Models: What’s on your social media site (Part 1)?

Chicago has a plethora of models on the scene.  Due to such a large number of models in a specific area it’s no surprise that competition is tough.  Now, with tough competition comes a lack of work in the field or tough entry into the field.  Albeit the industry is tough I continue to see models posting just about any type of picture of themselves on social media sites.  What I am about to say next will determine if this post is worth your time reading or if you should just leave right now.  If you are serious about pursuing a modeling career and are guilty of posting poor quality and poor content pictures on your social media page then STOP IT!!  Professional models or models that are serious about modeling scrutinize the photographers that they post that represent them.  Modeling is about living and breathing the modeling concept.  I am sure you have heard the old adage “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”.  So, if you are guilty of posting those not so great (let’s face it horrible) pictures on your social media site it is time to clean it up.

Now, some of you may find yourself in a bit of a dilemma after you clean up your social media site. Do not be surprised if you only have a few professional photos (e.g. photos that say WOW) to post once you finish your cleanup process.  

- D. Reid

Photography: Building the portfolio

My previous entry “Photography: Shoot for Free or Not?” basically stated that you should not shoot for free if you consider yourself to be a professional photographer.  Now here is an interesting conundrum; how are you supposed to get paid for assignments if you do not have work to show a potential client?  You guessed it you have to shoot for free; which is also called building your portfolio.  Now, the thing about building your portfolio is that it is not entirely free.  Sure you can do TFP/ TFCD shoots all day long to build your portfolio; however, the truth of the matter is that TFP /TFCD shoots come at a cost.  Some photographers will argue my cost analysis of TFP / TFCD photo shoots. 

Cost analysis of a TFP / TFCD photo shoot will vary from photographer to photographer based solely on how the photographer values their time and service.  I cannot speak for other photographers; however, I value my time and service so if I do a TFP/TFCD shoot it has be for something that I am lacking in my portfolio or experiment with new techniques.  A TFP/TFCD shoot cost you time and energy. Time is spent planning/researching the shoot, executing the shoot and post-processing the shoot.  Now, if you had to invoice a client for your services listed above how much would you charge? 

Building your portfolio can be hard work when starting out.  Here is the scenario that many photographers face when attempting to build their portfolio.  You have your new DSLR and a few lights (i.e. mono and/or speed lights) now you need to find you a model or two work with. Most models will not do a TFP/TFCD shoot with just anyone.  So, now you are faced with the frustration of having equipment, read all your manuals but now no model to shoot with.  One way to find models to work with is to join a local photography group.  Joining a local photography group has several advantages from networking with other photographers, make-up artist and hair stylists to being informed about events that are happening in your area that you did not even know were going on.  A great place to find local photography groups is on meetup.com. Below is a list of active photography groups that are free to join.

Photography groups:

http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoProAmPhotography/

http://www.meetup.com/Chicagos-best-photographers-in-one-location/

http://www.meetup.com/ChiPhoto/

Acronyms:

"TFP" is a term used frequently in the modeling world. It means, quite simply, "Time for Prints." “TFCD” means “Time for Compact Disc” or digital images.http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoProAmPhotography/

Photography: Shoot for Free or Not?

Should you take a photography gig for free or not is a question that all photographers encounter (aside from hobbyist) at some point in time. A photographer that is initially starting out trying to build their portfolio usually does not have a choice but to take a free photography assignment.  Now, the real challenge or hurdle that several photographers battle with is converting from free photography assignments to paid photography assignments. 

So, the question Shoot for free or not?  For those who consider themselves as a professional photographer, then absolutely not.  Now, there is an exception to the rule and that exception is what do you value as currency?  Currency comes in different forms besides the obvious currency that we thrive for (i.e. cash, tender, money, etc...).  Here is the exception to the rule; if you feel that the assignment is going to provide you with great photography that you can market or the assignment is with a great company and you feel that taking this assignment will benefit you then you should consider taking the assignment.  If the assignment does not offer 1 of 2 exceptions to the then you should get paid for the assignment.

One of the traps that photographers fall prey to is working with clients that have a limited budget (i.e. cannot pay you) and the client promises you paid work in the future.  Usually this type of arrangement seldom comes to reality so, be careful when you deal with clients that promise you future paid work if you take an assignment for free. A true photography professional knows how to identify and walk away from a fruitless assignment.  Clients know that professional photography services come at a fee and if a client knows that you will take an assignment for free it will be very hard for you to charge the client for future assignments.

- D. Reid