Finding People to shoot?

I know all about model mayhem and while that site looks great, you need a little experience and a portfolio. How did you guys start out? You had to submit pictures, who did you take pictures of? I really want to start people photog and need real practice to get better, but how can I get better with no subject lol.

Practice on friends and coworkers. Approach random people with your camera and explain.

lol @ needing experience, I submitted 4 photos I took of my little bro and they accepted my account.

you don't need much experience for MM
i started out with a few pics of my GF. and added all models and photogs in my area.
i have a shoot in 2 weeks ^.^ finally ! and a few more who want to shoot but i need to schedule.
don't put up utter crap has be half way decent or they will think you are a GWC, guy with camera, creeper. lol
so get a friend male or female doesn't matter.
practice until you get okay photos of theme, post on there.
contact models.
be straight forward with the models, because if you are new it probably wont help their profile so you may have to pay 10-20 and hour.
if they are also knew then probably can do a TF (trade for)
but be ready for alot of no shows haha.
they are more likely to show up if you are paying.
add and comment on their photos, they like that and makes you seem genuine person.
good luck, i too am just starting out on MM. it came to the point where my gf hates me taking photos of here xP only a few thousands on the 7d and a few thousand on the old t2i lol

never pay for a girl without a good port~
they aren't serious about modeling and probably don't have much experience with posing .
if they have a good port feel free to pay, only pay models for their time if they have good port, because they will know how to pose themselves.
be straight forward about your intentions, write on your profile that you are here to have fun, and become better.

Here's my trick... for years, I've been playing in local bands. Making friends, connections, and just having fun playing songs for drunken barflies. When I started getting back into photography, naturally I bugged all of my friends in bands if I could shoot them at practices and shows, and that became my thing. I quickly learned about low-light situations, working with performers, and developing a workflow. But most importantly, it let me build up a catalog of shots one weekend at a time, and eventually use those pics to get paying gigs.

Basically what I'm saying is to use the connections that you have in some sort of community (outside of photography) to create opportunities to photography something interesting.

Jeff, I did the same thing initially, as I too have played in countless failed music projects...

I used to grab the original Digital Rebel and Nifty Fifty and prey upon young unknowing subjects who "just wanted to look cool" - it was great for a long time... Unfortunately, in the NJ / NYC area, it seems like everyone's best friend has a DSLR now, and bands don't want to deal with photogs for the most part... just my $0.02

That said, I would love to get back into some music photography

Go to local sci-fi or anime conventions, and shoot cosplayers (you know, these strange people wearing outfits of their favorite characters). Most are certainly not professional models, but they're very willing to pose, and shooting ordinary people with varied body types is better training for classical portrait or wedding photography than only shooting models.
Give your card to people you shoot, ask them how to send them the photos, if they like them they may be the ones who contact you to ask for a photoshoot

JMartel wrote in post #12151874
Practice on friends and coworkers.

This is what i did,sent it to MM then they approved me..I got 2 shoots this coming week from MM!

Ashura wrote in post #12215041
Go to local sci-fi or anime conventions, and shoot cosplayers (you know, these strange people wearing outfits of their favorite characters). Most are certainly not professional models, but they're very willing to pose, and shooting ordinary people with varied body types is better training for classical portrait or wedding photography than only shooting models.
Give your card to people you shoot, ask them how to send them the photos, if they like them they may be the ones who contact you to ask for a photoshoot

I think this is a great idea. Judging by the cosplayers I've talked to online, they will love you forever if you have a a good camera and decent photography skills and will take photos of them. They've usually put a lot of work (or at least money) into their costume so they're happy to show it off. And hey, it will definitely put some life and color into your portfolio.

MM might work for me this time, this model seems really serious, and she wants bring a MUA/friend/model along aswell, we will see how it goes
but then again
i had 2 model flake on me before, and a band flake out >.<

thesilent wrote in post #12230520
I think this is a great idea. Judging by the cosplayers I've talked to online, they will love you forever if you have a a good camera and decent photography skills and will take photos of them. They've usually put a lot of work (or at least money) into their costume so they're happy to show it off. And hey, it will definitely put some life and color into your portfolio.

Cosplay is what brought me to photography ; it's definitely an interesting subject, because every costume has a story behind it and asks for a specific mood.
Also, when I say they're very willing models : just yesterday, I made a shoot with two of them, we left home at 1pm to go on location, spent two hours in the train, one hour to get dressed, three hours shooting, and we only stopped because the park was closing. Then two more hours of train to go back home. We all had fun, the location was just gorgeous, and I think I managed to take a few shots that would make nice wedding pics

If you don't want to practice on friends and colleagues, I was embarrassed to, hit up Craigslist's Gigs/Talent section and post an advertisement there. There are a lot of new people exploring modeling, and also some seasoned models scouring Craigslist. You shouldn't have a problem finding people who want to experiment with you.

Good luck!

http://nocojoe.com/env​ironmental-portraits/

I just asked my facebook friends if anyone would be willing to be my photo guinea pig and I've already had 3 responses. Now I'm nervous!! I'm just not confident in my skills yet and don't want people to be disappointed with my work...but everyone starts somewhere I guess.

I just got done with my first MM shoot and it was AWESOME!
you can see the image on my Flickr, day 11/365 (link below)
If you know you know how to use your equipment, and can produce a pretty good image (not saying pham great lol)
Then Just jump in head first! it kind of like dating most of the models are just as nervous as you are then an hour goes buy and you are warmed up to each other making jokes getting great images.
I like the asking Facebook friends, i should do that :P
Peyday looking at your flickr seems like you have the idea right, just need a bigger subjects :P

Bedojo, that's a nice capture. Did you use an alien bee + umbrella on that or something else?