modeling subjects seem scarce: hello there fellow hogs. hope all are well. listen, i don't know if it's me, or the fact that so many people have cameras now on their phones or what but...

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

hello there fellow hogs. hope all are well. listen, i don't know if it's me, or the fact that so many people have cameras now on their phones or what but i find it sooooo difficult to find anybody who's willing to pose for portraits!! and i'm talkin' for free too, i don't charge. i just enjoy shooting & quite frankly , i don't feel like i'm at a skill level where it would be fair to charge. is it just me? what can i do to improve my chances? i just hate it when they say, "oh, i don't photograph well". thank you all for reading my post & for any help or suggestions you may have.

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

pooterpa76 wrote:

hello there fellow hogs. hope all are well. listen... (show quote)

i am not sure if you know about this site, but it is called model mayhem. http://www.modelmayhem.com/ you can setup a free account and you can search for models in your local area or surrounding area. a lot will work for trading for photos, some want money, and some in my opinion should not be on there. you may want to take a look.

deanc2006 Loc: lancaster ohio

try telling them that it is not a matter of not photographing well they just need a good photographer. a little praise as to their good looks before you ask may also help. people generally will do a lot of things if you butter them up first. best of luck.

pooterpa76 wrote:

hello there fellow hogs. hope all are well. listen... (show quote)

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

If you want models and not just pretty girls you should reach out to Nursing Homes and schools in less affluent areas and volunteer your services. Most poor folks and most people in Nursing Homes have no current portraits and some have never had a formal portrait because of the cost.
I think you can do a lot of good this way and help yourself at the same time.

normanhall Loc: Leslie Missouri

Frank T wrote:

If you want models and not just pretty girls you should reach out to Nursing Homes and schools in less affluent areas and volunteer your services. Most poor folks and most people in Nursing Homes have no current portraits and some have never had a formal portrait because of the cost.
I think you can do a lot of good this way and help yourself at the same time.

i have been thinking of doing this at the nursing homes here. Have you or anyone done this? I was thinking of doing portraits of them for there birthdays.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Frank T wrote:

If you want models and not just pretty girls you should reach out to Nursing Homes and schools in less affluent areas and volunteer your services. Most poor folks and most people in Nursing Homes have no current portraits and some have never had a formal portrait because of the cost.
I think you can do a lot of good this way and help yourself at the same time.

This is a VERY VERY effective and win-win concept. Not only do you have more willing and appreciative subjects, you can get some amazing story-telling photographs while honing your skills.
Let them see the digital images as you take them to show them what's going on and then be sure to follow up with offering them several color prints after post processing. You may find you have a repeat customer in a family or organization as you practice.

I really enjoy volunteering my services to public schools, hospitals and nursing homes, and fraternal clubs, in rural areas whenever I can. It feels good, is usually humbling, and can make a real difference in folk's lives. Just be yourself.

The images you collect can be priceless, and they can tell a more compelling story about life than any glamour model.

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

yes, i have heard of model mayhem but i think they require that you submit 3 photos of 3 different models that you've shot & from those, they judgewhether or not they will allow you into membership.

normanhall wrote:

quote=pooterpa76 hello there fellow hogs. hope al... (show quote)

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

thank you for your advice. i'll try that.

deanc2006 wrote:

try telling them that it is not a matter of not ph... (show quote)

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

hey long time no post pa! welcome back. hope all the soap opera drama on here had not kept you away. only suggestion i have would be look for aspiring models and actors who want to build a portfolio.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

i volunteer at the local nursing homes...many are more than happy to have the attention...and they make great models!!

another great place for models is the local animal shelters. that will hone your skills and make you an expert in a very short time.

another great way to get good models is to pay a high school male and female student for a few hours. might cost a few bucks, but will be well worth it.

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

thank you for the welcome! it feels good to be missed.lol

sinatraman wrote:

hey long time no post pa! welcome back. hope all the soap opera drama on here had not kept you away. only suggestion i have would be look for aspiring models and actors who want to build a portfolio.

fotogk Loc: Tuftonboro, NH

pooterpa76 wrote:

yes, i have heard of model mayhem but i think they... (show quote)

Modelmayhem is not hard to get excepted, I just used my daughter in three different outfits and within a day or so got excepted. I think they want to make sure you have a camera

janik Loc: Rochester, NY

Model mayhem can be hard to get accepted, try one model place or muse cube or a dozen different ones. Just do a search for modeling sites on google. Also take a look at meetups. Go to meetup.com and put in your area, and what your looking for and see what comes up. One of the ones i'm a member of does a shoot a month with models and different themes. Lastly put an ad on Craigs list. This is a last resort but i've found some real talent there but it's rare.

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

thank you. i'll give it a try then.

fotogk wrote:

quote=pooterpa76 yes, i have heard of model mayhe... (show quote)

pooterpa76 Loc: Lebanon, Pa.

thanks a lot. i appreciate the names of those sites.

janik wrote:

Model mayhem can be hard to get accepted, try one model place or muse cube or a dozen different ones. Just do a search for modeling sites on google. Also take a look at meetups. Go to meetup.com and put in your area, and what your looking for and see what comes up. One of the ones i'm a member of does a shoot a month with models and different themes. Lastly put an ad on Craigs list. This is a last resort but i've found some real talent there but it's rare.