How do I get photographers to notice me? WHAT am I doing?

[Maggie Puller {★}]

I am admittedly very very very amateur when it comes to all this modeling bizz..and I have no earthly idea what I am doing. Where do I start? What do I need to do to be noticed? How do you get noticed and when do you know you are a "professional model"?? I need to hear the voice of experience...some of you ladies who have made it to the big time! How do I launch my modeling career? Do I pay photographers to work with them, or do they pay me? Do I do it for free? DOES ANYONE HAVE A MARTINI AND A XANAX!?!?!?!...sorry....I got a little panicked.....oops! ;) ~Maggie Puller~

[The Trousseau]

You are asking lots of different kinds of questions.  I think Roxy has covered the how to get noticed thing in a few threads on the modeling forum, so you can search for those. 

 

As for payment-- well, think of it this way, if you pay, you have the power.  If they pay, they have the power.  If you do a TFP, it is a shared power or a collaboration. 

 

You want a certain look and a skilled photographer who will do what you want and you own the pics?  You pay.  You want to learn from a pro on how to pose and what to expect?  You might want to pay.  You want to learn as you go with someone else who is learning as they go?  Then find someone who want to learn with you and come up with an agreement between you on how the pics will be used. 

 

There are a few reasons a photographer or vendor might pay a model, but it is very rare for someone with no portfolio to be paid.  Best bet, in my opinion, is to find someone who wants to get to be a better shooter and have some fun with them. 

 

My first modeling thing was a party.  Seriously-- several ladies and one woman who owned a hobbyist photography studio got together, brought cameras, wine, clothes, wine, food, more clothes and more wine.  We shared clothes, we ate, we laughed-- we had a blast.  We all learned together and we got some knock out photos from that session. 

 

When I sold my condo, I had another party like that, only I invited men and women.  There were three camera stations and one room and a bathroom to change in.  I have some great shots from that one, as well.  After that, quite a number of people wanted me to do pictures with them.  It was fun for awhile. 

 

So, consider a party.  Find some friends with cameras and find a place where you can set up two or three areas to shoot.  Discuss picture privacy and ownership, then have at it. 

[Honey B Hooligan {Madam}]

very well thought out response. And I agree with everything that you said. Search the modeling forum for more answers. Until you have a good lengthy portfolio, don't expect to get paid by anyone. You need to pay or volunteer your time to build a solid "resume", then you can start looking for paid work. Good luck doll! <3 

The Trousseau said:

You are asking lots of different kinds of questions.  I think Roxy has covered the how to get noticed thing in a few threads on the modeling forum, so you can search for those. 

 

As for payment-- well, think of it this way, if you pay, you have the power.  If they pay, they have the power.  If you do a TFP, it is a shared power or a collaboration. 

 

You want a certain look and a skilled photographer who will do what you want and you own the pics?  You pay.  You want to learn from a pro on how to pose and what to expect?  You might want to pay.  You want to learn as you go with someone else who is learning as they go?  Then find someone who want to learn with you and come up with an agreement between you on how the pics will be used. 

 

There are a few reasons a photographer or vendor might pay a model, but it is very rare for someone with no portfolio to be paid.  Best bet, in my opinion, is to find someone who wants to get to be a better shooter and have some fun with them. 

 

My first modeling thing was a party.  Seriously-- several ladies and one woman who owned a hobbyist photography studio got together, brought cameras, wine, clothes, wine, food, more clothes and more wine.  We shared clothes, we ate, we laughed-- we had a blast.  We all learned together and we got some knock out photos from that session. 

 

When I sold my condo, I had another party like that, only I invited men and women.  There were three camera stations and one room and a bathroom to change in.  I have some great shots from that one, as well.  After that, quite a number of people wanted me to do pictures with them.  It was fun for awhile. 

 

So, consider a party.  Find some friends with cameras and find a place where you can set up two or three areas to shoot.  Discuss picture privacy and ownership, then have at it. 

[Maggie Puller {★}]

Thanks ladies! Both excellent answers. I will certainlly heed your advise!

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

As the other ladies have said, http://www.pinuplifestyle.com/forum/topics/forum-tip-1

 

If you want to book some shoots, head on over to the casting calls and post something there. It goes out to our members over twitter, and is where people go when looking for models or photogs.

 

And here is some advice from our own Richard Wang on getting started:

 

Are you speaking of professional or hobbyist modeling, which are two very different things.

 Wanting to be a professional model, that is someone who's career is modeling, is very much like  saying you want to be a professional athlete.  Not only must you be beautiful and the right size (which is assumed), but you've got to be driven and focused and lucky.

 To be a hobbyist isn't too difficult.  You just need to get in front of a camera and there are plenty of photographers who want to shoot girls.  And because there are plenty of shooters, I'm not a big believer in paying to get your photos taken.

Understand that it can get quite expensive to do a pro shoot.  Shoots can range from $200 to $1,000 depending on time spent, photographer, MUAH, wardrobe, etc.
As a hobbyist model, in order to get photos, go out there and network.  Find photographers who's style you like.  Find guys just starting out.  Get them to shoot you. But more importantly.  Find car clubs.  Find bands.  Find stores.  Find designers. Find stores.  Find car and motorcycle builders.  Find anyone who need models.  Talk to them.  Once you have a network, photographers will want to shoot with you because you have access to things they need.  Clothes.  Locations.  Cars.  Etc.

Another way to get great information is to take some time and READ THIS FORUM. This question has been asked and answered many times, and there is are a ton of answers in here, you just have to look.

There are two books I'd recommend for any new model:
 The first is "Posing For The Camera" by Harriett Shepard and Lenore Meyer.  It was written in 1961 but it's still the best book out there.  You can get it on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1438288301/?tag=glamourphotog-20
 It's also around the internet as a pdf download.
 The second is if you're going to do pin-up.  "Peep-Machine Pin Ups: 1940s - 1950s Mutoscope Art".  Literally every set up, every pose and every expression you'll ever need is in there.  Just get the book and practice the poses.
http://www.amazon.com/Peep-Machine-Pin-Ups-1940s-1950s-Mutoscope-Sc...

 Good luck and have fun
 Thank you to Richard Wang of richardwangphotography.com for his help and expertise.

[Vanna Joy]

All my photos in my port have been done TF. The only time I've paid is when I wanted to have a calander made for my boyfriend.

Other than that, I usually search for photographers, locally or in forums, that are willing to do TF. I also look for photogs that have the style I'm looking for and ones that are willing to edit as well. When I find a potental photog I do research on them; check their websites, FB, and past clients, to make sure they are legit and not looking to take pictures of half naked women.

 

If a photographer isn't willing to do TF, but I REALLY want to work with them, then I'll pay. I expect to get paid in the same circumstances. Or if they want to use me for events and promotions.

 

As for now, I don't consider myself professional and am willing to do TF. I still need to build my port and get my name, and image, out in the modeling world.

 

Just do whatever you can to get your images out there. Join contests, find photographers on websites such as this one, anything. Just be safe and smart in the process. :)

[Maggie Puller {★}]

Thanks girlz!! All very good answers! I just kinda' fell into this...although I have always loved pin up art and such. I never thought I would be in front of a camera doing it myself! I was approached to do some modeling for pin up and fell in love! Now that I have dipped my toes in the water, I want to dive in! I will check out all the links and books...I can use all the help I can get!! Love to each of you! XOXOXOX ~Maggie

[Hellz Kittehn]

I tripped and fell back into modeling! I just have a lot of friends in the biz. There is a "who you know" element! I have always been part of the art scene in my town in some way, shape or form. I guess you have to decide what fulfills you! I call myself a model because of the simple fact that I model =) I'm not into labeling myself as much of anything.

[Maggie Puller {★}]

I just wish I knew more people in my area that are into this kinda' thing. I'm sure they are out there...I just have to hunt them down!!

[Edson Carlos]

I want to add that if you expect to be paid, it's not only about how pretty you are, or about how full your portfolio is with amazing names you paid to shoot with, or how many magazines/ePublications you've been in. If you want to be paid, your posing better be beautiful and flow like a ballet.

 

There are few models out there that can deliver an insane number of killer shots in a short session. Be one of those, and you can consider charging photographers and vendors for your time.

[Maggie Puller {★}]

Great now I just need to learn how to flow!

[Maggie Puller {★}]

Also, for those of you who are photographers and have worked closely with photographers, let me run this by you:

I recently had the Marine pics you see on my profile done by a very amature new photog. She approached ME about doing the pics, and asked me to come over to let her take the pics. So, I get the link she sends me when the pics are done, now she is saying I owe her 90 bucksand if I want any pics actually in my hand that I have to order them from the website. If she asked me to come do the pics, why do I owe her anything? She acted like she just wanted the experience and like I would be getting it done for free. I mean, I did my won hair and makeup, and provided my wardrobe. All she did was snap about 20 pics from her digital camera! Do you think I should pay her the money?

[Edson Carlos]

@Maggie, if I told you to come pick this car up so you can run your errands today without knowing you, would you do so and assume its free?

The failure here is in not clarifying details beforehand. You're the aspiring model, she's the aspiring photographer, you both in this case were providing a service that was ASSUMED at no cost. The breakdown is that neither bothered to clarify the terms of providing this service. It looks to me like you took those photos off a computer screen, am I right that she did not even provide digital copies to you?

You mention "In My Hand" are you saying she's provided you digital copies but prints cost money? If so thats standard as prints cost money from someone to produce. Unless your agreement states you'll receive free prints also, expect this to be the norm. There are photogs that only provide web size versions, and some that provide high enough res for you to get your own prints. Like The Trousseau said, If you pay, those photos are yours.

Starting to see how things work? You've got a long way to go doll but welcome to the dance between photographers and models! My blunt tip for ALL entering this world because I hardly beat around the bush...expect years before you can even start to think about wanting to make a few dollars modeling, and never NEVER quit your dayjob to do it. Pinup is an artform, an experience, and even the top names in the industry don't make enough in cash for daily lunch money, let alone a car payment or rent.