Models...

James Rothwell

James Rothwell

Suspended / Banned
Messages
165
Name
James Rothwell
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi there,

I need to practise taking portaits.

How do I find someone willing to spend the time modelling for my camera without having to pay them? There must be people out there who will just do it for nothing if they can have the photos of themselves?

I really want to get into portraits but can't find anyone to take photos of, all my friends who are up for it live miles away.

Is there a website where they advertise?
 
Have a look on Purestorm.com and modelmayhem.com - both are forums for models and togs where you will find people wanting to work for trade of pics etc
 
Ah brilliant thanks!
 
or onemodelplace.com or Allmodelzone.com same as model mayhem, you offer tfp/cd and you should get some models who want to update their portfolio :thumbs:
 
Haha very funny!

I hopefully will get some offers. How does it work? Do I go to them? Do they come to mine? Do we go to some random place and do the photos? Can I expect them to pay for studio time?

Portraits and studio shoots are all new to me.
 
If you live near a uni it may be worth putting a poster up there as many students would jump at the chance to stand in front of the camera and not have to pay a professional for some good quality shots.
 
James Rothwell said:
Haha very funny!

I hopefully will get some offers. How does it work? Do I go to them? Do they come to mine? Do we go to some random place and do the photos? Can I expect them to pay for studio time?

Portraits and studio shoots are all new to me.
Click to expand...

As a general rule neither should be too much out of pocket, if you haven't got a studio I would suggest a park or somewhere scenic, models tend to expect travel expenses too so ask for local girls if you dont want to pay. To be frank, tfp/cd are ten a penny on model sites, if you wont pay travel someone else will. I have seen ads on gumtree for models so you could try there to get some local girls. Models wouldn't pay for a studio rent I shouldn't think. Though it is some years since I have been that side of a camera so things might have changed, good luck :thumbs:

ETA if you register with the sites above you will be able to contact any models you are interested in and it will list where they are in the country so you can look at local girls only if you wish, on AMZ there is definitely a message board where you can put an advert not sure about the others while since I used them :thumbs:
 
The main thing is to come up with some interesting ideas that will be god for their portfolio. That way they are more likely to travel and not want paying etc. You need to remember there are loads of photographers after models - if you want a free model, especially a god one, you need to make sure there is something in it for them aswell as you.
 
AndyB said:
The main thing is to come up with some interesting ideas that will be god for their portfolio. That way they are more likely to travel and not want paying etc. You need to remember there are loads of photographers after models - if you want a free model, especially a god one, you need to make sure there is something in it for them aswell as you.
Click to expand...

Or even just an Angel :D
 
I might suggest that you try to get another photographer to join you as well - maybe a pair of models and of photographers. That way you get someone to help with lights/reflectors, the models get two different styles of shot.
 
Unless you have a good portfolio and can demonstrate reasonable ability and maybe a few intereresting ideas, don't expect to be drowning in free offers from any of those webs sites.

You might find in the end, paying to work with a professional or experienced model will actually be a better bet. They can do their 'stuff' without you worrying about directing them so you can concentrate on what you are doing behind the camera. Many are experienced with working with noobs (I know this from experience. ;) ) and can make your life much easier and are worth the pay if you get the right one.

You also don't have to worry about producing great photos for their portfolio because they have already been paid. Less pressure on you. If you shoot rubbish you can hide it and you don't have a model invoicing you because your time for cd/prints went horribly wrong. :eek: (I am not talking from experience. ;) )

Lastly, if you do a good job, you get some nice pictures for your portfolio, a good reference and both these will help make it more likely that people will work with you TFP/CD next time. :thumbs:
 
Get in touch with your local performing arts school or college. They're always looking out for people to take photographs for portfolios and the like :)
 
James Rothwell said:
Hi there,

I need to practise taking portaits.

How do I find someone willing to spend the time modelling for my camera without having to pay them? There must be people out there who will just do it for nothing if they can have the photos of themselves?

I really want to get into portraits but can't find anyone to take photos of, all my friends who are up for it live miles away.

Is there a website where they advertise?
Click to expand...
how about your mum, your dad, your kid brother, next door neibour, work colleages? People are people. Getting the best out of a real person (who realistically will be who you get paid sittings with) is different to working with a model. Different in terms of posing, different in terms of chalenges
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top