Top 20 Complaints Photographers Have About Models

photographer

Lots of reaction to our last Models vs. Photographers post, Top 20 Complaints Models Have About Photographers. It caused some commentary on Facebook with some venomous remarks on both sides. This time the photographers get equal time. I received well over 80 comments from 9 photographers who basically threw you, the model, under the bus and over a cliff many times.  Once again, (and quite smartly)I’ve decided to leave all authors of these comments completely anonymous.

Here they are in no particular order.

1.) “Get off your phone. This is a shoot. If you’re attached to your phone I don’t want to work with you.”

2.) “I shot a girl for a lingerie site who had a tiny snot-bubble coming out of one of her nostrils. I asked her to take care of it, but I guess I embarrassed her, because she walked out in a huff. I know the photographer who shoots her these days. He’ll call me up once in awhile and say, Snot-Bubble was here yesterday.”

3.) “Just in general, the one complaint I have about models is those who cancel last minute when there is a deadline”

4.) “I’m not a counselor. Please keep your boyfriend and family issues away from my studio. I can’t stand people who try to bring me down during a shoot.”

5.) “I’m fine with her bringing an escort, but she insists on bringing her insanely jealous boyfriend who makes the shoot uncomfortable.”

6.) “I hate when someone tries to tell me my job. Don’t tell me you think you need more lighting or something. I’m behind the camera. It’s my job to know what you need.

7.) “I love Goldfish crackers, too, but when you eat them on my set you get orange crumbs all over the place-including your teeth.”

8.) “There is a half bathroom in my apartment I allow the models to use. What slobs. Girls are definitely worse in the bathroom than boys.”

9.) “I was doing a topless shoot and when the model took off her robe, her boobs were covered in huge purple hickeys. How disgusting. I asked her if she had anything with her to cover them up and she said, You can shop them out,”

10.) “You’re drunk, again!”

11.) “Models who have no legal ID with them. I won’t shoot anyone who doesn’t have 2 forms of ID.”

12.) “You’re drowning in perfume and I have a migraine. Seriously, there’s no need for that shit in close quarters.”

13.) “Please don’t touch any of my camera equipment.”

14.) “Your best friend is here as your escort. She’s not my best friend. Please have her sit and be quiet while I take pictures,”

15.) “I don’t care who won American Idol nor the fact that all the judges are quitting, or getting fired, or whatever”

16.) “One model I shoot only when I have to. She uses the “F word” every two seconds. Show some class.”

17.) If it’s TFP, it’s TFP. Don’t ask me for gas money on your way out.”

18.) “One woman I shot had body odor. Such a pretty model, too. It was a 2 hour shoot and I came close to vomiting.”

19.) “I know a lot of models who claim that photographers are always trying to get in their pants. It goes both ways and more often than you might think.”

20.) “No, I don’t want to be a part of your religion, or cult. You get dropped off at your shoot in a minivan full of weirdos. They give me the creeps.”

Thank you to all who participated. I appreciate it.

-JJ

What Are The Best Ways to Make Money Modeling?

eleneModel: Elene

by Joseph James for Deadbabes.org

What Works and What Doesn’t?

Ok, you’ve got a decent professional portfolio, you’re working with a ton of photographers who are just begging you to shoot and your Facebook page is at 5,000 followers. When can you start getting paid for your efforts? That all depends. Do people even know you’re available for work? What are you offering for sale?

If income is not why you’re modeling, you may as well skip this article. This is written for the model who wants to earn money selling product in a highly competitive business.  Here’s what works and what doesn’t.

Prints and Calendars

 Sunset Portrait (Reese at age 14)

I see many new (and seasoned) models thinking they can clean up, selling prints and calendars of their work. Unless you’ve got a minimum of 10,000 (and that’s a conservative number) Facebook Fans, you should think twice about selling these items. Your fan base is too small to support sales, no matter how great your photographs may be. I know 10,000 fans seem like a lot, but it really isn’t. Out of 10,000 FB fans, you should assume only 2,000 actives. Most are either fake accounts, or likes from third world countries that wouldn’t (or cannot) do business with you anyway.

Don’t dismiss producing these items someday, just don’t do it too early, or you may find yourself disappointed.

 

Clothing Companies and Bands

 serenity dies

Promotional modeling as been around since the stone age. Clothing companies and bands are on the lookout for sexy, attractive women all the time. The problem is (unless you’re already somewhat internet famous) you’re not likely to be paid in cash. You’ll be paid in clothing, or merchandise instead. It’s called trade. Service for merchandise. You will receive payment for your work, but unfortunately there will be no cash. If you go for this type of payment, be sure to make the best deal you possibly can. Always ask for more and settle for less. Trade payments are highly negotiable.

 

Content

Arsenic Arson

 Model: Arsenic of Deadbabes shoots and sells content

Selling content is hands down the best way to make money modeling on the internet. What is content and how do you sell it?

What is content?

  • A pizza shop owner is looking for the their new Pepperoni Pizza Girl.
  • A nightclub is looking for a stunning model to take a series of photographs for it’s website and print advertising.
  • A company wishes to hire you to take photographs in an office setting as a happy employee of their firm.
  • etc.

Content usually entails your taking photographs that fill a specific need.  A webmaster who wishes to brand his/her website or product will often choose 1 model to achieve that purpose. In order to begin shooting content, you must be able to follow specific instructions from the buyer and take incredible photos. If the company is not local, you must have access to great photographers and sets. Getting access to some things required for a successful content shoot may not always be easy, so remember to include any expenses you may incur in your price estimate.  Sometimes shoots are sold for a flat rate price, other times, they are negotiable.

Video Content

If you’re not shy( and can speak well), video content can be extremely lucrative for you. Companies willing to pay you for video content are out there. Spokesmodels are invaluable to some companies. There are many models who do this on Fiverr.com and are able to make a decent part time income doing it. Sure $5.00 per video doesn’t sound like a lot of money for producing video content, but add ons (producing the vid in better quality, wearing certain clothing, producing the video in 24-48 hours, etc.) are all extra charges. A 3 minute, high quality vid could easily net you $25-$50.

If you’re good at what you do, the sky is the limit for selling photo or video content.

Brainstorm

Brainstorm with yourself (and with other models) to come up with alternative sources of income to support yourself and your career. There are hundreds of ways to make money modeling. You just have to do what works best for you.