"I want to be a model"

"I want to be a model" - every photographer at some point hears this, and many of us get that sinking feeling - because for everyone who makes it there are many more who simply do not.

The interesting thing is it often is not about their looks or their style but about their early attitude.

Also it is important to stress that, as many potential models join up with one of the internet "self promote" modeling sites there are many photograhers out their who will exploit the desire to model - be it by charging horrendous shoot fee's for worthless advice and images or those looking for adult shoot models [often not to open about that intent til the model arrives]

Add to this the GWC "guys with cameras" whose sole aims is to shoot girls with no clothes on and you have lots of potential pitfalls.

I have had new models after an ill advised shoot come to me literally crying due to the experience they have had or the money they have lost or both.

So often they don't tell parents, boyfriends that they have even taken part in a shoot and then panic about the images "getting out"

So with all this to worry about what is the most common early cause for failure?

In a word then "attitude".

Firstly you get the "God's Gift" model who honestly believes they are doing the photographer a favour.

Then you get new models demanding money before they have even done a shoot, but also expecting the pictures too for free.

Then you get those who just cannot make arrangements. They expect to get a T/F [time for] shoot and also set both the shoot agenda and the day it is shot.

It does not work like that - why would any photographer choose to pay an inexperienced model, shoot at a time demanded by the model, to a shoot agenda set by the model?

Answer they would'nt - any photographer worth his salt has lots of models to call on or agents to employ which will warrent the standard and realibilty of the model.

No those new to the industry NEED photographers - forget that at your peril.

As someone who works mainly with actors and performers I have no axe to grind here.

Yes I will happilly work with models if the brief either demands or they meet the professional attitude standards I demand. But I won't have my time wasted.

An actor by their nature tends to be reliable - their job dictates it - new models sadly sometimes can't even get to a location on time. The very large number of starting out "no show" models around would surprise non photographers.

Actually most worthwhile and upto now helpful photographers to newbies have decided not to offer T/F anymore - because it just results in no shows and problems.

If I went to a self promote modeling site and cast for say 10 new no experience models probably 6 would be no shows!! [ or not follow up arrangements]. Thats if 10 even applied!!

I have worked a lot with males thse past three years, an area most photographers will not go with new models. However using self promote modeling sites for me is now quite rare - as frankly many photographers on there "target" new models for the porn industry - an area I do not work in, neither do I want images of the next internet porn star within my work.

It happens - since I began the Wil.D project series I know of 3 males who have become active in the stills/video porn internet business, but have also shot with me prior to that. Females are harder to judge as many can and quite reasonably work on "top shelf" publications without it actually being pornagraphic.

Page 3 of The Sun for example is not porn is it?

Another potential failing to a new model is not being wise to the industry if it is the industry they intend to try to break into. Some might say "I would NEVER do nudity" but forget how much advertising includes it. Not blatent, but take a look at any magazine advertising.

Rapid changing for catwalk work, location shooting with changing room, shooting out of season [February for a summer shoot in the UK] - models need to be prepared for anything.

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Important information for those new to modeling [link]