Safety Talk

Now ladies and Gentlemen we are going to have the safety talk to help you avoid getting hurt while modeling.  How would you get hurt?  Well I'm sure any mother can name it in a heart beat.  "You could get raped, or mugged, or abducted or KILLED!" I have heard it a few times from my mother.

Basically what it comes down to 99% of the men and women I have worked with are pretty cool, if not a little off, and respect their models. That nasty 1% gives the rest of the group a bad name. 

I always do the following when booking with a new or old photographer:

1. I screen to see if they are just using the modeling site as a dating site. (WAY more common then you think)
2. I know the location, the time, how long I should expect to be there, is there cell coverage, and how I am getting there, my car, their car, a friend to drop me off.
3. I tell important people who I trust ALL the above information and a 'when should you call police' time line.  This does become more relaxed as I get to know a photographer.  If I've shot with you 3+ times this generally gets shortened to "Hey I am with photographer X today. "Insert location info here""
4. If it a person I get weird vibes from but not enough to throw me off I bring a fellow model.  A lot of photographers dislike escorts and won't allow them on set.  They will however often let another model, or hair and makeup artist on set as they can add to the shoot.  A super fun way to get around this rule I have found.  I also just like dragging my friends into modeling.  >.>
5. If I can't drive/walk home I don't go out for drinks after.  And I NEVER drink before a shoot or during a shoot.  Nor would I do any drugs and that would cause me to walk out.

Never be afraid to leave a shoot.  In the end it is your safety and comfort that we are talking about here.  If the photographer makes you feel not safe tell them. Sometimes they are just as nervous as you, and sometimes they don't realize they care pushing you too hard.  Only once in my 5 years of modeling have I not felt safe or like I could not have gotten away.  I learned from my mistakes and really my rules are not flexible.  

Be safe people, but also be fun.  :-)

 This is a shot with said photographer (2009).  I will not post his info though some from the area may recognize this image.  I do have to say looking for his damned image did help me find more photos!

How to start x2

To continue on the last post how to tell the photographer is who they say they are.  Internet portfolio's are very easy to fabricate by stealing other photographer's work and passing it off as their own.

When I am going to work with a new photographers I always check a few things:
 1) Do they have a website?
 2) Are there great variation in their photography. 
  - Is the editing similar?
  - Are models used multiple times?
  - Does the over all quality of the photos similar?
  - Do they have a water mark?
  - Is the cropping off?   A hand or foot cut off in a manor that would suggest there was a water mark that was cropped off? 
 3) Do they have model, makeup artists, other photographers or hair stylist referenced?
  - Contact 3-10 of these and ask about their experiences
   * Good references = work with them
   * Bad references = RUN AWAY!!!!!! 
  - If there are no references I am very skeptical/I will not work with them.
 4) Can they read my profile?  (Yes this is a thing)
 5) How is their attitude over email or the phone?
  - They seem like a good person?  I are more likely to work with them.
  - Do they come off as a d-bag?  Nope the freak out of there.

If the photographer passes all my tests I then start to schedule a shoot!  Woo!

Bonus "I read a shit tun of text" photo.  2010 Absolute Reality Studios

How to start

Should you become interested in modeling either for fun or for money how does one go about that? Here is my guide to modeling 101:

Where to find photographers who want to shoot you ( not literally shoot you but to take photos of you)? 

 - I would advise a few websites.

   1) modelmayhem.com is where I've had the best luck. There is a good size community there and lots of people to ask for references.

   2) isoconnection.com I personally have not used but I do know a few photographers that use this site and like it.

- I would be careful on Craigslist.com sometimes is great sometimes you find creepy stalker men. 

On these sites they require a lot of information. How much should you post?

- things that you need to post

  1) Your real height

  2) Your current weight

  3) Your current bust, waist and hip measurement for a woman and your chest, waist, and inseam for men.

  4) 4 good basic photos of just yourself

      - a head shot

      - a body shot

      - a 3/4 head shot or profile

      - a body shot in 3/4 or profile or something you can do that is a talent

  5) What you are really interested in shooting

      - fashion requires a very narrow body type. If you fit what the agencies are looking for go for it!

      - If nudes are a no for you do not put "will shoot nudes" in your profile. 

  6) A short introduction to yourself, what you want to shoot and any restrictions you have.

Ok now you have a profile up... now what?

- You can go and look at casting calls! These are the best way to meet new photographers. Just be sure to read the full posting and respond with something like, "hi I'm insertyournamehere" and I would really like to work with you on your "freakingawesomeidea". I am free Monday, Saturday and Sunday this week. Thank you, "insertyournamehere"

What does TF- mean?

- TF- Means "time for" either print or images. If the listing says time for print I always clarify to make sure if I am getting a physical print (not typical these days) or a digital copy. 

Now to wait for the responses. Next post I will recommend ways to make sure the photographer you are looking at working with is who they say they are and are not going to try any funny business.