rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Very Very new photographer here, and am just curious.... where in the world do you guys find these amazing models for your photographs???

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Not a pro!!
Some are friends, others from model web sites

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

ahhhh okay thank you

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

rmbennett30!

As another Hogger mentioned earlier: model websites and I would also recommend meetup.com. Modelmayhem.com has been around for a while and you can find a variety of models there, listed by locale. Many are experienced while others are not but they will list their genres. Many will pose for a variety of photographers from beginners to experienced and everything is negotiated.

If you are wondering about nude models; they can cost upwards of over $100 depending on the genre and length of posing time required and if there are any special requirements. Very often, if a model becomes a muse and works with the photographer a lot, special rates can be negotiated.

Check out meetup.com. While this website does not offer models, per se, they do list by state, photography-related model events and "workshops". These tend to be a group model shoots with multiple photographers,
either taking turns shooting specific poses with differing lighting or a free-for-all paparazzi style with photographers shooting at will. There may be some instruction at the beginning or not. These types of shoots are good for beginners because they are relatively cheap, the photographer can practice their camera handling skills as well as their posing and lighting skills. It's also a good learning experience to see how more experienced photographers interact with the model.

These shoots may last from an hour or more. If a "workshop" offers several models, they may be rotated periodically and/or change outfits, backgrounds and lighting. After the scheduled shoots, the model(s) may also
be available on a 1-on-1 basis where she will model for a photographer who further hires her for an additional period of time for an additional fee. Here you will be able to use your own props and/or outfits.

I've been shooting at these events since 2004. 25% of the time, I will opt for a 1-on-1! An event or workshop is good for a number of reasons: the model(s), the studio and the lighting equipment are provided. Very often, a small strobe and light modifier on a stand can be brought or an on-camera flash is fine. You can compare notes with other photographers. You can network with the model and even send her a few images to show your competency.

An hour or less, if you are skilled, can yield several hundred images or more, depending on your posing and lighting skills and camera handling.

Be well! Ed

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

That’s very very helpful Ed, thank you

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

I don't do a lot of nude work, but I do do some.

So where do I 'find' models?

Well, I mainly just ask around to do fashion and portrait shoots to start with, and sometimes I offer to do a free and local one-hour photoshoot (when I have time) using local community Facebook pages and the like. When someone takes me up on my offer, and if we hit if off (which we always do), and if she seems to be a bit more voyeuristic than the more modest girl, then sometimes I offer to do a nude shoot for her after we've done the first (dressed) photo shoot, and once she feels comfortable working with me.
And she usually says "Yes please!"
But you have to make sure you do it in a professional way, not in a creepy way. You may well not be a creep, and you might not want to appear creepy, but you can put your foot in it if you're not careful.

Also, when you do finally find someone, make sure you have a model agreement drawn up. If you're going to put the photos online then make sure she is happy for you to do that.

I don't post very much of my nude work online, and not all 'models' agree to have their nude photos posted online (which you must ALWAYS respect), but even for those who do agree, I still don't post very much. Well, I don't post much of any of my other photography online either really. But some of my work makes it out there. lol

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Very good work ethics, thanks my friend. I’m not on FB, just IG, so will figure something out if that opportunity ever arises

paulrnzpn Loc: New Zealand

IG would do the trick too.
Good luck.

rmbennett30 Loc: Palm Coast, Florida

Thanks kindly, Im honing my skills..... some day.... I do appreciate all the good input

Robeng Loc: California

Hi,

I usally find my models at Model Mayhem when I had my studio. Now that I don,t have it anymore I rely on Meetup.com in my area for models.

Rob

Chip Rock Loc: Southern New Jersey

Not a pro here but shooting since the question in photography magazines (magazine was something printed on paper) was "is it really photography if the camera has a built in light meter"? Yes that really was a matter of discussion.

While I haven't shot nudes in decades and don't care for model sessions I am a huge fan of Meetup.com. Six years ago I decide to up my game, purchased a modern DSLR and joined a meetup group with a monthly critique run by a former big city newspaper photographer. I now belong to several groups here in the Philadelphia area that hold local photo walks in the city. Covid stopped the critiques don't know if we will ever get back into the studio.

There are several groups in my areas that hold nude photo shoots, I would advise looking on meetup.com and seeing what they have in your area.