buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

I know that most of us here are about all kinds of photography EXCEPT portraiture, except for the practicing pros. However, I wonder if anybody has used any of the sites which match models with photographers, such as model mayhem or one model place. If so, would you either post your opinions, or PM me?

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I joined Model Mayhem but have yet to contact a model. I know we used to have a member who used them quite a bit.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I have not used them, but have colleagues who have. It can be a bit of a crapshoot - you might get someone that is a joy to work with, who wants paid in images and you can get a pain in the rear. You might hire one with experience that will make you look good - you might bet someone new who has no clue how to pose and expects you to direct every move.

I don't think there is a clear yes or no.

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

Thank you both for your response. Since life is a crapshoot, and I'm not doing this for anything but experience, it will prove interesting. I would like to go beyond shooting the grandchildren, and perhaps someone who is pretending to be a model will have a different approach. I really would still like to hear from someone who has tried them.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Yeah - I should have added: No matter what you do, it will prove to be an interesting experience. What I do know is that you need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before you hire anyone and certainly before the session starts. You need to bel clear on what kind of wardrobe he or she should bring. Glamour?Sports?Casual?

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

I did a lot of portraits in the 70's, and my recent attempts seem to have me stuck there. I want to think that I can move forward, and this is for my benefit only. I was wondering if the best sessions work out planned? Or is spontaneous best? I like your suggestion that the shoot needs to be planned, and with no surprises for either of us. Years ago, when she was about 15, one of my daughter's friends wanted some photos. Long story short, she had a much different idea than I, and I stopped the session and sent her home. We later heard that she ran away from home and went to Las Vegas. No one has heard from her since.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

My opinion is that a planned session would be much better than something spontaneous.

I was gearing up to start looking for some of the TFP models on the mayhem site when the young woman from Holland arrived.
We did about three shoots together, but none of them were planned; we'd do a shoot when she bought a new dress.

Everything worked out great, but with no clear direction as to what I wanted to accomplish, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get her to pose.
Fine for a friend of the family, but if you are bringing in an actual model or even a hopeful, you wouldn't want to waste her time.

Do both of you a favor and know what you want to do ahead of time.

Old Redeye Loc: San Mateo, CA

I've done quite a few "Meetups", using models from MM. Usually 6-8 photographers take turns shooting for 2-3 hours. Keeps the cost down and we feed off each other for ideas. Be prepared for "models" that don't show. That just happened to me again yesterday! I'm attaching a shot from one of the better experiences.

Mary Rosenberg

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Buckwheat,
I have used MM models for 3 or 4 shoots and can only report good things about each experience. The only thing I regret is that I did this about 4 years ago when I was "just thinking" about becoming a photographer and let each model have the CD's I made after looking at the work with them. BUT, my advice to you is to do this:
1) If you join MM as a photographer, you will have to download a minimum of 4 photos of the kind of photography you are into. At this point, you will become a member and what this will allow you to do is to see EVERY PHOTO that is posted by the models. Non-members more often than not can only see some photos because they are blocked due to the nature of the photos themselves. So...become a member!
2) Whether you become a member or not, the models I recommend you look for would be the ones with a "VIP" designation after their name. This signifies that the model is at least semi-professional, is published, and typically charges a fee, unless you happen to be an experienced, published photographer with a reputation and following, in which case he/she may work for TFP/TFCD.
3) If you think #2 above might get too expensive for you, then the other alternative is to go to the dropdown box on the "Browse" page that lists the experience of the model. My recommendation is to select "Recently Updated" because this indicates they are there to get more work and have been on the site for awhile and have had several shoots under their belt.
4) As an addendum to #3, when you're at the "experience dropdown box," another selection is one called "New to MM."
Sometimes, you can find a diamond in the rough here because these are people who are either just getting into modeling or maybe they have a little bit of experience (sometimes published work) but are simply new to MM's site. Many of these models will work for TFCD/TFP but you probably won't get a model who doesn't need direction. If you're serious about photography, you need someone who knows how to pose, which saves you time and also allows you to take more snaps. You probably won't have that luxury with the "New to MM" bunch!
5) For ANY model you look at, please take a look at how long the list is for photographer credits. THIS is a definite cue that lets you know how experienced they are.
6) Finally, your last tipoff is to look at the stats of each model which is just underneath their picture on their homepage. Look all the way to the bottom of the stats because this will let you know the date of the last time the model visited MM. A more recent date indicates this is someone who takes their job seriously and this is someone you definitely want to work with. Again, look at this stat for ANY model.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

Thank you. That was a tremendous help and gives me information to save time and probably a lot of aggravation. I have enough to meet the requirements of four models, and some of it is new enough to reflect where I want to go, but not there, yet. I'll go for it.

Robeng Loc: California

Hi Buckwheat,

A lot of the models I shoot are from Model Mayhem. When I started a couple of years ago, my mentor Brian Donnelly created a Model Mayhem profile for me. Since then I get about one model a week asking about a shoot. Some want compensation other do trade. You can check out my pics at my website and check out the models. The password is "girls" good luck.

Annie_Girl Loc: It's none of your business

It's a crap shot, I have used them before when I am waiting to try out an idea/concept.

I tend to say away from "will model for images" models on the site and go with the models who will need to be paid $$ because they are the ones that typically will show up and not bail on you at the last mintue. They are invested.

You don't have to pay a lot. I typically offer $100 -$200 a session (depending on the model and their portfolio.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Just ran acoss this. Models beware.
http://fstoppers.com/dangerous-situation-for-models-and-photographers

buckwheat Loc: Clarkdale, AZ and Belen NM

Thank you for that info.

Mik Minick Loc: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I'm a MM member and use MM to find asian models in my area. I never have any problem with models who are mostly asian students who need the money and love the work. Happy with MM!!