Model Mayhem - Don't fall for the hype!

[Maggie Puller {★}]

K, well I got a profile over on Model Mayhem...commonly referred to at simply "MM" on this site. It took a few days to get approved and I was excited and shocked really, because this morning I had about 17 emails for modeling jobs!!! I sat back and looked at the computer screen thinking, wow...is this really happening? Are all these phtogs (shortened form of photographer for all the newbies like me out there...) REALLY interested in ME?????? ASWEOME!

Then, to my dismay...I learned I was not quite as popular as I thought I was. Here are some things to know for girls out there. If you get an email that says any of the following:

"Are you interested in modeling in upcoming erotic lingerie calendar & pose in upcoming urban men's magazine/dvd nude? Shoot pays $2500."

OR

"I am very interested in shoot you...what a beauty face you have! I fly you to Africa and we tour Asia, Africa and Europe for the Queen! You meet my close and personal friend, Prince William and he new bride Kate!! You be most profitable and beautiful model in all the world!" (Imagine some dude really saying all that to you with a heavy Nigerian accent...scary)

THIS girls is how you wind up working in the sex slave industry. Stay away from these crazy emails. I know it is so easy to be sucked into the excitement of the model world. I am a living example, because I REALLY wanna do this!! But, all of us need to put our safety FIRST and remember to know "too good to be true" when we see it!! Thanks to all my friends on this site who helped me figure out what is real and what is fake!!

[Maggie Puller {★}]

I really think it's just the area I am in. I live in the DEEEEEEP Southern part of Virginia, and Richmond is the closest thing to me. it's hard for me to find out what is going on and when it's happening. Much less a photog that i can work with to prove I know how to pose and provide the talent. I just have to go to Richmond and search out places that look pin up friendly and ask i suppose...no harm in trying!!

[East Coast Pinups]

I've been a member of MM for almost 3 years now. (http://www.modelmayhem.com/837801) And while MM has had it's fair share of scammers, and hokey people that truly misrepresent what they are actually there for, overall, it's been a great resource, and a valuable tool for me. There are ways to block certain members, and I would also recommend to not post your email address in your profiles. That's just asking for someone to come along and hi-jack it, and them spam they daylights out of your inbox. I'm sure models have much more headaches than we photographers do, but after awhile, you'll begin to examine the profiles of the photographers that contact you. If you see a photographers profile, and they don't link the images back to the model...that's a red-flag. If they've been a member for 2,3,4 or more years, and only have 5-6 images in their profile...that's another red-flag. Pay attention to people who take adequate time to fill out their portfolio, have quality images posted, and also link credits back to the models they've worked with. If you can click through to the models page, you can very well inquire with those models on the professionalism of the photographer in question. Also pay attention to the date they joined the site. If someone has been a member for 3 weeks, has 4 images in their port, and a long wordy profile of how great they are and a list of unbelievable accomplishments, hey...guess what? RED-FLAG...just stay away. There are plenty of reliable and remarkable photographers out there. You may be best advised to search for them on your own. Use the browse features, and make the initial contact yourself after viewing their profiles. Scam emails are sure to find your MM box and perhaps your own personal mailboxes, but that's not any fault of MM itself.

[Kustomkarma]

Lots of good info for both models and photogs in this post.

 

[Ms. Ashley Anne]

I had an MM for a while and did 2 shoots. One was nude and was a trade for cd or whatever. I seriously regret it. One was legit for a clothing company while the other was supposed to be more artsy. I feel like a part of my life has been taken from me, the photographer has those photos and could do whatever he wants with them because they are his. My mom explained this to me because she used to model when she was younger and they ended up releasing the photos several years later and published them all over a department store and she was mortified. She and no control over the photos. My parents and boyfriend strongly advised me that if I really wanted to model I need to contact an agency and pay for a portfolio and be photographed by real professionals who make a living off it, not just a part time hobby.

I never know what will happen with those photos, I mean hypothetically if i became famous for something, or wanted to be a politician I'd be mortified if they were released. What if they show up 10 years from now and my family and kids saw.

My advice with MM is to not use it. Do it the right way, go to an agency, hire a professional for a portfolio and get paid for shoots. It's not worth the risk with MM.

[East Coast Pinups]

MM has nothing to do with copyright laws and intellectual property. Working for an agency or being promoted by an agency will still not give you the RIGHTS to your images. If you wish to have exclusive rights to your images, you must PAY for that right. It's called an "exclusivity agreement". You may be able to cut deals on usage and exclusivity, but the bottom line is that if a model is paid for her services by an agency, or a photographer is hired by an agency to produce images for them, chances are, the agency will own the exclusive rights to those photos. Bottom line, you really need to have a thick skin if you intend to pursue modeling, or even be a photographer in the modeling industry. Unless exclusive, or limited usage agreements are signed, agencies will own what they PAID for.

 

As far as simply hiring a professional to produce your portfolio, the same thing applies. The images are the intellectual property of the photographer, unless some sort of usage agreement is agreed upon. I'm tired of hearing the naive stories in regards to modeling. There are ways to research, and there are professional photographers out there that are more than willing to do things "in a professional manner".

 

If you're worried about where your image will end up, then simply don't model, or, learn about usage rights. Limited or exclusive. You will pay for this, but that's the only way to keep your likeness safe from any future exposure. Most of the models I work with have asked about this. Personally, I have no intent on making any money from someones likeness, unless of course I am approached about a lucrative venture that will benefit the parties involved. Otherwise, I simply ask that I may use (limited usage) their likeness in my business portfolios, and that they simply ask me if they have any intent to submit the photos I've taken of them, in any contests or publications. Most times, there are no "paper" agreements or releases signed, unless I'm publishing for Retro Lovely Magazine.

 

To put the blame on MM for what the copyright and usage laws are, is like blaming the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.

[Hellz Kittehn]

Thank you, East Coast Pinups! It goes back to what I said about researching and knowing your limits! Heck, who doesn't have a picture taken of them as a kid that they so wish wasn't in existence? Mountains and molehills, my pretties! My niece and nephew saw a few of my pinup pics and they just think I'm a superhero LOL! Yep, I'm Wonder Buns!

[Tifa DeLeone]

Since I don't live in the US I'm not sure about the laws there, but in Sweden you can shoot with any photographer from MM/off the street/agency and sign a release about the pictures that states the images may not be used for this or that (like sold to a department store or used in an exhibition) and thereby you are safe.

Pictures can always be stolen, either if you model or are just anyone who happen to post a pic online.

The pic you posted on Facebook can be used on a porn site or whatever.

You cannot be afraid of life.

When it comes to modeling you HAVE to think things through before starting and think about the fact that pictures might show up later in life (but unlikely).

But that goes for think twice before having a drink and then "just drive home", "borrow" something from work and never return it, talk behind someones back. This can always hit you in the face sooner or later.

 

Modeling isn't a "bad thing". But you need to educate yourself, think about it properly.

That goes for photographers as well, I'm sure 20 years from know a lot of kids might be chocked to hear their mom or dad used to be a nude photographer. Who knows?

 

Use your head and don't do pictures you cannot stand for.

Standing smiling in a cute vintage dress cannot hurt anyone.

Naked on all four with a sexface... ? Might bite you later. Don't be naive. But don't be afraid of living and trying out things you want do to. Modeling is fun and has given me so much.

Modeling is like sex: Be safe, smart and don't do things you cannot stand for/or because someone tells you to.

 

 

 

[Ms. Ashley Anne]

I apologize for the bias towards MM, my point is it's very easy to be naive like I was and get excited over people asking for shoots. I know there are reputable photographers, models, and more on MM, but just be careful. The reason why I mentioned to get a portfolio going or find reputable photographers or an agency is it seems like a good way to start a modeling career and get aware of the business rather than picking a freelance photographer who you don't know. Be cautious, and be aware of what your getting into, I wish I was more aware, and take a lot of the advice these other ladies have given who have experience in the business :)