The demise of local modeling/photography forums

[richardsfault]

When I started looking into shooting models in 2004, I was a frequent visitor and contributor to thehoustonimage.com and texastalentboard.com.

Both were vibrant online communites helpful to noobs and pros alike, and there regular offerings of TFCD group shoots and M&G's.

I formed some of my most important and enduring industry relationships from those sites.

Over time, activity on both sites steadily diminished, and today they are either in perpetual "SQL error" or "Improvements coming soon" status.

[AllenAyres]

It's the same reason many niche/local sites are dropping like flies - large national/global sites like facebook, myspace, and, in this case, modelmayhem and a few others are reaching those people. I've run several local-ized sites 10+ years that have pretty much disappeared from anyone's radar over the last couple of years.

[Jeff_Green]

Yup. I remember first seeing you on TTB, Richard. Also the Southwest Model Photographer Group (I think that was what it was called). They were good sites that had some good information, but I think the layout they had hurt it some. When you go from those sites to something laid out like this with different categories and forums, it's like night and day.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

Yup. I remember first seeing you on TTB, Richard. Also the Southwest Model Photographer Group (I think that was what it was called). They were good sites that had some good information, but I think the layout they had hurt it some. When you go from those sites to something laid out like this with different categories and forums, it's like night and day.

Like Allen said, the heyday of those sites was before global sites like Model Mayhem took hold.

Today Model Mayhem serves the same needs for me that those local boards did earlier.

And of course TPF thrives on, but is not geared towards model/photographer networking.

[Abel]

Forums/communities are very hard to run and maintain...

The problem i noticed with some of those earlier boards youve listed was the software they were using. Forums have got to be using Vbulletin as that is the most prominent and successful software out there. Using the older style BBS board software is just hurting themselves.

You have to evolve and change as the times change. I was originally using a free forum software called phpBB but then quickly move on to a much more expensive pay forum software because thats what was at the top of the line software which all of the big forum players also used. So i bit the bullet and ponied up the cashola.

Even though i dont post all that much here on TPF I am on here everyday and have TPF on the brain almost every minute i am awake. It takes that kind of mindset in order to make a commmunity flourish and last... at least i think it does.

ModelMayhem has put the hurt on the localized photographer/model community thats for sure but there is still a place for a local ran site similar to MM if somebody so chose to create it and follow through with it.

I've had run in's VERY early on with TPF in regards to models here looking to solicit themselves for shoots etc. Nothing but bad came of it so i simply made the choice to have TPF strictly a community for photographers and send the models on their way. There are plenty of other avenues to which a model can solicit and locate a photographers. it was something i did not want to have to deal with here. too much drama.

[richardsfault]

Originally Posted by Abel

I've had run in's VERY early on with TPF in regards to models here looking to solicit themselves for shoots etc. Nothing but bad came of it so i simply made the choice to have TPF strictly a community for photographers and send the models on their way. There are plenty of other avenues to which a model can solicit and locate a photographers. it was something i did not want to have to deal with here. too much drama.

I can understand that, and have always felt that work I have done with models has been well received here.

TPF has also been one of the best resources for location tips, for example making me aware of Cypress Top.

[toverman]

I can probably speak for at least several hundred members when I say I appreciate everything you do, Abel!

[Concisus Cognatus]

Originally Posted by toverman

I can probably speak for at least several hundred members when I say I appreciate everything you do, Abel!

Here, here!! TPF is a great site.

[Robin Binder]

here. :)

[doctahjones]

Originally Posted by Abel

There are plenty of other avenues to which a model can solicit and locate a photographers. it was something i did not want to have to deal with here. too much drama.

you trying to say that models are drama queens?

(i think most are )