Why do photographers do this?

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

I've noticed here on PL that a lot of photographers post in the Casting Call section when they are booking shoots, but they are not casting calls at all but trolling for girls to pay them to shoot. I always thought a casting call was looking for a girl to shoot and either she would be paid or compensated in some other way, not the other way around.
Shouldn't there be another forum for this? That way, when a photographer, or business has a real casting call it won't get lost in the enormous amount of posts from photographers wanting to drum up business. (Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with looking for paid work, it just seems like the wrong forum for it)

[Robert Hatch Photography]

So unbelievably well put!!!! Thank you for that!

Bad Bettie Designs said:

It's not necessarily the photographers that do this it is the way the forum is set up. We don't have another forum to post in. If we did this would not happen. But if we did have some other forum to places such posts I agree with Rottencandy that it should be a mandatory group so that we will be sure to get as much exposure for our special shoots as well. I try to post in my title whether it is TFP, a paid gig or whether I am peddling my services. It's a catch 22 for sure but don't get on us photogs we are only doing what we are allowed to do. I believe this would be an issue for the madams to resolve yes? And to all of you lovely ladies and sweet men who love their girlfriends and check for them. Any shoot under $500 is worth it, it is generally broken up into 2 to 3 payments prior to your shoot as to not break the bank but as Rotten stated, we come out of pocket for our time not only shooting, but editing, your props, Hair and makeup (whether or not we do it ourselves, it's time and work). I try to do full days with multiple girls to cut the costs, make sure you all have a good experience but not completely lose out and do it for nothing, props cost money, MUAH's cost money, equipment, snacks and drinks (if they provide like I do) gas to get to and from if it is location costs money. But we love what we do and that's why we do it so $300 IS a STEAL! When broken down we make about $5.00 an hour... try thinking about it that way...
Love you ladies or else I wouldn't do this and I agree that there is an issue here but we don't have control here so please don't put the blame on us!

[Robert Hatch Photography]

Hey Edson how about putting a shout out for people to send in what they think the button or link should say for this specific issue?

Edson {PL Team} said:

A lightbulb just went off. What if paid to the photographer photo sessions were considered "Events" and get posted in our events section, leaving "Casting Calls" for TFP and paid to the model opportunities.

Having photo sessions in the events area will also give photographers the ability to message all attendees and collect an RSVP list.

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

That is a brilliant idea, Edson!

Edson {PL Team} said:

A lightbulb just went off. What if paid to the photographer photo sessions were considered "Events" and get posted in our events section, leaving "Casting Calls" for TFP and paid to the model opportunities.

Having photo sessions in the events area will also give photographers the ability to message all attendees and collect an RSVP list.

[Miss Hazzard]

I think this is the best idea. Although I do not know how difficult it would be to implement. A casting call and an open booking are two totally separate things. We all know what each one of those means. Without a forum for both however, there is no where else to list the open bookings but in the casting forum. Both are important to the industry and needed, but should be separated to avoid confusion and frustration.
P.S. I love this site!
P.P.S. Hi Mary, thanks for starting this great discussion!

Travis Haight Photography said:

I like what people are saying about keeping it simple and all in one place yet making it be more clear what the post is. Maybe just have the one spot to post, but maybe have the first part of the form to post a listing include 3 radio buttons and one option must be selected: Paid Gig, TF, or Advertising Photo Services (or something like that). Then maybe take it a step further and let people have some option in browsing the casting calls so they can either check out all types, or whatever specific type they might be looking for by clicking a search option.

Just an idea (sorry if it has already been suggested, I have read most of the previous posts, but not all)

[Jason Allen]

THIS!

Edson {PL Team} said:

A lightbulb just went off. What if paid to the photographer photo sessions were considered "Events" and get posted in our events section, leaving "Casting Calls" for TFP and paid to the model opportunities.

Having photo sessions in the events area will also give photographers the ability to message all attendees and collect an RSVP list.

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

I think this is a good idea Edson. Is there any way to set up the events section like the casting calls where it gets tweeted/facebooked when a new one goes up? Not only will this spread the word more for the photogs, but it'll get the other events out there as well.



Edson {PL Team} said:

A lightbulb just went off. What if paid to the photographer photo sessions were considered "Events" and get posted in our events section, leaving "Casting Calls" for TFP and paid to the model opportunities.

Having photo sessions in the events area will also give photographers the ability to message all attendees and collect an RSVP list.

[KAT-NIP PHOTOGRAPHY]

I agree casting calls in the movie industry mean come in and read for us. Casting calls in hair salons mean come in so we can look at your hair to use as a model for one of our stylist to cut, color style for the specific project they are learning right now. Maybe just devide the section into parts like calling all modelsphotography specials


let' make this simple!

I don't think you have to re arrange the whole thing but if you would make a subsections it would help. so instead of saying models/others
we say
Models Paid Work
Models TFP
Photography Specials
we can keep it in casting calls just word changes at the beginning kills that confusion.

[Desirée {PL Team}]

I like that, Shannon! Simple to use, simple to understand. Seems easy to me... feedback from any other users?

[Delyssia LaBelle {Madam}]

great suggestion. im sure the team is listening and will come up with a solution.

[Dulce Diabla {★}]

I second what Miss Mary Said-
That Edsons idea is bloody brilliant!!


Vintage Suits by Mary said:

That is a brilliant idea, Edson!

Edson {PL Team} said:

A lightbulb just went off. What if paid to the photographer photo sessions were considered "Events" and get posted in our events section, leaving "Casting Calls" for TFP and paid to the model opportunities.

Having photo sessions in the events area will also give photographers the ability to message all attendees and collect an RSVP list.

[Shirley Rowe{★}]

I am a photog and I have posted on casting when I was looking for a model for a new idea I wanted to try or for portfolio shots with a new set. I offer to pay or TFP. That is what I assumed the Casting Call forum was for. I have wondered why photogs were allowed free advertising in the castings forum. I'm not sure that we should have a section for promoting specials that would be free. Wouldn't that interfere with PL getting more people to pay for a listing in the professional services? When I have a special, I advertise it on my facebook fan page and twitter. That markets people who are more local to me and more likely to respond to the ad.