Photographers - Where Not to Find Models

Photographers – Where not to Find Reputable Models

By Marc Gagnon

It is always difficult to find the right models for the right projects. If you also personally manage models for agencies, it is equally difficult to find quality models. Remember, models should have the following qualities:

·         Ability to take direction. Not only in front of the camera but also to take direction concerning the education of the entertainment profession, as well as pointers to behave in a top level of class.

·         Models should not indulge in behavior that can tarnish their character.  For instance, alcoholic abuse as well as drug abuse;  sex for money; other criminal behavior:  legal infractions; rude behavior to other models or their photographer / personal manager; and modeling work that is considered as low life behavior as mud wrestling, party hostess for clubs, go go dancing, website pay sites, escort services, usual court appearances, improper eating etiquette, driving while intoxicated,  general  irresponsible behavior, lying to the personal manager and others in the profession, low class behavior and associating with other low class individuals.

·         The Model should listen to the advice of their personal manager and professional photographer. If not, then what is the purpose of having one.

The worst place to find models is actually on the internet. Such sites as Craig’s List, Backpage, One Model Place, Model Mayhem, etc.   The models on these sites, but not all, are generally to be found as low class and may be involved in unethical and illegal activity.  Many of the Craigs List people are sex for hire, drug traffickers, and other activities.

Where do you find reputable models:

·         Models working in the community. If you see a person which you believe could model and if they work at a salon, you probably can bet that they are not involved in trafficking or prostitution.

·         You may see someone who is studying for course work at a local college.  Students frequent places as Starbucks and Barnes and Noble Book Stores.

·         College Campuses

·         At sporting events

·         At industry events.

Some Terrible Experiences I have encountered:

·         I met a model for breakfast at an Original Pancake House. We had a discussion and an interview. She ordered a large breakfast and then ordered one to go.

·         A model that I knew for a while was with me at a jazz event, and she ordered a bottle of champagne and drunk the whole bottle which is definitely a sign of alcoholism. I ended up firing her.  Previously, she drank two alcoholic bowls at a previous restaurants some 1 ½ hours before.

·         A model ordered $95 of food and the entire bill was $115 after a shoot.

·         A model stated to her family that I sent her to LA and left her kids for 10 days. The reality was she was on a cruise for ten days with no contact with her children.

·         A model had several court appearances and driving with a suspended license.

·         A model did not take any advice from her personal manager and did such work as Party Hostess, Internet Paid Site, Mud Wrestling, and Escort Services.

If a model is intended to be referred to a reputable agency, the personal manager should be very careful of who they refer.