes: Monday & Tuesday Nov 10 and Nov 11
Winner Announced: Wednesday Nov 12

Please visit the nominees' profiles as well as the Newbie Model of the Week Contest

Rob Photosby wrote:
I have been trying to contact you for several months.

Could you check your in box to see if there are messages from me?

Tom deL wrote:
I will ASAP. I have been extremely busy and am barely able to keep up with the weekly chores here.

Thank you for your patience.
  -Tom

Rob Photosby wrote:
Still waiting to hear from you. 

Sample portfolio was sent to your blackflute.com email address in December 2013

It has been a year now and still no word.