As some of you may have heard my area is sooo bad that I had to convert a few paying clients for modeling portfolios to being my go to models for personal projects which is saying something. Right now I have 2 go to male models I use very often locally, and right now I do not have a go-to female model for personal TF projects, but there is about 3-5 of them in the area. Theses numbers were like this for years sadly and it is actually hurting my portfolio a bit as I got too many images of similar faces even though the images are vastly different. I thought I'd get some feedback on my issue or everyone in my area who shoots models issue as well lacking available models via normal channels like facebook/model mayhem. The only few options..
Option 1: I have is leave the area entirely and travel to bigger cities (2 hr drive)
Option 2: or hire models to come to me or trade shoot with them and pay for their travels. And cities I can go to is a 2 hour drive which I don't mind for multiple shoots though.
Option 3: I was thinking of either making a local non-profit community promoting local photography businesses including myself to encourage people to get into modeling in the local community by renting space either once a month or few months or during very high peak foot traffic at local malls to promote all of them interested in participating and splinting the costs to promote and use the space similar to a convention style, and do some kind of giveaway as well promote themselves for paid gigs or specific casting calls for their personal projects in person with people. I could do that or do it for myself but I thought giving people more options with different styles of photography would be helping everyone more than just me and it would hurt my bank account less if I split the costs.
I personally like the 3rd one, but the draw back is losing more time from focusing on me, my business, etc. but the plus if I do team up with others we can really encourage the area for all to both increase sales for everyone and increase more personal projects for everyone locally.
*Shooting friends/family out of the question for the right looks I'm looking for fashion. Talking to "local" agencies is on my to do list but not sure if they want to work with me as they already have a go-to fashion photog, and its only 1 maybe 2 max that is 1 hour drive from me (each way).