modeling

[tanja virgina joyce giltner]

although i wasnt interested in modeling before, i am very much considering it. had my first photo shoot and had so much fun. how would i go bout getting my modeling career off and running? all and any advice would be helpfull :)

[Parris Blue Productions]

Create an account on ModelMayhem.com and start "friending" other local photographers who do TF* work. I think that's how most of the girls I know got started in modeling. And don't forget to keep working on your posing. You definitely have a good head start! :D

-xoxo

Tina

[tanja virgina joyce giltner]

hope i added the reply the right way. i can do the seductive posing but for some reason i have the worse time doing the "girly" posing, i sure did try tina!! <3 and you helped me doing so. and yes i will start an account on modelmayhem, ty tina huge help see you in couple of months

xoxoxo- tanja and george

but yes indeed ill work on posing <3

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

Look through this forum. Many girls have asked this before and there are a ton of great posts in here with helpful responses.

[Robert Hatch Photography]

Congrats!!!

[Edson Carlos]

Also don't forget to look thru the Casting Calls here, there is a group on the left side of the front page you can join to not miss a beat!

[Robert Hatch Photography]

I mean congrats that you're getting on it! My advice is becareful of sleaze bags! When you go through the proper channels such as here, model mayhem you have a greater chance of meeting wonderful people that have portfolios, craigslist on the other hand not so much. I'm not saying Craigslist isn't the best for getting good deals for toasters, cars, chairs and free fire wood but for modeling it can be shady. I've built my business through becoming friends with my clients and having trusting relationships, that takes a while to get to but if your smart and watch who you work with and for you'll end up with great trusting and trustworthy relationships. Thank you I'll be here all week!

[Vega {★}]

I am going to copy and paste a response I made to someone else with a similar question. I hope you find it helpful!

Also please remember, that WHENEVER you are working with strangers, on the internet or wherever, safety first! Do not be afraid to ask for photographer's portfolio, references of models they've worked with to contact to see if the photog is on the up-and-up, have a phone conversation with before meeting, ask permission to bring a trusted friend, etc. etc. The internet is a big wide scary place, especially when you are putting yourself (and your female body) out there as a product or art form. If you get a bad feeling about someone or are uncomfortable in any situation, follow your instinct and stay safe!

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

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. With this 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. 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 or you allow to be in your friends list. On MM you can also search through 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 as a portfolio, 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!"

[Honey VoODoO:.:^v^:.:]

This is the most valuable forum yet! I've played with the idea for years to start modeling but was always scared off many times by the thought of were to start. Thanks to this, my journey to the unknown is a lot lets intimidating!!! Thanks you lots

Never Again (Raquelle Vega) said:

I am going to copy and paste a response I made to someone else with a similar question. I hope you find it helpful!

Also please remember, that WHENEVER you are working with strangers, on the internet or wherever, safety first! Do not be afraid to ask for photographer's portfolio, references of models they've worked with to contact to see if the photog is on the up-and-up, have a phone conversation with before meeting, ask permission to bring a trusted friend, etc. etc. The internet is a big wide scary place, especially when you are putting yourself (and your female body) out there as a product or art form. If you get a bad feeling about someone or are uncomfortable in any situation, follow your instinct and stay safe!

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

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. With this 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. 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 or you allow to be in your friends list. On MM you can also search through 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 as a portfolio, 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!"