Don't Fall For That Crap! Avoiding Scams

Ladies and Gentlemen, I see scams all the time. People love to have your money. Some people deserve to have your money because the bring you something of real value. The photographer who can really build your portfolio and give you great advice on the things that should be in included. The agent who gets you a job ( a real agent, more on that later), a publicist that gets your name out there and noticed, your skin and hair care person, etc.

But there are those that really want your money and will try to make you think that there is a good reason for you to give it to them. You have to think carefully about each "opportunity" and evaluate it for yourself, but here are a few scams for models that I see over and over.

The "agency" that you have to pay. Often they will send you to a "required" photographer who will often charge much higher than the local standard rates. Often I hear models complain that months and months later, they still have no images. Then the agency charges the model a large fee. Total crap. An agencies job is to collect two things and then hook them up together. When a connection happens because the agency was in the middle, the agency gets paid a commission on the modeling fee.  What does the agency collect? 1. Talent and 2. jobs or auditions.

An agency will send out several models who best fit the need expressed by someone who needs to hire. If an agency is asking you to pay them, then I don't believe that they have any paying jobs to send you to, so they have to make their money from you. Stay away.

Another scam I see are contests. I personally have not yet used a contest to promote my work, but I probably will at some point. But there are some contests that are just a big money grab. When a "contest" sends you to get and pay for photos from a single source and you have to pay their photographer to get photos to enter a contest, it is just a bag of moist brown stuff.

Another scam is an "audition". Again, where the model has to pay, there are limited numbers spots open. If it is a real audition for something that they need and are in short supply of, then a legitimate organization will go to the agencies to get talent and or will post an audition without asking those applying for a job, to pay to apply for the job. An audition is a job application.

If you have to pay to audition nude, WTC? There are so many people who will pay you to model nude that there is never a need to pay to audition nude or partly nude. For nude work, the other side, not you desperately wants nude models. GWC's (guys with camera) who's images look like crap are not people you should pay a pile of your hard earned money to be naked in front of. They should pay you. Duh!!!

Beginners Should Just Shoot

My work is primarily in developing new model portfolios or rebuilding established models ports.


I often see amazing growth with some models and then sometimes pitifully little growth with others.

What makes the difference? Well, how much raw talent is one factor. You can't change that. You have what you have. Brains is another factor, you can change that. Okay, your IQ is pretty well set, but you can learn, observe, think, and study. Another factor is time in front of the camera. You can control that too.


Brains: I watch models get started and some of them are actively studying the craft. They look a magazines, practice posing and working their face in a mirror. They look at the photos from their shoots and figure out what they did right and what they could improve. They ask other models, photographers and other industry professionals questions and they learn. Smart models figure out what they are good at modeling and go after that type of modeling. They learn to understand if they have a unique look or way of expressing that is different than everyone else. They understand the being pretty is not enough.

Time in front of a camera: This is easy. There are going to be different groups depending on where you live. Find them. Your area may be active in Model Mayhem or One Model Place or other online modeling groups. Perhaps there are Facebook groups for modeling in the area you live. There are often meet up groups or "creative" groups. Find them and participate. Shoot often, even if you are not getting paid. If you find a photographer that is building his/her portfolio that is willing to do a TF shoot, do it. Get experience.


These photos are of Shauna and Jeremy. Jeremy is just starting out, Shauna is kind of new, but she is out there getting more opportunities and every time I shoot with her, she has gotten better and better. She is a good example of someone who is thinking about her craft and learning all she can, and getting all the practice she can.

Find Shaunna on Facebook

Find more of Shauna and Jeremy's shoot here.

Play!

Kim, playing with "big eyes"

I find that the people who do the very best in their field of specialty, are the ones who play. For any of us who decide to turn the thing we like to do for play into work, it can kill the play and take away the fun. I think that is deadly to a career.


The thing to do is to keep playing. When you try to make something into a profession, then it becomes serious and we find ourselves working at our art doing things that pay us. This work is not always inspiring and rewarding. So in order to keep fresh and inspired it is important to do personal projects that matter to us for the fun of it rather than for the money of it.


It is also important to have fun and play at your art, even when it is for hire. Find some way to push your limits, find new edges of your skill sets and ability. Discover something new and play with it. Be goofy, mysterious, quiet, energetic, etc. You will find that if you play at work, you will enjoy it for a long time.

Kim and the photographer playing with mood.

Shooting for fun on a rainy day.

Know Your Angles

As a model, you need to know what angles flatter your face and your body the best. You can figure some of this out by working with a mirror, but you can only see yourself from your own eyes point of view. A camera is going to be able to see you from many different angles.

Lieren seemed to know what would work with her body. She kept her body in a variety of angles and poses that flattered her already great shape.

You can notice her poses here, giving a sideways angle to the camera. This slight twist for her works, it makes her torso seem even more slim and shows off a very flat abdomen.  Twisting the torso does not work for all girls because some bodies start showing ripples in the waist. You should be aware of things like that and how your body reacts to bending in different ways.

Here, Lieren is doing two things, both a bit subtle, but both adding to her beauty. First she is bent very slightly to her right which keeps her from making a static straight and boring vertical line with her body. Second, she is turned with her left side slightly away from the camera and from the light. This lets her show that great abdomen, but lets the light create slight shadows that help give definition to her tummy. It also flatters her shape, making her look more slender.

Here Lieren has her hip cocked which creates a visually interesting, if slight "S" shape to her body. It stretched out the line on the left side of her body and creates a flattering curve on her right.

I am always amazed how many models never think to shoot with their back to the camera. While it may not be the angle you want all the time, it can be flattering and give you some variety.

By being slightly higher than the camera and with a bit of a turn back to the camera, Lieren flatters her butt and legs here. The bit of twist again helps diminish the size of the torso.

A model should be aware of how the camera is going to see her body. If you are a newer model, you may not have a photographer who understands or sees these things, so you need to learn it for yourself. Even with an experienced photographer, this knowledge will make your shoots more productive and save time.

After every shoot, go back and look at the images and see what worked for your particular body.

More of Lieren here.

Charly Aguirre, Model Reflection - Catwoman shoot

Charly Aguirre is an aspiring model. She is looking for opportunities to shoot and get experience. We discussed ideas together over Facebook and came up with a plan for a Catwoman shoot. We met and talked while Jillian Joy did her make up. This gave us a little better understanding of each other before we shot. I like to do this to help models relax and to help me get a better connection with models when we start shooting.

One of the things I liked about working with Charly was her willingness to be bold and try different things.  She didn't stand around waiting for every little bit of direction. Different photographers will have a wide range of how they want to lead or direct a model. My personal style is to build the idea before the shoot starts and then to wait and see what the model will bring to the shoot. I'll start directing poses after I see how much is needed. Charly didn't need to wait for me, and I liked that. Some models starting out stand their like a deer in the headlights, fearing to pose "wrong". This leads to very un-creative shoots.

To get the images we wanted, Charly had to be willing to work in a thin catsuit with nothing to keep her warm, at night in the middle of winter. We had her outside in the cold for over an hour and a half. 

After the shoot, I interviewed Charly. Here is the bulk of the interview:

Tom Sparks

What was it that made you decide to get into modeling? What are you hoping to achieve?

Charly Aguirre

Mainly the exposure. Getting out into the world, and expressing myself. The confidence in doing so. There is a certain respect and strength that you gain, when you are in front of that camera. For yourself, the photographer and all of those before you! It is a tough business, a little scary. But through it great self expression and confidence can be gained!

Tom

How long have you been modeling?

Charly

Honestly I wouldn't even say that i am a model right now. The last time that I was paid for a job was when I was 11.. I went to a modeling school.. wasn't anything really taught me about makeup, etiquette, I did a couple of odd end jobs. Money was great. Right now have been working on a portfolio, getting my stats, and preferences.. so.. with that I guess I have been working on that for the last month and a half.

Tom

Interesting thoughts.

I know that there are definitely some talented models that consider their career a hobby, but yet they are pretty good,

Charly

Of course, and personally for me it would be more of a hobby. I am just getting into the scene, but I honestly have other talents that I feel would get me further and I might have a better shot at. Don’t get me wrong I would love to be able to make something with modeling.  But as I have heard quite a few times on the Utah Models page... It isnt necessarily about the model, its about the product. Of course in time you learn the ways. how to sell it! To become comfortable. I personally feel that I still have some time with this!  I have been talking with other models. Learning a bit, watching Youtube videos. Reading your blogs. That helps a lot.

Tom

When you choose a photographer to work with, what is it that attracts you to their work and motivates you to work with them?

Charly

I look at their work, recent and past.. to ensure that we, together might have some similar tastes, ideas. I'm not going to want to meet with a photog. that only shoots things that I may not be comfortable with.  I read about what others have to say.. Their models, or even just spectators. I have been reading what you have had to say for a moment. And although as intimidated as I was, I felt that I could learn some things from you. And how else to break on through than to trust your own gut.

Tom

What would you say are your best features as a model?

Charly

hmm... physically or.. I can pretty much blend personality wise with everyone. Stand out physically or energetically when I need to.  I am a fast learner, and open to all suggestions and points of view. Can take on many different looks and personalities. Love working with people! I care about myself and all others.

Tom

I like that you saw your best features as personality traits.

Tom

What kinds of modeling are you interested in doing?

Charly

...couldnt tell you... only because I am not sure what all there is to do! Runway is fun, but I’m not tall enough or thin enough.  I’ve thought about fitness modeling, that might be an option!

Tom

I'd like to ask a few questions about the catwoman shoot.

To start off, could you give me an overall impression of the night and your experience?

Charly

Of course, it felt very professional yet, relaxed! I had a great time, and you all made me very comfortable. Felt like I had been there before. I was moved by all of your love, for the art!

Tom

As a newer model, I let you find your poses instead of telling you to do specific things. Do you think that approach worked for you?

Charly

I think.. if anything that it helped me to become more comfortable in my own skin.. if you know what I mean. Although at moments your point of view might have helped.. I am sure that you would have told me if my posture or pose was not looking so flattering 

Flexibility, creativity, willingness to suffer a little discomfort, helped Charly get this set of amazing and fun photographs.

If you are new to modeling, go out and find a trustworthy photographer and plan to have fun. Get some experience in front of the camera!

Getting Variety in Your Shoots

When you are building your portfolio, you want to consistently add to the variety of looks in your book. It is important to have quality photographs in your portfolio that show a range of emotion or rather, the ability to communicate an idea.

I think that normally a model should want one, maybe two great photos from the same shoot to add to their portfolio. Anymore and the "sameness" shows and the portfolio looks more stale.


However, when you are just getting started, you may be tempted to use more photos to pump up your portfolio. You might consider, while you are in the shoot, or even before the shoot, what you can do to ad variety so that 


you can get several different looks.


Here are some examples of photos from a single shoot that show variety in mood, facial expression, poses. There are several images here were here wardrobe does not change in this set, and I think that is not so good to have multiple images of the same outfit in your portfolio. But I am using this to illustrate the idea that you can get different looks. The first three images have the same outfit, but you cannot tell that.

Beauty Modeling

There are many models who's body type does not lend itself to doing runway or other types of fashion modeling, who have faces with great bone structure and great skin. If you have these assets and can communicate directly with a camera lens, then perhaps beauty modeling is for you.

Rachel is a beautiful woman and has been modeling for a while. She decided to make a push toward beauty modeling. I brought in a make up artist that has a great understanding of cameras and photographers lights and how the camera sees. We did two looks for Rachel.

In addition to the two looks, I also set Rachel in more than one background to help her show versatility.

Her second look was more dramatic and we changed the lights for her to enhance the drama.

If you are getting started in modeling and don't have your body in shape yet, or are uncertain of your posing, try beauty modeling. It is not easy. It requires you to communicate emotion, or mood to the camera and you still need to have a good understanding of how small changes in your head, shoulder, and body position, along with subtle changes in facial expression affect the image.

Make Them Feel

Creating emotion is the point of photography. As a model, you need to be able to work with your photographer to create emotion.

Charolett her is posing putting on stockings. The location and context for this activity is puzzling and not what one would expect.

Charolett has created a great pose here but having both toes pointed and the legs in a parallel line and the outstretched arm. Her head is tilted down and we don't see the face giving the viewer a sense of watching this unguarded.

Creating an emotional response is a partnership between the model and the photographer. How you use and shape the body is a big part of communicating emotion.

Getting a Handle on Lingo

My puppy woke up barking because she wanted to play at 4 am. So I’m kind of awake now. This will be one of several posts on the language of modeling:

Every art form has its own

unique language. Photography and modeling each have their own lingo.

Sometimes models need to understand the language of the photographer. But I also find there are key phrases or terms in modeling that young models wonder about.

Here are a couple of terms that are constantly used.

TF; This means “trade for”. Generally this means that no money is exchanged. It does not mean the shoot is free. Your photographer is bringing a lot of gear, investing time, and energy to you. So even if you think it is “free” blowing off a TF shoot is bad form. Your photographer scheduled time with you that he/she could have promised to others and being a no show to a shoot of any kind will damage your reputation. The term TF has some other forms such as TFP (time for print) TFCD (time for CD) ect. These days I personally just use the term TF.

MUA; This is a term that photographers just assume a model will know. Make Up Artist

MM: This stands for Model Mayhem. A MM# is a person’s account number and the easiest way to find someone specific. This is an online place for models, photographers, MUA’s, and other creatives to meet and hook up, creatively. Post casting calls ect. The service runs from free to paid service. www.modelmayhem.com It is the largest online model portfolio. Be sure to check around and ask others about photographers before working with them.

Be Bold!

I had this concept growing in my head for several weeks. This is not the image that was in my brain, but Rachell brought lots of energy and creative juice to the shoot.

I this ironic idea of a woman in heels, pink ruffle bum panties and a corset pushing a shopping cart towards the store front.

I explained my concept to Rachell and she got excited. This kind of shoot takes the right kind of model. Not everyone can feel comfortable in panties in a shopping parking lot.

Rachell had the chutzpah and the beautiful long legs to carry this off. We set up lighting, she changed right behind the car and as soon as it was set, we started shooting.

We noticed a car of couple of lovers necking a little ways of and they just stared.

One of the things that made this shoot work was the idea was fleshed out before hand, we were able to shoot quick before drawing much attention and we were both into the concept.

We did get nervous at one point as a patrol car drove around. He stopped far off in the parking lot and just stayed there. I guess he felt that we were not up to mischief and drove off.

The great thing about a concept is that once the central image is conceived, you can build many images from there. We got a full set in about 40 minutes.

In this case, the photographer had the idea and model contributed. But if you are a model, you don't have to wait for a photographer to come to you with an idea, you can flesh out your own idea and find a photographer that matches your style and hit them up.

I love shoots like this because it is out of the ordinary. Not many models have a photo of themselves pushing a shopping cart to the store, but Rachell Does. Here is the full gallery

Get the Right Bra

If you are serious about modeling you need to invest in the right underwear. I am no expert on underwear, but I ran into this conversation on lingerie and bra fitting.

I will say that as photographer, there have been many times when models have not had the right bra for the dress or outfit that they are wearing. They bring a low back dress and a bra that goes right across the back, or a strapless dress and a bra that won't support them without straps, etc, etc.

The other big gripe I have is bras that are too small. Underwear that is to small ruins the lines of the body. Who wants bulge, but so many girls come to shoots with underwear that does not flatter them.

Here is a link to the podcast "Morning Sex with the Mominatrix". The show is not very explicit, but probably not the best thing for minors. The discussion on good underwear is about 7 and a half minutes into the show. I don't even know how I stumbled on this, but I thought it had some value on this topic.

Models aught to practice looking good, more than at their shoots. I hope this is useful.

New Blog

Hi, This is the first of what I hope will be many blog posts about modeling. My goal is to discuss various aspects of modeling and share information about modeling and how to build a career, or how to have fun and stay safe.

I will be posting about types of modeling, how to get paid, how to be safe, or how to build a solid portfolio. I'm going to be talking about learning to pose, doing your own make-up when needed, or nitty gritty things like getting the right underwear so that you look your best.

I'm not sure what my schedule for posting will be, but for now I am going to try and post on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.