Model Mayhem Response:Success ratio

I have attempted to use model mayhem in the past with no luck, recently I updated my port with some new work and I created a new casting call.

This time the response has been more than i expected, much more. What is the correct etiquette for responding to all the potential models? What has your experience been like in order to make a MM shoot a success from a scheduling standpoint, ways of knowing someone is a flake.

oceanbeast wrote in post #12867603
I have attempted to use model mayhem in the past with no luck, recently I updated my port with some new work and I created a new casting call.

This time the response has been more than i expected, much more. What is the correct etiquette for responding to all the potential models? What has your experience been like in order to make a MM shoot a success from a scheduling standpoint, ways of knowing someone is a flake.

...ummm, can you define success? What do you mean by "no luck?" Are you casting for a commercial project?

you will never really know if they are a flake, but some of the warning signs are they respond back with a single sentence or a few words when you ask them questions in an email. Also them not wanting to provide a phone number so you can talk in person in advance. The new girls or really young ones are the worst, they either get cold feet or stay out partying the night before.

If someone has been on MM for a more than 6 months but only 4-5 photos in their portfolio, they are likely not all the serious.

Best advice talk to them on the phone in advance and you will get a good feeling as to how serious they are. Express to them you are busy, and that you have a number of girls who want the session time, so you only want to deal with someone who is professional and will be on time. I have even jokingly asked things like you don't plan on being sick that day, or have a seriously ill relative that could prevent you from attending?

hope this helps

I'm 4/4 and only recently started pursuing more. I've had a couple that just straight up stopped responding but I odn't count that as a failure like I would a no call/show. Met some nice girls and gave them some great shots that also helped with my port and will continue to work with more. My issue now is finding a hair/mua to work with.

So, what's the going modeling rate for these girls?

I just stated mine.. but the norm isn't very good unless you're paying them.

i do not plan on paying anyone, if i am not getting paid no one is lol. i dont mind having to put in a little extra effort in posing/details if its free, but usually that means i have more control which can be nice. i will be setting up my first MM shoot from this casting. lets see how it goes.

ni$mo350 wrote in post #12872878
I just stated mine.. but the norm isn't very good unless you're paying them.

Well, what's the going rate for your area?
I would figure that 50.00/hour would be gracious plenty.

Depends on the experience and what you're looking to shoot. You'd have to contact the models to find out.

So is "success" in the context of Model Mayhem defined simply as a completed session?

That's also in the eye of the beholder. You can have a crappy shoot with a model who's nice and fun and professioanl and on time, etc, or you could shoot with a model who's late and has a bad attitude and get when of your favorite shots from the session. 3/4 of mine have been a shooting success while 1 of the girls had the worst skin I've ever shot and took 2 hours of healing/cloning on a headshot. Her previous shots in her port showed nothing to make me think that she had bad skin. They were all very professional and on time though so i would consider them a success.

I can say the same about paying clients. I'm just wondering what OP is referring to when he uses the term.

I think the op's version is based on the model showing up period. From the sounds of it, they didn't even get that far last time until they did the casting call.

cdifoto wrote in post #12875925
I can say the same about paying clients. I'm just wondering what OP is referring to when he uses the term.

Presumably, completing a shoot would count as success.

If he's already in the business of getting paid to take photos of models (G&N/fashion/etc), then he's not likely to be posing questions of this type on a forum like this.

My guess, OP is in the stages of developing his photography skills and expanding his portfolio. In that case, a completed shoot with a model would be a learning experience, which counts as a success.

MM is a way for pretty girls who want to pretend they're models to get semi decent photos from photographers who want to take photos of pretty girls and pretend they're professionals. I'm not sure how you define successful in that context.