TFP / TFCD models and questions

[DigiSLR]

OK, so I just got myself some studio strobes and I want to learn studio lighting. I've read some books and now it's time to dive in. I have a few friends who are nice enough to let me set up lighting, practice taking light meter readings and snap a few practice shots of them.

I want to now work with someone other than a "friend" sitting on a stool just so I can practice. I'd like to work on building my own portfolio.

When you FIRST started out with portrait work and studio lighting, where did you find your subjects, did you simply find TFP / TFCD models or would it be beneficial to pay a professional model to start and assume (s)he could teach ME something about models and posing?

I've looked a little on ModelMayhem and OMP, but most models I see are only doing TPF / TFCD for "established" photogs that can offer something unique to thier portfolio. I'm certainly not at that level. This is currently what I'd consider an advnaced "hobby" for me.

If you do use TFP / TFCD models, do you give them ALL the shots or just a sample of some of the days work? How about professional models? Is there an average rate for simple "headshot" and possibly full body shots? Again, I'm not into glamour, or nude, or anything like that. I'm just "practicing" at this point and building my OWN portfolio.

I've also considered Craigslist... if I find a Wannabe that wants to pose, what can I expect? Do real Models use Craigslist, and more importantly for me, do people that want to be considered real Photographers search for subjects on Craigslist?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm BRAND new to all this and would like some guidance from all you experts as to how you started and what worked and what didnt.

Thanks for any advice!

[Detonate]

Originally Posted by DigiSLR

When you FIRST started out with portrait work and studio lighting, where did you find your subjects, did you simply find TFP / TFCD models

99% of the models I've worked with have come from Model Mayhem. The other 1% came from Modelplace.com or word of mouth. I've had zero luck with OMP, and several of the other sites...

or would it be beneficial to pay a professional model to start and assume (s)he could teach ME something about models and posing?

Paying a model, or better yet, going to a paid portfolio building workshop like this one will help you add a lot of quality images to your book. For me, the workshop wasn't so much about learning how to do the lighting, or posing models, so much as it is getting flashy images in my book quickly to attract other models to experiment on.

I've looked a little on ModelMayhem and OMP, but most models I see are only doing TPF / TFCD for "established" photogs that can offer something unique to thier portfolio. I'm certainly not at that level. This is currently what I'd consider an advnaced "hobby" for me.

When you search, search for models listed by Newest members. That will give you mostly people who have never shot with a professional, or have shot with very few. There are exceptions of course. But don't be afraid to work with some of the camera phone wanna be models when you are first starting out.

If you do use TFP / TFCD models, do you give them ALL the shots or just a sample of some of the days work?

I've never given them all of my shots. What I used to do is let them review proofs of all the shots and then let them choose around 8 images to have me post process, and those 8 finished images would be the only ones they get.

Unfortunatley, models where choosing shots that I felt were throw away shots, or did not represent what "I" consider to be a great photograph. Anyways, now I don't let the models see the proofs, and I select which images they get. It just works out better for me, as I want to make sure only my best work is shown. If the shoot is paid, that is a different story. Then I want the model to have whichever shot she wants.

How about professional models?

You'll have to negotiate that with the model. My thought is that if I'm giving them images, that is payment. If I'm giving them money, then THAT is payment, and they do not get the images.

Is there an average rate for simple "headshot" and possibly full body shots? Again, I'm not into glamour, or nude, or anything like that. I'm just "practicing" at this point and building my OWN portfolio.

I'd skip paying a model when just starting out. If you are still learning lighting and posing, you probably won't benefit too much from paying a model. This is contrary to going to a workshop, because they setup the scenes, the lights, and hire the pro models. You basically just compose your shots and fire away.

Sorry for all the questions. I'm BRAND new to all this and would like some guidance from all you experts as to how you started and what worked and what didnt.

Sick with it and it will work out. I've gone through some very frustrating times when starting out that made me question whether or not this type of photography was right for me. Once you get a few shoots under your belt, it will really start becoming fun.

[exposedmedia]

I think Jim covered it. I give the models about 15 images of my choosing for TFP.

[srwatters]

If you're really just starting out, I'd avoid models all together and work on your family/friends or self portraits. Once you feel you can create decent images (7 out of 10 are acceptable as good solid images that are in focus, composed well, and have decent lighting), then continue with what Jim has suggested.

Although you could come to one of my workshops and get great images, without a good foundation, you won't be able to reproduce those same shots in your environment. If you get a model to work with you and you fail to produce, your reputation won't get off to a good start. In the same breath, a model going to Greg Daniels or Johnny Crosslin is guaranteed great images even if she doesn't have the modeling chops. If she accepts $ or TFP from a photographer expecting to get that output, they will be disappointed as well. It's a balancing act...

Good luck and be prepared for no-shows. It will happen. I guarantee it.

[Wes]

This is all great info!

I might suggest also contacing Tracy Hicks. He seems to have gorgeous women beating down his door to pose for him (with and without clothes). Not sure how he got started, but it seems that he could probably give some advice on how to get them to come to you.

[HeatherLou]

Another idea is to find another photograher.........that you can work with that dont mind being infront of the camera. That way, you both can get some practice, both get images and you can learn a lot from each other. I have ...or more like forced Brad take my pictures twice now and I learn lots every time. LOL But in all seriousness, that may be a good option too.