How does one get beautiful models (like those Mike Dixon uses), and how much do they cost?

[geddert]

Hello all, i am wanting to try some portraiture of models (no nudes) just good looking portraits of good looking people i could use in a portfolio. I would like to take shots in a similar vein to those full body shots Mike Dixon makes. What I was wondering was where one can look to get such models, how much they cost? Would this be on a per hour basis, per picture basis, etc? Or is it one of those things where you need to be charming and sweet talking and get them to do it for free?

[Allen Herbert]

Best ask Mike.

[wgpinc]

There is the old saying 'If you have to ask how much you probably

can't afford it!' Seriously Matthew just get out there and do it.

You may get rejected along the way but keep on trying. Men handle

rejection pretty well because they have a lot of experience with it.

Good luck.

[charles barcellona www.bl]

Charming and sweet talking no, sincere yes. I dont think you'd want

to pay for models - but can get apsiring models for free many times in

exchange for providing them with prints or composites.

 

<p>

 

If this is a "for fun" thing only, I suggest that you try friends and

aquaintances, maybe coworkers. Working with even aspiring models

requires work and dedication on your part, and follow through to

provide quality work to them in exchange for their services.

[emile_de_leon9]

Try college girls.Put ads on kiosks/billboards or in the Photo/Art

Dept.But you better be on the up and up because there are a lot of

issues here.

[preston_merchant]

It's better to get them to pay you. Actresses and models are always

in need of new shots for casting agents, print media, and the like.

Sometimes they need simple headshots; other times they are trying to

break into fashion and "print work," as they call it, and so need

full body shots. Models can make scads of money wearing sweaters in

the Macy's circulars, for example.

 

<p>

 

Anyway, it's best if you have some sort of portfolio to show them.

Shoot your friends for free or at cost. A lot of the paying work

comes through referrals. Every actress who needs a B&W headshot has

a friend who's trying to make it as a model. You get the idea.

 

<p>

 

The market determines how much you should charge. Some photographers

charge by the session and deliver a small package of prints. Some

also include hair & makeup (stange, isn't it?). Your own costs and

what it's all worth to you are the most important factors.

 

<p>

 

I don't do terribly much of this here in New York, but I do shoot

enough actresses' (and actors') headshots to make some regular cash

on the side. I've also taken publicity shots for a singer's cabaret

show, production stills for an independent film, stuff like that.

Most actress/model types do lots of different kinds of work, or have

friends who do.

 

<p>

 

University theatre departments and independent dance studios are

great places to advertise (with a flyer in the bulletin board).

College seniors are putting portfolios together and beginning to meet

with commercial agents. I know these things are easy to find it New

York.

 

<p>

 

If you have a quality (and tasteful) portfolio, a selection of

testamonials, and some good referrals, you won't have any trouble

selling your services. Good luck!

[Spearhead]

Trade for prints with aspiring models. How do you find them? Look

for women who have that look. It's pretty simple.

[ralph_barker]

Matthew,

 

<p>

 

While there are numerous ways of connecting with so-called wannabe

models on a time-for-prints (TFP) basis (or "testing" as it is called

within official, land-based modeling circles), or even connecting with

real models, you may be far better off in the long run booking with

experienced models who really have the look you want. And, don't

forget to book a professional makeup artist, as well. The choice of

models (pro or amateur) is really a matter of what you want to do with

the portfolio. If you intend to use it as a real assignment-generating

tool, you should consider investing in the effort wisely.

 

<p>

 

Depending on your location, you can likely book with a reasonably good

model for the type of work you are describing for around $400 as a day

rate. A reasonably good makeup artist may run $100-$200 for a couple

of looks, more for the full day. Be sure to explain clearly what you

are doing, so they understand it is not a real commercial project with

a client's budget behind it.

 

<p>

 

Feel free to e-mail me with your location (city, state), and I may be

able to point you to a few resources.

[mike dixon]

While I've paid to attend a couple of workshops that had professional

models and makeup artists in addition to talks by skilled pros and

great networking opportunities, I've never directly paid a model for

my personal work. As you can see from the excellent answers so far,

there are many ways of finding models with whom to work.

 

<p>

 

Once you have some solid photos to show potential models (even if they

are just of "real people"), it makes it much easier to attract models.

There are a lot of things you can learn from an experienced model,

but you really need a certain skill level before you can fully benefit

from what they offer. A very big part of successful people

photography is how you and the subject relate to each other, and that

aspect is developed through experience.

 

<p>

 

Charm and flattery certainly have their place in building a model's

confidence, but you have to be very respectful in your approach--you

don't want to do anything that the model will interpret as you hitting

on her.

 

<p>

 

<img src="http://mikedixonphotography.com/reneecol28e.jpg">

[fotografz]

Mikes advice is right on the money, especially remaining

professional yet relaxed in your dealings with models. I'm an

advertising Creative Director that supervises major print and TV

shoots. In recent years, I've begun to branch out into my own

photography business shooting local and national work. I've

benifited greatly by watching photographers like Mike work with

models. The more confident ( not arrogant) and natural you are,

the more the model will relax and add to the shoot. It would be

great if you could watch a good shooter work. It's an invaluable

experience. Also, check if there is a local club and/or school that

provides models. It could get you started and familar. Once you

get a few good samples, you could contact a local talent agency

and offer to help aspiring models with their comp sheets. As any

photographer like Mike can attest to, once you successfully do

this, you will be turning down beautiful women because they'll

flock to you. But getting there ain't easy. You've got to put a lot into

every opportunity. And it's essential to learn what lens draw

works with what face shape, and how to vary angles to flatter the

models' best features while deminishing her flaws. Skilled and

sensitive photographers are what make these women look

really beautiful. In the hands of a hack, even the most beautiful

woman looks horrible ( well, maybe not horrible ).

[fotografz]

Oh, I forgot....Mike, I have a lot of national work to let, and am

always looking for a new look and a fresh take. Our Art Directors

wouldn't mind seeing some of your people work. We also do a

ton of food , usually out of NY or Chicago, but we're always

looking. If you're interested, send me an e-mail and I'll tell you

where to send your porfolio. Where are you located again?

The local photographers here in the Detroit area aren't that good

with people, since the big bucks is to be had in shooting cars.

So, for people we have to travel or import the photographic

talent. So, why not a fellow Leica shooter?

[peter_hughes1]

<center>

<img src="http://www.ravenvision.com/images/lianabeach.jpg">

</center><p>Girls (that's what they're called in the industry)

sometimes need photos for their portfolios and will work TFP (trade

for prints). If you see someone you'd like to shoot, hand them a

card, explain who you are and what you want. Be sweet, charming and

don't come off like a sleaze. If you can afford to pay, then offer a

modest amount--say $25 per hour.

[donald_maldonado]

Mike, nice shot of a very pretty girl, well done. If you don't mind

me asking, why did you choose to crop off the top of her head?

Enquiring minds want to know...

[mike dixon]

Marc, you've got mail. (If you don't, let me know.)

 

<p>

 

Don, I do it mostly to annoy people. ; )

 

<p>

 

The serious answer is that I often like to have the eyes (and/or some

other critical element of the photo) near the edge of the frame in the

final image because it seems to create a certain visual tension.

[dan_brown4]

Hey Peter, after looking at that shot, I thought you were going to

suggest contacting the county probation officer for referrals.

 

<p>

 

I told you I was in a mood today, (it's a tax thing ;^).

[geddert]

Thanks to everybody for your responses. As per your suggestions, I

think I am going to either try to hang out with a pro while doing a

shoot, or get into some form of workshop when i have the time.

[andy_wagner1]

Mike Nice shot. To bad the computer screen doesn't do it justice

[robert_byrd1]

Mike,

 

Go to OneModelPlace.com and look up your vicinity on the Search page. You'll find lots of pretty ladies. Some will list their rates, but most let you make the move. I'd start at forty dollars for lingerie and sixty-five for nudes. That's about middle pricing in a city. In a less populous place, you don't have to pay so much.

 

Robert