Help!!!

[mccartney7499]

Hey,

I don't post up in here often, but I was wondering if maybe one of y'all could help me out. I'm a second year photography major at the Academy of Art University(online), and this semester I'm taking a People photography course. My problem is, I'm having trouble finding models. I tried a Craigslist ad, but haven't had any response yet. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any tips or advice you give!

Jason McCartney
http://www.jaymacphoto.smugmug.com

[ggeen]

You might try http://www.modelmayhem.com/.

[bondarnes]

Do you not have any friends or family that would do this for you???

[RKEnnis]

I'm on a quest to improve my photography skills in every area, but particularly when photographing people. I have little to no experience in this area, and would like to find models to practice with.

I do have family/friends that I could possibly convince to do this, but I'm reluctant. For some reason I feel far more pressure when photographing someone I know. I guess I'm concerned that the photos will be unflattering in some way. My subject would doubtlessly want to see the photos, and might be disappointed or hurt by the results.

Have others here practiced on friends/family? If so, how did they feel about the photos that may not have turned out as well as you would have liked? Did you just not show them the bad ones? What if they are all "bad"?

Originally Posted by bondarnes

Do you not have any friends or family that would do this for you???

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by RKEnnis

I'm on a quest to improve my photography skills in every area, but particularly when photographing people. I have little to no experience in this area, and would like to find models to practice with.

I do have family/friends that I could possibly convince to do this, but I'm reluctant. For some reason I feel far more pressure when photographing someone I know. I guess I'm concerned that the photos will be unflattering in some way. My subject would doubtlessly want to see the photos, and might be disappointed or hurt by the results.

Have others here practiced on friends/family? If so, how did they feel about the photos that may not have turned out as well as you would have liked? Did you just not show them the bad ones? What if they are all "bad"?

Sounds like a big lack of self confidence ?

Let them know that you are learning and that what you shoot may not be exactly perfect at first, but when you get better you'll come back and take a great portrait for them for free.

[mccls1030]

try www.onetalentsource.com

[RKEnnis]

Yes it does sound like that. Or you could say that I recognize my current limitations. I currently have a "knack" for shooting unflattering photos of people. I know I will get better, I just need practice.

Me having told them in advance that the photos may not turn out that great dosen't help much if I show them a photo of them looking really goofy! :)

I guess I just need to tell them I may not show them any of the photos.

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Sounds like a big lack of self confidence ?

Let them know that you are learning and that what you shoot may not be exactly perfect at first, but when you get better you'll come back and take a great portrait for them for free.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by RKEnnis

Yes it does sound like that. Or you could say that I recognize my current limitations. I currently have a "knack" for shooting unflattering photos of people. I know I will get better, I just need practice.

Me having told them in advance that the photos may not turn out that great dosen't help much if I show them a photo of them looking really goofy! :)

I guess I just need to tell them I may not show them any of the photos.

Practice will only go so far ... there are excellent books (check your local library or bookstore) on posing to flatter. Consider photographing people you know as a crash course, and don't worry if they don't turn out perfectly the first time. Friends and family should (I'd hope) be more forgiving. If you can find willing models among them, you can master flattering their body types and move on from there.

Wouldn't it be more awkward to tell a stranger that you probably won't show them any photos?

[RKEnnis]

Well, since I was assuming a MM model would be paid, I wouldn't feel awkward telling them they wouldn't get photos.

Your right, there are some good books out there. I reading through one now. I just need to apply what I'm learning.

BTW, I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Originally Posted by toverman

Practice will only go so far ... there are excellent books (check your local library or bookstore) on posing to flatter. Consider photographing people you know as a crash course, and don't worry if they don't turn out perfectly the first time. Friends and family should (I'd hope) be more forgiving. If you can find willing models among them, you can master flattering their body types and move on from there.

Wouldn't it be more awkward to tell a stranger that you probably won't show them any photos?