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Search results dropping
I can't help but notice the search results for models at Model Mayhem have been dropping drastically over the last 3 to 4 years. For various search criteria in which I would get some 50 to 100 results in 2017, I will now get only 5 to 10. I have heard from some models that they do not use Model Mayhem as much anymore, as it doesn't have an app version (it seems there is one, but I haven't used it). Many models now seem to rely largely on Instagram and Facebook (or perhaps some other social media). But neither of those have the advanced search tools that Model Mayhem's search tools have (e.g. last activity within x days; does/doesn't do nudes; within x miles of certain location; age, etc.). Perhaps others in here have some ideas. Thanks! Aug 07 23 10:15 am Link Yes, and I've noticed that the average age of models is increasing steadily. The Golden Age of Model Mayhem was roughly a decade ago. Apparently the owners are happy allowing it to slowly decline. I assume they have valid reasons. The internet is changing fast and it takes money to keep up. Maybe when the net income becomes negative, some of us can buy the site cheaply enough that we can turn it around. Aug 09 23 06:14 pm Link Yes, the number of suitable models has decreased, the number that will even reply to an inquiry, has severely dropped, and the average age of those who actually fit the mold, and have experience, has increased. That simply shows that trends change over time, and that most wannabes, do not recognize that the genres they can do, are limited, if they don't fit the usual mold. Those are the facts, and the real reason many are going to FB and Instagram, is likely, they want to travel on the client photographers nickle. There isn't anything new there, just the changes in trends. Rick Sep 12 23 08:36 am Link Piombino Imaging wrote: There's no reason for models to use MM anymore. They simply make a profile and post their other social media links where they can display as many other photos that they want to display and can send/recieve messages without going through the hoops of becoming 'friends' first or paying to have an upgraded account. Sep 12 23 10:01 am Link I've been poking and prodding at MM for the past couple months, and I've booked one shoot through it. I haven't shot a straight-up art nude (my speciality) in over a year. Thankfully my main job is keeping me afloat, but it has me wondering recently if I'm un"suitable," as someone commented above, or if this is just not the place for art modeling anymore. I have gotten a lot of very uncomfortable fetish requests, though. Figured I'd throw my $0.02 so it's not just photographers. Sep 12 23 04:20 pm Link The reason search results are dropping is because there are fewer members joining, while more members are leaving or dormant. It's that simple. This website is on the decline, if nothing continues to be done as far as improvements and marketing, it will continue until it becomes a ghost town and eventually disappears. Sep 12 23 04:57 pm Link all the observations are accurate but I would point out that its just consolidated to the same timeless hotspots that existed without the internet: NYC and LA. a casting call out here in LA on this site will still garner 100 responses. its also true that this site is a bit redundant. there are plenty of models, especially of the same age that fashion and adult industry books, that are not on here. while the places those models are on do not have easy sorting capabilities, and all the attractive women on instagram have a broken messaging system that isn't able to discern the veracity of requests for work, amongst all the other erroneous messages and offers of male attention. the best thing to do is become acquainted with local photographers and brands. keep up with their portfolios and inquire about the model used. stats, introduction, more. in no time, you'll have a network of models with the look you want and who show up. Sep 12 23 10:28 pm Link Sadly it is true and unfortunate. Yes there are more options than there was back in the day when you had MM and OMP and people tend to follow the crowd and all the platforms have their strengths and weaknesses and are best used together. To some extent MM has contributed to the problem with changes they made to make it less usable, like limiting who you can message to only friends for some membership levels. I use them all together, If I find a model on IG I search MM, if I find them on MM I look for them on IG as MM gives me information as to who , what, when and where while IG gives me more recent photos and a lot more but edited to "Community Standards" It takes just a minute to log in check messages and let the MM community know you are alive and well. It also pushes you up on the MM search In many respects MM is its own worst enemy as the ownership seems uninterested in keeping it modern and contemporary Sep 14 23 04:19 pm Link Bob Helm Photography wrote: You've mentioned a couple of the problems. I'd say that the attempt at creating an app was a loss for this website too. There are many posts about that very issue floating around. Sep 17 23 03:48 pm Link There are plenty of models here--must be your search radius. MM searches through 1,072,232 active members.*  *That number has remained static since about 2015. Sep 17 23 05:54 pm Link Cwen wrote: I looked over you very large portfolio and in my opinion you are certainly suitable - more so. I can't understand the you are not getting offers as you clearly know what you are doing and are lovely to behold. I don't know what your rates are, so I can't say that is a reason for not getting work. Unless you are an axe murderer or burn down studios, I cn't understand your lack of work. Perhaps your area is saturated with beautiful models ( I don't think such a place exists) or the photographers are only shooting weddings. Don't give up! The only thing I would suggest is editing your portfolio down to 20 or so pictures. The volume of wonderful pictures is overwhelming. Sep 17 23 06:05 pm Link A. K. Southard wrote: Piombino Imaging the photographer who is the OP for this post is a friend of mine. He works in the cyber industry testing websites. I have spoken with him about this website a number of times. You are correct that the number that shows up as "active users" has been static for a long time. The number of "active members" is not the same as the number of models. Approximately three quarters of that number are photographers, leaving one quarter of that total to be models, and a small number other artists. Considering that this is a World wide website, those numbers are small. I would venture to say that it was much higher before Tyler sold it. Sep 17 23 07:58 pm Link I have talked to a few models about this and several, especially younger ones, say they mostly use Instagram. Why would anyone do that, I wonder? There is no way to do geographic searches or really any standard way to do any searches at all. I have tried it and it is an incredible pain. But they reply that they get lots of offers. I think what is going on is that there are a lot more photographers who want to photograph models than there are models who want to be photographed so the photographers have to do all the tedious work of identifying models on IG, finding where they are, what sort of modeling they do, etc, and the models simply wait and the photographers come to them. So why wouldn't a model take that route? There is a problem but it is someone else's extra effort not theirs. Perhaps one approach it to recognize this imbalance. MM bills itself as a place that allows models and photographers to link up or find one another but what if it is really a site for photographers to find models? (For example, I often get availability notices from traveling model but I don't get an inquiry from a local model even once a year.) So charge photographers for a minimal membership and let models join for free. Since most of the photographers here are male and most of the models are female, it sounds very sexist, like "lady's night" at a bar, but I will let others discuss that. Sep 18 23 01:53 pm Link The Dallas area seems to be OK, I seldom have a problem getting messages returned. I just did a search for female models within a 50 mile radius of me and active within the last 30 days and turned up 118 models, 56 will shoot nudes. Not bad. It might be a little slower, but it still works ok. Sep 18 23 03:56 pm Link I am between two large markets yet I always end up on FB. There are a lot of local user groups there. Models postings there get sometimes upwards of more than 70 responses in a couple of hours time. No need to pay tho membership price hasn’t changed. It’s pretty cheap $60 year premium. I just haven’t had the same success as I used to. One thing is certain. The heydays are long gone. Sep 30 23 08:22 pm Link I'm still booking through here pretty regularly. More through instagram, but still. I pay for this place for a reason. Not to be sarcastic, but may the Lord grant me being one of the only ten suitable results lol. Sep 30 23 09:48 pm Link I was searching on Purpleport for models who work to full nude level in London. There are now very few within 10 miles of Holborn (the nominal city centre). Problems of model abuse and police corruption are undoubtedly to blame for this situation. Oct 01 23 09:49 am Link Beyond Boudoir Photo wrote: I’ve noticed that, on average, everyone’s age is increasing steadily. Oct 01 23 06:25 pm Link Studio NSFW wrote: Yep, my age has been increasing steadily for years Oct 01 23 07:37 pm Link "... Perhaps others in here have some ideas..." Piombino Imaging have you given any credence to seeking talent through the top Model Agencies in your Market? Here is a link to at least ten to canvass... https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=M … isco%2C+CA It has been my experience that dealing directly with agency bookers has consistently yielded access to the finest talent available meet my client's requirements. In my market I've found T.H.E. Agency to be totally outstanding and have collaborated with many of their epic models. https://www.theartistagency.com/search/ … nder=woman For those in the Washington DC, Baltimore MD local it is my "go to" agency of choice. Wishing you much success on your photographic career journey Piombino Imaging... Cheers! Thomas Oct 02 23 09:40 am Link |
