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New Photographer on references
Hi I'm new to MM. If you'r trying to book a model for time to print and they ask for references, but your starting out how to you acquire the references if your starting out. Sep 05 14 12:30 pm Link ......have you never worked with anyone ever? You have few models in port that could give references... Sep 05 14 12:36 pm Link WilliamR wrote: There are at least a couple of people on your portfolio that could possibly give you a reference. I am sure that model knows that you are new at photography, so I am sure that she is also more looking for a character reference. I am sure that you know people that you have known for a long time that could provide a character reference for you. Sep 05 14 12:46 pm Link Looks like you have take photos of at least 3 people. Use them. But be honest about who they are since you're just starting out, assuming those 3 are friends or family. Sep 05 14 12:46 pm Link WilliamR wrote: Here's another possible idea. Sep 05 14 12:48 pm Link WilliamR wrote: Skip the TF, you might be better off paying a couple local models that have been around the block a few times. That would help you out on multiple levels. Sep 05 14 12:51 pm Link Cherrystone wrote: This is a good point. I had a shot at working with a "popular" import model. After shooting with her and printing a 24x36 poster for her to take to shows to display at her table, I had girls contacting me. Sep 05 14 02:04 pm Link I feel whatever photos I've taken are the best indicator of my work there is. A potential model can evaluate them herself/himself. Why rely on the opinion of a third party stranger when you are able to judge a person's work yourself and come to your own conclusion? A reference is a single biased, non-random sample, and therefore there is no reason to believe it will be representative of anything. I've never provided them and never ask for them. There are better methods of evaluation. Sep 05 14 02:17 pm Link Members have suggested paying but many of those who charge may expect to see references too. Would one of your former wedding clients be willing to be a reference. Ask them for feedback about their session and include that on your page. You have images of children. Perhaps a few parents would be willing to do the same or even a few co-workers. Having a stand along website helps so that's good. When I joined MM I had zero references yet models worked with me. Personally, I've found that when people ask for references and throw up road blocks for TF photos they really aren't all that interested in shooting. After all any person or people you provide as references are still people the model won't know. Sep 05 14 02:18 pm Link Perhaps you could participate in a local Group Shoot or networking event. Also, consider putting up a casting call. Applying models are likely to not ask gor references. Sep 05 14 03:38 pm Link Abbitt Photography wrote: References aren't about quality of work. References are about the experience of working with someone - reliability, demeanor, professional conduct - and perhaps confirmation that a photographer shooting TF does in fact provide images back to the model in a reasonable time frame. Sep 05 14 03:59 pm Link myfotographer wrote: This is how I got started. I was fortunate to stumble into workshops where I had one on one time with the models. Sep 05 14 04:32 pm Link Abbitt Photography wrote: wynnesome wrote: +1 Sep 05 14 04:34 pm Link wynnesome wrote: Say a model give you 5 references, you contact them and all tell you the model did not flake on them. So? All you know is that at least 5 times she followed through. You still have no idea what percent of the time she flaked. References are a biased sampling so they are a very poor indicator of reliability. Sep 06 14 03:46 pm Link References are more about safety than anything else, so, do you operate a store front? Send a photo of your studio. If not, then provide some general references from other clients.......do you do portraits? Pets? All you want, is someone who will vouch for you as a photographer. Also, ask someone to "assist" you, with the shoot. Preferably a gal, and someone who knows you well. They don't have to do much, but provide security for the model. They can be your reference, also. Remember, the internet is a dangerous place, and models have to put safety first, although it can be a pain in the neck. I have worked from home studios, for years. One of the ways you get those references, is to photograph people you know first......even if you are just doing portraits for them. Once you are more established, and people know you, including others in the profession, you will find it gets easier. Sep 09 14 12:46 pm Link My experience: I sent lots of emails and got no responses. I put up a casting call to do head shots, in a public place, for pay and got a reasonable number of replies, even though I paid very little. I met her in a public place, we worked in a public place and she posted a ice tag on my page, telling all I was a gentleman. (Thank you Shira #1790560) Then, I posted a casting call for a nude shoot in a public place, but not too public, with a theme of "fields of goldenrod and butterflies". I paid some, but not too much. I got two great traveling models who helped me a great deal and were recognizable to other models. (Thank you Arielita #1560342 and Kerri Taylor #982) I am not to the point where models are falling all over themselves to let me work with them, but I have a nice start and I know people would work with me multiple times. If you also work with beginners, they have the same issue as you. They need to prove themselves to photographers. So seek out people that have been on MM a few months, enough to let the rush die down, and be frank with them. Give each other positive tags after the shoot. The public kudos helps a lot. Sep 09 14 12:58 pm Link Thanks for the feed back. I really appreciate it. Sep 10 14 09:52 am Link WilliamR wrote: Be honest - just say you're beginning and would like to shoot him/her. Sep 10 14 12:09 pm Link |
