I used this site several years ago. Unfortunately, with family and work problems I didn't get very far with my model photography. But I was conversing with several models and sharing ideas and it looked as if this was a really useful place to be a member of. There seemed lots of potential for local creative collaborations.

Years later, I've come back to have another go at model photography, now that conditions are more favourable to me, and that I have a new photographic kit I want to try out.

But Model Mayhem seems really quiet...a shadow of what it was a few years back. Of course, some things are out of Model Mayhem's hands, like the rise of other competition from Instagram, etc.

But this new policy of making it much harder to get in touch with fellow creatives is really damaging this site, IMO. By making it more difficult for people to communicate, a big part of what Model Mayhem was about is being undermined. Yes, I know there are also successful professional photographers and models who use the place as a business tool.

I always thought that the grassroots of Model Mayhem was encouraging beginners like me to work together to build a portfolios, even if cash was very limited. But now there is a barrier in our way that makes this much more difficult. I hope the whole "You have to be friends before you can message" system is scrapped. The old system made for a much better website and community.

Site sucks now. Can't even contact people anymore? Dumb. Everyone should be sure to have their instagram in profile so that we can actually contact each other.