David Shinobi wrote:
Any persons disability SHOULD have no affect what-so-ever.

Well, that's not quite true.  I have no personal bias against disabled people, my grandfather is disabled and he's has and is leading a very fulfilling life.  But as far as modelling goes, certain disabilities can hinder a person and aspiring model as it can effect the way they pose and they may not necessarily be able to pose in the way the client wants.

Biana_Libertine wrote:

Well, that's not quite true.  I have no personal bias against disabled people, my grandfather is disabled and he's has and is leading a very fulfilling life.  But as far as modelling goes, certain disabilities can hinder a person and aspiring model as it can effect the way they pose and they may not necessarily be able to pose in the way the client wants.

but they can find a comfortable pose and give someone a chance!

JoJo wrote:
I don’t see a disabled model, I see a model in a wheelchair. To me there is a major difference.

A disabled car is one sitting at the side of the road.

You are not sitting at the side of life, you are living it. Go for it!

This is exactly why I just love you JoJo! You sooo ROCK!...I've seen physically challenged people accomplish things that plenty of perfectly "normal" whatever the hell that actually means, not even attempt from fear of failure! I give you major props on following your dreams! Best wishes!

Biana_Libertine wrote:

Well, that's not quite true.  I have no personal bias against disabled people, my grandfather is disabled and he's has and is leading a very fulfilling life.  But as far as modelling goes, certain disabilities can hinder a person and aspiring model as it can effect the way they pose and they may not necessarily be able to pose in the way the client wants.

This is true... I have worked with a model that literally cannot open up her left hand... it's in a constant fist formation... will not open...

So I had to work around it.. not a problem, but if there was actually a paying client then their might have been an issue if they wanted a certain pose.

Side note though:
There is a difference between mentally disabled and physically disabled like has been mentioned throughout this thread.. I have no problems working with a physically disabled person for the right concept, even pay them...

But I will treat a mentally disabled model as I would someone under +18... someone of sound mind to sign my model release.

Wysiwyg Photography wrote:

This is true... I have worked with a model that literally cannot open up her left hand... it's in a constant fist formation... will not open...

So I had to work around it.. not a problem, but if there was actually a paying client then their might have been an issue if they wanted a certain pose.

Side note though:
There is a difference between mentally disabled and physically disabled like has been mentioned throughout this thread.. I have no problems working with a physically disabled person for the right concept, even pay them...

But I will treat a mentally disabled model as I would someone under +18... someone of sound mind to sign my model release.

i agree!

JoJo wrote:
I don’t see a disabled model, I see a model in a wheelchair. To me there is a major difference.

A disabled car is one sitting at the side of the road.

You are not sitting at the side of life, you are living it. Go for it!

You're fantastic, JoJo... 

My observation is that a models' presence is all about their ability to capture the space in the image, and make it their own.  The look & feel generated by a model (and captured by the photographer) is what our art is all about, and it does take all kinds to create it!

Miss Marianna wrote:
but why don't i appear on most sites from photographers i've worked with? it doesn't 
feel right.

*This is a guess on my part*

When developing our craft (as I am), I look forward to opportunities to practice and get better.  When my work is good enough, I hope my models choose to put it on their site, as I will have it on mine.  Each of us (model & photographer, alike) chooses our portfolio that represents us the best.  The fact is, if we're lucky enough to work with those whose skills are exceptional, and make our collaboration that much better, the result still may not be good enough to make THEIR portfolio better, even though it improves our own.  I intend to keep at it, and improve every chance I get, as I think all of us here on MM do.  I hope you do, too!

Jay-John wrote:
Furthermore, I believe we, as photographers, have a responsible role to play. Social acceptance, intergration and the quashing of prejudice are issues which can be brought to the publics attention by means of imagery and thus, a thousand words may be spoken.

This is such a wonderful way of putting this..and the precise reason why this is important to me...as an aspiring model with a disability..

Thank you for starting this discussion..the "words" need to be spoken..and I also intend to start speaking them.

Miss Marianna wrote:
but why don't i appear on most sites from photographers i've worked with? it doesn't 
feel right.

I've had hundreds of photoshoots....not everyone goes into the portfolio.
There are a lot of aspects/considerations, who the model is and how they look aren't always primary consideration. 

I wouldn't take it personal, really.

Marianne Michaela wrote:

Miss Marianna wrote:
\

But a model to me is someone who gets paid work and is agency signed (although I am willing to admit that there are some amazing models who are freelance and get a lot of paid work) and is industry standard (although, again, there are acceptions to the rule, but they are very rare and are extraordinary good models).

I started out in this industry "normal". My "handicap" was my lack of heigth (lol) but was able to make good money, this was also back before I had children and when agencies used printed comp cards and look books on a regular basis, and opposed to online resources. Since then... I will admit being "sick" has made working more difficult. I have a HAE, (hereditary angioedema) which makes working often painful, or sometimes impossible.

It's possible to be a model, it's a little more difficult to WORK as a disabled model. You really have to be determined, LOVE what you do, and be willing to face reality when you aren't what the client needs (but they aren't gonna tell you that but it's obvivious) because of your disability. Think out of the box and be willing to try new avenues.

Jay-John wrote:
I believe we, as photographers, have a responsible role to play. Social acceptance, intergration and the quashing of prejudice are issues which can be brought to the publics attention by means of imagery and thus, a thousand words may be spoken.

That is extremely well put. Imagery is a very powerful thing. A great friend of mine said limitations exist only in the mind. We are quick to judge what someone cant do instead of using our creative talents to produce stunning results out of what people can and want to do.

Fifi wrote:
I'm not understanding the question. Are you asking if disabled models can model? If so, I will say yes. That's like asking if a short person can model.

However, in both cases Fifi, there is a difference between "can model", and being a working professional model.    Hell, my cat "can model", but I'm not seeing her on the Cat Chow bag anytime soon

OpenMinds wrote:

However, in both cases Fifi, there is a difference between "can model", and being a working professional model.    Hell, my cat "can model", but I'm not seeing her on the Cat Chow bag anytime soon

but when can you say 'yes, she can model'?

OpenMinds wrote:
However, in both cases Fifi, there is a difference between "can model", and being a working professional model.    Hell, my cat "can model", but I'm not seeing her on the Cat Chow bag anytime soon

That may be...

It also depends on the disability as have been stated through out the thread.

Someone with a mental disability are treated like people under 18 (what ever your rules are on that, they are your own.) and of course depending on what the mental disability is... if it's down syndrome or something else?

Someone with a physical disability (wheelchair, crutches, missing limbs, etc), are fair game and can shoot what ever she/he wants.

Wysiwyg Photography wrote:
Side note though:
There is a difference between mentally disabled and physically disabled like has been mentioned throughout this thread.. I have no problems working with a physically disabled person for the right concept, even pay them...

But I will treat a mentally disabled model as I would someone under +18... someone of sound mind to sign my model release.

Oh dear, did I miss something.

JadeDRed wrote:

Oh dear, did I miss something.

You are going to have to clarify by "miss something"

I can clarify my statement though on the "models that are mentally disabled"

I'm talking about people that are not of sound mind, that are like children mentally (not physical age) people that have down syndrome or other like conditions that would require a parent or guardian to sign my model release where the model would not be able to.

it's pretty much a case by case...

Herman Surkis wrote:
Sorry i don't get it?
If the look is appropriate, what does disabled have to do with anything?

bastardartist wrote:
I choose to seek out ladies that are a bit different from the norm.
They have a lot of character, are mentally stronger and they don't let their shortcomings get in the way of what they want out of life.

yesss, that is sooo true!!

Miss Marianna wrote:
but why don't i appear on most sites from photographers i've worked with? it doesn't 
feel right.

Because your appearance makes most people uncomfortable.

C s p i n e wrote:

Because your appearance makes most people uncomfortable.

well, that's not the reason i think 'cause most of the pictures are not full bodies. if it is 
the reason then they just won't be confronted with reality!

Karl Johnston wrote:
Doesn't make a difference to me!




Karl Johnston

www.karljohnston.com

what do you mean?

Miss Marianna wrote:
what do you mean?

It doesn't make a difference to me if the model is disabled. Client is a client.

I didn't read the other pages, just the first post.


Karl Johnston

www.karljohnston.com