MrBluesT wrote:
I'm a photographer, but I really love DIY and building up my knowledge by really just trying to do everything. So my question is how would I go about "being a manager", and by that, I mean finding/booking gigs for my clients? As a musician, I know it's important to network with bands, venues, etc, by I have no idea where the modeling equivalent of that would be . . . But I want to learn. And I figure by learning, I can get enough people to shoot with to keep me busy during school too.

What kind of 'clients'? Models?

Model managers and agencies are not allowed on MM.




Just my $0.02

Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

MrBluesT wrote:
Yeah it'd be models, and just ways to help them besides giving them photos. But if I'm not allowed to ask that (I'm a photographer, that's why I'm here), I won't

Managing Models isn't allowed, asking question is fine.
And honestly, most photograhers either Like working with a model one on one, Or directly with an agency. Most don't like third parties.

MrBluesT wrote:
Yeah it'd be models, and just ways to help them besides giving them photos. But if I'm not allowed to ask that (I'm a photographer, that's why I'm here), I won't

I think you would do better to look after your own house first and foremost - work on your skills and your portfolio and all that good stuff, like a proper photographer, rather than worrying about trying to pimp out a few models.

Leave the pimping to agencies - they're better at it, they have the legal paperwork required (did you know you need a license and insurance etc. to manage models in many states?) and they have tons more experience.



Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

MrBluesT wrote:
Yeah it'd be models, and just ways to help them besides giving them photos. But if I'm not allowed to ask that (I'm a photographer, that's why I'm here), I won't

Well on this website, managers are not allowed for models.  I used to manage bands and music talent.  I know that in the music business, you need managers.  In the modeling business, a manger could be useful, however there are way too many corrupt ones.  We call them "Sluggos" around here!   Honestly, models do better with being signed by a legit agency than they do with managers.  Most models around here are not making enough money to support the need or funding of a manager, and most models you find on this website are not signed by agencies either.

I checked out the possibility of becoming a talent agent, but I saw the conflict of interest in my trying to do both the photography and being an agent.  Conflict of interest is another good reason that you might think twice about trying to manage models.  It's not allowed on this site, and who wants to take up herding cats anyway?

MrBluesT wrote:
I was just gonna use the info to help them get started, rather than just "handing" them some pictures (since I'm sort of a noob when it comes to this industry, I'm doing a lot for very little with models new as well). I just think knowing the industry better than I do would help in making sure I get the right type of things.

I understand your idea and your goal of helping models beyond handing out photos.

As Stefano (the Italian Guy) already pointed out... first learn about this industry, as much as you can... because... if you have no clue... how can you give sound advise.

Do you know what potential bookers are looking for in a model portfolio?

Can you shoot in a quality that could get 'em booked?

To learn about the industry (fashion in particular), I can recommend this book, that was written by a former member of MM, and one of the top people in the industry...

Roger Talley - A Professional's Guide to Modeling

You should still be able to get it on Amazon, you can also read www.newmodels.com (same author).

Otherwise, it's like you wanting to teach a class on bio-mechanical engineering, but you have no clue what that entails...

Modeling is no rocket-surgery... but... it's a multi-billion Dollars industry and you should be educated and experienced before managing anybody... or just helping them.

MrBluesT wrote:
I have no idea where the modeling equivalent of that would be . . . But I want to learn. And I figure by learning, I can get enough people to shoot with to keep me busy during school too.

Only you and a few thousand other photographers who think that standing in front of a camera is all there is to marketing a model. All rearing to go and gathering their "models" to sell to other photographers. Without a single clue about how the system really works and the complete knowledge needed to do it correctly. In the process, they completely make the "models" useless to the normal market place. Literally the blind leading the blind.

Knowing who the clients are, what they need is a basic requirement. They we must assume you know how pick the models necessary to meet the needs of the clients. Who are the 10 top clients in your market? What are their seasonal model requirements? What type of models do they need?

All questions which most photographer "managerss" don't even know where to start finding the answers, let alone the legal contract requirements for some types of agreements used by clients.