Paying for models?

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Ok, well I really want to get into location shooting but am finding it very difficult to get TFP models and I have hardly any experience shooting on location so the good TFP ones seem to avoid me. Had a couple of cancellations too, only to see one of my proposed ideas appear on the models port via another, more experienced photographer!
So, my question is this, who has paid for models and do you really get what you pay for? Is it worth the big outlay? I'm guessing so so just really want some others opinions who have been in a similar position. I think my biggest concern is screwing it up and not making the most of what I'm paying for! Spare cash isn't that readily available!
 
why not use friends or friends of friends until you get the feel for it, usually free, or offer a few prints to the model

Les :thumbs:
 
thats great advice from Les. Its what i do with any new ideas, then IF i feel i have to pay for a model for there experiance then i would do it.

i feel your pain with TF models, when you find some good ones, look after them!
 
Thanks for the replies. Believe me I have tried friends and friends of friends but nothing, nada, zip, zilch. I see loads of photographers shooting their friends but none of mine are keen at all. So frustrating.
 
Yes they are worth paying for is the short and sweet of it.

I test agency models regularly and was lucky to enter without paying models for portfolio tests, it's who you know, and if you don't know anyone, pay for a good model.

I worked for a commercial photographer who once paid £1500 for a single portfolio shot. Studio, plus team, plus 2 models etc.
 
Thanks Danny. Just had a look at your site. Some really great stuff there. I can only dream of being as good.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Thanks Danny. Just had a look at your site. Some really great stuff there. I can only dream of being as good.
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No problem I'm always happy to help.

And thanks for the kind words, I try :)
 
Whereabouts are you from?
 
I think its probably worth paying them anyway. You loose the flakiness associated with a lot of TFP models, and you'll also get someone who'll help you a lot with poses/ertc
 
Yeah I have tried Model Mayhem etc and actively search on there daily. That's where I have had a few cancellations from but I have also made contact with a couple of paid models who are VERY good ranging from £20 p/h to £40 p/h. As I said initially, I am worried enough about doing the shots so not sure I need the added pressure of paying straight away, so would like to have gotten a couple of TFP under my belt for confidence.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Yeah I have tried Model Mayhem etc and actively search on there daily. That's where I have had a few cancellations from but I have also made contact with a couple of paid models who are VERY good ranging from £20 p/h to £40 p/h. As I said initially, I am worried enough about doing the shots so not sure I need the added pressure of paying straight away, so would like to have gotten a couple of TFP under my belt for confidence.
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Think of it the other way round fella, if you're paying for their time, there is no pressure to produce amazing shots, you don't need to give anybody any. It's just for you.

If you tf, you trade services, so if they give you their time, you need to give them shots they can use in their portfolio, so it needs to be as good or better than their current portfolio.

Take the pressure off, speak to a few models and see which ones react most positively and confidently, tell them the situation, that you may need help with posing and a little more patience.

You'll be fine :)
 
Thanks. I see your point about not having to give them the photos. Might have to look into it a bit more. I know what I want to achieve, I guess I just need to do!
 
I always pay something and usually throw in an image or 2, by showing some money even if only expenses it usually gets you realiability, dont think they have to cost the earth either, i've paid from £8-15ph for casual shoots and will occasionally pay more if their is a specific look i am after.

Also, i always use casting calls on MM instead of appraching models directly, you then get people that are prepared to work to your concept at the price you set :)
 
Just pay a good model. She or he will help you out with ideas and will also pose themselves. It is SO worth it.
 
Thanks Paul and Dean. I have tried casting calls but had little/no response or response from people who don;t really offer what I am looking for (too fussy at this stage perhaps?).
I have sent a few mails out to the ones who I am prepared to pay so am waiting for responses now. Hopefully will post something half decent for C&C one I have taken them. :)
 
Thanks Les. I do have an account on there already.
 
why not have a look at either potraits or N&G on here (depending on your requirements) then see if you can contact the models who you like the look of (in a proffesional sense of course)n via either PS or MM or direct if they are well enough kown to have sites
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Thanks for the replies. Believe me I have tried friends and friends of friends but nothing, nada, zip, zilch. I see loads of photographers shooting their friends but none of mine are keen at all. So frustrating.
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get better looking friends :lol:

approach a different sort of model
 
I think I've come to the conclusion that I'm gonna have to get my hand in my pocket. There's only one way to improve and that's to practise! However, I don't have a lot of spare cash at the moment so I may end up offloading some of my gear for the time being, as having it sitting there is really annoying me now.
 
Models DO NOT have to cost the earth, forego a few pints and a takeaway one week and you'll probably have enough in your pocket to hire a model for a couple of hours ;)
 
Thanks. I don't drink though and rarely have take away so something else would have to give. Will have to think about where I wanna go with this I think.
 
course if you've got cojones the size of melons (metaphorically I hasten to add) you could also try randomly approaching pretty girls in the street. You'll get told to **** off a fair bit but some guys i know have found the occasional model that way - I've never had the balls to try myself
 
Ha, no I don't think that's happening, although I am tempted to try one of the 'stranger' projects that some folk do and ask strangers if I can take their photo on the street. Might give a try and see how that goes. Right now I am so close to throwing the towel in (again) but we shall see.
 
Book a pro model - offer £30 - £50 for a couple of hours and then go halves with another photographer buddy. Once you've had a few shoots and grown in confidence and your portfolio expands you'll find that models are more willing to work with you TTP. But don't be under any illusion - photographers of ALL abilities are paying models because when you pay them they are more likely to turn up.

ETA - its also worth noting that amateur models are very often not models at all. Just girls who like to put "I'm a model" on their Facebook pages. So they are still hard work, still require loads of direction and incredibly unreliable.

One other thing - put your own casting calls up. Don't just respond to the models' casting calls. Put up your casting call, make it clear you're paying and then put in the text that you are looking for reliable, experienced models. Make THEM desperate to work with YOU. Not vice versa
 
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Thanks Ryan. Good detailed reply given my lots of things to think about. I've been looking at models a lot more expensive that that though! Maybe I should lower my standards!! Also looked at booking a couple of studios (not plain white/black ones) as the weather is pretty unreliable at the moment. Problem is, as this is just a hobby for me, I'm finding it hard to justify spending so much at the moment.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Thanks Ryan. Good detailed reply given my lots of things to think about. I've been looking at models a lot more expensive that that though! Maybe I should lower my standards!! Also looked at booking a couple of studios (not plain white/black ones) as the weather is pretty unreliable at the moment. Problem is, as this is just a hobby for me, I'm finding it hard to justify spending so much at the moment.
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Don't run before you walk. Just do as Ryan suggests and get into the swing of things with no pressure. Damn, even if you shoot on your own home you'll be getting some experience.
 
I know what you mean about it being a hobby. Golf was my hobby for many years and every now and then I'd blow some money on a new club or a game at a top course. Booking a decent model is the same - it will enable you to enjoy your hobby more. If you're anywhere near me you can always come and get involved with one of my shoots....
 
The23rdman said:
Don't run before you walk. Just do as Ryan suggests and get into the swing of things with no pressure. Damn, even if you shoot on your own home you'll be getting some experience.
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As long as he doesn't mind heights :D
 
Thanks Ryan. Your offered that before when I asked you about the EZybox, your just a little too far unfortunately. :-(

I know what you mean 23rd man. But as it is I'm not getting any experience at all at the moment so maybe paying for a great location and a decent model, I can't blame anything else but myself. I have a lot f the theory down just need to put it into practise.
 
gazmorton2000 said:
Thanks Ryan. Your offered that before when I asked you about the EZybox, your just a little too far unfortunately. :-(

I know what you mean 23rd man. But as it is I'm not getting any experience at all at the moment so maybe paying for a great location and a decent model, I can't blame anything else but myself. I have a lot f the theory down just need to put it into practise.
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What I mean is don't worry about great locations. Just pay a model to learn how to interact and gain confidence.
 
Yeah, no need to pay for a great location. I remember well watching ANTM where they brilliantly used a landfill site for a shoot :D
 
I am in a similar position really to the OP.
I am looking to practice with couples and models on location to try and start building a portfolio of my own. I'm not after nude or glamour models, just regular people to practice on, with a view to offering location shots in the future.
In fact I've just responded to a thread on the forum by Ryan to book myself onto one of his courses.The way I see it, it will give me some good experience, and I might even end up with some shots for my portfolio. As the cost of Ryan's course is so low, it's about the same as hiring a single model for 1 hour, so works out good sense financially too!
 
ryanyboy said:
..put your own casting calls up. Don't just respond to the models' casting calls. Put up your casting call, make it clear you're paying and then put in the text that you are looking for reliable, experienced models. Make THEM desperate to work with YOU.
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Thanks for the decent advice :} I've had troubles in the past with unreliable/unexperienced models myself but have never attempted a casting call before.
 
Thanks for the advices folks. I have finally gotten round to booking a model and studio. Not cheap but I have to get started somehow I guess!
 
Just to drag up an old post but having joined mm I've been messaged a few times from models offering their services paid work only. Is this the norm on there?
 
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