Trouble with the Modeling Industry

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Trouble with the Modeling Industry

Many experienced models know what I’m talking about. Sometimes it’s your photographer, sometimes it’s a model, and other times… (and this one is hard to admit) it’s yourself.

There are a lot of issues I have encountered during shoots, at conventions, and during shows. I can also admit that when I started modeling I was not nearly as professional as I am today. This is one of the reasons I try to work with individuals who are experienced in the industry.

Here are some issues from a models perspective. If you want to make a lasting positive impression, take a read.

1) Something that bothers me and makes me uncomfortable is when a photographer makes an advance on me. I’m perfectly happy making sex jokes, hearing the positive feedback and compliments on my figure, being offered a completely innocent non-romantic lunch date, talking about how hot another model is and etc. However, the following is important:

please refrain from touching any part of my body while I’m naked.
Do not put me in an uncomfortable position by requesting I date you, it’s not professional.
I’m happy to give you a hug goodbye, I’m a big fan of innocent hugs, but don’t hug me while I’m nude.

Something I recently experienced was a photographer putting his hand on my knee to spread my legs open for a shot. If you have a suggestion for a photo, by all means express it but do not attempt anything like that. I will leave and models will be warned.
I’m very sexually confident and know how my body looks from every angle, There are a lot of pervy images I’m into having captured if you are an artist. You do not need to handle me to get the pose you’re looking for! I’m not into you displaying that you’re getting your jollies. Please be professional and respectful of the work I do.

2) There are a lot of big talkers out there. Don’t try and tell me you will make me famous, or that I wont succeed without you. Be confident, of course… your confidence feeds my confidence, but please don’t be arrogant. Amateurs and professionals alike will be treated the same. So long as you respect me and my work, I will respect yours. Also, just because you have success or photography is your full-time job doesn’t mean that it is necessary for me to work free or that I want to hear your rates. I have never paid a photographer a day in my life and I only offer paying jobs I get to photographers who I have experience with.

3) Asking me to work for free without any sort of incentive, or assuming your incentive can replace my work day is not cool. I get contacted on a daily basis asking to work for free. This is my job, I promise it has nothing to do with my having something against you. If you ask me to shoot free and I turn you down, please don’t take offense. It is not my intention to upset anyone. However, if you can offer me something for the hours I put in, I might say yes. There is no harm in asking. But if I turn down your offer, it is not a personal attack.

4) Pushing me to do something I have no interest in. No means no, it’s simple.

5) Ladies can be very catty at times, it’s our nature. Please be aware that I’m am not interested in talking about another model behind her back unless it’s to say how wonderful she is. And when I over hear you talking badly about another model or company it doesn’t make you look very good. If you have a negative comment, try to keep it to yourself or save it for a private chat with a close friend.

6) People who take themselves too seriously steal the energy. Have fun! Smile! Crack a joke! So long as it doesn’t effect the final product what is the harm?

7) No shows and lateness. If you’re going to be 10 minutes late, that’s fine, no worries, relax bro! 30 minutes late, that’s cool too just send me a text or give a phone call. An hour late is absolutely ridiculous! No shows, even worse! When I book myself for a job, I really gotta squeeze it in my schedule so SHOW UP! Remember: Better late than never! And if you’re sick, or have an emergency, call and let me know. Give me some time to fill my schedule rather than fixating on my watch and trying to reach you. 24 hours notice is ok. And even though it is not the best, if you have no choice, telling me an hour before a shoot, or at all is far more preferred than no information. Being told nothing and left wondering is completely disrespectful.

8) Don’t be afraid of me! I’m 5 foot 6, I’m terrified to crush a bug, and romantic scenes in movies make me cry! Just because I have this list of “DON’T YOU DARE”s doesn’t mean I’m unapproachable :) Feel free to ask any question about working together, I love to hear your creative ideas, and when you’re paying for a shoot I respect that it makes you the creative director if you wish to be.

9) This is only here because I’m trying to make a list of 10 things

10) I may have OCD

xoxo
VeraBaby

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