How Do You Suggest Me Getting Models

[Bryan Morris]

Model Mayhem or any other modeling website similar is not available to me as I don't live in the US. How do I see a "model" and ask her to pose for me without coming over as a pervert or wanting to get into her pants? I have not done this work before but it does fascinate me and I will like to start. Starting is the difficult part as once I build a portofolio I know they would come pouring in.
Any suggestions on how to get my first few models?

[Dmao]

Actually Model Mayhem isn't just the US...it's available to countries all around the world. Some more members than others, but it's not just the US.

I guess you could try to whole approach an attractive girl when you see her and ask. In a non creepy way of course and I guess some kind of business card could help out as well. Sure, most of them may say no but eventually you may get lucky and get one or a few end up saying yes and then you get your start.

[Cosha]

Model Mayhem or any other modeling website similar is not available to me as I don't live in the US. How do I see a "model" and ask her to pose for me without coming over as a pervert or wanting to get into her pants? I have not done this work before but it does fascinate me and I will like to start. Starting is the difficult part as once I build a portofolio I know they would come pouring in.
Any suggestions on how to get my first few models?

I gave this advice befor:

Start off with friends, just say "Alright if i take a few pictures?" dont even mention that you want her from glam or nude work, these friends are the opening to your other models. I would not of thought that many models would want to start something with somone with no people photography at all, so its a very good stepping stone!

Facebook, or twitter? Got that?

I put up a status saying something like 'Can i borrow anyones face, i need to get a few pictures for my portfolio' that got me 2 or 3 people to shoot!

Set up your own little webpage? make a few little business cards, so if you see anyone in the street, just kindly ask them...

'Hello, how are you? sorry if this is a little forward, im a photographer, albit new, here is my contact details, feel free to look through my portfolio, if your self or any friends would like some free prints please let me know'

Sound pro, sound normal...and you should get results!

[Bryan Morris]

Guys, thank you for your suggestions. I will take your advice. Model Mayhem have just about a few members for my area and besides if done locally it is very private. I waould like to blow the lid off the taboo that's why I requested suggestions. All I need is 3 shoots to load up online and I'm good to go it will take off like wild fire, I know that but I have to show the three shoots first for it not to seem like I'm a perv just want to see girls in their undies or nude, that's totally not the case for me. It's the appreciation for creation.

[Erik_L]

I gave this advice befor:

Start off with friends, just say "Alright if i take a few pictures?" dont even mention that you want her from glam or nude work, these friends are the opening to your other models. I would not of thought that many models would want to start something with somone with no people photography at all, so its a very good stepping stone!

Facebook, or twitter? Got that?

I put up a status saying something like 'Can i borrow anyones face, i need to get a few pictures for my portfolio' that got me 2 or 3 people to shoot!

Set up your own little webpage? make a few little business cards, so if you see anyone in the street, just kindly ask them...

'Hello, how are you? sorry if this is a little forward, im a photographer, albit new, here is my contact details, feel free to look through my portfolio, if your self or any friends would like some free prints please let me know'

Sound pro, sound normal...and you should get results!

This is a man that gets **** done! I like your ideas.

[Apollo.11]

Went out to eat with the wife and 2 kids (6 and 2 years old). Saw a smoking hot girl behind me in line. Since I was with family, I figured she would think I'm harmless. I told here I was new into photography and if she was interested in getting her picture taken. She was very excited and wrote down her phone and email for me. I figure if I do a nice job, she'll probably show all her friends and I might get a few more models out of this, just like Cosa said above.

Good thing the wife's not the jealous type.

[getbent]

Cosha, I've done just what you said. Eventually I'd like to do nudes and such, but I need to learn to walk first. I ordered my first camera this past Christmas, so I'm incredibly new to this. Here's what I've done so far.

1) Setup a photo blog
2) Got some business cards with my blog name and contact info
3) Posted some pictures of my girlfriend, some headshots I did for a guy (not so good headshots I might add), and some other random things, to which I'll continue to add as I get more experience
4) Posted some ads on craigslist asking if anyone would like free photos taken...a few responses, but so far flakey at best...although this is where the first headshot gig came from
5) Posted a message on Facebook to all of my friends. One friend needs some headshots for his work, another wants some nice pictures of her kids, a girl I work with wants some mother-daughter pictures
6) Typically at lunch during the work week I see tons and tons of very attractive women walking around downtown LA. I need to grow some balls and start approaching them and handing out business cards.

Good thing is, the more people I talk to about photography the more at ease I become about asking. And as expected, the more confident I am the more confident they are in doing it. I found if I'm not feeling particularly confident that day, I come across poorly and my hit rate is terrible.

[charlesu]

I also suggest that if you are not an experienced shooter, start with portraits first. Work on things like lighting and composition and then posing. Once you get confident in these skills start moving to the more glamour side of things. Introduce swimwear or some not too sexy lingerie into a few shoots. Build on that.

I started by shooting girls in college. Then doing swimsuit shots for their boyfriends. Then came lingerie and suddenly they were asking me to do nudes. All with a simple Canon AE-1 Program, 50mm lens and Sunpak flash.

[Cosha]

Glad you have been having some luck guys, and yes the more you ask the easier it gets! If you ask in the Shy, non confident way (not cocky or over confident either) i doubt people will think much of it...

Also Pets is another good way, recently i did a pet portrate for a friend of a friend, and i asked the daughter and mother if they would like some done, both thought the dog pictures were really good, and i got 2 more shoots to do now too!

All if TFP/TFC so far, i am waiting for my name to get about a little more, and have my webpage full of nice pictures then i can start to charge a little...

Also i have just been booked for a new born shoot, i keep my option open, and shoot anything thats offered! Hopefuly the mum will be happy with the new born pictures, and she hinted once she lost her 'baby fat' she would like some done too...

So so far, one dog portrait done = 2 people shoots, a chat on Facbook = New born pictures plus mum when she is ready...

Hopefuly The daugher will show her friends that will one some, maybe her mum too, and hopefuly the new born shoot will end up with another too...


Ok for Nude shooting, when your looking for a model, just hint it in when having a chat with other models, say something like:

'Im looking for a few models to do some Fine Art or Implied Nude, Unfortuantly i havent found anyone willing too yet, if you could ask some of your friends too that would be great'

And just wait for a responce, i think i have landed a implied nude model with out paying, just TFP just from saying something like above!

Remember:

Talk to people, your human just like they are
Try not to be shy, As the photographer you the one that set the scene
Dont be over cocky, or pretend your the best tog in the world, your not
Be nice to people,
Go out of your way, even if it is a pain, its worth it


And on a final note, shooting nude, your shooting the beautiful art of the body form, think of men too, i feel this is a great asset to any portfolio when you can shoot men too in the fine art form, i havent had any one willing yet...But i wont stop looking, this will show your not just after a few pictures of boobies, but your actualy intrested in the art and not just the sexual part of a human!

If the models have boyfriends, invite them too, this will show your Proness, and he might even get his shirt off and it will relax him to know your not just trying to get into his Wife/girfriends pants!


Ok ok ok i know i dont have any images to show, as soon as my port is looking heathly and my blog looks half good, i will show you my work!

After all im learning just like you guys too :D

Hope this helps!

[amd is the best]

Great info in this thread! Thank you.

[jpbimages]

A big thanks to Cosha, and everyone else here. As I am trying to branch out from just shooting rocks.... trees... the occasional flower, I am very nervous, I know part of it has to stem from age, which is a big thing for me, I am currently 18, and that would definitely be more awkward, seeing as my models could definitely be older than me! Not only that, but I am not exactly "best looking man '09-'10" nor am I skinny (actually quite the opposite) so getting up the courage to talk to a woman let alone ask to photograph her, is quite the task!
FORTUNATELY:
I decided long ago I would do portrait, glamor, and maybe even the (implied) nudes eventually, luckily I have good friends on Facebook, so when I posted a "calling all models" status and message, a few girls responded!
As I read other threads it mentioned the girls/models comfort level, but if you're not comfortable, it'll show, both to your model, and in the end, your shots! I hope to get to shoot my lined up "models" soon.... but with me in my transitional period (Nikon to Canon), I haven't the equipment :-(
Time is key I believe! :-D

[Cosha]

Good stuff my man, keep that positive vibe going!

[Karl Johnston]

www.onemodelplace.com is another giant networking site.

[thechickencow]

Good thing the wife's not the jealous type.

I was going to ask what your wife did/said. :lol:

[jpbimages]

I don't mean to sound mean, as I know one model place must be professional, but compared to other sites, it looks like the "my yearbook" of modeling sites, if you don't believe me, go check out myyearbook.com..... it's sad LOL

[TeeJay]

.... All with a simple Canon AE-1 Program, 50mm lens and Sunpak flash.

... and a massive amount of talent! :-)

To the OP, if you included your "location" in your info it might help with "localised" suggestions?

TJ

[Apollo.11]

I was going to ask what your wife did/said. :lol:

She laughed at me and said she surprised I had the guts to ask.

[primnumbers]

I would make a flyer stating your goals. i.e. I'm a semi-professional photographer looking to move into photography full time, I am seeking models male & female for light studies, etc. be creative and as said before sound professional. when done post at several different locations such as a college, art institute, book stores etc. I have done this when starting out or looking for new talent. Oh and one big other way "join a photo club"

[mrbojangles13]

using yourself as an excuse to not approach people will not get you anywhere. i am in the same age group as you and it does make it a little differant, but we are approaching them about photographs. im not trying to buy booze or anything like that.

the est way i have found is to introduce yourself as if you were a normal person. THEN bring up your intentions. that you are a photographer and they would make a nice model. talk to them about it a little bit but what it all comes down to is your work. show them your work, let that talk FOR you.
business cards and a site is nice too. it shows them that you are legit

[Mark1]

Simply google 'models' and your location. **Example - Models London** You should find at least a few sites that have local models for you. That is how I found the sites that cover my area.

[EJsee]

Try looking for a Meetup group in your area for photography. Link (http://www.meetup.com/find/) They may organize model shoots with the group. You may be able to work something out with some models you shoot with the group

[jimmywires]

try doing what they did in the caveman days. club them over the head and drag them to your cave. just kidding ladies carry them to your cave. lol