Doc716 Loc: Tulsa

hey guys , I live in Tulsa and im having trouble finding models ..we are not known for famous models but we have beautiful women !! .I am lost on how to contact or ask or whatever to bring in the beauty we offer .i do mainly portrait and boudoir . I also do shoots for aspiring models but rarely .I just ended a career as a Captain firefighter/medic so help me please ?

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Suggest you get your "credentials" in order first, if you haven't done it already. What is your business/studio name?
How do people find you? Check with Tulsa City Hall and learn if you need a license as a professional photographer. Get a business license and probably a state sales and use #. Use these to get items for your business without local sales tax. Print some business cards with business name, your name, address, email address, online place where you have posted photos that others might see, phone number (make it look professional).

Next, always appear professional and act like one. Think it through first - what will you say to introduce yourself to a stranger. Ask if he/she has been photographed, if they need more shots for their portfolio, etc.

Think now about where you can go to take a few test shots regardless of the weather or time of day. Or agree to an appointment to meet.

Research, research, research. You can do a lot online. I've been amazed at the photo pros with postings on youtube about lighting, posing, cameras/lenses, etc. Look for poses and lighting that you want to replicate in your shots/portfolio.

Best.

anotherview Loc: California

A local camera club might have info for your purpose.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I suggest you look at model mayhem. I have a membership although I am not using it much. It's reasonably priced. I found 45 female models and 13 male models in Tulsa. I am not familiar enough with Tulsa to access any suburb/nearby towns, but you can do so.

One Model Place is a waste of time and money. So is Muse Cube.

You might also contact college art departments and art schools.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Doc, as Paul suggested, professionalism is going to be the key here. Though I haven't worked with models recently, the additional approach I have is business cards. Mine is unique enough that people actually look at them and then keep them. Above all, always provide an air of professionalism.
--Bob

13 Loc: I am only responsible to what I say..not what

strip clubs...give out business cards.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The last place I'd look.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Doc, here's something you might look into. Check out https://tulsa.craigslist.org/

They have a section for gigs, jobs, etc. That might work for you. It has for me.
--Bob

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

Really excellent advice! Well done.
Cheers
Don

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Anything I could say to help has been said
I Haven't used MM, or OMP in years so I can't say if they are a waste of time or not.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

This is only one of about 6 sites I found in 30 seconds search
https://www.bookmodels.com/tulsa-freelance-model-callie-128994bm

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

How to answer the question you want, not the question asked 👍

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

There was once a bank robber named Willie Sutton when he was finally caught they asked him “why did you rob banks?” His reply was simple “because that is where the money is”. If you want to find women to photograph go where the women are. If you are looking for professional or aspiring models Model Mahem for sure. But you can also look in less obvious places. Facebook and Instagram. Lots of women there. Especially Instagram. There are a lot of women who are posting selfies that would love the to have or need professionally done images. Dating apps like tinder can be a source also. I currently have 3 women from tinder that I use regularly as models. You just need to be clear that your intention is photography not dating. I use them to practice or try new techniques. It’s a time for pics trade. They get some images and I get a free model. They are not professional models. Which for what I want is an advantage. Hire a professional model they already know how to pose and look good infront of the camera. However if you are doing portraits and boudoir most of your paying customers will be non models. So working with non models to practice will help you hone your skills posing them and also finding the right angles for the real women who are likely to be your customers. Think outside the box a little. Most of the beautiful women in your area are not professional models. You just need to go where they are and ask them. What to ask and how ask is up to you but basicly you want to tell them what you are looking to do and what they will get out of it. You should have them sign a model release if you intend to use any of the images for your portfolio. Have a portfolio of your own to show them what you can do.
Their big concern will be what are you going to do with the images. I usually tell them nothing unless I decide to use them for my portfolio which will be with your written permission. I have a document that basicly says that. It simply states the shoot is purely time for pics no money to be exchanged. They get the pics with a limited license but I retain all copyrights. I clearly state I wont use post or display their images in any way without their written permission first. We both sign it.
Good Luck.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Model Mayhem (www.modelmayhem.com) is a place for prospective models to post their availability - they list their experience, post photos, and state whether or not they do nudes. Some models list that they will work for free in return for photos to use in their portfolio.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

Offer to take test shots, etc. at local talent and modeling agencies.