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Hiring Male Nude Models
I was wondering how other photographers who shoot male nude are currently finding models. It seems the well has run dry in my area to the point that I have other photographers messaging me on my craigslist ads asking for help finding male models. Are there any tips or tricks to finding male nude models that others can share? I have tried making my concept clear at the start of emails and on casting calls and have had models express interest, but not want to do the shoot nude (or want me to pay to work with them multiple times to get comfortable around me before agreeing to work nude [which makes me uncomfortable]). And I've also tried making it clear that I am specifically looking for male nude models and find the similar results. I have tried offering different amounts of money. Combinations of certain levels of money with certain levels of information about the shoots concept. The results stay the same. Am I just going to have to try to breach my current talent plateau by focusing on shirtless/fitness? I keep having older men offer me money to photograph them, but they don't want to have any paper work (like an image release) which makes me uncomfortable. I feel really stuck right now and have noticed other photographers in my area who shoot what I do in the same boat. Thank you for your time. Jul 21 15 10:38 am Link There is no way to have an honest and unrestricted conversation about this outside of the critique forum. The quality of a photographer's work is always a factor in recruiting models. In your situation, that is possibly the #1 factor. I suggest that you are getting the cart in front of the horse. Shooting models without clothes is generally a step beyond shooting models with clothes. Get good at shooting the simpler stuff, then move on to the more difficult projects. Once you are doing consistently good work with topless male models, you'll have an easier time recruiting models for nudes. This is where you should start - "Am I just going to have to try to breach my current talent plateau by focusing on shirtless/fitness?" Yes. Get good at clothed and shirtless pics, less pressure on you and the model. Develop skill and confidence, then move on. If you really just want to shoot male nudes, you already have that option, but without a release. "I keep having older men offer me money to photograph them, but they don't want to have any paper work" You are being offered money to shoot male nudes. That would let you practice what you want, and you get paid. I'm not sure what the problem with that is. You've been here for 5 years, and there is no evidence that you want to produce work similar to what is linked in your wishlist. There are a few gaps in your logic/story. I think maybe you need to sit down and have an honest conversation with yourself, or maybe include someone whose opinion you value, about what you want to achieve, and how to get there. Jul 21 15 11:43 am Link Maybe you should try ad's or a casting call in some male gay publication. Straight man will find it uncombable to pose naked. Never shot nude man or nudes but I don't find it wrong that models would ask to work with you a couple times before doing a nude shoot. It's a very personal thing for a lot of people. After all they may not agree with where their image would end up. That's why in a case like this a model release is very important. Jul 21 15 11:54 am Link Have you looked on sites like FetLife or AdultTalentList or SexyJobs ???? Granted , you might not get "professional" models to pose for free / trade AND sign a release the models that shoot nudes will most likely want paid ( Especially if you expect them to sign a release ) BUT , once you do and produce great images , word could spread .... ( so .. worth a little investment ) Jul 21 15 12:16 pm Link Pictures of Life wrote: Thank you so much for your response. Jul 21 15 01:42 pm Link Pictures of Life wrote: WTF, he asks how to get nude models, not to critique his work. All that needed to be said is work of high enough quality to attract models. Jul 21 15 04:20 pm Link I have had similar problems. The bad news is that regardless of what reasonable amount I offer, I can't get many male models to even respond to offers of nude shoots, even if they list them in the portfolio. The good news is that the ones that are into it are REALLY into it, and are often are concerned with something other than money. The bad news(again) is that you may not always be comfortable with what that something else is, so suss them out as carefully as you can. If I don't know a model personally, it's very common for me to have an escort at my own shoot, or just use someone else's shooting space so that they're there. I would guess that I have around a 5-10% response rate for male nudes, vs. around a 35-40% rate for female nudes. And that's not even my work rate - those are just peoole that wrote back. But unless my memory is faulty, I don't think I've ever had to pay a male nude model. So, pros and cons. Jul 21 15 04:54 pm Link Am on model mayhem (Jay2828) as photographer and having the same limited success....The problem with this site is that many models are looking to further their career and are less likely to pose for an unknown photographer.. But I have had great success using craigslist for finding models.. I do pay them for their time... like $30 per hour and make it clear that frontal nudity is not required...You will finding someone who could use the cash and you can be selective on who you select..... Jay Sep 21 15 03:22 pm Link I have used craigslist to find guys that want photos done...I have posted some of my work in the ad so they can see my style of shooting. I have been lucky and the good turn out from my ad. Jun 02 16 12:52 am Link Where there is a beautiful woman... she usually has beautiful male friends. Just sayin' Jun 02 16 01:08 am Link It is very hard to find male models. The solution I found was to become my own model. I had to practice but it works. It is also good when you are bored at home and what to have a photoshoot on the same day, so you don't have to look for anyway. Just set your tools and photograph yourself.  Jun 02 16 02:34 am Link You might try broadening your search. Have you tried advertising in local gyms, for example? Asking people in the street? Jun 02 16 02:47 am Link |
