“Models need more control!”
I was speaking with a model who said to me "Models need more control over what we shoot! Every tfcd shoot, the photog is asking for skin. I'm a fashion model, I don't do skin." I said to her "Simple! start paying photographers their rate, and YOU control what you shoot!"
This totally floored her and she brought up the fact that she's done a lot of local publication work and that she had more of a name locally, than most of the photographers. While I agree with her to an extent, the bottom line is she wants to control what she shoots, there's only one way to do so. Fork it over sister! I realize the thought of a model paying a photographer is outlandish in today's terms, but lets be real. The break down is a need based, for those who don't understand, allow me to break it down;
He who desires the work more, pays.
Pretty simple, right? Or not so. It really is simple, if I want a model in my book, I'm receptive to what she says. If she wants to get paid, I will pay, if she will shoot tfcd but only shoot a specific genre, then that's what we'll shoot if it's what I also want in my book. I will pay the nationally published models to shoot them, cause they have a bigger name than I and it's a simple addition game, but local models or those who want to be models, sad but I'd never pay them. Not because I feel I'm better than them, but because they don't present me with the opportunity to advance my career as I have far more published images than them.
Models want to bring your boyfriend? mother? best friend? an entire entourage? I can tell you most professional photographers will NOT allow this to happen on a tfcd shoot. Does that make the photog a "creeper"? or unprofessional? no, it makes them concerned with you making kissey faces or dozens of images of you looking off to the side to get silent approval from the person you brought. Or more often than not, you not working to your fullest for being embarrassed that they're watching. If it's your dime, you're paying? I don't care what you do! you're totally responsible for those images!
Finally? time and time again, it has been proven that once there's money involved, everyone is a bit more professional.
“Real models…”
Every day I get more and more caught up in the various social networking programs such as Facebook. On there, there are a bunch of clowns who THINK they know what makes one a model and usually I enjoy reading their comments, but for some reason, this one clown made a comment that irked me. So I'm going to blog MY opinion regarding it.
His comment was something along the lines of;
"All these girls wanting to be models. They go get their hair done, their nails done and make up. Honey, you're getting nothing more than a senior portrait done."
This was a few days ago, so I'm not entirely sure if that was the quote word for word, but he did make the senior port comment. Behind his stupid comment, there were dozens of girls saying "I agree" to which he replied "...cept you, I consider you a model" and "...you should be a model, you're hot enough!"
I could get very technical and copy and paste the meaning of the word "model" but what fun would that be? I posted the comment on my page and got some very good responses. One was from a model who said what makes a person a model is getting paid for modeling and striving to get better and better photos. I understand where she's coming from, but it's not always about the money. Any horny guy with a camera will drop 100.00+ per hour to see a hot chick naked. Doesn't make him a photographer or her a model.
Another guy said modeling is "Model: A person who can convincingly act in front of a camera. Plain and simple. "
And most likely, the most profound statement of the post was something that was short and sweet "whoever is in front of my camera?"
There were many great replies, but being a model is taking the ability to come alive. For ME, being a model is stepping outside of your every day comfort zone and pushing yourself, physically, mentally or emotionally, to get the shot that otherwise, is impossible. When a person is in front of my camera, it is MY job to make them a model. If I can't elicit the emotion, then I have failed, not them. Usually, a model-models something. Keeping the item or interest that one is modeling in mind. I.e. if it's an editorial shoot, as a model, you should tell the story. Fashion shoot, sell the product. Glamour shoot, sell your sexy.
As a professional photographer, the term model means something different to everyone. It's just funny to me that the drunk guy at the bar, who has no idea what he's talking about, is always the ones to define who or what a model is.
the nude
For most model photographers starting out, shooting nudes is their first stop. Everyone has their own reasons for shooting nudes; some for the truly artistic reasoning, others for the eroticism of it and yet others, because they wanna see t&a.
I could be way off base here, but I think most red blooded males that get into model photography, START it for the pure t&a factor. There's a guy I know, I had to end my relationship with him because not only was he a user, but because he enjoyed a little too much, shooting nudes. I explained before how he set a model up to come to my studio and when I ended the shoot cause of her tool boyfriend, not less than three minutes of announcing that I was wrapping up the shoot, he had her nude and was firing off shots as if his life depended on his ability to shoot as many images as he can, in as little time possible. I don't blame the guy, but I do blame his actions.
He's been shooting for several years and I just found out that he is STILL the same way! He lines up models that shouldn't be doing nudes, and shoots them nude for the sake of seeing t&a. I'm NOT against shooting nudes, not at all! Even though it's been a good six or seven months since I've shot some, I don't feel it is the end all, be all of model photography. I know I didn't feel this way overnight, but now, I feel as if you're going to shoot them, make it worth both the model AND your time. Don't shoot t&a because it's there. Look to do something different, unique. HOT and something you'll look back on years later and be PROUD that you took it!
I went to Kansas last year to teach a workshop. At the end, I had a nude model come in just to show what can be done with two lights and a naked body. Everyone loves this image, although you don't get to see anything!
Model: “Jay, I LOVE your work, I MUST have it in my book”
Here's what I see in my head when they say that to me:
Let's do some simple math here model:
20 years of holding a camera in my hand. 10 of those at the professional level. 5 of those 10 were hard earned cash spent on memberships, driving to workshops, countless hours reading worthless books and hundreds upon hundreds of hours learning via trial and error.
You love my work, but think I should take all the above, and give it to you free? Yea, no.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: what are you saying about your work, if you're giving it away for free?
“Models don’t pay photographers, it’s TFCD or they (the model) get paid”
Last week I was doing a shoot with one of my most favorite models. The quick shoot ended up turning into a 10hour shoot and as a result, we got GREAT images! At the end of the shoot, she hung out and we talked a bit, catching up. We started talking about photography in Colorado and the lack of jobs for everyone. I explained to her that I'm personally trying to change that by bringing out models such as Playboy Model Carlotta Champagne, Penthouse Model SaraLiz and 5 Photography masters, as well as doing my work here to move the interest up. She then said she was contacted by a local photographer who told her he wanted to shoot her for a local calendar. She asked him what was the pay, and he told her that in this instance, he wouldn’t charge her. She then said “Model’s don’t pay photographers, either the photographers pay or it’s a trade job.†I didn’t give her the riot act, but I wanted to 
What is a model?
I bet you thought you were immune from my blog huh? As it turns out, you will get just as much commentary as the photographers on my blog. Models are just as important to the photography process, so you need to be addressed summarily.
Wanting to be a model takes more than good looks and a nice body. It takes dedication and attention to detail. It takes commitment above and beyond the weekend “wannabe†claim. I want to touch on a few things that I see common in my shoots, and many other shots out there. These are tips and tricks that will help you be the best model you possibly can.
Appearance:
Models: It’s that time of year again!
Attention Models:
The first part of the year brings tons of fun and shooting your way! If you've wanted to take a shot at getting into Maxim, this is your chance. Hooters? this is your chance!
Maxim: Many models and wannabe models always say they want to get into Maxim. Sadly, Maxim is one of the most difficult magazines to get into. Why? cause the demand is so high! There ARE ways to get in, and Maxim's Home town hotties is the easiest way! "Neighborhood Knockouts" is another, but figure, according to their stats, there's over 100,000 submissions per year to get that 1/4 photo op.
Maxim (Just as Playboy) always says "You don't need professional photos for a shot" But let's be honest, you do. They want the best you they can see and sorry, but the mirror photos you had on Facebook just won't cut it. In fact, I had a model submit images to the hometown hotties and they rejected her. A month later, she submitted photos we took and was successfully entered into the competition.
Hooters: Every year, Hooters bar and grille has their calendar girl search. They take employee submissions only. The hard part is over for you, getting a job there. The next part is getting the photos. You can see the requirements here
The cool thing? This is my slow time of year, so I'm open and free to shoot! I've been published in FHM and Maxim online, so I know I have the quality. Let's be honest, magazine submission is 60% of what I do with model photography. Why? cause no one in the state of Colorado has more than me. Meaning? no one is as experienced as I at getting models published.
For those of you that are interested, I'm running a special 99.00 4 look mini shoot (2 head 2 body is what they usually ask) I am expecting to book up pretty quick, so contact me to get your session booked.
Start the booking session now by making your payment. After your payment is received, I will contact you to set up a date for your shoot.
Brandy Q doing what she does best, looking hot!