Talking to people about portraits of them

[marius jost]

I have a question concerning addressing other people about portraits.

I usually make close up portraits and everyone until now was really

happy about the outcome. I often propose that they can use it and get

their photos for free while I may keep a copy.

 

My question is: How do you ask a good looking girl about a portrait

without appearing like someone who just wants to hit on her..? Until

now, I restricted it to people I really know and who I knew for some

time - but after some more time you discover that you don't have more

than 5 really goodlooking friends who are really attractive enough for

interesting portraits.

Of course I will show them a few very good photos I already took, and

I tell them to see my website, but girls can be very skeptical

sometimes. And I can also explain that my girlfriend is the one on

that black and white photo.. But I think, there is maybe a more

professional approach...

 

Do you have some hints about this?

Thanx a lot! Marius

www.marius-jost.de

[chris_ladoulis]

Marius, interesting portraits don't require attractive subjects. But if you prefer to shoot 'goodlooking' people, consider contacting a local modeling agency. Bring samples of your work and ask them if they have models seeking portfolio images. A common arrangement is "TFP" where you trade your Time for Prints with a model.

[patrick_s2]

I have had a similar experience when developing my own portrait portfolio. I ran out of friends that had that "look" I was after. I went to a local hair salon, and told them I was looking for models, and they sent people my way...

 

Other than that, when you approach a woman, start off with, "I am married (even if your not!), and am not hitting on you...). Maybe that'll break the ice.

 

Unless you want to date her.

 

Pat

[mike dixon]

Check out this thread (which was inadvertently moved to the

street/documentary forum archives):<P>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-

msg?msg_id=007P2J">approaching models</a>

[Spearhead]

I've moved it back here.

[eldritch48]

Well, depending on where you live, YMMV, but I'm in NYC. I was having a very similar issue, and on Monday, I posted a request on http://www.craigslist.com as a student photographer looking for people willing to model in exchange for prints.

 

So far this week, I've had 12 responses...8 women and 4 guys. All seem pretty open and flexible towards working in a studio or outdoors, on pretty much any kind of shoot.

 

Another thing I tried last week that actually got some responses was to send an email around my company letting people know that I was a photographer, and I'd be willing to do some free portraits of people and their families in exchange for the practice. This way won't get you as many classically beautiful people, but the excercise of making them look good is good practice too!

 

---Seth

[EricM]

If you feel you are doing something creepy, or even have the slightest thought that they may get the wrong idea, they will sense it and be hesitant. So, remove that from your mind for starters. Second, just ask. It becomes easier and easier. You say you have a website. Great, this works in your favour. A business card would also. �Hey, you have a great look, I�d like to do your portrait one day. Here�s my card with my website, check out my style, if you like it and have nothing to do one day for a few hours, send me an email. Cheers.�

 

You�re going to be surprised how many people actually like being photographed.

[marius jost]

Hi (:

Thank you for all your answers! To have a professional looking business card is a good idea, and I like that time trading approach! ...and I will go to all the hairdressers around here!

 

What I find will not work is to send an E-Mail within my company - I think they would not really like it....

 

Marius

[eldritch48]

I think it really depends on the company. I work for a computer consulting firm, and no one cared at all - In fact, I think I made more friends at work as a result of that email than in the 5 months I've been employed there.

 

Certainly, you should limit the distribution of the email to people who would resonably know you. I wouldn't have mailed a company wide email @ IBM for instance! For big companies like that, department-wide is fine.

 

I think you're on the right track though, the key is to get your name and desires known to a new group of people. As long as you are expanding your circle, it really doesn't matter how you do it.

 

---Seth

[patrick_s2]

Keep the word "nudes" at bay when talking to strange women about modeling for you. That will definitely put them off...

 

:)

[maarten_van_hoven]

Hi, well, in my opinion flirting is a very powerful tool.<br><br> This is what I try (and IF it works, it works out very nice): Start conversating with this girl, it's important to be honest from the start; you want a goodlooking picture of a goodlooking girl. Be funny, and now and then tease her with your camera. But make sure she likes it. She'll be sceptical in the beginning about you taking pictures of her. But if you don't force this method, stay dedicated to her, she'll sooner or later get to trust you. She'll be pleased with any attention of your camera...

 

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