Posted by Ken Mierzwa:  Given the number of e-mails I've seen in a couple of models in boxes... one friend showed me about 70, from less than a full day, only two offering pay... and the fact that most sites have more models than photographers, I can only infer that some subset of photographers out there are just spamming every online model in hopes that a few say yes. Anyone doing that can't possibly be reading the fine print.

I think all "web" models deal with this... Perhaps it's the economic rule of supply and demand (so many models, not as many photographers)... and as Soshanna said, it's a lot easier to go through 70 emails if some basic information is included - where, when, for what, doing what, why. But 99% of the emails I receive include little else than "I like your look. Want to shoot with you." Where is your portfolio? What do you want to shoot? Where do you want to shoot? Are you traveling? Am I traveling? Are the images for your portfolio or a client's catalog? Will a make up artist be there? There are MANY questions photographers can answer in their first email, even if they don't know all the answers yet. For example, you can always include your portfolio - hey you've seen mine, it's only fair that I get to see your's. And another, maybe you don'tknow an exact address, but "In Los Angeles, CA, in a studio". Ok, that's a start! And I think that's all Soshanna - or any model - would like to know in the first email.

Posted by Michael Sloane:  Here are my two cents...When you get an email, the first thing everyone does is look at the profile. If the model and/or photographer is amazing then people start figuring out if they want to work with them - especially if pay is involved. In my experience it doesn't matter if the email is short and vague or long and detailed because the strength of the person contacting you is what is going encourage you to reply. Just like everyone who is a "pro" I do limited TFP's. Since everyone I know is hustling for work all the time, if it's slow I like to TFP scenario's because it keeps me shooting and something fresh in my book until I can get more work.

I agree that the portfolio is largely important, but I've shot with photographers who have a fantastic portfolio and don't get anything similar out of it - the difference? There was a make up artist, the shoot was for a designer, the photographer got the images to the model, etc. so just some basic information is appreciated. "if it's slow I like to TFP because it keeps me shooting and something fresh in my book until I can get more work" - I couldn't agree more.

Posted by Joe K. Perez:  Geez. Now, you've got me curious who these offended people are and what your responses look like. I like to analyze things and find the disconnect and the root cause of the problem. 

Here are some emails I've sent that resulted in offensive replies:
* "Sounds great. Let me know when your travel plans are more final." (The photographer is in another country)
* After 18 emails back and forth (total waste of time!) "I'd still like to see your portfolio. Do you have a link? If not that's fine, you could attach some samples. Or if it's not digital, I can meet with you. Or if you have no images, can you show me some work that is similar to what you'd like to do?"
* "I'd love to work with you but I'm booked for that date. Please keep me in mind for future projects, and I'll let you know when I'm back in town." 4 months later this person is still ranting and raving that I didn't call them - when I didn't have a phone number and there is no phone number posted on their website or portfolio - and the only way we had been talking is through email! I know this photographer bad mouths me around town, we've never worked together! This is why I'm not in favor of a "lynching" forum.
* "Sorry I don't shoot adult / porn. If you're intersted in another type of work, please let me know."
Soshanna is right - no matter how you respond - people are offended. Are there no "magic words"?
If a photographer is offended reading Theda's portfolio, which just asks basic questions that will need to be answered at some point if you want to work together, don't shoot models - shoot building, trees, etc. They're not going to ask you questions, they don't need to pay rent or eat so you don't need to pay them, they have no use for images so you don't have to worry about getting their pics back to them, they don't ask for references or to see your previous work...

Posted by Soshanna:  I don't try to be a "model" for a living. I chose corporate america for that, but I do consider my time precious, and if someone finds me worthwhile to put in their book, I feel I should be compensated for my time in some manner, not always money. 

I choose modeling over corporate america. My position was a little different though - I found 80 hour weeks just didn't allow time or flexibility for modeling. If I wanted to shoot in Florida, and I was in Texas, there's only so much vacation and leave time. Plus modeling is so much more fun! And I know it's healthier - working out and eating right are requirements for the job - and I get to "play outside" . But you couldn't have said this better "if someone finds me worthwhile to put in their book, I feel I should be compensated for my time in some manner, not always money"