Sennia Kyle wrote:
Keep it short, cordial, professional. 3 to 4 sentences max. It's more likely that a look at your portfolio will be what makes up someone's mind. Just be careful not to be too wordy or overly complimentary and it should be fine.

For the most part, I agree with the above except the portfolio part. You have over 100 photos in your MM profile, this will overwhelm them. I recommend including 3-5 photos with the letter showing exactly what you have in mind. They can look at the rest of your body of work on their own.

Good luck

Hi, <name>!

I found your profile via <how I came across her, e.g. searching for new models within reasonable distance of me>. I'm looking for models for various projects, and I like what I see in your portfolio, so I'm interested in working with you.

Please read over my profile, and look over my portfolio, and get back to me with any questions.

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon,

Ken

I write these individually, because I don't always have precisely the same things to say (if she asks for some piece of information in her profile, I provide it, for example), and I reference my profile, which is short and makes very clear that A) I'm looking for figure models, and B) I'm willing to provide compensation.

Ken Warren Photography wrote:
(When you say "letter", I am assuming below you mean MM message.)


I write these individually, because I don't always have precisely the same things to say (if she asks for some piece of information in her profile, I provide it, for example), and I reference my profile, which is short and makes very clear that A) I'm looking for figure models, and B) I'm willing to provide compensation.

A message like this should work.
If you already know what kind of shoot you want to do, maybe send a moodboard along.
I found a message in my inbox once, containing a link to a moodboard and if I was interested in it and optional locations (was an outdoorshoot).
After taking a look at your portfolio, a ready concept for a shoot helps giving an idea of the possible future shoot and decising a yes or no.
At least.. I like it when there's a moodboard available. If not, you can always say to work out a concept together if the model doesn't have some ideas of her/his own.

And can I ask this question in return?
What if I want to ask a photographer for a shoot. One that I will think might help give my portfolio a flying boost :p.. Should I present a readymade idea and moodboard? Or first ask if the photographer is willing to work with me (on a tfp-base) in the first place?
What do you prefer?

Layla_B wrote:
And can I ask this question in return?
What if I want to ask a photographer for a shoot. One that I will think might help give my portfolio a flying boost :p.. Should I present a readymade idea and moodboard? Or first ask if the photographer is willing to work with me (on a tfp-base) in the first place?
What do you prefer?

I think I say this in my profile, but yes having an idea of what you want to get makes a world of difference.  Personally I like when people recognize their mood board is not going to be reproduced shot for shot too, but that's another conversation...

From a model looking to shoot with me I'd be most responsive to:

Hi {my first name},

I would like to add to my portfolio and I was wondering if you'd be willing to do a test shoot with me.  I see from your profile you like to know {blah blah blah whatever I have in there}.  I would love to work with you on {one of the concepts in my profile -or- a concept the model has}

Please feel free to let me know if you'd like to work on that with me.

(choose one)
{I'm poor, and don't have the ability to raise the funds for your requested rates, would you consider just doing the test for free?}
{I am comfortable with your rates, how do you accept a deposit?}

What dates would be good for you? I'd like to get this shoot accomplished by (mm/dd).

Thanks,
{xoxoxo (optional}
{your name}

MDWM wrote:
For the most part, I agree with the above except the portfolio part. You have over 100 photos in your MM profile, this will overwhelm them. I recommend including 3-5 photos with the letter showing exactly what you have in mind. They can look at the rest of your body of work on their own.

Good luck

Yep. I was speaking generally though. Personally I think keeping the portfolio to fewer photos is better since after a certain point it definitely gets overwhelming. But I didn't want to make any judgments about the OP's profile or portfolio since this is outside of the critique forum.

Layla_B wrote:
A message like this should work.
If you already know what kind of shoot you want to do, maybe send a moodboard along.
I found a message in my inbox once, containing a link to a moodboard and if I was interested in it and optional locations (was an outdoorshoot).
After taking a look at your portfolio, a ready concept for a shoot helps giving an idea of the possible future shoot and decising a yes or no.
At least.. I like it when there's a moodboard available. If not, you can always say to work out a concept together if the model doesn't have some ideas of her/his own.

And can I ask this question in return?
What if I want to ask a photographer for a shoot. One that I will think might help give my portfolio a flying boost :p.. Should I present a readymade idea and moodboard? Or first ask if the photographer is willing to work with me (on a tfp-base) in the first place?
What do you prefer?

I don't generally do a moodboard up front unless I'm casting a very specific concept. Maybe I should; I'll have to give it a try. What I don't do, however, is approach a model to shoot with me, and then expect her to deliver the concept in addition to everything else. If I want to shoot with her, it's for a reason.

As for your question, assuming I'm the photographer you're asking, I would think you would approach me because you like my overall style, and want me to apply it to some concept of yours. How you pitch your concept is up to you, though, so if you want to do it with a moodboard that's great, and if you want to describe it to me that works too. And if you just want me to "do my thing", well, thanks for the compliment, and it's your funeral.