Model Mayhem

[flipstyle72]

Originally Posted by Mark1

I think people sign up expecting it to be the end-all for free models. When in fact it is kinda more like "bottom barrel". I have not had any flake on me and am happy with the ones I have worked with. But MM is not like an agency. Nobody is accountable to anybody, and reporting bad experiences can get you banned. So you have to take it for what it is... simply a social networking site that happens to be centered arround the modeling industry.

It is also the last place I would go for advice or C&C. If you read through the forums, it is mostly Photo 50.5 questions. (As apposed to Photo 101) Sure there are some good questions there. But 90% of them I would not expect from people "working in the industry".

exactly what he said..lol. I've seen some shots that would be laughed off of POTN get praise over there.

[gcobb]

Originally Posted by flipstyle72

lol, i think you guys just aren't screening the models enough. I've only had 1 flake, but it wasn't last minute. But I'm only willing to shoot the ones that have professional looking shots. The girls that are half naked with crappy photography work are the ones you have to watch out for. lol.

There's one of those who asked me for a shoot. She has one good shoot under her belt. Then she asked me what I'd pay her for nudes. Ain't happnin'. If I'm going to pay someone, it'll be an experienced model and will probably have her clothes on if she chooses.

Myspace is like just about any other networking site. Keep things up to date and let people know you're there.

[gcobb]

Originally Posted by flipstyle72

exactly what he said..lol. I've seen some shots that would be laughed off of POTN get praise over there.

Well 90% of the comments on there aren't worth anything. Comment swapping, begging for comments and all isn't of any consolation to me. I have 20 or less on most of my images but I'm not out begging to get stroked. And if they're not implied you rarely have people even looking at your work.

POTN has helped me in a lot of ways. But there are a few guys on MM who have offered some great input and I've learned from them also.

[dinanm3atl]

Interesting site.

Looks like it could lead any number of ways

[userfriendly]

I recently signed up because it was mentioned on the Howard Stern Show. I checked it out and was thrilled to see over 60 models within 25 miles of my home studio. I have my first modelmayhem shoot on Friday, Jan 2. I've really been working on my lighting setup so I don't look like a big amateur. I'm hopeful it will perk up my slumping stock sales. http://www.modelmayhem.com/djj

[Jon Foster]

Let us know how the shoot goes.

I canceled 6 MM shoots this past weekend because of the holiday schedule...

Jon.

[Perry Ge]

I'm on mayhem. Though I swear I've replied to another thread exactly like this one before...

http://www.modelmayhem.com/perryge

[codearachnid]

I'm on there as http://www.modelmayhem.com/impactartistry

[hawk911]

Here's the link to me, if y'all are interested. Friends always welcome.

Hawk's mayhem account

[userfriendly]

Originally Posted by Jon Foster

Let us know how the shoot goes.

I canceled 6 MM shoots this past weekend because of the holiday schedule...

Jon.

Well the shoot thus far was postponed until this Friday due to death in the model's family and having to travel to MN. I've been shooting so many images over the last few weeks I look forward to working with a person instead of a static object. Most of the photos go to stock but I also want to work on simple portraiture face and head shots, and 3/4 body shots. I look forward to it anyway. What amount of money do any other photographers pay, if any? I am paying a little bit for her time ($20) and also doing a tfcd. I probably shouldn't do both but I figure it will pay off in the end.

[gcobb]

If I get the time and can line it up there is an experienced model local to me I'm going to pay to shoot. It'll be worth it to me.

[TooManyHobbies]

There should be a feedback mechanism like ebay to seperate the pros from the flakes. Its a great networking site for TF*, but there are a lot of unproffesional people out there. Beware of people who's accounts go away and then reappear again under a new MM#. And I never book anyone without meeting in person first and gettting full contact info unless personlly vouched for by a close professional that I've worked with.

[Mark_Cohran]

Originally Posted by TooManyHobbies

And I never book anyone without meeting in person first and gettting full contact info unless personlly vouched for by a close professional that I've worked with.

I agree that this is key for good shoot experience.

[TooManyHobbies]

I just had one not show up to meet for coffee to go over a shoot. She had my cell but didn't want to give me hers until after we met. I'm fine with that. She also said she would show up short of huricane or accident. No show, no call, no messsage on MM?

I've also had a few cancel last minute on a shoot. This is a pain when you have MUAs, body painters, Hair Stylists, wardrobe specialists, location rental, etc. I don't mean to be unsympathetic but when everyone gives the same excuse that their grandmother is dying, its hard not to wonder. I give them the benefit of the doubt, but don't give any more effort into rescheduling with those models.

You end up finding the select few that are easy to work with and keeping with them, but I still try to bring in a new face everyonce in a while, but its a 10:1 ratio for adding someone.

I've got a new project that I need a lot of different models for and of course to get them free it's a big pain. But it's an art project not a paid one.

[chrisvl]

I had one cancel on me last minute, will only shoot her again if she pays.
I had on cancel 2 days before the shoot. Enough notice but we had this set for 2 months. No reason given. Haven't reached out to her again.
I only shoot TF with people that I approach unless you are something exceptional.
As for paying models. I never pay, Photographers don't pay models, Agencies, publications, clients pay for models not photographers. That was drilled into my head by a pro.
Checkout Urban Stylz page on his rules of engagement for a shoot and also Ekiona. They spell it out exactly the way it works. My page will reflect same soon as I already send that out in my initial email to anyone I shoot.
Saw one shooter who keeps a list of flakes with their MM IDs on his page.