Modeling Opportunities - Be My Muse

Be My Muse and
Get Photos for FREE!

I am willing to hire beautiful models who LOVE my photography and are ENTHUSIASTIC about the chance to work for me. More than just a photography session, you will learn posing techniques which will make you successful at other photo shoots and makeup tricks to help minimize flaws.

 
I am very selective about the models I'm willing to hire for my projects, and models need to be serious and professional about showing up for any appointments they scheduled. That being said, ENTHUSIASM and a willingness to pose for any of my project needs will normally earn models at least one shoot - even if they don't normally meet my normal casting requirements.
 

Are YOU Ready to Be A Model?

If you are serious about modeling, then you ought to be willing to pose for ANY types of images found in magazines sold at WAL-MART (or pick your major grocery chain or department store). The purpose in hiring a model is to have someone who can fulfill the client's / photographer's vision, and it is NOT about what the model likes or doesn't like. Anyone who says "I don't do that, that isn't my style" is not going to be respected as a model. The model serves a role to meet the client's vision. If you want it to be about your vision, then hire a capable photographer who can fulfill the types of photos that YOU want of yourself.
If you are marketing yourself as a model, then you need to expect to pose for the needs of your photographer (or client) and to see the resulting images used publicly online. The reason for hiring a model is to fulfill the vision the artist, photographer, clients, or art directors have.
 
Any photographer stating anything to the contrary really doesn't have any professional experience and should not be handing out advice. (grin)
 
ARE YOU BEING REALISTIC? Although there is a lot of television which hypes the glamourous lifestyles of models, only a handful of very experienced models make over $25 per hour in modeling. If you want to see what legitimate full-time models earn, go to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics for the career Models and see what the Models - Occupational Employment and Earnings are for that career. According to the May 2009 figures, the Median Earnings for models was $13.14 per hour, and models in the TOP 10% of high-income models were still only averaging $26.62 per hour.

Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion caused by so-called "models" who claim "their rate" is more than $100 per hour; unfortunately many of these people are escorts (prostitutes) who are using the cover-story of modeling to hide their real work. After all - the term "modeling" is something you can brag about to friends and family, and it also makes your customers pay you bigger tips at the end of the night (after all those customers are "sleeping with a model").
 

The Rules

Blunt Honesty

I don't have ESP so I can't read minds. I don't expect you can read minds either.
I am bluntly honest with models to save everyone time. I clearly list out my projects and compensation ranges, and any model wanting to do a photo shoot with me is expected to have a 30-minute phone conversation and interview - to make sure that all questions are answered up-front. I expect models to be bluntly honest - so that we can both make well-informed decisions about working with each other. Shoots are a great amount of fun, but we want the results to be spectacular, and this is only possible with honest, open, and direct communication.

Respect My Time

I expect models to be responsible and enthusiastic. I also expect models to be respectful of my time and my talent. That means an absolute commitment to showing up on time for the shoot and staying for the entire time of the session.
 
Consider carefully this great opportunity! You are getting my time and my photographs for FREE!
Normally clients pay me $160 per hour plus $40 per retouched image. So... even if you spend an hour with me and get six retouched images, you are "earning" $280 worth of my time. If you work longer, you are obviously earning much more.

The most important thing to me is time.
Time is MUCH more valuable than money - because you can't save time, or borrow time, or buy time.
And for me, time is money -- so if someone wastes my time (by setting up a shoot and then canceling on short notice - not giving me enough time to book someone else), that person is off my Christmas list permanently. I've lost time that I can never get back.
 
Unfortunately - some immature models treat the photo sessions as though I ran a 24-hour gas station -- feeling as though it is "no big deal" to blow off a shoot and not feeling there should be any consequences of ditching. I can ONLY book one shoot at a time, and if that shoot doesn't happen - it is wasting a lot of my time and money. The consequence is that a model who cancels or "no shows" likely won't get a second chance to make a first impression. If you don't understand why this is so important, imagine how you would feel if you took off a day from work (losing money from your job), travelled over a hundred miles for the shoot, and then - the photographer never showed up and could not be reached by phone. Would you be angry? (I am pretty sure you would be.)
 

This is Work!

I expect models to be willing to pose for work that is wilder, crazier, and much more revealing than the types of work that my clients pay me to take. I really don't need models for headshot samples and conservative fashion images -- since I already get plenty of those types of images photographing clients who are already paying me to take their photos.

Modeling is also hard physical work - as though you are playing volleyball for hours on end. You'll be stretching, moving twisting and bending to creating dynamic and interesting poses. You simply won't do well if you're tired and haven't had adequate sleep / rest before the shoot.
 
As with all work, you're performing a service in order to get something of value. If you expect to earn CASH, then you must be willing to pose fully nude, and you need to allow me to choose the project themes you'll be working in order to satisfy MY vision for the images. I get to specify all the outfits, lighting, looks and poses. If you are doing a TFP shoot - then you'll need to do the first 2/3rds of the session doing the types of shots and looks I want you to do, and then at the end of the session I will turn things around and let "you be the boss" -- so that we all get the types of shots we are most wanting out of the photo shoot.
 

Do You Want Me to Pay You, or Do You Want to Pay Me?

If you expect me to pay you (in cash or in photos), then these are my expectations.

COMMUNICATION: I expect emails, text messages, and phone calls to be returned promptly (within 24 hours).

PROMPT APPOINTMENTS: I expect models to be willing to complete their first shoot within 10 days of being selected. It doesn't have to be a long shoot, but it does have to be completed promptly.

GUESTS / FRIENDS: Multiple models of the same gender are welcome at a single shoot, but guests are a distraction. You will need to notify me in advance if you plan to bring others to model, and I will have to approve them to model before the date of the shoot. If you desire a "safety friend" - you are allowed to bring ONE person with you who is your same gender, over the age of 18, and not a family member (and who can sit silently in a corner observing the shoot).
 
CANCELATIONS: My time is extremely valuable. While I realize that "life happens," you are responsible for paying me the $25 cancellation fee for the session unless you cancel at least 72 hours in advance (to give me an opportunity to try to book another shoot into your appointment time). Future appointments will require an additional $25 appointment fee. If you are unsure of your schedule, then DO NOT set up an appointment until you are sure.
 
REPOSTING OF EDITED IMAGES: You are welcome to use the retouched images on your portfolio websites, Facebook albums, and other online sites as long as you do not edit the images in any manner. You are NOT PERMITTED to remove any logos or watermarks from ANY images. Further, you are not permitted to alter or change any images you receive from me (adding text, background images, changing the coloring, etc.).
 
BE HERE FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S NEEDS: If you are paying me, then "You get to be the boss!" -- and you can wear what you like, have as many friends over as you wish, and do whatever types of posing you want. HOWEVER if I am paying you (either in images or cash, or both), then "I get to be the boss." You are here to pose for my project needs.

 
If you're not comfortable meeting these expectations - you are encouraged to hire me. I offer very reasonable rates, and then "you get to be the boss" for the entire session.