Beginner Advice needed for getting amateur models

Jwar1976

Jwar1976

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Name
John
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Hi all,

I really want to start photographing some amateur models for outdoor shots but have no idea of how to go about it. I have spoken to a friend of mine that is a professional & he said that he really only shoots indoor glamour and that all of the models he shoots are only interested in doing glamour, which is too advanced for me at this present time. I have tried asking friends for shoots but the majority of them are either too busy or are camera shy. One route I have thought about is doing venue photography to get practise of shooting people in, which then could lead to individual shots.

No disrespect to any professionals that may read this thread, as I know that your work is your livelihood, I only wish to learn & not for profit :)

Many Thanks

John
 
There's been a few similar threads recently, what exactly do you want to shoot? What sort of results are you after?
 
Phil V said:
There's been a few similar threads recently, what exactly do you want to shoot? What sort of results are you after?
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Hi Phil, I would love to be able to shoot both male and female for outdoor shots, regardless of their size & especially if they are into the alternative scene like Rock / Goth / Punks etc. There has been a lot of negativeness over peoples appearances, should it be weight or if they are covered in tattoos / piercings. So I guess that I am asking for the alternative model & be able to get results to build my own confidence behind the lens.
 
benc98 said:
check out purpleport - it's a directory of models and photographers.
If you're just starting out with models, then I might recommend you start off with working with an experienced model
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Thank you for that useful information Ben :)
 
benc98 said:
check out purpleport - it's a directory of models and photographers.
If you're just starting out with models, then I might recommend you start off with working with an experienced model
Click to expand...

What Ben said. If you work with inexperienced models at the beginning of this kind of work then there's a high chance you'll both be disappointed with the results. It took me an idiotically long time to realise that modelling is a skill. You're unlikely to get experienced models to work with you for images rather than cash until you've got a few decent photos under your belt.

It all depends on what your aims are. Do you want to produce documentary stuff, portraits or something else? It sounds as though you want to head towards alt / fashion / glamour stuff. Assuming this is the case:
  1. Get on PP (you'll need half a dozen acceptable people shots of different folk in different locations).
  2. Attend some group shoots or workshops to see how models work, and how photographers direct models. That'll almost certainly expose you to the wonderful world of off-camera flash - which you choose to ignore but you'd be missing a trick if you did.
  3. Once you've got your confidence up attend model studio days where you can book a couple of hours 1-1 with a model with the studio owner on hand to help. Or better, actually pay a photographer and a model for some tuition.
  4. Learn some photoshop.
  5. Then.. start thinking about working with wannabes and non-models.
That said, there is a veritable army of photographers shooting 'alt' models in this way. It'd be much more interesting to do as you suggest and photograph in venues and do something in a more documentary style.
 
juggler said:
What Ben said. If you work with inexperienced models at the beginning of this kind of work then there's a high chance you'll both be disappointed with the results. It took me an idiotically long time to realise that modelling is a skill. You're unlikely to get experienced models to work with you for images rather than cash until you've got a few decent photos under your belt.

It all depends on what your aims are. Do you want to produce documentary stuff, portraits or something else? It sounds as though you want to head towards alt / fashion / glamour stuff. Assuming this is the case:
  1. Get on PP (you'll need half a dozen acceptable people shots of different folk in different locations).
  2. Attend some group shoots or workshops to see how models work, and how photographers direct models. That'll almost certainly expose you to the wonderful world of off-camera flash - which you choose to ignore but you'd be missing a trick if you did.
  3. Once you've got your confidence up attend model studio days where you can book a couple of hours 1-1 with a model with the studio owner on hand to help. Or better, actually pay a photographer and a model for some tuition.
  4. Learn some photoshop.
  5. Then.. start thinking about working with wannabes and non-models.
That said, there is a veritable army of photographers shooting 'alt' models in this way. It'd be much more interesting to do as you suggest and photograph in venues and do something in a more documentary style.
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Wow that is extremely useful information thank you very much Simon :). Ideally I just want to do respectable outdoor portrait shots of alternative models with the odd bit of band photography as it is more my scene than going to say a rave taking pictures as a hobby. I will take a look to see what kind of workshops are in my area, but will be attending various venues in the very near future for some documentary style.
 
Join Purpleport. Approach a few models and be very honest about your experience and what you want. Most of the decent one will help you get the best you can get and will have ideas and suggestion along the way. Most are very friendly too

Don't use free models, you'll be disappointed with the results
 
Good luck in your quest, I'd actually recommend approaching people, because it's people you want yo shoot rather than models, go to where your target audience hang out and get chatting to people. Eccentric people won't turn down free photographs.

Just to be clear though, opting for 'locations' and 'natural light' is only an easy option if your ambitions are low. If you want great results, you're going to have to put some effort into posing and lighting. Even if that lighting is the sun, it takes effort to make it work for you. In fact, some would say it takes more effort than using flash.
 
Phil V said:
Good luck in your quest, I'd actually recommend approaching people, because it's people you want yo shoot rather than models, go to where your target audience hang out and get chatting to people. Eccentric people won't turn down free photographs.

Just to be clear though, opting for 'locations' and 'natural light' is only an easy option if your ambitions are low. If you want great results, you're going to have to put some effort into posing and lighting. Even if that lighting is the sun, it takes effort to make it work for you. In fact, some would say it takes more effort than using flash.
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Thanks Phil, I have spoken to a local shop that specialises in clothing for the scene that I am aiming for & they said that they would happily display an advert in their shop for me & the catch with the locations is that a lot of the people go to various venues, but the majority of the venues I have spoken to, have all stated that I am welcome to take photographs on band nights, but only if flash isn't used. I understand that my 18-55 isn't ideal for taking shots without flash & so next week I will be treating myself to a Sigma or Tamron 18-50 / 17-50 2.8, which can be bought at a reasonable enough price and would work well in venues that don't allow flash. There is a club local to me that does Goth nights etc, but they have a professional photographer there on a weekly basis, so want to do the right thing by him, but at the same time gain some form of valuable learning experience, which then could lead on to some outdoor portraits of people in the scene.
 
I also agree with the advice to try Purpleport, if you have a few photos you can put up to help show you are genuine then you shouldn't have any problem finding a suitable model.
 
jwsc101 said:
I also agree with the advice to try Purpleport, if you have a few photos you can put up to help show you are genuine then you shouldn't have any problem finding a suitable model.
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It seems that Purpleport is the way to go, I have been going through my photographs and realised that in the 1,826 photos that I have put on my Flickr account, the majority of them are scenery or animals, with extremely few people, which are only of family and various wedding receptions that I have attended. Also the majority of the photographs were taken with my now gone 450D, my most recent shots in the last few weeks are of Flowers and Scenery which were taken with my newly purchased 7D. So will need to sort through the best of the recent ones, to put onto Purple Port, which in itself feels quite strange as I will be aiming for models, but putting up pictures that are not of any models to attract models.
 
Jwar1976 said:
It seems that Purpleport is the way to go, I have been going through my photographs and realised that in the 1,826 photos that I have put on my Flickr account, the majority of them are scenery or animals, with extremely few people, which are only of family and various wedding receptions that I have attended. Also the majority of the photographs were taken with my now gone 450D, my most recent shots in the last few weeks are of Flowers and Scenery which were taken with my newly purchased 7D. So will need to sort through the best of the recent ones, to put onto Purple Port, which in itself feels quite strange as I will be aiming for models, but putting up pictures that are not of any models to attract models.
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Initially, at least, your photos are will be for demonstrating that you can photograph people at all so models will be willing to work for you for cash; if you can pay having model shots probably isn't so important. There are an awful lot of very good photographers on PP looking for models willing to work for images (aka TFI). The better models tend to be very choosy about who they work with for trade.

You're more likely to attract models to work TF if you provide a full team - hair, make-up and possibly stylist - or can promise publication.
 
You might get lucky and find a new model willing to do TF with a new photographer. The trouble is this can be a recipe for some pretty naff images, unless you are comfortable with posing a model. Working with an experienced model should do wonders for getting your portfolio started.
 
benc98 said:
You might get lucky and find a new model willing to do TF with a new photographer. The trouble is this can be a recipe for some pretty naff images, unless you are comfortable with posing a model. Working with an experienced model should do wonders for getting your portfolio started.
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You make a very good point there Ben, I have started to create my profile on Purple Port, but am currently awaiting a response from their technical team, as hardly any of my Flickr images are able to be uploaded with their upload from Flickr facility.
 
benc98 said:
I guess that's a new feature, it's been a while since I've properly used purpleport or even uploaded images. Hopefully you're up and running soon.
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Finally sorted the problem it was user error, with me getting so used to inserting the BB code from on here, that I had done the same on the site :oops: :$. Anyhow I have been approved by Purple Port and have created a casting, so will wait and see what happens next. Thank you ever so much to everyone that has advised me on this thread, it is much appreciated :)
 
Have you tried registering on purple port or similar sites? Amateur and pro models use those sites to build their portfolio and connect with photographers/makeup artists alike, I'm sure you'll have some success finding models via putting out a casting call on one of those sites.
 
Azaboppa said:
Have you tried registering on purple port or similar sites? Amateur and pro models use those sites to build their portfolio and connect with photographers/makeup artists alike, I'm sure you'll have some success finding models via putting out a casting call on one of those sites.
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Hi Aaron, I am now registered with Purple Port and managed to get 4 requests for shoots within the first few hours of my approval, which I think is superb after spending months trying to get 1 model. :)
 
Jwar1976 said:
Hi Aaron, I am now registered with Purple Port and managed to get 4 requests for shoots within the first few hours of my approval, which I think is superb after spending months trying to get 1 model. :)
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Great ! glad it's working out :)
 
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