|
Forums >
Model Colloquy >
The Truth about Tattoos
Ok, MM photographer for 7 plus years here. I've been incredibly fortunate in meeting some of the most amazing models on MM. But I have a problem. Personally, I prefer any model I work with to have no tattoos and few if any piercings. Just my preference. On more than one occasion, including tonight, I've set to Browse models for an upcoming shoot. I add "No Tattoos" as one of my presets and get a nice long list of potential models to colaborate with that say they have No TATTOOS. I see their initial avatar and say "wow" she's perfect for my idea. Great eyes, beautiful body, awesome personality and then I click on her portfolio and HOLY $#^&* she has maybe 4, 6, 10 tats all over her body. Tonight I said, forget it, I'll look some other time. Could you imagine if a model showed up to a shoot with me and although I said I did have experience, I had little or shot with junk gear. Ok, I'm sorry, shouldn't use my first post to vent, but it takes time for me to look someone to work with and this bothers me. LOL sort of. Jan 31 18 09:36 pm Link Image mis-representation can be a problem here. Not really a big fan of tattoos either. Some of the clients I shoot for do not want tattooed models wearing their swimwear on website, catalog and poster images. Full body makeup artists are also clients who take issue with heavily tattooed models. Takes alot more air-brushed makeup to blend-out tattoos over their artwork, costing them alot more product expense...  Jan 31 18 11:05 pm Link It has nothing to do with whether she has tattoos or piercings. Just be upfront about in your description. I TOTALLY respect a models choice of body art, just don't lie on your description. Tonight, 6 out of 10 models that said they didn't have any did :-( Jan 31 18 11:53 pm Link I agree with you wholeheartedly ... if a model has tattoos, they should certainly let it be known in their profile. I, like you, try to steer clear of photographing models with tattoos and it is very frustrating to find a perfect model only to discover later that she has tattoos. I generally do not work with models tat have gaudy ass tattoos! Feb 01 18 03:13 am Link It is unfortunate when a member here does not take their membership with some seriousness and a sense of responsibility. This attitude demeans the site as well as the profession. Feb 01 18 06:04 am Link I think it's a bit of a pain with search filters on all these portfolio sites. Virtually useless on ig equally as it is on this one . I cannot think of one site that would offer better alternatives or solutions to correctly filter that out. Feb 01 18 06:14 am Link sometimes their profile says 'no tattoos' and in their avatar image.. TATTOOS hahahaha - oh man..come on Feb 01 18 10:48 am Link They also hurt themselves because a person who wants a tattooed model will not find them in a search. Oh, shoot. I didn't realize this was in the model colloquy section. My bad for participating. Feb 01 18 11:57 am Link 
Model Posts: 6639 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica Lisa Everhart wrote: Yes, for sure. It isn't always that they don't take it serious, some purposely try to game the system. They figure they are so special that you'll overlook their tattoo ("can't you just edit it out?") , or that they haven't been 29 in quite some time ("people tell me I look younger than my age"), and that you won't mind that their portfolio represented how they looked 15 pounds and 5 years ago ("haven't you heard of the liquefy tool?"). Feb 01 18 11:58 am Link Tattoos are disgusting and destroy the pure canvas the model has to be for me! Her skin is mine and I find it outrageous that she doesn't respect my sensibilities! Yes... they should update their description and not knowing about the tattoo check box is not excuse. Luckily she was not hiding her tats in her portfolio... otherwise... I'd be so furious! Tattooing is 10's of thousands of years old and should stay in the stone age! Feb 01 18 12:44 pm Link udor wrote: +1 Feb 01 18 12:53 pm Link udor wrote: Select Models wrote: /sarcasm Feb 01 18 01:08 pm Link udor wrote: Select Models wrote: udor wrote: LOL Feb 01 18 01:31 pm Link udor wrote: udor wrote:
Feb 01 18 01:53 pm Link As a side note I pretty sure a lot of incorrect profiles are due to MM tech issues Feb 01 18 02:08 pm Link Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote: I'm thinkin there's a HUGE difference between a few tech issues and outright deception... Feb 01 18 02:14 pm Link I don't care for tattoos on models. I have worked with some models with tattoos who were outstanding and their tattoos were not a problem. Feb 01 18 03:47 pm Link It depends on the project. If you want your models to be totally identifiable, tattoos will make sure of it. Lots of time it's a unique part of their character and that makes it a unique model shoot and often inspiring one for a lot of genres. Now if you are looking to do some timeless fine art or product modeling then yes, tattoos will have a lasting if not immediate effect on the image and client. Communication between model and photographer on this issue MUST be accurate and honest during the booking process. Yes you can photoshop some out but sometimes images are not done in digital form. Feb 01 18 05:55 pm Link Gaming the system is nothing new, and often happens with agency models too. I've had models tell me their agency altered their stats to make them a little taller or shorter. There is also a thing as "model age" for those that look younger than what they are. I know what that tells people he's about 24 at castings but is really 30 something. His agencies know this. You have to do your research and not rely on what your shown. Feb 02 18 12:08 am Link Hunter GWPB wrote: I e-mailed a model and diplomatically made this exact point.... she thanked me and updated her profile. Feb 02 18 12:32 am Link Select Models wrote: It is quite simple to write a short but detailed description of one's body modifications in the narrative. Feb 02 18 01:02 am Link I have no issue with a model who has ink. Ink or no ink depends on what I am looking for in the resulting images. Have a look at my port. There are ten models who have ink and their images are quite refreshing. Feb 02 18 03:46 am Link udor wrote: Even worse, ink on men. Truly disgusting! Feb 02 18 10:08 am Link Be sure to keep an open mind... Feb 02 18 10:27 am Link I seriously can't imagine you're sending booking offers to models without actually looking at their portfolio... it takes 30 seconds to open up the full portfolio and see they have something you don't want and click away. Its no different than liking someones face but not their body, or liking their avatar but not any of their other images, liking their look but realizing they only have one of them, realizing they can't pose well, reading their profile and finding something that doesnt jive with you, etc etc etc. It's not killing anybody. Feb 02 18 02:12 pm Link ^^ Laura beat me to it. seacoastlight wrote: Well, there's nothing deceptive about that. Technically, you do have experience. Ok, I'm sorry, shouldn't use my first post to vent, but it takes time for me to look someone to work with and this bothers me. LOL sort of. Haha, at least you didn't use it to start another flake thread. Feb 02 18 02:42 pm Link I pass on many local models because of ink. I consider it graffiti on the human body. I have photographed a few with ones that were hard to see. Living in south Florida I get to see what the sun can do to tattoos over time. Some turn into a dark smear. I am glad the trend has been dying down. Give me a natural female model without the ink, piercings, and implants two sizes too big. Feb 02 18 06:56 pm Link MoRina wrote: Due to personal experiences, I never send cell phone snaps to photographers. My credited photos are showing though, and I have over 80 references listed here as well as daily updated social media sites. And I have other references not listed that I'm also always happy to provide. Feb 02 18 08:37 pm Link AgX wrote: WOW! Feb 02 18 09:01 pm Link When noticing ink on models stating "no tattoos", I usually mention the discrepancy to the model. There is no ink in my portfolio, as the brick and mortar mainstream galleries I exhibit in are successful in the legitimate fine art market, and don't exhibit or promote images of tattoed subjects. Feb 03 18 11:38 am Link udor wrote: AgX wrote: Mark Salo wrote: You do realize I was being sarcastic, right? Feb 04 18 07:39 am Link seacoastlight wrote: Maybe you should also NOT use your first post to vent in the Models' forum. This should have been in General Forum. Feb 04 18 09:10 am Link I have never had a tattoo just because I can't imagine having to put up with something I like today, forever. I have enough scars, I don't need to pay for them. Feb 18 18 06:27 pm Link seacoastlight wrote: Okay... so "The Truth about Tattoos" is really just an opinion of one individual photographer (YOU) who thinks that models should adjust to YOUR preference of what THEY should do with THEIR bodies to please you! Feb 18 18 11:31 pm Link AgX wrote: What??? Feb 18 18 11:43 pm Link
Model Posts: 6639 MacMurdo - permanent station of the US, Sector claimed by New Zealand, Antarctica It's pretty clear to me from what the OP wrote that he was asking for models to be truthful about tattoos. It wasn't an anti-tattoo thread. Feb 19 18 06:20 am Link MoRina wrote: Agreed. I saw a model's portfolio recently; she had massive tattoos all over her torso. It was one of her main selling points. But on her profile, she ticked the box "Some " tattoos. She definitely had "Many" tattoos. I don't know why she would do that. Feb 19 18 08:27 am Link Exactly and thank you. I would never judge a model or anyone for body art. It just frustrates me when she or he says no tattoos in a search and then a look at their photos and they have 6. But again, thanks for this forum, MM and all the incredible models here! Sean Feb 19 18 12:39 pm Link This intent of this thread was clearly a polite request for models to accurately communicate whether or not they have tattoos. No one is attacking anyone's right to have as many tattoos as they want, and certainly no one is telling models what they can and can't do to their bodies. At the end of the day - it’s no different than any other changes you choose to make to your appearance. Some photographers will say “Love your look” and others will say “Not my style”. Feb 19 18 03:10 pm Link crx studios wrote: I am still waiting for "THE TRUTH ABOUT TATTOOS" as the title suggested to be revealed... Feb 19 18 03:23 pm Link |
... Oh OK... two can play that game... 
