How do you go about hiring models?

[skeletron]

Since I don't have the guts to do real street photography, I think I'd like to try shooting models this year. I'm mostly interested in any interesting character I can find in any interesting setting I have access to. I'm not ruling out professional models, but I certainly don't want to limit myself to that. I'm especially inspired by Sarah Small's work, but I have no idea where to start.

I figure Craigslist and/or the art department's bulletin board at the local University would be a good place to find some willing accomplices to help me experiment. But how much do you pay some random schmoe you hire off the internet? $10, $25, $50 or more? What kind of pitfalls should I look out for? For example, no way in hell would I hire anyone under 18 without an adult present (or any woman without accompaniment, for that matter). What else should I look out for?

As for model releases, there's enough info on the internet that I think I have that covered.

Anyone here do this? Do you have any pearls of wisdom you wish to grant?

Thanks.

 

[FallisPhoto]

You pretty much ask people until someone agrees to do it. Most of my models (nude) got paid between $50 and hour and $100 an hour. Clothed models (amateurs) get much less. The college Art Department isn't the only place to ask locally, by any means. Don't overlook theaters, dance studios and local gyms. Then there are your friends and acquaintences. Dancers at strip clubs very often do this kind of work too. Ultimately, you ask pretty much anyone who has the look you want though.

 

[rogue_designer]

When asking people you don't know it's nice if you have a website (even a flickr stream) that you can point people to. Leave a card, explaining you are a photographer, you like their look for a project you are thinking of, and your website and contact information and leave it at that. They'll contact you if they are interested.

 

[bmattock]

Model Mayhem.

EDIT: But trust me, if you can't do street photography, you'll be completely unable to photograph a model. He or she will expect YOU to tell them what to do. It takes a degree of self-confidence, just like street shooting.

 

[John Lawrence]

There's also www.purestorm.com which I think is free to join, although it doesn't list as many American models as sites such as Model Mayhem or Onemodelplace.com.

 

[John Lawrence]

One thing worth bearing in mind is can the model do her own make-up to a high or professional standard? If not, you may wish to consider hiring a make-up artist. Good make-up makes a tremendous difference to the finished pictures.

 

[Tuolumne]

One thing worth bearing in mind is can the model do her own make-up to a high or professional standard? If not, you may wish to consider hiring a make-up artist. Good make-up makes a tremendous difference to the finished pictures.

Aren't all women naturally beautiful?

/T

 

[Gumby]

It takes a degree of self-confidence, just like street shooting.

More... much more is needed than shooting street. For street all you need to know is how to click and run; for shooting models you need to direct as well a photograph. To direct you need to know the characteristics of a good picture and convert that to a wide range of photographic controls - the most difficult of which is clear instructions to the model. It doesn't work to just say, "slip that blouse off of your shoulder, face this direction, and look gorgeous."

My suggesting is to start with a close friend who will work for free and might be more tolerant of fiddling with equipment and possible indecisiveness.

 

[skeletron]

Most of my nervousness about street stems from the ambiguity of the subject's willingness to be photographed, whether they're concious of it or not. With a model, consent is implied, and (at least I think) I would be more comfortable with the situation. But, we'll see.

My suggesting is to start with a close friend who will work for free and might be more tolerant of fiddling with equipment and possible indecisiveness.

That's a good idea. Thanks.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Contact the drama dept. of nearby colleges or high schools, modeling agencies, dance studios, etc. There are a lot of people who will model for free in exchange for photos for their own portfolios. If you're any good you can even charge them for your photography.

Even putting up a notice on the bulletin board at your local Starbucks might get you some willing models.

 

[edhohoho]

I don't have the "guts" to do street photography either, but I got around that by practicing scale focusing. Still get some great candids this way but without putting the camera directly to your eye and drawing negative attention while photographing an unaware and often unwilling subject.

 

[migtex]

hmm if you think Street is difficult.. believe me, model picture is no less.

You need to know what you want to achieve and plan for it.
Measure the lights, the backs, the ambiance furniture, Clothes, make-up, Fan or no Fan's, music (oh yeah, it defines to mood), Lens, camera settings, and... direct the model (even get there and do the "feminine " positions yourself ) so she can get it right away.
Remember never touch the model until you ask and she say yes.. (even if it is a close friend) and very lightly IF and Only you have to do so.
Oh and overheat the place. Bare skin loses temperature very fast...´
When you turn off the lights (so they don't overheat!!) give the model some privacy a warm polar blanket and a cup of tea.

If possible try to participate in some workshops it may help you get familiar with the flow

my 2 cents

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Learn first, then try. How about family members? TFP (time for prints) deals with friends?

BTW, thanks for posting Sarah Small's website. It's refreshing and provocative, without provoking for the sake of argument.

 

[Phantomas]

Yes, thank you for the Sarah website. The images are killer, I bookmarked her.

Actually I'm planning on doing time-for-prints thing myself. I'm more of street type photographer (if I deserve to call myself that), not too much into controlled environment shots, but after recent Hassie acquisition started thinking of doing some portraits. I have a bunch of friends lined up and some of them believe it or not want to PAY me to do it just because they're "fed up with crisp digital images and want something with character". Heh. I'll never take money for photos even from a stranger, coz I'm a worthless amateur, but if they insist I might let them buy me a couple of rolls of nice film.

 

[FallisPhoto]

The other guys here have made a very good point that I very much agree with and would like to elaborate upon. If you think street photography is difficult, just you wait. Studio photography, with a model, is much more difficult, involves many entirely new skill sets, and if your model is nude and you are shy about photographing clothed strangers, you are in all probablility going to find yourself in way over your head. I would very strongly suggest that you start with a friend or acquaintence that is reasonably patient and stick to that until you have developed your skills to the point that you at least don't embarrass yourself. If you start with a professional model, well, photographers are not the only ones that have forums. You will be talked about and if you obviously don't have a clue what you are doing, or if you creep the model out, you may have difficulty finding another one, at least from that agency.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

I dont mean this to be snarky at all, but if you have to ask how or where to hire models, you have no reason to be spending money on hiring people. Seek out people to help you for free. Lots of folks like to have their picture taken.

For everyone comparing studio work and street work, its like comparing ditch digging and baseball. You do both with a piece of wood in your hand but both couldnt have less to do with each other on all fronts.

 

[trix]

Hire a model, take her out on the street and take pictures of her. You are learnin both, to direct a model and to shoot on the street.

 

[trix]

It is not that complicated..just do it !

Yes, you can !!

🙂

 

[trix]

 

[trix]