Do you struggle to find models?
This is a question I got asked a lot so here some ways to find models :
BEFORE YOU EVER START YOUR QUEST I HAVE TWO ADVICES I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU :
The first one is a BIG one to me. You are not shopping for models just like going into a supermarket pick your desert : you are looking for human beings with who you are going to share some time creating pictures together. I am not shopping for an Asian guy or a ginger girl with blue eyes : I am looking for people who connect with my work, and who are going to embody my visions. I also spend some time with them to connect with their stories so it is relevant for them to be in the picture. This requires a bit more than just a pretty face, and my work is not exactly just pretty. When I am brainstorming and drafting new ideas, 95% of the time I have an exact person in mind that I want to photograph for this, not just because of their appearance, but because the picture will tell their story.
The second MASSIVE one, I even hate that I have to write about this, but this is not obvious to everyone so : PLEASE DON’T BE CREEPY. Come on guys this is not the 90’s anymore, and we try to make the world a better place so don’t be this photographer using their power over models. WE ARE TRYING TO WORK IN HERE. « oh yeah baby I am going to make you a superstar, can you show me a bit more boobs? come on yeah I will give you some cocaine, it’s alright to be naked, look I can be naked too, how old are you by the way? You know if you sleep with me I can get you in Vogue for sure! » I wish it was just a bad funny joke from me, unfortunately no.
https://www.marieclaire.com.au/terry-richardson-every-sexual-harassment-and-assault-allegation
https://petapixel.com/2017/10/28/amazon-book-seduce-women-photography/
It is alright to photograph people naked (you know I do it all the time) But you have to be extra careful and extra respectful and ask for consent.
So now we agreed that models are human beings, who you should respect as such, here are a few methods to find amazing people to create amazing art :
- Photograph your friends, and friends of friends
When I started I did not felt comfortable enough to photograph strangers : so my closed ones were my go to when I needed to experiment something. I know they wouldn’t judge me if all the pictures sucked and in the end it was always a good afternoon having fun! It was especially crucial when I started to learn studio lights and had no idea what I was doing! « wait what happens if I pressed this button AND this one at the same time and add the purple gel? WOW AWESOME, oh no not you, you are totally blurry SORRY!)
Though it was great to start, I don’t photograph my friends anymore
- Use an online platform like Model Mayhem (or book.fr if your are in France)
You can shop profiles that you find interesting here, you can filter your research with various options.
I let a casting call when I just moved to Sydney. I didn’t know anyone here so that was a good way to find creative people. I met the most amazing stylist, and I am still good friend with a model I photographed there!
- Use Instagram wisely :
Just like Model Mayhem, you can shop on Instagram for models though locations and hashtags. I knew a photographer who would cast his model only like this. He offered to photograph people with quite a bit amount of followers so he could grow his online presence thanks to them. I never used this like this but I think it is quite clever if you want to grow your Instagram account organically!
- Do a model call on your social medias :
From times to times, when I need to find new profiles, I post a message on Facebook or a story on Instagram. The cool thing about this is that I know that in my community, there are models and people who are following me who really want a shoot with me. So they are the first one to jump on the opportunity when it occurs! These people are usually really motivated and already love my work and my vision. This is how I met the beautiful Mathilde who already tried to connect with me before, but that I finally met I posted a call.
- Ask for recommandations from others photographers or models
I probably know all the photographers in my area doing fine art and dark portraits. And they all have their models and favorites faces who loves to work for this kind of photoshoot! So if I was looking for someone new now, I would definitely ask the people I already know to put me in contact who who be a good fit for me. When you start putting your work more and more out there and meet like minded people like you in the area, you realize it is quite a small world. If I am adding another french photographer on Facebook, the probability is high that we already have 10 friends in common. So use this network at your advantage to find interesting profiles!
Florence Rivières is a french alternative model, and she has probably work with ALL fine art photographers around! She is also and authour and wrote a book about modeling and posing, check her out!
I can tell you that most of the models I have been working with are now my friends, and I am glad we have this special bond of creating something together. I know not everyone work like this, but I find it gives a depth to my work that is different from just doing fashion photographs for the sake of pretty pictures. I specialize in photographing human beings and am telling their stories, and that’s why my clients decide to hire me instead of someone else.
Tell me how you usually work with model? Do you have a special relationship with them or do you keep it just professional? Do you have other way to find them?
Thanks for reading and lots of love!!
