Vital Red Flags on Working with an Agency for a Model

If you're a regular follower and reader you'd know my thoughts on modeling agencies. The vast majority of them are scams, unethical business practices, and heck even doing illegal business practices even in some states. Here are some tips and red flags to know when finding and working with a modeling agency. Granted I'm no model, and I'm a photographer who never experienced this but this is information based on the research I've done on all agencies, and experiences of professional agency fashion models such as YOANNA HOUSE, which some is mentioned on this creativeLIVE course here which I highly recommend watching!

Red Flag: [SCAM] Any upfront costs asked by the agency. Such as some I've seen myself are

• Audition Fees
• Application Fees
• Require in-house Photography only
• Require in-house modeling classes only

This is the biggest red flags when going to an apparent very questionable "agency". I would steer clear of them as much as possible because their business model is to make money off you paying them which in reality is WRONG! A real agency's business model is to work WITH the model as a tool to work with corporations/businesses to work on advertising campaigns or promotional events and they get a cut of what they pay you. 

Red Flag: [SCAM & SAFETY] Online Presence

A real agency's online presence will be taken seriously. If you see something like a WIX platform website or something very outdated like it was designed in the 90s... RUN! That is the best choice honestly because they may be worse than just a scam it can be very dangerous situation you're putting yourself in if you do meet up or go to their address. Even if they got 1 million likes on facebook or 2 million followers on instagram or twitter, these numbers can be easily faked and bought. A website is what a serious company invests into. Also a similar tip to do is google the company's name. See how many results you get good, bad and the ugly results of that company will show up generally. If you don't get any results that's another RED FLAG.

Reveal 01: Heather Elaine - Lancaster, PA - Portrait & Fashion Shots

- "Reveal" is now a new series to help teach or inform those wondering how I shot a specific shot that they either asked or I thought it very much worth sharing. What I would normally share would be pretty much everything, as to why I choose the image, how I shot it, the location, etc. most of the day detail leading up to how and why the shot was created. As well some how and why I edited it in a certain way to the image(s) being revealed. 

Model: Heather Elaine MM#: 2963534

Assistant: Eric S.

Location: The Lancaster Central Market

The shot was not intended to be more of a portrait. The primary goal of the whole shoot was fashion and maybe a bit of lifestyle shots. As I got home looked over the images I noticed this shot. While it did not give neither an obvious fashion feel, or lifestyle shot I still had to select it and choose to edit this for my portfolio. It could easily be used as a great editorial portrait for my commercial website or solo portrait for my non-commercial side of my business. But I do have other shots within the same environment, model, wardrobe and lighting... just different pose and facial expression that makes it more obvious it is a fashion or lifestyle shot.

This shot (below) became the selected shot best represented fashion for this shoot. The shot does have more obvious post processing done but that is part of the trend of fashion photography I've learned. Even though I really wanted to do more photography with models with a lot less photoshoping than what the trends had, I could not simply not follow the trends if I wanted to succeed. I've learned in fashion photography you give what the market demands and what the fashion photography's demanding more intensely edited images even if they look fake or not, its not about that as long as the product(s) standout and the products clearly is the hero in the shots. Since this shot was my first shot I've intentionally spent more time in editing to intentionally want the super clean fashion look and feel I spent about 3-5 hours on editing it in the span of 3 days (1-2 hours a night). It did take longer than anyone would as I was using a few different new techniques, such as removed a lot of the skin texture then re-created it. 

Videos I used as point of reference was regarding techniques of both Frequency Separation and creating skin texture both shown by PHLEARN.

The Tech...
EXIF:
1st Shot: f/2.8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/180th
Focal: 200mm

2nd Shot: f/2.8
ISO: 640
Shutter: 1/125th
Focal: 200mm

Time of Day: Between 730pm and 830pm EST 
Lighting: Lastolite 30x30 Large Softbox w/ YN600 on ETTL zoom 24mm, triggered with a YN622C. Light was held by an assistant, angled left of frame above model's head pointing down to create shadows underneath model's chin.
Camera+Lens: Canon 6D w/ Tamron 70-200 2.8 (non-VC)
Memory: Lexar Professional 400x 8GB



Ask any questions in the comments!

Modeling Photography Types

I’d like to refer models to read this article regarding modeling types, not specifically regarding photography only as this post would be. As modeling types may be assumed it would be the same with modeling photography types, it is not. Modeling types available for work for models can vary from video, photography, and runway or promotional. 

Before we get into the different types of model photography I’ll get into the basics with broader terms.

Portrait Photography When looked in a very broad sense portrait photography is basically when any human subject is in a frame, from candid, posed, semi-candid (staged), etc. 

Model Photography When looked in a broad sense of the word it is basically when a person is modeling. Either as another person, character, or products such as clothing, accessories, etc. this is modeling for a photoshoot. 

Read more where I originally posted it on, my primary fashion advertising website blog.

This post will be added to the Photographer to Model blog series. Check out more on this series here.

WOW Share! 31: Posing Inspiration

I thought this was a WOW Share because it inspires not just new comer models, but as well photographers on what can be possible and hopefully inspire a model to possibly do what is performed below in the video by the super model CoCo Rocha!


Check out other WOW Shares! [HERE]

Casting Call for Male Model!

I'm looking for a Muse Model to work on many different projects. 

I am basically looking for a male model willing to cut/grow hair on their head and face to manipulate for many different looks to be achieved. 

Body type I am aiming for is slightly medium bulk and slightly ripped up on the muscular development. Also have very well fitted professional business suits and tuxes. 

This is for my personal projects during the winter season as outdoor environmentals will be very limited but still will want to try some environmental portraits in the colder weather as long as its safe for us and equipment, but primarily looking for a male model for a lot of studio shooting during the season. 

I am willing to pay for travel ($0.25/per mile round trip) of models in the 2 or less hour drive radius. 

Important part is I need you to look more mature, so if you still look young shaven or with facial hair this does not apply to you. Looking to shoot mature looking male models like mid 30s to mid 50s. If you are younger in those ages but you know you can look in those ages we can talk and see if this is actually work. 

Primary types of genre will include: Fashion, Lifestyle, Acting. Note acting may include some implied nude and underwear to tell certain stories in images.

CASTING CALL: Bridal Portraits

I'm looking for 

Body Type: Slim
Height: Average, 5'5-5'8
Gender: Woman
Location: Outdoors and Indoors studio, but if you have unique and interesting outdoors locations I am willing to travel 1-2 hours from Hazleton, PA
Wardrobe: May be provided but having your own would be great!
When: ASAP, contact me via facebook.
Compensation: Depending on your level of experience (read here if you qualify to being paid by me), if you lack experience I am willing to work with you in a trade project.

The Model Release...

I am no legal professional but I study it to ensure I have all my legal processes in check. So for those models and photographers who do not know or have a model release (as a photographer) this blog post could help.

Official Definition

"A model release, known in similar contexts as a liability waiver, is a legal release typically signed by the subject of a photograph granting permission to publish the photograph in one form or another."

Posing Project 01 - Heather G.

More information about the Posing Project here.

Follow Chris Adval's board The Posing Project on Pinterest.

The Posing Project...

This is my very first, long term project (maybe even life time) photography project. 

What is the Posing Project?

This is a project of photographing artistic models, dancers, or other performers. Anyone who can show art within a pose. 

Why do this Project?

I'll admit, posing models isn't my strongest skill in photography. Personally I believe I  photograph model's who can pose themselves very well already, and tweak their pose to my own liking. But those who bring that foundation in posing. This is for any type of photos except headshots of course.

This time around, through this project, I want to learn by showing unique and interesting poses that models, dancers, and other performers can bring to the table. I don't believe in the "barbie" like posing where I put the model/subject's hand, chin, leg, etc., here and there. To me, it does not look natural and generally would create stiff looking models when that type of modeling is done.

My project goal would eventually be  to print a book.

How to Become a Participant?
Simple, as this entire project would be solely a TRADE project. If you're unsure what is TRADE please click here for details on what that is. 

What you'll get are all of the photos I feel are technically perfect, but only release them to you. Which ones you choose to show off to your fans is entirely up to you. The images released to you would have minimal editing, please keep this in mind. The ones I choose to show for my project will be edited fully, but would only be 1-2 photos from each shoot, depending on your artistic poses, to show in the project. Images that are given to you will be high resolution and unwatermarked, but keep in mind I retain ALL copyrights. Please do not sell the images. You may use them for promotional/advertising purposes the same way I do. If I were to sell an image with your face/body in it I will give you 10% of that sale.

Please note I do not normally provide high resolution images in trade photoshoots and unwatermarked images. If I do choose to provide you with the full intense editing, they will be low resolution watermarked images. If you'd like to have some of the images I did not choose for the project edited further,  I do offer $80/per hour for full in-depth editing (based on my  editing style).

I'm willing to travel up to 1-2 hours (drive time) depending on your look and reputation. This may be a location nearby to you or myself, depending if you can make the trip to my area (Hazleton, PA/North East PA region). If you're way outside of my 1-2 hour drive radius simply ask if I'm ever stopping by your area, I do travel time to time. I got plans for Pittsburgh, PA (5-6 hour drive) and Florida. 

If interested simply contact me on facebook.

Here's an index of posts of my previous shoots regarding this project
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01 - Heather G.