Morgan_Rose wrote:
... Well, I'll be going to NYC to shoot with a couple of photographers there by train, then FL, then Ohio (maybe, hasn't been set in stone yet).

My situation is also complicated because I have a 10 month old son, which means I can only travel Friday-late Sunday night when he's at his dad's. (maybe can stretch this by a day depending on the circumstances) Luckily my college semester is over in two weeks so I have more time on my hands.

Do you have any tips for someone starting out traveling? And if you're a mom, how do you make this work?

I like that you are traveling by train as it seems much less complicated.

While I am not a mom I can only suggest that traveling for day trips, or overnight trips to model would be similar to doing it as any other job, (plan ahead, leave contact numbers, have back up plans in case of child illness or you needing to come home.) Make sure all things child related that might be needed in your absence are easily accessible to the person caring for your child and if you need to return fast, be able to.

Jen

MB Jen B wrote:

I like that you are traveling by train as it seems much less complicated.

While I am not a mom I can only suggest that traveling for day trips, or overnight trips to model would be similar to doing it as any other job, (plan ahead, leave contact numbers, have back up plans in case of child illness or you needing to come home.) Make sure all things child related that might be needed in your absence are easily accessible to the person caring for your child and if you need to return fast, be able to.

Jen

I figured a train ride would be easier than getting lost in a car with my terrible GPS. I'm always paranoid when he's at his dad's and it's only 40 minutes away so believe me, I will make sure there are backup plans to backup plans

Mark Salo wrote:
Be sure to have ample cash on hand to pay your expenses (hotel, return trip home, etc.) if the photo shoots fall through.

Okay, I definitely will.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Never leave home without enough $$$ to get you back home.

This.

Also, when I travel, I make sure to be more diligent about reference checking and making sure someone knows where I am. The further you are away from home, the more that can go wrong.

Not that it's super likely, but being stranded in the middle of nowhere is NOT fun.

Kyzn wrote:
Hey there, I was in the same boat as you last week, was my first time leaving London for another city in the country and all I have to say is just do it

Discuss this with the father of your child (hopefully you're on good terms) and explain that you'll need to have an extra few days or so, either that or ask a friend for a favour.

That's my opinion, good luck!

Thank you. Yes, we're on great terms luckily. I have our son 90% of the time so I'm sure he won't mind. If that doesn't work he has two lovely grandmothers Love your look, by the way!

K I C K H A M wrote:

This.

Also, when I travel, I make sure to be more diligent about reference checking and making sure someone knows where I am. The further you are away from home, the more that can go wrong.

Not that it's super likely, but being stranded in the middle of nowhere is NOT fun.

Thanks for the advice. I'll be even more on top of reference checks. Everyone so far has been very close to home. I'll have to be careful so far away.

And I'll definitely have cash.

Richard Tallent wrote:
- Take the time to see something besides a studio when you travel. Eat the local food, not the familiar chains.

- Consider working with photographers who host models, so you can save on hotels (check references of course).

- YAGNI. Travel light.

- That said, bring an extra cell phone charger cord. Like cash, it's something you never want to be without.

- Leave breathing room in your schedule. Shit happens, shoots run late, weather, traffic, blah blah, but the trains will probably be on time even if you aren't.

- Don't *just* work with photographers who contact you. Find people you want to shoot with in the same area and contact them.

- Don't expect castings or travel notices here on MM to do anything. Contact people directly. However, tread lightly when contacting someone cold about anything other than trade, it's sorta spammy and rude to send rates to someone out of the blue.

- Always have cash *and* a credit card.

- Make sure people back home have a copy of your schedule, contact numbers, etc.

- Be cautious with people making offers that are too good to be true. Have two contacts in each city you visit, so you aren't totally up a creek if someone bails, turns out to be a creeper, etc.

- As others have mentioned, some photographers have a habit of promising traveling models a paid shoot, then back out at the last second, leaving the model in the hole, or, worst-case, stranded. Be prepared.

- Have a copy of EVERYTHING you need (schedule, numbers, addresses, maps, hotel confirmations, etc.) on your person in paper form.

- Most importantly, Amtrak does stop in Beaumont, Texas.

(Disclaimer: I'm of course not a traveling model, but I've worked with a few awesome ones and heard their stories, and I travel for business occasionally and try to shoot when I do.)

Thank you. Noted! Especially the Amtrak part

a raw muse wrote:
Good advice here!

Also, be prepared to have things not go as planned. I've been in California since the beginning of the month and won't be back in NYC until the end of the month, and I've had a number of changes to the original plan. Leave room in your schedule to allow for change and flexibility, but also try to establish some "home bases".

I have a host in Oakland who I get along well with and feel more at ease knowing I'll be staying someplace familiar, likewise in the central coast where I am right now. At the end of the day, it's all worth it to come home to a friend and unwind, because traveling is exhausting (and starting your day at 4 am, busting your tailbone, sleeping in an airport, going from Ohio to Texas on the greyhound...) make sure it is all worth it to you.

Definitely start small with a day or 2 trip, especially since you have a kid. Commit to one thing, see how it goes, if it goes well plan something else. Dont plan a 2 week off the bat, because it is taxing on so many levels.

I hope you find what works for you and keep it fun!

Thank you. Noted