Forums > Newbie Forum > First shoot

Model

Ellen Grace V

Posts: 7

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

So, as you can probably tell from my profile, I'm a newbie. I've been receiving shoot offers but obviously since I'm inexperienced, so are the photographers. I've received some offers from photographers who seem to be primarily very sexy nudes (which I explicitly state I'm not comfortable doing.) Is it better to talk to the photographer even if I don't like his style and try and figure something out? Or should I just hold out until someone comes along whose photography style I connect with?

Mar 13 13 06:50 pm Link

Photographer

Select Model Studios

Posts: 818

Tempe, Arizona, US

You can mention to the photographer that is not your style. If he pushes the issue at all, move on. I personally like to shoot a bit of everything. So if I'm looking for say lingerie, and I connect a model about a lingerie shoot. I might be open to a say fashion shoot if that is what she is interested in. And always check with prior models that the photographer has worked with it. It helps weed out the GWC and creeps.

Mar 13 13 06:58 pm Link

Photographer

Aaron Lewis Photography

Posts: 5217

Catskill, New York, US

Welcome to MM

Mar 13 13 07:01 pm Link

Photographer

Marin Photo NYC

Posts: 7348

New York, New York, US

ShotbyRon wrote:
You can mention to the photographer that is not your style. If he pushes the issue at all, move on. I personally like to shoot a bit of everything. So if I'm looking for say lingerie, and I connect a model about a lingerie shoot. I might be open to a say fashion shoot if that is what she is interested in. And always check with prior models that the photographer has worked with it. It helps weed out the GWC and creeps.

YEP...if they push move on....

Mar 13 13 07:03 pm Link

Photographer

ontherocks

Posts: 23575

Salem, Oregon, US

i shoot nudes but i also shoot clothed. just be upfront with the photographer about your limits and what you can use for your portfolio and see if they're interested. if they start trying to talk you out of your clothes (beyond just asking about it) then feel free to move on. i've had some models who came in for a clothed shoot and then decided themselves to try some topless implied/covered nudes which was fine with me.

i think some guys like the challenge of talking a newbie out of her clothes and those are the ones you probably want to avoid at this stage. a "professional" photographer may ask (some models actually do shoot nudes even when the profile says they don't) but they shouldn't push.

Mar 13 13 07:38 pm Link

Photographer

B R U N E S C I

Posts: 25319

Bath, England, United Kingdom

Ignore offers you are not interested in. No response is a response.

Seek out photographers whose work would improve your portfolio and contact them. Expect some of them to ignore you too - after all, fair's fair, right?




Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

Mar 13 13 08:14 pm Link

Photographer

Garry k

Posts: 30123

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

-B-R-U-N-E-S-C-I- wrote:
Ignore offers you are not interested in. No response is a response.

Seek out photographers whose work would improve your portfolio and contact them. Expect some of them to ignore you too - after all, fair's fair, right?




Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

this

Mar 13 13 08:17 pm Link

Photographer

tedbow

Posts: 78

Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada

I am a photographer about an hour from you-  I sent you an email offering you a shoot.   I think you have potential,  and I would like to work with you.

Mar 13 13 08:48 pm Link

Artist/Painter

Hunter GWPB

Posts: 8155

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, US

They are right.  No response is a response and you should expect your share of people ignoring you.  However, is that the way you want to treat people and be treated?   You always have the opportunity to rise above the fray.  A polite response to a polite request is cool.  Ignore the people who are pushy, persistent or creepy because they have already treated you in a manner that justifies ignoring them. 

There are advantages in working with the people that are less than experts.  You get better pictures.  You get to practice.  You get some pointers.  You may not get to learn everything that you would learn with someone more experienced but you may also get to delay your introduction to rude and arrogant professionals that are above you and want to make sure you know it.   GWCs are more likely to pay you and, I may be wrong, GWCs that are serious about getting to be better photographers have more to gain by being polite.

Always check the references of the people you want to shoot with.  You can also read the forum postings that people make and see what type of personality they display in those circumstances.  Reading the forums will help you to understand how the people you work with will react in certain situations.  Keep your word.  Be punctual and ready to work.  Be realistic about your ability and your rates.  Be prepared to take responsibility for your decisions.  Don't let anybody talk you into something you don't want to do.

Welcome to the madhouse.  The best of luck to you!

Mar 13 13 08:53 pm Link

Photographer

cloudnine9

Posts: 63

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

I'm a newbie by all standards in here but I have a friend whos been modeling a while and she thought I'll try Everything first then see where it leads.
unfortunatly she got a Hack pro photogragher that took apaling photos of her nude ( looked like a boy friend with a camera job) and due to the poor quality of the shots she didn't get any hits on these photos for any possible works or follow ups and or enquiries she has crossed the nude stuff off her list of things to do which is sad because she is a stunning model that could have a start in something along these lines, but she tried it and can say been there done that.
for yourself only go as far as you comfortable with and female photogs are out there IF you want to try anything a little resque be it lingerie or implied.
without feeling like your the prey .
cheers

Mar 13 13 09:13 pm Link

Photographer

Images by MR

Posts: 8908

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

-B-R-U-N-E-S-C-I- wrote:
Ignore offers you are not interested in. No response is a response.

Seek out photographers whose work would improve your portfolio and contact them. Expect some of them to ignore you too - after all, fair's fair, right?




Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

+1

Mar 13 13 09:22 pm Link

Photographer

Jayc Yu

Posts: 533

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Please do not ignore unless you hate the specific photographer's guts, or unless you're too busy. A simple "no, thank you" will spare everyone's feelings.

Try responding to a casting call you like.

Mar 14 13 01:18 am Link

Photographer

Anthony Yuen

Posts: 139

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Jayc Yu wrote:
A simple "no, thank you" will spare everyone's feelings.

In the perfect world, that would be the end of the communication trail.

In the not-so-perfect world (MM and otherwise), the person on the other end gets butthurt, and persists on asking "why not?".

Mar 14 13 09:26 am Link

Photographer

Ade Barkah

Posts: 35

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ellen, I'm in Toronto in a similar situation (but from a photographer's perspective) -- let's help each other build a portfolio!!!  I'm mainly looking to build a fashion & commercial (advertisement) port.  I have done nudes in the past (as part of a class/workshop) but it's not my interest.

-Ade

Mar 14 13 07:16 pm Link

Photographer

Select Model Studios

Posts: 818

Tempe, Arizona, US

Anthony Yuen wrote:

In the perfect world, that would be the end of the communication trail.

In the not-so-perfect world (MM and otherwise), the person on the other end gets butthurt, and persists on asking "why not?".

Well that is when you block the person and move on. IMO it's very rude and unprofessional not to at least reply to someone. Even a simple no thank you.

Mar 14 13 07:38 pm Link

Model

Stormee

Posts: 2463

San Antonio, Texas, US

Mar 14 13 08:09 pm Link

Model

Nicole Nu

Posts: 3981

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

First and formost since you are a new model you are going to be bombarded with offers to shoot trade.

You need to learn how to pick and choose the right people to work with.
Are the photographers that have nudes in their portfolio asking you to shoots nudes with them?

Just because they might have some nude pictures in their portfolio does not automatically mean that they want to shoot nudes with you (since you said you don't shoot them).

If you want any advice of who to work with, PM me. I mainly shoot nudes now - but I did strictly non-nudes for 4 years.

Mar 14 13 08:25 pm Link

Photographer

255 West

Posts: 6468

New York, New York, US

-B-R-U-N-E-S-C-I- wrote:
Ignore offers you are not interested in. No response is a response.

Seek out photographers whose work would improve your portfolio and contact them. Expect some of them to ignore you too - after all, fair's fair, right?




Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

I disagree about the "no response". The courtesy of a polite rejection is rare, but admirable (though rare) professional behavior.

Mar 15 13 04:34 am Link

Photographer

Rays Fine Art

Posts: 7504

New York, New York, US

Sexy, and even nude, are open to interpretation.  I'd say it's best to look over the photographer's profile and portfolio and, if you like what you see, check out some of his forum postings, which will give you a little idea of what kind he (or she) would be like to work with.  Then, again if you like what you see, talk to the photographer to see where your interests match.

I shoot nudes but I also shoot pinup, portraits, trees, rocks, statues, etc.  It's not really a question of what you shoot or how much you show, but more of how you show it.  A fully clothed fashion picture can be trashy as all get out and fine art nude can be heartbreakingly beautiful.  It's my belief that the difference is often a reflection of how the photographer feels about his work, his subject and life in general, hence the suggestion that you get some idea of the person as well as the technician.

Mar 15 13 07:43 am Link

Photographer

Rays Fine Art

Posts: 7504

New York, New York, US

cloudnine9 wrote:
I'm a newbie by all standards in here but I have a friend whos been modeling a while and she thought I'll try Everything first then see where it leads.
unfortunatly she got a Hack pro photogragher that took apaling photos of her nude ( looked like a boy friend with a camera job) and due to the poor quality of the shots she didn't get any hits on these photos for any possible works or follow ups and or enquiries she has crossed the nude stuff off her list of things to do which is sad because she is a stunning model that could have a start in something along these lines, but she tried it and can say been there done that.
for yourself only go as far as you comfortable with and female photogs are out there IF you want to try anything a little resque be it lingerie or implied.
without feeling like your the prey .
cheers

I'm a little bit confused.  If the pictures were terrible, why did she post them or even admit to their existence?  I know a number of models who shoot nudes when and with whom they like, but either don't include them in their portfolios or have a separate portfolio dedicated to nude work.  Sometimes it is possible to have your cake and eat it, too.

But I agree with the idea of the model trying it to be sure whether not she likes it and also, and even more, with the fact that it's always the model's decision.

Mar 15 13 07:51 am Link

Photographer

Anthony Yuen

Posts: 139

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

ShotbyRon wrote:
Well that is when you block the person and move on. IMO it's very rude and unprofessional not to at least reply to someone. Even a simple no thank you.

That's fine and all, and it's your opinion.

I'm just saying that you shouldn't get "butthurt" if the other person does not respond, because no response means no (for the other person).

Mar 15 13 08:21 am Link

Photographer

Jackson frontier photos

Posts: 536

Joplin, Missouri, US

You say no nude, why would they then contact you asking for them?  They have already pushed on a clear boundary.  Walk away is my advise.

Mar 15 13 04:27 pm Link

Photographer

Jackson frontier photos

Posts: 536

Joplin, Missouri, US

tedbow wrote:
I am a photographer about an hour from you-  I sent you an email offering you a shoot.   I think you have potential,  and I would like to work with you.

^there you go.

Mar 15 13 04:30 pm Link

Photographer

Toto Photo

Posts: 3757

Belmont, California, US

Ellen Grace V wrote:
Is it better to talk to the photographer even if I don't like his style and try and figure something out? Or should I just hold out until someone comes along whose photography style I connect with?

Hold out.

Mar 15 13 04:38 pm Link

Photographer

salvatori.

Posts: 4288

Amundsen-Scott - permanent station of the US, Unclaimed Sector, Antarctica

Ellen Grace V wrote:
So, as you can probably tell from my profile, I'm a newbie. I've been receiving shoot offers but obviously since I'm inexperienced, so are the photographers. I've received some offers from photographers who seem to be primarily very sexy nudes (which I explicitly state I'm not comfortable doing.) Is it better to talk to the photographer even if I don't like his style and try and figure something out? Or should I just hold out until someone comes along whose photography style I connect with?

My thoughts...

As a noob, I assume you are anxious to get some work, post some pics, etc... I always feel that a small strong portfolio (6 or so images), is much more valuable than a dozen so-so shots.

Concentrate on getting a couple of sessions with photographers that have a style/outlook that appeals to you. Look at their work, check references, be agreeable to different genres that you feel comfortable working in. Contact some in your area; don't wait for them to find you.

Do a few trade sessions if you are really unable to pay for some portfolio shots, and I guarantee you that 30 days from today you will have a small but versatile and impressive portfolio. Then you can reevaluate and see what you like/what you don't... and proceed.

Just getting your picture taken is easy; being a model is work. But it can be fun work. Another plus is that you have a great look, wonderful features and a warm and sincere presence.

Best of luck to you,

smile

Mar 15 13 04:56 pm Link