You've got that fancy new lens and a great concept for a shoot, and now, all you need is a model. Finding models to collaborate with is an art in itself, and making sure you're going about it the right way can be the difference between a successful shoot and a concept that is never brought to fruition. Here are 10 useful tips to get you off and running.
A big part of being a photographer is your networking skills. It's very much a collaborative art, and that means your ability to succinctly and effectively articulate your vision to a stranger while simultaneously showing that you're someone of proper capabilities who conducts themselves in a professional manner is a skill worth honing. Furthermore, you also have to know where to find the people you'd like to work with. This helpful video from Mathieu Stern will give you 10 tips on how to find the right model for your work, how to approach them, and how to build a working relationship. As you get better at this and you build a network, it'll get easier and easier, and you'll be able to draw on established relationships all the more. Happy shooting!
A very helpful video Mathieu. Thank you very much. Its always been a problem for me, as to where to start.
On a different subject, I'm about to upgrade my computer from an Apple MacBook to a Mac. What size screen do you think is best? The largest size might be helpful in some ways but seems a bit too big to be sitting so close to. If price were no limit, what do you recommend pleaxe?
I have a dell ultrasharp 30inch for photos. It's super awesome. In terms of size, I would have a hard time reverting back to a smaller screen. Is it big? Yes, but the screen real estate is great.
I was never a big fan of "posting ads" to attract models in groups. I always very much leaned towards hand selecting models who I then messaged. The reason being that anytime I posted casting call type posts I was quickly overwhelmed with messages from "models" who weren't really "models." Which there is nothing wrong with, but when building a beauty/fashion portfolio that is designed to attract clients in the beauty/fashion space the portfolio should mostly be filled with shots of models who look like they are professional models.
>but when building a beauty/fashion portfolio that is designed to attract clients in the beauty/fashion space the portfolio should mostly be filled with shots of models who look like they are professional models.
Well, the best option then is to actually pay professional models and MUAs :D
Models with beauty/fashion look are pretty rare to find amongst hobbyists.
Or work with models who are also looking to build a portfolio and are appropriate for the shoot. It simply isn't practical for a new photographer, who is barely staying afloat to constantly be paying professional models to shoot in order to maintain a social media feed of strong work. Agencies and budding models need test shots as bad as photographers do. There is plenty of opportunities to work with models who have the "look" but aren't experienced enough yet to charge.