I haven't had any offer of work via this site for a while (I'll only do paid shoots now that I've already built up my portfolio and have gotten experience)

I'm annoyed because I've been told that as a newbie the only work I will get offered is nude and basically stripping in anyway and I don't think this is right as I don't believe a model should be forced into such an area at their first modelling experiences, most models do this as a last resort if they are getting older and the like if they are not willing to do it first hand, if they are, that's fine, but what about people like me who want to keep the mystery a bit?
Why does everything have to be nude nude nude?
I am a very creative and talented model, I have some good ideas which involve CLOTHES and all any togs want me to do is strip... there are plenty of areas I'm interested in doing which includes, lingerie and swimwear, implied nude tastefully done, is this not good enough? Do I have to be showing off everything.

I think that you can still be/look sexy without showing it all off...

I have also been told I should NOT do anything that I am not comfortable with an don't have to when there are tons of areas in modelling I'd be perfectly qualified for

Don't give up yet, not all photgraphers are interested solely in the undressed form! However I'd personally recommend you don't stop doing TF, no matter how experienced you might become in time. There are several advantages to keeping your options open and doing a TF shoot IF you consider it will benefit your portfolio, among them being the possibility of doing further shoots with the same photographer on a paid basis, and/or further shoots arranged as a result of recommendation. For example, I'll arrange a TF shoot with a model, and if she's really good and proves herself 100%reliable, subsequently arrange a group shoot for payment. That invariably leads to requests for 1:1 shoots, studio shoots, etc. from individual group participants. When a model turns down a TF shoot with me, she is denying the possibility that such a shoot would conceivably result in more paid work. That's my perspective anyway, and unfortunately my choice is that, usually, if a model's portfolio indicates shoots on a paid basis only, I move on. So I'd recommend, for the time being, you still consider doing TFP. You're not working for nothing. The idea is, you get something worthwhile out of it too.  

Quoting post from ianmacfadyen
Don't give up yet, not all photgraphers are interested solely in the undressed form! However I'd personally recommend you don't stop doing TF, no matter how experienced you might become in time. There are several advantages to keeping your options open and doing a TF shoot IF you consider it will benefit your portfolio, among them being the possibility of doing further shoots with the same photographer on a paid basis, and/or further shoots arranged as a result of recommendation. For example, I'll arrange a TF shoot with a model, and if she's really good and proves herself 100%reliable, subsequently arrange a group shoot for payment. That invariably leads to requests for 1:1 shoots, studio shoots, etc. from individual group participants. When a model turns down a TF shoot with me, she is denying the possibility that such a shoot would conceivably result in more paid work. That's my perspective anyway, and unfortunately my choice is that, usually, if a model's portfolio indicates shoots on a paid basis only, I move on. So I'd recommend, for the time being, you still consider doing TFP. You're not working for nothing. The idea is, you get something worthwhile out of it too.  

.
This makes perfect sense. I hope it gets widely read.

www.cerity.eu

I have a photographer now that I trust for doing my TFP shoots, is it ok if I use the same photographer or should I take up other photographer's offers also? It's just that it's easier because he will come to me... I don't really have the money to travel right now and therefore would need to be compensated if I was to travel to them

Quoting post from LadyRoseWolf
I have a photographer now that I trust for doing my TFP shoots, is it ok if I use the same photographer or should I take up other photographer's offers also? It's just that it's easier because he will come to me... I don't really have the money to travel right now and therefore would need to be compensated if I was to travel to them

The more photographers you use to build up your portfolio, the more varied  it will be with different ideas and styles.
If you do tf* or even pay professional photographers for portfolio images, it will help you to build up a rapport with them and they are more likely to offer you appropriate advice as they know the business and current trends.
The more professionals you know - the more chance of paid jobs and tear sheets for your portfolio. The more tear sheets, the better.
Modeling for amateurs may be quite profitable - but more often than not, they can find a plethora of models that are only willing to do portraits or basic levels free of charge.
Get a professional looking portfolio together and then knock on the doors of studios around Ardwick / Ancoats area of Manchester ( - if there are any left )! If you are serious about modeling, then you may well need to invest into your future.
If you believe you have a distinctive look, try and sign up with an agency which deals with TV as you may get work as an 'Extra' in the background in TV and films.
Try the main model agencies in Manchester which deal with extras and characters - PHA, MMA.
There are several areas of modeling which does not depend on height ( or there used to be! ) such as eyes, hair, hands, ankles and feet.

I recomend the op does lots and lots tf.

I find it interesting that you say you are a creative and talented model with lots of ideas.

Hate to point out, if you are only doing paid work, then your ideas don't matter. You shoot what the person paying is asking. Similarly don't expect images from paid shoots as a matter of course. If I was to shoot with you and pay you, I would gladly let you have images that you might want at a price.


I presume that as you are only doing paid work, you would be more than happy to pay to have your creative ideas turned into images. If so, as a creative person myself, I would happily offer you a rate



Rob M


Remember: - If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing

I think you need to work out who your employer is and what they want.

If I employ (pay) a model, then as a pro photographer I need get paid by my employer - advertising agency, designer, etc.
Invariably they don't want glamour (='sexy' & 'mystery') but someone with the right look to advertise their product etc.
Money has to come from somewhere & it is a very competitive world with so many super-models out there the agencies can demand perfection.

Now I am semi-retired & no longer a model agent I don't need to shoot another model, but I do employ models for artists & if they want any TFP whilst with me I'll gladly oblige, but with no employing client (except the model) I would not pay the model for photos, however experienced or professional they are.

Amateur togs do expect nude I guess, but then they are paying & "who pays the piper, calls the tune" - simple.

Quoting post from LadyRoseWolf
I haven't had any offer of work via this site for a while (I'll only do paid shoots now that I've already built up my portfolio and have gotten experience)

I'm annoyed because I've been told that as a newbie the only work I will get offered is nude and basically stripping in anyway and I don't think this is right as I don't believe a model should be forced into such an area at their first modelling experiences, most models do this as a last resort if they are getting older and the like if they are not willing to do it first hand, if they are, that's fine, but what about people like me who want to keep the mystery a bit?
Why does everything have to be nude nude nude?
I am a very creative and talented model, I have some good ideas which involve CLOTHES and all any togs want me to do is strip... there are plenty of areas I'm interested in doing which includes, lingerie and swimwear, implied nude tastefully done, is this not good enough? Do I have to be showing off everything.

I think that you can still be/look sexy without showing it all off...

I have also been told I should NOT do anything that I am not comfortable with an don't have to when there are tons of areas in modelling I'd be perfectly qualified for

I'm thinking that you're walking on thin ice.
Especially the part about "most models do this as a last resort if they are getting older"
Just exactly do you think age has to do with it?

Now for that facts...............
Sex sells

Always has,,,,,Always will.

Welcome to the real world!

OK, so having looked at your portfolio I feel that to help you in this thread I need to say the following

1) Very limited range of images. None show full length

2) You only show images from one photographer. I presume this is your favoured one for TF shoots that you refer to. I personally wouldn't consider you without knowing you are capable of working comfortably with any photographer.

3) Your port states you have no experience and that you follow instruction well to learn. If you want to be paid for shoots, then don't expect to learn on the job whilst earning. If I was paying you, I expect you to perform to what I would have told you I wanted without having to teach you how to pose etc.

4) You say you can do your own makeup. Is that just generally for a Friday night out or do you understand the difference with performance makeup. If you do understand the difference then make that clear in your port.

5) You need to work on facial expressions. Again, treat it as a performance, and if being paid you would be expected to offer different expressions on request.

Ultimately, would I shoot you, yes if you had more experience, were local to me, could offer a better range of images and could work without guidance, as I feel you have an interesting look that I could use in lifestyle images.

Rob M


Remember: - If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing

I can do all sorts of makeup and I can learn quickly with experience and I would model for TFP, I never said I wouldn't, I just said I'd like to do paid shoots preferably but maybe you're right, I should work with different togs though to gain experience so if anybody is interested in doing TFP with me I will happily oblige ok?

Quoting post from LadyRoseWolf
I can do all sorts of makeup and I can learn quickly with experience and I would model for TFP, I never said I wouldn't, I just said I'd like to do paid shoots preferably but maybe you're right, I should work with different togs though to gain experience so if anybody is interested in doing TFP with me I will happily oblige ok?

{quote}
I haven't had any offer of work via this site for a while (I'll only do paid shoots now that I've already built up my portfolio and have gotten experience)
{unquote}

Just goes to show how models and photographers are divided by a common language - English !


www.cerity.eu

I have to agree with Rob.
as helmut newton said to (i think) cindy crawford when she complianed that he never took pictures of her that she liked.
my dear, I'm paying you so I can take pictures that I want, if you want me to take pictures that you want, then you pay me!
Fred

Quoting post from cerityimages

{quote}
I haven't had any offer of work via this site for a while (I'll only do paid shoots now that I've already built up my portfolio and have gotten experience)
{unquote}

Just goes to show how models and photographers are divided by a common language - English !


www.cerity.eu

Indeed I may have said that before, Mr smarty hosen, but, since reading advice from other photographers on this very thread, I have reconsidered my decision and realise that they are correct, I should get in some more TF work to gain MORE experience before I should expect to be paid, agreed?

But I see no place where it says "edit post" anywhere to change that I will only do paid shoots, I'll have to post a new casting or forum post

I'm new to this website photographer – model thing, but having read this thread and done a bit of looking around:-

A critique not acriticism PLEASE! take this in the manner in which I intend. And not construe my words to the negative.
You say that you are new to the industry but you joined in 2009 perhaps that line should be revised.
As I said I'm new here.
I've looked at your portfolio and you post only a few images, how often do you update these?
All images present you in the same style and genre without too much variation in mood, presentation etc.
You state that your areas of interest are, fashion, lingerie, advertising, runway, catalogue, body parts, fitness, editorial, art nude and swimwear.
Where's the evidence? None of the images you showcase, as good as they are, really represent those areas.
Your port should be a showcase of your abilities in your nominated areas and not just images of you that you like, its for advertising your abilities, not your personal facebook type album.
What if someone considers you to hold a product for advertising (see two of the above) only to find your fingernails are chewed down to the quick?
Not saying you do, but where is the evidence, or even a representation of what parts you allude to?
If you cannot update your portfolio and images on a regular basis due to lack of material then you NEED to consider TF*, with a focus on demonstrating your abilities and then be able to generate income. If you are generating income perhaps consider investing in a site upgrade to showcase more images of your abilities.
You can't post some samey images and expect photographers to fall over themselves to chuck money at you.
I personally have been looking for a model to do a shoot on a flamenco dance theme but I'm looking for a slim lady with good thighs. Have a look for me, with a photographers head on and you'll see difficult it is.
Meant in the best possible way
Fred X