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How to get models for photography class

misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
edited May 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
Here's the thing...

This summer I'm taking a photography class. For my portfolio, I want to do some shots of models (I've done mostly scenic photography up until now), but I have no idea to go about finding models. I am much too shy to ask people in my class, so I'm hoping to find someone professional, BUT I have very limited money and wouldn't be able to compensate much. Would craigslist be a good idea, or should I contact an agency? Or should I just get over my shyness and ask people at my school?

misbehavin on

Posts

  • AftyAfty Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Seriously ask some people in your class it'll do you good.

    Or if not, ask some of your friends as long as you can get them to be serious for more than half an hour at a time!

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  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I should clarify: One my friends IS already helping me, but for a few of the shots I want (specifically one of a "couple" on a park bench at sunset) I need a female model, and I am usually pretty shy and would have a hard time asking a woman to model (I'm somewhat afraid she'll assume it was some cheesy "take off your clothes" line), and I have no close female friends.

    misbehavin on
  • ProtoProto Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I'd just ask someone in your class. Why would she think you are using a line on her? It's not like you are some random guy on the street, you are in a photography course together.

    Proto on
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  • SentrySentry Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I had this same issue when I was in Photography. I just asked two friends of friends to model in the shots, they were flattered and only asked for a copy of the picture as compensation.

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  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Proto wrote: »
    I'd just ask someone in your class. Why would she think you are using a line on her? It's not like you are some random guy on the street, you are in a photography course together.

    Oops, I didn't mean "class". There is only one girl in my class, and our schedules dont match very well. I meant I was nervous about asking other girls at my school, who aren't in my class... Maybe if I just START the convo with "I'm in a photography class, and..." go from there...

    Is it dumb that I'm nervous about this? I mean, I like the actual photography, but the approaching people to model part is very nerve-wracking, and I don't know why...

    misbehavin on
  • Vrtra TheoryVrtra Theory Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    I recommend you avoid agencies (and probably craiglist as well). If you were attempting to become a professional photographer, that is the route you would take - looking for aspiring models who will trade modeling time for free prints of the shoot afterward. That gives you (the aspiring photographer) practice, and them (hopefully) some decent shots for their portfolio.

    What you are doing will probably be much easier to pull off with casual acquaintances. The class you're taking is at your school, asking people you know vaguely from your flat/dorm, people you know from other classes, etc.

    This really isn't as creepy as you seem to think, especially if you want to photograph couples - you might even try approaching a mixed group of 5-6 people and asking if you could take 10 minutes of their time for your photography class. That'll give a good chance to arrange them into different couples, pose them all in different ways, etc., and it shouldn't seem weird at all. Plus the time constraint will give you experience in setting up a scene quickly.

    Vrtra Theory on
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  • TechnicalityTechnicality Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Why not ask a girl who you know is in a relationship, and ask her to bring her other half along. No way that can be misunderstood, and they are more likely to say yes.

    Technicality on
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  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Vrtra Theory wrote: »
    This really isn't as creepy as you seem to think, especially if you want to photograph couples - you might even try approaching a mixed group of 5-6 people and asking if you could take 10 minutes of their time for your photography class. That'll give a good chance to arrange them into different couples, pose them all in different ways, etc., and it shouldn't seem weird at all. Plus the time constraint will give you experience in setting up a scene quickly.

    I guess you're right... Sometimes my shyness gets the best of me...
    Technicality wrote: »
    Why not ask a girl who you know is in a relationship, and ask her to bring her other half along. No way that can be misunderstood, and they are more likely to say yes.

    That's not a bad idea... I'll try that... If she's taken and I'm inviting the guy along, there can't be any misunderstanding, and he can participate in the couple shots!

    misbehavin on
  • AftyAfty Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    must...restrain...glaringly....obvious....joke...


    Good luck !

    Lets us know how the pics turn out.

    Afty on
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  • misbehavinmisbehavin Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Afty wrote: »
    must...restrain...glaringly....obvious....joke...

    I'm... Somewhat afraid... But I don't know where you are going with that, and am curious...
    Afty wrote: »
    Lets us know how the pics turn out.

    I won't be able to post the pics, but I'll tell you how it went... :)

    misbehavin on
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