What's Your Take on Model Mayhem?

[Timarie]

So, I'm brand spankin' new to the modeling thing (as in, first shoot this week) and I've heard quite a bit about MM. Two things I hear is 1) the girls on there are pretty competitive and will get pretty catty and 2) if you just post pics the offers will come rolling in. My question: true? are the girls really that mean? I don't get along with girls often b/c of this very reason (can't STAND all the nastiness). AND is it really that easy? what have your experiences been? I'm pretty intimidated about the whole experience, but I want it so bad! This site seems so genuine and all the people seem so nice and supportive, but there isn't a very good representation of FL (hopefully that will continue to change!) so getting and MM account seems like it will up my chances of breaking in to the field.
ONE MORE THING:
I know this discussion is all over the forum, but IM SO NERVOUS! any tips? specifically on how to chill out in those few nerve-wracking moments before the camera starts clicking?

[Violet Ecstasy]

I've been on there since about May, and I've had a few shoots from there. Bearing in mind I'm in the UK and I think it is a predominately American site. I did find it catty because when I first joined I posted asking for Critique and one of the young American (skinny) girls started ripping my pics to shreds. Some of them were self-taken as I hadn't had many shoots but she said my lipstick made my teeth look yellow, that my makeup was too strong because I looked masculine & said I looked like dominique from ANTM. I did have a nice critique on there recently and some of my pictures were added to a list so I was really pleased :) I don't use it as often as some other UK based sites though.

[Retrodolls Pinup Photography]

For a model MM is a great source to get all kinds of stuff, there are thousands of part time photographers that are willing to shoot TFP. For me i have been on there for 3 years and i have not booked one photo shoot, plus i can not afford to do TFP. Plus the site does not allow photographers to post their paid photo services, except on their page or bulletin, all of the casting forums and boards are for people looking to TFP.

[Edson Carlos]

MM, Give models a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.
PL, Give photographers a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.

(Referring to the photographers showcase for the calendar...)

[Edson Carlos]

hahaha, obviously you haven't read the calendar thread ;P I highly suggest models have an MM account for modeling!

[NolaChick™ {Madam}]

In hindsight, that's not really a big deal...

Daddy Cool said:

MM, Give models a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.
PL, Give photographers a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.

(Referring to the photographers showcase for the calendar...)

[Timarie]

thank you guys for all your posts!

[Pin-ups Hair Design]

JASON HOLMES PHOTOGRAPHY said:

For a model MM is a great source to get all kinds of stuff, there are thousands of part time photographers that are willing to shoot TFP. For me i have been on there for 3 years and i have not booked one photo shoot, plus i can not afford to do TFP. Plus the site does not allow photographers to post their paid photo services, except on their page or bulletin, all of the casting forums and boards are for people looking to TFP.

I agree with Jason. MM is great for models. I've been hit up countless times to work on shoots, however no one wants to pay rate. It seems top be be a wonderful place for comment collecting. ~R~

[Miss Bea Rock]

I have had several good experiences with model mayhem. I got a ton of offers...in fact, that's how I found out my account had been approved, i had emails saying i had MM messages before i even knew!!!

I haven't had any catty experiences. Other models have even listed me and stuff. I have, however, gotten one or two very bizarre offers!!

The important thing to remember is that when you arrange shoots on model mayhem, you are still BLINDLY MEETING SOMEONE OFF THE INTERNET. MAKE SURE the photographers are credible.....

GOOD SIGNS (based on my experiences) :::
**lists of models they have worked with before, or lots of positive feedback in their tags
**links to an exterior website featuring a considerable amount of other work they have done
**someone who sets guidelines for their shoots on their page, and/or ENCOURAGES ESCORTS!!!
Many photographers are very serious and even offer a "flake list" of models who bail out. I've even had photographers call me to ask about my wardrobe so they could prepare backgrounds.



ALWAYS FIND OUT what the intention of the offer is for!!!! I was offered one PAID, VERY BASIC, NON-NUDE pin up shoot that the photographer wanted to use for "a site that I sell images on". It is understood that you will only be paid for the shoot and not a portion of further income for your images, but upon looking at the site, it was some GIANT NASTY PORNO RING and he wanted to list the pinup images under a prude section, in between toe licking and other bizarre things. Personally I didn't want my name mixed in with such images at this time.

REMEMBER the images are PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER when they are done, so DON'T BE AFRAID to stand up for yourself and get specifics!!

Most of the photographers I have worked with off model mayhem have started my shoot by copying my ID, making me look though a list of photography organizations they belong to, and signing model release forms agreeing that neither one of us will use the images for anything but self-promotion (ie nothing commercial).

I could just be paranoid because I am in and out of New York City but....
IF YOU DO NOT BRING A FRIEND OR AN ESCORT, make sure someone knows the name of the photographer, the address of their model mayhem page, the phone number and address that the photographer gave you. JUST IN CASE.

It's usually glaringly obvious who is credible and who isn't, but better safe than sorry!!

Just be true to yourself and don't accept offers just to have shoots. Make sure you find photographers who fit your modeling goals and needs, otherwise you'll be wasting your time. It's fun to branch out a little too though if a photographer offers you a different type of shoot.

[Ellie Retrophilia]

Guess it doesn't matter what site you use there will be trolls in some form or another. :)

Daddy Cool said:

MM, Give models a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.
PL, Give photographers a place to showcase their work and watch them cause drama.

(Referring to the photographers showcase for the calendar...)

[Soda Shop Sue]

i dont really like MM... i have an account for my photography: AROUND THE CORNER.. but i think poeple on there are RUDE... not everyone, but it is not my kettle of fish!

xoxo Soda Shop Sue

[Wink Holliday]

The current casting calls in my area:

...The premise of this shot will be to have the [nude] model covered in jewels...
...model to be painted like the st. pauli girl...
...not specifically looking for nudity...however...i do have ideas...
...3 models to do a nude/implied shoot...
...high end "Playboy style" nude photography...
...Body Painting Finals...
...new 'suicide girl' type web site...
...adult nude video and photo production...
...extremely Hott models...
...very selective in my models and I am in need of 21+ Females... (read as: nudity)

Sigh.

[Ellie Retrophilia]

Damn! Sounds like a bunch of GWCs there. Most of the casting calls in my state are too far away or are looking for urban style models. A couple are nudity or nearly nude shoots.

Wink Holliday said:

The current casting calls in my area:

...The premise of this shot will be to have the [nude] model covered in jewels...
...model to be painted like the st. pauli girl...
...not specifically looking for nudity...however...i do have ideas...
...3 models to do a nude/implied shoot...
...high end "Playboy style" nude photography...
...Body Painting Finals...
...new 'suicide girl' type web site...
...adult nude video and photo production...
...extremely Hott models...
...very selective in my models and I am in need of 21+ Females... (read as: nudity)

Sigh.