Finding and Working with Non Professional Models

Why photographers need models

Finding and working with non professional models is something photographers may need to do to get started in their business. Being ready to start making money with photography skills, and not having a portfolio of images is a circular problem. You need customers. Customers need to see your portfolio to determine if they want to hire you.

What is the answer? The answer is to hire models yourself and build your base portfolio with images that represent your style. If you have exhausted friends and family, you can decide to hire models to help you. You will want to hire people that will be happy to model for you in exchange for money, photographs or the ability to add you to their own professional portfolio. Hiring your own models will allow you to capture the images you require to establish your base portfolio and style. Customers will hire you based on your portfolio of work. This will break the circular problem of not having the images on your portfolio required to get customers to book you.

Finding models

Professional models want jobs to gain experience in the industry. These models are expensive and normally work through agents. This will cost more money hiring a professional. There are several additional options. One option is people wanting professional photography. A second option is people wanting additional experience as models.

Running an ad on Craigslist is an example of how you may find people interested. You will quickly receive many responses to this type of ad. You will spend a good amount of time texting back and forth to responses. People responding will be cautious and concerned about who they are communicating with. It will be up to you to text back and forth your photoshoot goal, your credentials, and to convince him or her that you are a legit business seeking to build your professional portfolio. Feature shoot article “7 Photographers Share Their Secrets to Working with Models for Free” has a cute article about using your own parents as models.

Paying models

Models, professional or not, want to be paid. Payment may be cash, images, recognition or all three. I prefer to offer all three together as payment. Paying models cash for their time helps to ensure their commitment to the photography shoot. Providing images is a tangible form of payment models want. Allowing models to use you as a business reference for their own portfolios is professional courtesy. A model not showing up for the photography shoot can ruin your entire event. Offering all three of these forms of payments helps to ensure success. It is very important to always remember to have models sign a model release form. Ryan Cooper writes about “Three Tips for Getting Models to Work With You”.

Working with non professional models

Non professional models do not know what to do. As the photographer and coordinator of the photography shoot, you have to be patient and be willing to walk them through exactly what you want to achieve. You must coach them in a friendly and positive manner, and give them feedback throughout the entire process. Having coffee together the week prior is one way to break the ice and get to know each other better. It puts them at ease and makes it more likely they will show up on the actual day of the shoot.

The more you develop a relationship with them, the easier it will be to photograph them in a way that provides great images. They need to feel safe and relaxed. I usually tell them they are welcome to bring someone along if they want. It will reduce anxiety and make things more light and fun for the model. No matter what happens, you, as the photographer, must keep the experience positive and fun. They are nervous, and trying to help you. You are trying to help them as well. It should feel like a win-win experience for both of you.

Conclusion

Working with non professional models is the least expensive and best method of building your professional photography portfolio. If done correctly, this experience will be a win-win for yourself as the photographer and the model.  You will learn a lot about technique, get great images in the the style you choose, and meet other people who have similar interests. Your models remain resources for future styled shoots and may know someone to recommend. Models you work with will be more ready to respond the next time you offer a paid shoot. They know your technique and require less time preparing. You will have the creative style of photography you require in your portfolio to get customers inquiries.

Contact Pamela Kay

Please contact me for more information.