Archive 2014 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

JonStafford
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

A friend of mine is interested in doing some modeling. She has done some shoots with some local photographers (Northern California area) but is looking to expand her portfolio with more experienced photographers. I know I've seen websites where models can put up a profile for photographers to contact, but I can't seem to find them. Anyone have any suggestions or advice that I can relay to her?

Sep 02, 2014 at 01:32 PM

bwalwork
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

Try this guide to online sites:

https://www.themodelingapp.com/27-top-modeling-websites.aspx

I've used Model Mayhem lately, but it attracts some less than professional photographers and models. Therefore, she should exercise caution when selecting photographers with which to work... and take a friend/chaperone along.

Sep 02, 2014 at 02:19 PM

Paul_K
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

If your friend is serious about modeling I would recommend her to stay far away from Modelmayhem

If it was originally set up as a serious meeting point for aspiring models and photographers, nowadays it's ( as many older member complain) more a waste drain for wannabe models ( who by far don't can't fulfill the standard requirements for a 'normal model, but compensate that by, of course only for payment, being readily available for any kind of nude photography) and GWC's posing as photographers.

I'm Dutch and live near Amsterdam, so I think I can say I live in a country with a pretty free approach towards nudity, sexual freedom, sexual orientation etc.

http://www.pbase.com/paul_k/20130803_boat_ride
http://www.pbase.com/paul_k/slutwalk_amsterdam_201106004

and having worked as a fashion photographer, a climate where it's not unusual to meet all kinds people with different sexual tastes and orientations, have quite a liberal opinion on those subjects.

But if you check the sites of the 'photographers' you'll be amazed how much, and it almost seems the majority, of the pictures are being ' not viewable' due to their sexual, often explicit, content.
Just check the Model Mayhem Announcements, a constantly refreshed list of messages posted by the members, and see how many, 'models' and 'photographers' need/use sexually tinted hints to draw attention to their 'work'.

To illustrate how the site has degraded, the subject of a recent series of 'discussions' was whether having a model spread her legs for a 'art' picture was pornography or not !??

http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=930366
http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=929867
I love the work of Bruce Webber, Mario Testino, Herb Ritts, Bill Brandt, Helmut Newton, Sante D'Orazio, Jonvelle, Ellen von Umwehrt, Dominique Issermann, to name a few photographers who done a fair bit of nude photography, but can't remember ever having seen any pictures from them with models spreading their legs wide as part of shooting 'art'.

Also, many models who are new complain that shortly after they register, they get approached by /swamped with requests from 'photographers' , asking to in advance send nude pictures of themselves as condition for possibly being considered for a shoot (which obviously never materialize).

The link from bwalwork offers plenty of other, IMO more serious, alternatives where your friend could better try her luck.

Sep 03, 2014 at 09:12 AM

Herb
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

Paul_K wrote:
If your friend is serious about modeling I would recommend her to stay far away from Modelmayhem

If it was originally set up as a serious meeting point for aspiring models and photographers, nowadays it's ( as many older member complain) more a waste drain for wannabe models ( who by far don't can't fulfill the standard requirements for a 'normal model, but compensate that by, of course only for payment, being readily available for any kind of nude photography) and GWC's posing as photographers.

I'm Dutch and live near Amsterdam, so I think I can say I live in a country...Show more →
While this might be your opinion of Model Mayhem, that is certainly not mine. I have met a few of the models on there (paid by me) to work on my people photography. While I am not going to say that there aren't those type of photographers on there, my experience so far is that is not the rule. Many of the models want nothing to do with nude photos and are explicit in their profiles stating exactly that.

Yes, I agree that the models should bring a chaperone for everyone's protection and I go to great lengths to encourage them to bring someone.

So I don't know where your experience with the site comes from, first hand experience I am talking about, but I don't see anything wrong with the young lady signing up. Like anything in life you have to use common sense, but my experience is completely different.

I think you are painting the wrong picture in this case.

My profile. http://www.modelmayhem.com/3222730

Sep 03, 2014 at 06:22 PM

Paul_K
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

Herb wrote:
While this might be your opinion of Model Mayhem, that is certainly not mine. I have met a few of the models on there (paid by me) to work on my people photography. While I am not going to say that there aren't those type of photographers on there, my experience so far is that is not the rule. Many of the models want nothing to do with nude photos and are explicit in their profiles stating exactly that.

Yes, I agree that the models should bring a chaperone for everyone's protection and I go to great lengths to encourage them...Show more →

I gather from your profile on MM you only have limited experience with shooting models so I guess that for your level a site like MM can be a solution to contact potential 'models' and of course I'm glad you have had such positive experiences.
And I can only applaud you for being so careful in your advice to the models who work for you.

But let me in my turn say that that obviously is only representative for the way you work.
Show me examples in the forums of Fred Miranda, or any other serious site on modeling for that matter, over subjects like the already quoted by me 'leg open' discussions, or on the relevance of shaving or not shaving pubic hair http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=931231, or erectile problems with male models http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=615387, and if so, maybe I can accept that kind of 'discussion' is 'normal'.

So I don't know where your experience with the site comes from, first hand experience I am talking about

It would not be very professional if I would only talk based on hear say or just lurking the site. Of course I have had a profile on MM for a longer period, which I joined on the recommendation of an acquaintance. Otherwise it would not have been possible to see (and comment) on the 'not viewable' images and hidden profiles of some of the members.

but I don't see anything wrong with the young lady signing up. Like anything in life you have to use common sense, but my experience is completely different.

I think you are painting the wrong picture in this case.

My profile. http://www.modelmayhem.com/3222730

Although I don't want to create any kind of hierarchy by comparing your experience at shooting models with mine, I can understand that for you, being new at working and communicating with models, let alone model agencies etc., and given your admitted reason for joining MM is to eventually take 'the traditional pin up with automobile set up of photo's', it's hard to get a realistic grasp of what is normal, and not, in that 'world' especially on a professional level. But personally I prefer to be led by my own moral compass and standards, and of course personal and professional then be blind to excesses 'in the name of art'.

But I do hope the lady in question for whom this thread was originally started reads this thread, compares both our comments, actual experience in fashion, shooting and working wit models etc., and proven work in that field, and then makes a well thought out decision on whether MM is the right choice for her.
This is what is being said on MM itself about the site http://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=929182

And BTW, my website is http://www.pbase.com/paul_k

Sep 03, 2014 at 11:11 PM

Herb
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Suggestions for modeling sites?

I gather from your profile on MM you only have limited experience with shooting models so I guess that for your level a site like MM can be a solution to contact potential 'models' and of course I'm glad you have had such positive experiences.
And I can only applaud you for being so careful in your advice to the models who work for you.

But let me in my turn say that that obviously is only representative for the way you work.
Show me examples in the forums of Fred Miranda, or any other serious site on modeling for that matter, over...Show more →

What do you think "pin up" means? Just so we are communicating. Sometimes phrases in the US do not equal phrases in Europe.

I am curious since you felt obligated to high light from my profile.....

Note, one of my peers at work was in the office today (he is from the Netherlands) and I asked him what a pin up model meant to him, he said someone that poses in Playboy. I asked you mean nude and he said yes.

Pin up models are not nude, nor do they get asked to spread their legs. Here is one that I haven't work with but her desire is to do pin up modeling. Note in her profile she says no to nudes but yes to pin up.

http://m.modelmayhem.com/3058937

They are not the same. I would venture to say that those in the forum that commented on the legs were also models that did nudes. Models that do nudes on MM are the minority of the people on the site and not reflective of the total population of models.

You comments cast a broad net across the total population. It is unfortunate that you think that narrow minded.

Sep 04, 2014 at 06:08 AM


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