Tip: Models, be selective about who you "work" with.

[Edson Carlos]

OK dolls, a recent post got me flowing so I'm going to elaborate...

Someone approaches you for work...

Company Name: Nice guys dont name businesses "Whoa..Ho's this is Couture Bchez!" Smart guys don't either, there are 2 clues. Is the company name demeaning/insulting?

Branding: Does the company/photographer have a legit web page? Own domain or hosted on MeatSpace?

Quality: Look at the quality of the work. Does the requester have a portfolio at all? If not, instant skip. If so, is the work worth YOUR time? Whether you are charging or not, TIME IS MONEY. EFFORT is money. Will you be proud to display those images?

Terms: Ladies beware, dont jump on free shoot opportunities just because it means free photos. A photographer going above and beyond by flying you places, driving you places, driving or flying crazy distances to to get you in front of his lens is a bit GWC and very creeper-like.

What are the photos to be used FOR? Does the use/need for the photos match up with the amount of effort put in to meet with you or talk to you or get your personal cell # / email?


Contact: I've heard way too many creepy GWC stories in my years in the automotive industry...seriously, stop giving away your private numbers and emails etc. Network on a site like PL that lets you communicate without personal information getting passed along. Messages forward to your email AND you can COMPLETELY BLOCK communication from people if you get a bad vibe.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE & BE SMART!

And if something does cross the line, SHARE IT HERE, WARN OTHERS.


If you want to skip all my jibber jabber, ask yourself: "Can this person produce a photo DC would like and feature?" !



=) (PS, If you know how to make a proper flowchart, msg me!)

[Retrodolls Pinup Photography]

awesome!

[Lola de Lish]

especially beginning models, I remember the days when I was just so excited someone wanted to shoot me and I was getting PICTURES!! yaay but they didnt always turn out great nor was everyone comfortable to work with.

Having been in the industry for many years now we live and we learn but some never get the chance to live so be selective. do your research, follow all the guidelines mentioned above, go with your GUT!

the crazy request will never cease to exist but with time you learn to recognize them faster

wishing you all the best!

[Noni Valentine]

this is verry good advice, so far I have worked with great people with the exception of one photographer he usually would charge $1000 for a shoot and has shot many celebrities, long story short he offered me tfcd because he loved my look (the shoot lasted like 5hrs ) and he took 2 months to just give me 2 images total ...he also has ignored all my emails..so know I know to have everyone state what they promise in some sort of document form!(im pissssssst)

[Tabby von Terror {★}]

very smart.
I think a lot of people need things like this.
even if we think we know what we're getting ourselves into, you never know.
I always ask if i can being someone to a shoot with me. I brought my guy last time, and the photog was peachy keen with it (he turned out to be a normal person anyway haha)

:)

[Kristy C]

I've always been leery of the "I'll fly you", "I'll drive you", "I'll pay you exuberant amounts of money" and I haven't even met the person yet. Umm, what? I've also dealt with photographers who seem to have the best intentions, then I get there and they want to do "artistic nudes" CHECK REFERENCES! As far as the "artistic nude" thing, YES some of them are legit, but those guys usually have a pretty particular and tight-knit group of models they work with.

I made up my own saying:

"If it sounds too good to be true, it's usually porn"

[Soda Shop Sue]

thanks DC

[Wink Holliday]

This made me laugh out loud, and I'm grumpy today. :)

Kristy C said:

I made up my own saying:

"If it sounds too good to be true, it's usually porn"

[Kristy C]

Wink Holliday said:

This made me laugh out loud, and I'm grumpy today. :)


Haha! I'm glad I could make you smile.

[Miss Tassi B.]

Must say very good tips!

[C/S]

Thanks Bigg Daddy C.
Great advise .... it can be real scary out there in never never land

[Jaded Idealist *SGC*]

Very good advice! I'm a business student and so a huge fan of paper trails if its not in writing I just dont completely trust it. I've come across a few hmm. . . .whats the word lol "generous" photographers (when I first decided I wanted to get photos done) who said they would give a discount or even one that said free photos but when it came down to writing it down the offers were quick to change. If they're really legit they wouldnt have a problem having things in writing protect both parties.

I fully agree with Kristy C "If it sounds too good to be true, it's usually porn" thanks for the laugh Kristy

[Kim Bombshell]

Like I said in the original post that warned girls about that specific designer....

This "sub-genre" attracts a lot of flakes and bandwagon type of people. You need to evaluate companies, especially new companies, to figure out if they are run by people dedicated to creating vintage/pin up style designs and doing it for the love the look or just trying to make a quick buck off a trend. The creeps who might be dangerous to a model are the ones trying to make a quick buck.

Get involved in the rockabilly/psychobilly scene, by going to shows and events, and you will find out what companies have good reputations, who the founder of the companies are and if they have a personal stake (aside from money) at having their company succeed. People that are involved in the scene, love the music, and want to blend their work with something they love, are the ones who can be trusted not to be creeps. This sub-genre is not a corporate environment, there are no "suits" writing checks to pay models. It is a DIY industry and therefore, getting personal references is important. The same goes for the photographers. Personal references are a must.

My friend who is a fetish model helped discover a well known fetish photographer. He had emailed her many times about working with her and she set a time and I went with her as a chaperone. He came from a commercial and artist background, and the photos he shot of her were featured in Skin Too. It helped launch his career in the fetish industry and he has now shot most big name fetish models.