"But I've never paid for a shoot before!"

[Anthony Martinez]

Yesterday I had an interesting encounter with a model who contacted me via Model Mayhem rather enthusiastic about shooting with me. I made the completely unfounded assumption that prior to messaging me she'd actually read the five or six lines of text in my profile there and understood the part about rates.

This model wanted to meet to look at wardrobe options, and talk about a concept. A new pair of 32DDs seemed to be the guiding factor in her outfit choices, and she actually told me the clothes just weren't sexy enough - "fashion should be super sexy it isn't about the clothes!" Strange thinking, since fashion is entirely about the clothes. It seems she wanted me to actually buy clothes for her - not wardrobe in the sense that I could buy the clothes to build the look and keep them on my racks, but in the sense that I would be buying her a new outfit to keep.

Anyway, at the end of our meeting she felt the need to tell me her boyfriend (who was going to leave his wife to be with her) pays for things and she did not have very much money. I gave her my rate for a short session and she looked absolutely shocked that someone was asking her to pay for a service. In response she said she'd never paid anyone for a photoshoot before and wasn't going to start now. I thought the first part was rather evident from her portfolio but the second part didn't seem to jive with her goal of being the next big thing.

It's a strange world.

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

It's a strange world.

No... its a stupid world - especially when all you have to depend on are your tits.

[Anthony Martinez]

True statement.

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

...interesting encounter with a model who...A new pair of 32DDs...her boyfriend (who was going to leave his wife to be with her) pays for things and she did not have very much money...her goal of being the next big thing.

Interesting. She values what she can be made to look like, what people can do for her, and obviously not loyalty. When those next big things turn into 32 double droopies, she'll be the one being left for another...

It is a sad culture that has developed out there, indeed. It reminds me of "If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?"

Something tells me you won't be missing out on any significant biz op there.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by christophercoy

no... Its a stupid world - especially when all you have to depend on are your tits.

+1

[Anthony Martinez]

Yeah, when she made the wife comment (it was more drawn out, highly judgmental, and very negative) I'd really lost all desire to shoot her anyway - but turning down money as a college student is kind of illogical. I was actually relieved when she balked.

She sent me a text later saying "please do not ever contact me about shooting again your work is aweful[sic] and not worth paying for only for free." I just reminded her she contacted me, and that there is no e in awful. This, of course, is the reason I use my Google Voice number for business. One-click block!

[kayumangi]

Must be something wrong in Houston as I get these same weird requests from time to time. A friend in LA get TF requests from similar bombshell models but minus the prima donna attitude, you'd think it'd be worse up there.

[Anthony Martinez]

I think the way such businesses work is probably better understood in LA/NYC than it is here. Houston's the energy center of the nation - not so much the fashion anything.

I've seen several photographers (and models) write lengthy forum/blog posts doing the best to explain the way payment works and doesn't work. Sadly, it seems a lot of people just can't read.

[srwatters]

Advertise on Craig's List, and you know what you'll get. It's the same with Model Mayhem. I would suggest you not put up a portfolio on that site if you are looking to be paid for photography work. Of course YMMV...

[Anthony Martinez]

Originally Posted by srwatters

Advertise on Craig's List, and you know what you'll get. It's the same with Model Mayhem. I would suggest you not put up a portfolio on that site if you are looking to be paid for photography work. Of course YMMV...

And vary it has: the site has brought paying clients, it's also brought a lot of idiots. I've deleted my MM in the past.

[khanhfat]

That's some really rude model you've encountered there. Modelmayhem never work for me... all my models are friends I know.

[Anthony Martinez]

Yeah. When I lived in San Marcos that was the case for me as well. Sadly they're all 140mi away now.

[TxTowman]

I know I am in a terrible place to make money, so I plan on a lot of travel!