Any tricks of the trade?

[Lacy Lynn Knox]

i'm trying to find out any tips for getting yourself in the pin up/ burlesque community. i'm under 21 so most burlesque shows are off limits for me, but i still want to learn as much as i can. i have a low budget and can't afford any professional photoshoots, so i've been having to work with what i have. does anyone have any tips for either getting more into the burlesque community (considering my age) or working with low bugets to get good photos? any advice is appreciated.

<3 - Lacy Lynn

[Vega {★}]

Well, you already are using one great resource (PL of course!), so good start there!

I can't say much about the burlesque scene, but I can offer my tiny bit of knowledge when it comes to modeling. I am BEYOND broke, and aside from that, also have no time! I still managed to break my little toe in though! I don't know if this is the easiest or fastest way to do this, but it's what worked for me, so here goes... be prepared for the longest post in PL history!!!

Resource 1: Craigslist ( www.craigslist.org ) Craigslist is RISKY BUSINESS but can really pay off if you're careful. I went to my geographical area, down to "Gigs" and then "Talent" and ran a search for "model." I sent email replies to any posts from photographers that A) were looking for TFP (time for pictures) or TFCD (time for cd of images) models. Basically, nobody is getting paid, you are both just looking to expand your portfolios. B) Were wanting to shoot something in the general theme of what you want (pinup, burlesque, etc). C) Were well-spoken and provided a lot of detail in their initial post (don't go replying to folks posting "looking for model for tfp work, call this number" ads). I would send them a nice, well-written letter including my experience thus far (basically none at the time), the general direction I want my modeling path to take, my hopes for the shoot, and a link to an online gallery of nice photos of myself. I also asked to see some of their work to see their skill level and style. You can even ask for references from other models, that you can call to make sure the photographer is a stand-up guy (or gal), though you may want to wait to see if the person even wants to work with you first. If they reply (and a lot of them won't, just the way it goes), get a time and place and a commitment... even more than weirdos and pervs, craigslist is FULL of flakes. Also communicate to them clearly that you yourself are not a flake and want the photo shoot to happen as much as they do! Most photographers will let you bring a guest if it makes you feel more comfortable to not go alone (especially if you're as young as you are). You want to make sure they have you sign a simple model release telling you what rights you have over the photos (portfolio use only? Can you make money off them? etc), if they will give you any retouched or edited photos, and when they will give them to you (so they can't string along forever without handing over the photos).

Resource 2: Model Mayhem ( www.modelmayhem.com ) I waited to join MM until I had a few professional-quality photos to put up (after craigslist stints), but you could start here too I suppose. MM has the same dangers and cautions as craigslist generally.... do your research on anyone you even communicate with you allow to be in your friends list. On MM you can search through photographer's casting calls based on location, which each indicate the type of shoot, paid or TF, etc. I have found a number of great shoots this way, some really close by so I didn't have to travel far! A free account only allows you 10 pictures, but there are multiple levels of paid memberships that allow more.

Resource 3: Deviant Art ( www.deviantart.com ) This place has been invaluable to me!! I have been a member for a long time posting my own photography, and just recently made a new account for my modeling photos. It's an art community for ALL types of art (poetry, sculpture, photography, painting, body art, you name it!), where people can "watch" you to receive notifications whenever you update your gallery, critique your work, add your pictures to their favorites, etc. Within a week of putting my photos up, I had a small group of followers and someone even drew a fanart of me! It's a great confidence booster, and wonderful way to get feedback from other artists. I don't utilize the forums to their full potential myself, but I know many people find the forums as a great tool to generate traffic to your gallery, more advanced critique, etc. The other amazingly great thing about dA is the OTHER artists... I've learned so much from looking at the IMMENSE PLETHORA of photos there! Burlesque, alternative, pinup, latex, fetish, you name it! I can link you to a few of the Greats if you decide to join... (also let me know if you do, I'll friend ya!) Aside from your main deviantart gallery, there is also a tool that allows you to create a bonafide online portfolio! It's super easy to use, especially if the photos you are putting in your portfolio are already in your deviantart gallery (though it's not necessary). The result looks very elegant and professional. I use mine for show all my potential photographers my portfolio. DeviantArt membership is free, but you can also get a premium subscription which allows you to browse content with no ads, more photos per page, and allows you to create more than one portfolio and without dA branding on them, etc.

PHEW! Well that's a pretty good summary of how I've got my start so far. I'm just beginning myself, but so far this is what has helped me bundles! Here's a couple other tips I will share with you about photo shoots...

1. It's a HUGE bonus if you can do your own hair and make-up. Scour these forums, youtube, beauty blogs, etc and practice practice practice different techniques, etc.
2. The biggest money sink so far is wardrobe. It's going to be even worse for burlesque. I feel like I have tons of clothes, dresses, shoes, etc.... but when a single photographer wants to shoot 3 different looks, I run out of new things to photograph very quickly! Get used to bargain hunting and get familiar with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Also, I'm not telling you to do the whole buy-return thing but *cough* a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do..... *coughcough*
3. Accessories and props make a world of difference. I've had photographers thank me up and down for bringing all my hats, coats, gloves, jewelery, props (purses, hand mirrors, guns, handcuffs, whips, whatever!). It's a lot to carry, but they make for MUCH more interesting photographs, and give you as the model more to work with than the on chair or stool the guy has on hand in his studio... this leads me to my last tip:
4. BE PREPARED! Always better to bring too much than not enough. I bring at least a full rolling suitcase full of clothes and shoes to any given photo shoot, and that's aside from the duffel bag of make-up and props. Sometimes the photographer will see promise in something you didn't even think twice about, because he knows what catches like, or what draws the eye, etc. I also bring any of the make-up I used on my face at all, for emergency touch-ups, and all hair products as well. My curling iron, straightener, hairspray, pomade, brush, everything. I probably use less than half the stuff I ever bring to a shoot, and I imagine I'll perfect the art of packing only what I'll need (and knowing what this is), but until then better safe than sorry!

[Vega {★}]

I think I killed the thread!

[Wendy Bellevue]

WOW! Thanks for the details! I really appreciate the time you took. I can't wait to get started :)

[Sara Sundae]

Now I have to get a dA account, I never thought of using it as a model, thanks!

[Soda Shop Sue]

yah, MM- ask for TFCD shoots... research TFCD shoots, and know what you are asking for... (i dont pay for shoots... untill the day i get to work with ViVA VAN STORY, or ROY VARGA... some people you will want/need to pay $$$$$ big bucks to get in with....)....

[Vega {★}]

If you guys join, give me your user names so I can add you to my watch list! Mine is http://raquellevega.deviantart.com/

[Lacy Lynn Knox]

wow thank you guys so much, especially Never Again (after all you did post the most hun ;) ) you've given me a lot of great tips!!