Beginner Model Looking for Advice

Butterscotch

Hi,

I am an amateur model who has a second photoshoot coming up next week with a photographer I met on the website modelmayhem. I never met this photographer before and was going to bring an escort. The photographer seems very professional and told me that he would prefer if I came alone as escorts always seem bored and want to hurry the shoot. From the previous photoshoot I brought a male friend as an escort and he was really bored during the shoot so I can understand why some photographers dislike models bringing escorts.

I tried to look for information on escorts on the modelmayhem website but there was nothing about it and they have a rule not allowing threads on escorts. So I thought it would be maybe best to ask for advice in the fashion section here as it is linked to modelling or maybe I should of posted this thread in the photography section.

I am just wondering giving this is the fashion section, is their any models around who could give me advice on attending photoshoots, would you recommend bringing an escort or best going alone?

Sorry if this is the wrong place.

Thanks:)

amdublin

:eek:

You are going to meet a random photographer from a random website for a photoshoot

(a) I would not be doing what I stated above you are going to do
(b) I certainly would not be doing this without a chaperone/escort

Please do not proceed with this. Something about this scenario and this website looks completely dodge to me.

Twee.

If it were me I would cancel immediately. This does not sound good. If the photographer really wants to shoot you, then he should be prepared to accept you bringing a chaperone. I'm not sure on the MM details, but is this a paid shoot? You paying him or him paying you?

In general, I don't think Model Mayhem is a good idea. There are a lot of complete amateurs and you're not going to get signed by a reputable agency using it.

I have some experience in this as I modeled when I was younger, tried when I was older (didn't grow up tall enough ) and have model friends. Here's my advice/caveats!

- You should NEVER have to pay a joining or training fee.
- You DO NOT need to get professional shots taken to start your portfolio.

What you need to do is contact the top three in Dublin Assets, 1st Option and Morgan The Agency. Have a look on the websites, some of them have "new face" days once a week to see newbies.

You need two pictures, taken on any camera, by anyone, as long as their clear.
1) Face shot - none or subtle make up, hair off your face, at least behind your shoulders, wear a string top in a plain colour.
2) Body shot - no heels, standing straight, jeans and again a string top are good.

Take measurements of your height, waist and bust.

Again, see their sites for more specific information.

Hope this helps, and doesn't seem harsh, but there are people who will exploit you and try to get money off you. The three agencies above are extremely reputable and will be honest. You don't state you age, but if you're very young, they might tell you to wait a year and come back then.


Best of luck

caseyann

Butterscotch wrote: »

Hi,

I am an amateur model who has a second photoshoot coming up next week with a photographer I met on the website modelmayhem. I never met this photographer before and was going to bring an escort. The photographer seems very professional and told me that he would prefer if I came alone as escorts always seem bored and want to hurry the shoot. From the previous photoshoot I brought a male friend as an escort and he was really bored during the shoot so I can understand why some photographers dislike models bringing escorts.

I tried to look for information on escorts on the modelmayhem website but there was nothing about it and they have a rule not allowing threads on escorts. So I thought it would be maybe best to ask for advice in the fashion section here as it is linked to modelling or maybe I should of posted this thread in the photography section.

I am just wondering giving this is the fashion section, is their any models around who could give me advice on attending photoshoots, would you recommend bringing an escort or best going alone?

Sorry if this is the wrong place.

Thanks:)

I cant offer you any advice on the modeling end,but no way have i ever heard of anyone say they would prefer you to not bring an escort.
I would not go there without one as god only knows who he is or what he is.
Good luck with y our modeling.
Just keep in mind your safety and no photographer would expect you to turn up alone when you never met them before and have no idea what their creds are.
Perhaps you should ring around and see if anyone has heard of him?

Fajitas!

If you feel uncomfortable, there should be no problem in bringing someone along. If the photographer is insisting you go alone, tell him you're not interested.

If you're sure you want to shoot, find references - You'll most likely find other people that have used the photographer on the website, directly mail them and find out.

In general, I don't think Model Mayhem is a good idea. There are a lot of complete amateurs and you're not going to get signed by a reputable agency using it.

Something about this scenario and this website looks completely dodge to me.

The website itself is, for the most part, grand. It's the same as the rest of the internet, you get oddballs and you get normal people. It's a matter of using common sense and saying no when you're not comfortable.

Butterscotch

Thanking you all for your advice. It is definitely not a scam website as I know a few people who get good work out of it. It is very professionally ran. I have a friend on that site who gets lots of work as a model. She told me she goes to most photoshoots alone and it is fine but I know that doesn't make everything ok and there is always that worry. The photographer gave me contacts of past models he worked with who attended his photoshoots alone, so I could get feedback of them. I contacted two of them and I am waiting for a reply. I have also asked for advice on another forum. I was on his website and he has references from past models saying they enjoyed working with him. On his Modelmayhem portfolio many models commented his page saying they enjoyed working with him. He seems quite professional.

@Twee: Yeah he is paying me and the photoshoot is for a Gamer website. He was looking for geek girls in costume and as I am a roleplaying, costume model (cosplayer), he was happy with that. Thanks for the links for those agencies, I do more costume modelling but I am going to give those agencies a look at as I would like to do other forms of modelling too.

PCPhoto

if you want a friend there ... bring a friend.

its not the photographers choice in the matter.

As a photographer I would never tell a model what they can and cannot do - if your friend gets bored ...so what, thats what friends are for ...to hang out and keep the other safe.... you can buy him/her lunch afterwards as a thank you.

your safety is more important than a photographer who doesnt want an extra person hanging around..... it has been mentioned before, plenty of nutjobs out there ...plenty of people claiming to be professional photographers and trying to get models to pose topless or even nude.

SIMPLE RULE - IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT - DON'T DO IT.

Twee.

Fajitas! wrote: »

The website itself is, for the most part, grand. It's the same as the rest of the internet, you get oddballs and you get normal people. It's a matter of using common sense and saying no when you're not comfortable.

Yeah maybe I was a bit overreactive there I just fear, as the OP says she's only starting out, that she could be as young as 16 or something. You never know who's out there. Again, a bit of an overreaction

Butterscotch

Twee. wrote: »

Yeah maybe I was a bit overreactive there I just fear, as the OP says she's only starting out, that she could be as young as 16 or something. You never know who's out there. Again, a bit of an overreaction

Oh no I completly understand where you are coming from. There was a horible story of an Irish man contacting teens saying he would make them a model and achieve their dreams and he would abduct them, so you really have to be careful. I just want to know do models always bring an escort to private photoshoots or do models go alone? I am 25 by the way.:P

caseyann

Butterscotch wrote: »

Oh no I completly understand where you are coming from. There was a horible story of an Irish man contacting teens saying he would make them a model and achieve their dreams and he would abduct them, so you really have to be careful. I just want to know do models always bring an escort to private photoshoots or do models go alone? I am 25 by the way.:P

I think i remember the three warnings for models going to photo shoots.
1: Make sure you give the address and name to family of where you are going.
2: Make sure you get references and check them.
3: Bring someone with you to meet the photographer even if they leave after.
I dont think matters what age you are in being careful.
Best of luck hope it brings you success.:)

poochierockz

Hi OP:

I'm a photographer and wardrobe stylist and have been in the business for quite awhile. I would NEVER tell a model not to bring an escort and even if the photographer feels the escort will hurry the shoot and gets bored, who cares?? As a photographer, they should continue to work through it and not let the escort distract them (unless they keep talking and disrupting the shoot in some physical way). I work with younger models whose mothers would come to the shoots and talk nonstop but I have to tell them that its a disruption and to please sit quietly somewhere and they usually do so.

If you decide to do this without an escort, please do be careful and just keep in mind that any reputable and professional photographer would not prevent you from bringing an escort and make you feel uncomfortable.

Best of luck.

Butterscotch

caseyann wrote: »

I think i remember the three warnings for models going to photo shoots.
1: Make sure you give the address and name to family of where you are going.

I think that is great advice thanks. I never thought of that before so in future I will do that. You just never know.

@poochierockz: Your advice is very helpful coming from a professional photographer who works in the business. What is somewhat worrying me is I contacted two models who he worked with yesterday for feedback and both of them have still not replied. I think this does not look good. They maybe have busy lives but if they don't reply tomorrow I believe this reflect badly on the photographer himself and I will demand to bring an escort. I understand my safety is very important.

Jenneke87

Hi,

I'm also a model and like you I get my shoots of websites and I usually do not know the photographer. Now I've done a good few shoots by now and I would run a mile from any photographer saying he:

a: does not want you to bring anyone

and

b: Hurry the shoot?

That really doesn't sound like someone who cares about his work. From personal experience a shoot takes 2/3 at least, sometimes even longer depending on style poses and wishes of the model and photographer.

I posed for photographer who turned out to have very different intentions then making photo's and I was lucky to get away unharmed on one occasion. Have fun modelling but please be careful!

Butterscotch

Hi Jenneke87

This photographer does sound weird. I messaged him demanding to bring an escort and then all of a sudden he says I am busy actually and will shoot you next week instead. I don't trust him and the models I contacted still haven't replied. For all we know he could be a fake. At this rate I am just happy to move on and find someone else. I doubt he will get back to me and if not I would be glad.

May I ask is their anymore good modelling websites that you can recommend? I know modelmayhem is good but I would be interested in joining another site if it is any good. I will also look into those agencies Twee mentioned. Over time I have gotten quite serious about modelling so I am willing to try a few places.

Thanks everyone again for the advice, I really appreciate. I have a horrible habit of jumping the gun and getting excited. Thanks for making me see this situation in a bigger picture.

james098

My wife used to do a lot of modeling always trust your own instincts if a photographer insists on no escort something is wrong my wife always told them i would be escoting her and if they were ok with that she nearly always went alone as really it does make it easier but if she was wary she either got me to go with her or just not go kk

darkman7

As a photographer I have no problem with a model bringing someone with them though I usually prefer female escorts rather than husbands/boyfriends. In fact in some cases if I feel a model is unsure I insist that they do bring someone. I know a few photographers that simply won't shoot girls on their own as they have had bad experiences.

That said most models don't bring them but ref checks are fairly common.

As regards websites, MM is fine but here are two very good Irish ones:

www.folio32.com - excellent!

http://www.lipstickandlenses.com/ (new)

JP

Butterscotch

Thanks very much Darkman7 I will check them out later.:)

Lolnouska

I've been modeling for roughly 2 and a half years now, and I did use modelmayhem at the start to build up my portfolio for free and make contacts.
But MM is a seriously sleazy website, its basicly porn nowadays, and most photographers on it are actually amateurs who just want to take photos of naive girls in the nip for free. Havn't used it in about 2 years i think.
I'm sure you've noticed the minute you sign up you've received alot of emails from people like this, they take advantage of new users with amateur model portfolios.
The fact that he asked you to come alone after you said you wanted to bring someone is very fishy,
meeting a stranger online always has potential danger. Alot of photographers on the site are genuine. But you just never know so ALWAYS bring someone.
all the best with your career, be safe!

Butterscotch

Hi Lolnouska

Thanks for your advice and I am beginning to agree with you about MM. That is true when I signed up I got emails on nude modelling and I notice many photographers are into implied nudes and implied topless.

I would like to ask you a question if you don't mind. I just checked out your blog quickly and you seem very experienced, when you stopped using MM what did you do afterards? Would you recemmend using online sites or join an agency? I am quite serious about modelling even I just do it as a hobbie for now and I would like to get out there and make contacts. I sometimes wonder if modelmayhem is a waste of time, yet I had met some nice people on it.

Lolnouska

Butterscotch wrote: »

Hi Lolnouska

Thanks for your advice and I am beginning to agree with you about MM. That is true when I signed up I got emails on nude modelling and I notice many photographers are into implied nudes and implied topless.

I would like to ask you a question if you don't mind. I just checked out your blog quickly and you seem very experienced, when you stopped using MM what did you do afterards? Would you recemmend using online sites or join an agency? I am quite serious about modelling even I just do it as a hobbie for now and I would like to get out there and make contacts. I sometimes wonder if modelmayhem is a waste of time, yet I had met some nice people on it.

Well just from using MM i met two or three photographers from a strobist group on flickr (which is a site where photographers post their photos but this link is a sort of forum) http://www.flickr.com/groups/889882@N20/
I do photography also and one of the guys from MM invited me to this shoot where basicly theres roughly ten photographers, a few models, a make up artist and sometimes a stylist, everyone works for free and its meant to benefit everyones portfolios. and i thought it would be fun to model and take photos.
Everyone was extremely friendly, some are alot more experienced than others, and if you liked working with each other we would organize a more personal shoot with just one make up artist, me and the photographer. from that i got better photos etc and sent them onto agencies along side my 'polaroid' shots of me with no make up, just so they had an idea of what i was capable of as a model.
I joined bscene, they gave me some work, but it was all free (you have to do ALOT of free stuff before you even think of charging people - i still do free stuff now every now and then) however they were much too commercial based for me, most of their work was press calls etc which, me personally, am not into. so i left bscene.

I worked with more and more people, my portfolio grew, i looked online for good dublin based photographers who i liked the look of and asked if they would be interested in working with me.

my portfolio grew and now im pretty happy with it, im currently not with an agency in ireland, and have been getting offers from european agencies.
A model scout who worked for the likes of Elite model managment and IMG models found me through lookbook and put me on her site which is basicly an agency, for girls who are not signed by an agency if you get me,
if she finds me an agency im happy with the agnecy pays her the fee for finding me. this is where i am getting the offers from.

check out her site here: freshfashionfaces.com

so basicly its all about making contacts and staying away from the sleazy stuff.
like i said there are alot of very good, very genuine people on MM. however there are an equal number of sleazy amateurs.
have your wits about you and if something doesnt feel right - don't do it.

i hope this helps somewhat!

Butterscotch

Thanks very much for your help. Very much appreciate it.