Curious what models think on this topic? I am mid-fifty, though as anybody over 30 will tell you we stop aging mentally at about age 30, a cruelty of biology to feel 30 but be trapped in an aging body (I look at older and old people now a lot different, realizing inside they are 30 though their skin sags and their hair thins and the bones weaken). The nature of models is pretty much self-selecting for beauty and a young age range of 16 to perhaps 30 at most. So we have photographers of whatever age, and young beautiful models-- does the age of the photographer matter to you models? Does doing photoshoots with photographers twice your age bother you? What about even much older photographers say 65+, would that turn you off or would you look at that as a plus at having someone with more experience and skill to help you the model improve your portfolio and career? As a photographer, I am not looking to date models, just photograph them as I just plain love the visual arts (especially the human form) as well as other artforms (I write and also compose music). But in any other venue, it could look odd, dare i say a bit creepy, to pair up much older photographers and much younger beautiful models especially if of opposite genders. What got me thinking on this was reading a thread yesterday about how photographers find models, and how we photographers over a certain age wonder about approaching young beautiful models at e.g. a coffeeshop, as that can come off as a bit creepy given wide age differences.
I am a people person and love working with photographers of all ages. For me it comes down to simply creating a great image. When I look at the camera with whatever emotion I'm conveying (be it relaxed, sensual, happy...) I am looking at the camera, not the photographer. For me one of the great things about modeling is when you make it about the lens and not the person behind it you connect on a deeper level with every person who views that image. For example, on this shot
I had literally just met the photographer 20mins earlier. I've had a few people comment on how relaxed and trusting on the photographer I was which isn't exactly true. I relax and trust the lens (or I try my best to anyway)
I hope I don't offend any photographers with this as I admire your talent and skill, I'm just explaining it from my POV
If an old duffer's experience would be of any value to a young kid like you (I'm 76, shoot mostly nudes and pinups and most of my models have been between 18 and 25), I'd say don't worry about it. Granted that NYC is a bit different from Duluth, if you are straight-forward and open about what you do and why you do it, you should have no problems, particularly with MM models. Most of them, anyway. You won't become their (pardon the expression) bosom buddies in most cases, although I have developed very nice friendships with a few of them, and in almost every case I've had very pleasant working relationships with the others. Your portfolio will speak for you, as will your willingness to do a face-to-face meet to establish a comfort level. Beyond that, I'd say just be yourself, enjoy your age and don't worry about any who are uncomfortable with it. They will probably be too shallow to be good models anyway.
I've never tried soliciting models on the street, in coffee shops, etc. and if I were a woman of any age, I would be wary of anyone who did, whatever their age. If you feel you need to get outside MM and the other networking sites, there's always Craig's List, but you'll probably do better with social situations that revolve around the arts. They usually attract people who are less age-centric. Volunteering to take production pictures for your local community theater, for example, taking an art class at your local community college or joining meet-up groups centered around photography might also help.
If you don't act like a creep then you won't be perceived as one.
I'm in my 50s and haven't had any problems because I treat my models as people and respect them and their boundaries regardless of age or what we're shooting.
I have noticed that only one model has responded in this thread even though we are in the models' forum. This is mostly photographers saying: "Don't worry about it."
I wonder what that means?
BTW, I am an old codger and shoot about 800 models a year. I'd like to think it is my charm, but it is probably the fact that we pay them all.
GPS Studio Services wrote: I have noticed that only one model has responded in this thread even though we are in the models' forum. This is mostly photographers saying: "Don't worry about it."
I wonder what that means?
BTW, I am an old codger and shoot about 800 models a year. I'd like to think it is my charm, but it is probably the fact that we pay them all.
Models think I'm Santa. That's been a plus thus far.
One model told me she'd only shot with one guy under 50, not by choice, just by who was willing to work with her. These days, of course, we see lots of younger photographers who live in a digital world. I can see why young models would gravitate to that for artistic reasons. But the folks with disposable income who want to hire nude models in particular do tend to be older.
The photographer's age does not matter to me, it is their talent. I am 60, started modelling at age 35 and over the years I have modelled for hundreds of artists and photographers. The youngest were about 18 or so, the oldest 84. On rare occasions a life drawing group will allow advanced high school art students to attend and draw nude models.
Out of the photos currently in my portfolio here, the most viewed and commented one was done by a girl about 19 or 20 at the time, and there is other work done by photographers who were around 50, and in their 60's.
When you work in group settings and classes, you do not get to choose the artists or photographers ages.
Randall_Oelerich wrote: Curious what models think on this topic? I am mid-fifty, though as anybody over 30 will tell you we stop aging mentally at about age 30, a cruelty of biology to feel 30 but be trapped in an aging body (I look at older and old people now a lot different, realizing inside they are 30 though their skin sags and their hair thins and the bones weaken). The nature of models is pretty much self-selecting for beauty and a young age range of 16 to perhaps 30 at most. So we have photographers of whatever age, and young beautiful models-- does the age of the photographer matter to you models? Does doing photoshoots with photographers twice your age bother you? What about even much older photographers say 65+, would that turn you off or would you look at that as a plus at having someone with more experience and skill to help you the model improve your portfolio and career? As a photographer, I am not looking to date models, just photograph them as I just plain love the visual arts (especially the human form) as well as other artforms (I write and also compose music). But in any other venue, it could look odd, dare i say a bit creepy, to pair up much older photographers and much younger beautiful models especially if of opposite genders. What got me thinking on this was reading a thread yesterday about how photographers find models, and how we photographers over a certain age wonder about approaching young beautiful models at e.g. a coffeeshop, as that can come off as a bit creepy given wide age differences.
I do think the mind slows down in the years after 30.
Why would anyone approach somebody in a coffeshop when we have modelmayhem to use?
Kelleth wrote: I could care less about a photographer's age. What matters to me are that they are talented, nice and professional. That's it. I've worked with photographers that were anywhere from 18 to 70.
I do think the mind slows down in the years after 30.
Why would anyone approach somebody in a coffeshop when we have modelmayhem to use?
I totally disagree. For me I believe the mind slows down if you do not use it. I am 63 (well, for a few more months when I turn 64) and I am still extremely quick witted. I have had people in their 20's and 30's not able to keep up with my qicuk, I myen, quick witt......
I actually think my age helps in some way (I'm 60).
Every llama I work with can outrun me and half can probably beat me up so they are very comfortable shooting things they might not with someone more in their age category.
Bilsen Galleries wrote: I actually think my age helps in some way (I'm 60). Every model I work with can outrun me and half can probably beat me up so ...
Amusing story: one of my regular models brought her friend along one time, and the friend said to me: "OH MY GOSH, YOUR OLD". The primary model said: "Mike treats me with more respect and consideration than my own boyfriend, and makes me feel more beautiful than my own boyfriend does". She then told her friend to adjust her attitude since she will eventually be waking up each morning with an OLD GUY in her bed. I laughed so hard i almost dropped my camera. Age is nothing more than a number = we make that number positive or negative by our own perspective ~ m'
No, but once I thought I had shot in lingerie for an underage photographer (who turned out not to be) and that thought kind of weirded me out because I wasn't sure if I could get in trouble.
If an older photographer approached me in a coffee, I would think kinda strange. But set up through a modeling site or so its expected.
How old well, if you can still stand up on your own that would be good!
e m i l y wrote: No, but once I thought I had shot in lingerie for an underage photographer (who turned out not to be) and that thought kind of weirded me out because I wasn't sure if I could get in trouble.
I had a couple of college boys wanting to shoot for a school project! I had to keep asking them what the hell does cougar have to do with school projects? Thats when they informed me what the term meant. I never been called that before then. I was like oh great! (thats sux) LOL
Rays Fine Art wrote: If an old duffer's experience would be of any value to a young kid like you (I'm 76, shoot mostly nudes and pinups and most of my models have been between 18 and 25), I'd say don't worry about it. Granted that NYC is a bit different from Duluth, if you are straight-forward and open about what you do and why you do it, you should have no problems, particularly with MM models. Most of them, anyway. You won't become their (pardon the expression) bosom buddies in most cases, although I have developed very nice friendships with a few of them, and in almost every case I've had very pleasant working relationships with the others. Your portfolio will speak for you, as will your willingness to do a face-to-face meet to establish a comfort level. Beyond that, I'd say just be yourself, enjoy your age and don't worry about any who are uncomfortable with it. They will probably be too shallow to be good models anyway.
I've never tried soliciting models on the street, in coffee shops, etc. and if I were a woman of any age, I would be wary of anyone who did, whatever their age. If you feel you need to get outside MM and the other networking sites, there's always Craig's List, but you'll probably do better with social situations that revolve around the arts. They usually attract people who are less age-centric. Volunteering to take production pictures for your local community theater, for example, taking an art class at your local community college or joining meet-up groups centered around photography might also help.
All IMHO as always, of course.
This 100%
Yesterday I was shooting one of our MM models and as usual was sitting in front of her on a stool, because I am old, slow, and handicapped.
I attempted to slide the stool backwards, but instead, the stool did not move and I fell over backwards onto the floor with feet in the air and holding the camera high.
Now, if I had been a young photographer the model would have probably laughed her head off, likely grabbed the camera and fired off a few, but instead rushed to grab my camera and help me get up, and was genuinely worried about me for the rest of the shoot.
I do not think being old was a drawback.
Randall_Oelerich wrote: Curious what models think on this topic? I am mid-fifty, though as anybody over 30 will tell you we stop aging mentally at about age 30, a cruelty of biology to feel 30 but be trapped in an aging body (I look at older and old people now a lot different, realizing inside they are 30 though their skin sags and their hair thins and the bones weaken). The nature of models is pretty much self-selecting for beauty and a young age range of 16 to perhaps 30 at most. So we have photographers of whatever age, and young beautiful models-- does the age of the photographer matter to you models? Does doing photoshoots with photographers twice your age bother you? What about even much older photographers say 65+, would that turn you off or would you look at that as a plus at having someone with more experience and skill to help you the model improve your portfolio and career? As a photographer, I am not looking to date models, just photograph them as I just plain love the visual arts (especially the human form) as well as other artforms (I write and also compose music). But in any other venue, it could look odd, dare i say a bit creepy, to pair up much older photographers and much younger beautiful models especially if of opposite genders. What got me thinking on this was reading a thread yesterday about how photographers find models, and how we photographers over a certain age wonder about approaching young beautiful models at e.g. a coffeeshop, as that can come off as a bit creepy given wide age differences.
Well here I am 75 plus, and it seems pretty much the same as it was 50 years ago.. I treat my business on a very high professional level.. My customers know what to expect. The models that I use know what to expect.
I do not have time to treat Photography as a play thing-hobby- sex tool!!!!!
That said, I do have a very enjoyable life.. many female friends. (and male). Some new models turn up for commercial jobs, and some become life long friends.. TRUST AND RESPECT leaves a nice warm feeling..
I use 75 as a figure, It is really 79, and 80 in a couple of weeks..
It depends on the photographer, but for the most part I will say that yes, for me it definitely does matter. I put eroticism into everything I shoot and I'm sorry, but if you look old enough to be my grandfather, it's not easy for me to bounce that sexual energy off you.
Caitin wrote: I just now noticed something I have never paid any attention to in the past. Most photographers don't even post there age on there profile.
Many of them lie about their experience.. So at least not two lies,,,
Yippieskip wrote: It depends on the photographer, but for the most part I will say that yes, for me it definitely does matter. I put eroticism into everything I shoot and I'm sorry, but if you look old enough to be my grandfather, it's not easy for me to bounce that sexual energy off you.
PhotoSeven
Posts: 1,143
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Step Above Photography wrote:
I totally disagree. For me I believe the mind slows down if you do not use it. I am 63 (well, for a few more months when I turn 64) and I am still extremely quick witted. I have had people in their 20's and 30's not able to keep up with my qicuk, I myen, quick witt......
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