NEW MODELS - Cowboy Dave Photography

This is where I will be collecting and posting advice for new models. Some of this will come from my decades of experience as a photographer, but some of it will come from models I work with.

If you are starting out as a new model there are a number of things to consider that could make your life better or safer.

YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE / PORTFOLIO

Prior to starting your modeling journey, it is preferred that you create a portfolio. I know this is counter intuitive as you are just starting out and may not have done very many shoots yet, if any. However work with what you have. Cell phones these days honestly take great images. Taking either selfies or having a friend take some recent images is far better than older or outdated photos. A lot of sites, like Model Mayhem, only allow a small number of photos. Photographers pay close attention to your portfolio. It is OK to state you are new and to have a portfolio that reflects that, however, saying that you are experienced, only having six photos available and not being able to upload six different photos from six different shoots stands out to a photographer that you are not very experienced.

As you grow in modeling, so should your portfolio. A portfolio should show off the range of shooting styles you do. Most photographers I know (myself included), head straight to a model’s portfolio first and then go back and read a profile. Photographers can learn a lot from a quick glance at a portfolio. It is unlikely that you are going to get offered paid work if your portfolio does not support that level of experience.

Some basic portfolio tips:

More is always better. New accounts are often limited to a small handful of photos. But often, if you pay for an upgraded account you will get a much larger number of images allowed in your portfolio. Once you stop paying for a upgraded account, that number will often be reduced again, but almost never back to where you started. Often, with sites like Model Mayhem, you will start with 6 images allowed, but then jump to hundreds allowed in an upgraded account. If you stop having an upgraded account, this number will often reduce down to around 30 images allowed. This is not a huge number, but significantly more than allowed with basic or starter accounts. I understand that a lot of models cannot afford to upgrade an account.
Variety is the spice of life. Use the number of images you are allowed wisely. If you are limited with how many images you have in your portfolio, chose carefully. If you are stuck with six or 30 images, make them count. It is often tempting to fill those slots with images from your favorite shoot, or have trouble deciding between several images from a particularly good shoot. However, when I look at a limited portfolio, and a model posts 2 or 3 images from the same shoot, it tells me that you CANNOT come up with images from different shoots. If you are only allowed to have six or 30 images in your portfolio, then, where possible, each one should be from a different shoot. If you are allowed hundreds of photos in your portfolio, I would still suggest not putting multiple images from the same shoot in it, unless you cannot tell it is from the same shoot (different outfit, different theme) or you have posted enough images from other shoots that it will not be obvious you are posting multiples.
Show your range. This is especially important when your portfolio is limited on the number of images available. Try to pick images that are vastly different from each other. This might not be easy when starting out, but vary the location, style of outfit, types of poses used, and, when possible, the photographers who took the images. An example being, one that is outdoors in nature, one in a studio with crazy colored lights, one that is in a bikini, lingerie, or nude depending of your comfortability, one in a crazy or unusual pose, one close up head shot, and one posing with another model. This would be close to an ideal six image portfolio, and would show your range of abilities with a small number of images. Remember, all photographers are different and looking for different things. The more images you have and the wider range of styles you can demonstrate, the greater the chance that the photographer will see what they are looking for.

PROFILE

I, of course, cannot speak for all photographers, but I feel that short and concise is better. The longer your profile is, the less likely people will take the time to read it. Here are a few things that a photographer will be looking for and having them easy to find will help.

Your geographical region. ‘I am a model in the greater **** area. I frequently travel as far as **** or ****. I have the ability to travel out side of this area, but doing so will require traveling expenses to be covered’.
Your experience level. ‘I am just starting out and looking to build my portfolio.’ or ‘I have been at this for a couple of years now and will prioritize paid shoots when possible’ etc. etc. etc.
Show that you value their time. ‘I am reliable, have great communication, and I show up on time, ready to shoot.’ Most photographer’s worst nightmares are models not showing up and not calling or letting them know. Showing that you know how to be professional and that you respect their time is priceless. A photographer often has to book studio space with deposits they will not get back. There is a lot of time and effort that often goes into planning a shoot, and knowing a model takes that seriously is important.
Describe your limits. Having limits is important. You should express them and enforce them. Also note that your limits might vary from photographer to photographer. You might be willing to shoot nude with a photographer you have worked with before, but never with new photographers for instance. Stating this in you profile CAN save having to turn a photographer down. ‘I only shoot up to lingerie with photographers I have never met or worked with before. I only shoot nude with photographers I have worked with and feel comfortable with, please reach out before hand if you wish to shoot nude.’
Warn photographers if you regularly bring an escort to shoots. I have an entire page dedicated to escorts. If you plan on utilizing an escort, it is wise to give a heads up. Surprises are never a good thing. ‘I ALWAYS bring an escort to shoots with photographers I have not yet worked with.’ or ‘I ALWAYS bring escorts when shooting nude’ or even ‘My partner always accompanies me to shoots.’
List the type of shoots you are willing to do and your rates. If you are willing to shoot TFP or trade shoots (I have a page on type of shoots and definitions), then list when you would be willing to do that and what you are looking for in return. ‘I am willing to do TFP / trade if you are going to be publishing in a magazine or ezine.’ or ‘I am willing to do trade for unusual content or styles, and I expect at least 10 images back in return. Please reach out with ideas first.’ If you only do paid work, state that, but also state your rates by the hour, by the style (lingerie, nude, erotic, open leg etc), and any discounts you my have. ‘I charge $100 per hour up to artistic nude with a 2 hour minimum, erotic / open leg is $125/hr, and I am open to bondage / fetish work (within limits, please inquire).’ ‘My rate is $100/hr with a 2 hour minimum, or $300 for 4 hours, or $600 full day (eight hours)’.
Special instructions. List anything they really should know about contacting or shooting with you. ‘Best way to contact me is through ****.’ or ‘Please note, I have mobility issues and may have trouble with uneven or difficult terrain.’ or ‘Please note, I travel for my day job and may take a couple of days to get back to you’

Hopefully you will see that once you start with the essentials, your bio / profile will already be starting to get long. It also never hurts to show that you are friendly or if you feel like sharing a little about yourself, but the longer things get, the less likely people will ever read it.

BEFORE YOU BOOK WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER

Do you research. Here are some things to look into. This is not an exhaustive list, and each thing alone might not be a red flag, but should give you an idea of who you are dealing with:

Profile. Is their bio / profile filled out, and does it sound professional?
References. Does their profile have references from models they have worked with when a site allows it.
Do they have a website / online presence? Not everyone has a website, but do they have an Instagram or other place listed where they post regularly?
Portfolio. What does their portfolio look like? Just like models, is their work varied, and from multiple shoots? What is the quality of their work – does it look like it was shot on a cell phone or are the images of high quality? Do the images have their logo on them (if not they MIGHT be stolen and not actually represent their work)? Did they tag the models in the photos – not tagging can also be a sign an image is stolen. If models are tagged, can you reach out to them to verify they worked with this photographer?
Ask around. A lot of models are reluctant to give a photographer a thumbs up as one or two positive shoots, does not guarantee good behavior in future shoots, however, very few models are hesitant to speak out when a photographer has acted badly during a shoot or in general. Join and reach out on modeling forums about new photographers ‘Has anyone ever worked with **** photography?’. Remember not getting a response is not necessarily a red flag, in this situation you are looking for a definite ‘NO! Do not work with that person they are known for…’
Communication, communication, communication. Who, what, where, when, and how much. You should know what type of shoot you will be doing and what will be expected of you during it. Bear in mind that some photographers, myself included, rarely pre-plan shoots. It is unlikely you will get specific plans from me; I am really good at making shoots up on the fly though. But you should still have some vague ideas such as ‘lingerie, leading to nude, open leg and at least one light bondage shoot’. This is where you can ask, ‘what is your definition of light bondage?’ or ‘Do you have example of the type of work you are taking about in your portfolio or from online somewhere that you can show me?’ Also ‘What am I expected to bring to the shoot (outfits or special gear)?
Consider meeting them for coffee somewhere public. All of the online interactions in the world do not add up to 10 minutes face to face time. It is common to ask to meet at a coffee place or cafe before hand to ‘discuss ideas’ or ‘go over concepts’, but in reality, you are taking the opportunity to get a feel for who you are planning to work with. If you do this, try not to pick a place you frequent regularly. It is tempting to meet up at your favorite watering hole, but you do not want to have them know where to find you on a regular basis. Try to pick a place you have never been to or a place you only use for this purpose. Pick a place that is not close to where you live, and preferably busy and public. Make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. If you are going to get coffee, get there early and talk to the baristas and let them know why you are there and that you have no intention of leaving with the photographer so they can keep an eye on you. Most baristas, bar tenders, or waitresses will have your back if asked and warned. Tell them to automatically call 911 if they see you leave together. Protect yourself, but also, know that most of the photographers you will encounter are perfectly safe and this is your chance to get a feel for who they are. Remember, this is not a date, and neither you nor the photographer should be treating it as such. It is OK to laugh and joke and to talk about other things besides the shoot, you are trying to get a feel for who they are, but remember to keep it professional. If you have questions about the shoot, concept, what is expected of you etc. this type of meeting is perfect for clearing those questions up. It is OK to have fun and enjoy yourself, but it is also OK to excuse yourself and leave. It is not uncommon at all for me to meet up with new models for coffee a week or more before shooting with them.

BEFORE THE SHOOT

Phone a friend. Someone should have all the details about the shoot. You should let someone know where you are going, how long the shoot is expected to take, who you are shooting with and links to their profile / website, and what time they should hear back from you before freaking out.
Prepare for the shoot. If you know what will be expected for the shoot, it is always better to show up ready to shoot. If at all possible, arriving in the right outfit, with the right make-up, and have back-up outfits. Do you have your photo ID or two forms of ID for porn type work? ‘Am I shooting a scene that needs prep-work or requires stretching?’.
Get some sleep. This is not always possible, but most people want to look their best for shoots – that is the idea after all. Burning the candle from both ends can lead to unsuccessful shoots and bad content.
Plan your outfits. This is not always possible if the photographer has a specific idea in mind, but if you have a say in what you wear throughout your shoot, take advantage of it. Keep an eye out for outfits that are tight, have hard pokey bits, or are known to leave marks or impressions on your skin. If you are going to wear corsets, fishnets, tight fitting clothes or other items of clothing that will leave a mark on you, save it for last. Same goes with body paint. You never want to cause the photographer extra work editing out lines from outfits (think under wire in a bra or marks from a tight belt) or left over body paint you did not have time to properly wash off between sets. It takes a lot of extra editing and although it might not be your fault, you do not want them associating you with extra work.

DURING THE SHOOT

Regular check-ins. Safety comes first and foremost. Check in regularly with a friend, but not so much that the photographer thinks your wasting their time. Think ‘I am here’, ‘Just finished first set, getting ready for second’, ‘All done, getting ready to leave’, ‘OMWH’. Keep it to short but sweet, regular check-ins.
Super secret special code word or phrase. This is also a safety thing. You should discuss a safety word or phrase that you can use if there is trouble when checking in with your contact / friend. For instance, if you are an only child, you might ask your friend ‘Hey, how is my sister doing?’, If you do not have a pet, you might ask ‘Have you taken Muffy for a walk yet?’ The point is to have phrase or word you can use to let your contact / friend know their is trouble without alerting the person that is causing you the trouble that you have done so. For instance, leave instructions that, if you use ‘my uncle’ in a sentence, they need to call the police – ‘My uncle warned me shoots would be like this!’
Know your responsibilities. Some photographers will want to take control of a shoot and direct you on how to pose (I, myself, work this way), but others will expect you to ‘do something’ while they make their camera go click, click, click. Everyone has their own shooting style, and most are different. It is wise to learn a small number of poses that you know look good, that you can pose in on demand. The list of ‘known’ poses will grow over time, but you should have a few ideas up your sleeve for when needed. Often, you can pick one of them, and get several shots out of it by changing where your arms are and where you are looking. If you are listing yourself as an experienced model, being able to pose yourself is a skill that you would be expected to have.
Mind your boundaries. It is perfectly OK for you to change your boundaries during a shoot if you are feeling comfortable and YOU decide you want to. What should never happen is to feel pressured. Photographers often forget what your particular boundaries are (I know I deal with a lot of models and often forget), but there is a difference between asking to be reminded what your boundaries are, or asking if you would be comfortable with an idea, and someone being pushy about it. No one should pressure you into doing anything. It would also be advisable to visit my definitions page, so that communication is clear about what your boundaries are, and if you choose to change them, being able to properly express by how much. ***NOTE*** It is always acceptable to say no, and call a halt to a shoot. Consent is not given just once and forgotten. Consent is clear, continually evaluated, and can be withdrawn at any time. Your safety is always paramount. ALSO NOTE that if you fail to complete portions of an assignment that were agreed upon in advance, it might affect if or how much you get paid, but this should not be the driving force behind continuing a shoot or not. It is also OK to halt a shoot, address a concern, and then continue the shoot once the concern has been addressed.
Be respectful of the photographers time. Part of being a professional is having your time be respected, but this also applies to respecting other people’s time. Show up on time and as ready to shoot as you can be. Chatting is fine, but try to make sure it is not stopping or interfering with the shoot. Checking in on your phone is fine, but delaying a shoot to chat is not. Also, remember this applies regardless if this shoot is paid or TFP / trade. Everyone’s time is valuable. If your shoot is going over the allotted time, are you getting compensated extra for that? For instance, for a paid shoot, the photographer might ask for the shoot to go longer in exchange for more money, or with a promise of you getting content back in return. But likewise, a photographer’s time is also valuable, they might be renting studio time or equipment, so getting ready quickly and making good use of the photographer’s time is also a sign of being a professional.

AFTER THE SHOOT

Know your timelines. Ask for an idea of when any images will be returned.
Paperwork. This might be done before the shoot, but if you are getting paid, and even if you are not, be prepared to sign a model release and know where you AND the photographer will be allowed to post images and if they will be able to be sold.
Get paid! Photographers can be very busy during shoots. There are a lot of technical things going on and often a lot of moving parts. Do not be shy to ask to get paid before you leave. Set an alarm as a reminder to ask. Sometimes it gets overlooked or forgotten. The photographer should remember, but make sure that you are taken care of and get paid before you leave. Also, try to have as many pay routes available as possible (Venmo, cashapp, google pay, apple pay etc.). Try and make it easy to get paid. Also letting the photographer know in advance what your preferred pay method is, helps prep them so they are ready.
Feedback and reviews. Reviews are hit and miss as some models / photographers look at them and some do not. Reviews can be faked. However, I have had models reach out before just based on a ton of positive reviews from people they knew and respected. As a professional, it is a good thing to write a review for a photographer either good or bad, especially if they took the time to write one for you. Be honest. If a photographer should be avoided, other models should know. If you particularly felt safe and had fun, that can also help other models. Know that you are only reviewing how the shoots that you have done with them have gone and you are not promising good behavior in the future. You should not feel pressured to write a positive review for someone who you think does not deserve it just because they wrote you a good review, but again, be honest and fair.
Tag your photographers and fellow models. When you post images on social media or other sites, such as Model Mayhem or Instagram, where possible, tag the photographer and other models in the photos. Before you leave a shoot, know who wants to be tagged in photos (not everyone does) and which accounts they want to be tagged with.
Follow up in time. We all get a little impatient to get images back. If you checked to get an estimation about when to expect images back, wait until that time has elapsed to ask about them. If a reasonable time has passed beyond the expected return time, then you can start asking for updates. Editing takes time, and people have other things going on in their life. This is not an excuse not to get images back, but you need to send reminders / ask for updates, and be patient. No one wants to dedicate 100% of their free time to staring at a computer screen editing photos. If things are taking a while, ask if you can get a partial return on photos that have been edited. I can speak from first hand knowledge that editing is a pain in the *** and takes a while.

WHO OWNS THE PHOTOS

The answer to this might surprise you. Rather than putting things into my own words, here are some links to a couple articles that do a better job explaining things better than I could:

https://improvephotography.com/48423/model-release

https://photofocus.com/business/photographer-or-model-who-owns-the-image/

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