How to ask someone to model?

RobLewis · Apr 5, 2007

Here's the scenario.
I work at a Bank in downtown Chicago- professional, conservative environment.

There is a GREAT BIG wall size window that faces south-east. From 7 am to about 8:30 am, it is FLOODED with sunlight. An available light dream.
I'd like to try to approach someone I work with and ask her to model for a couple silhouettes.

But HOW??? It's not the kind of place where I can just set up the tripod and start taking pictures- clients are in and out quite a bit during the day. It would have to be before 8am, unfortunately I don't have weekend access to the building.

Any suggestions? Need help asking her to model, and ideas for poses. Can't be nude, probably in some 'figure-exposing' clothing that she'll have to change out of before people start showing up at 8. Or is this even a worth-while venture? Should I just let the idea go and get back to work?

Mike Wilde · Apr 5, 2007

still life as a bridge to model

Plan a week ahead of the shoot.

Size up what can make an impromptu still life support - think of things like an office stool with the back support part removed. etc. Put a 3 ring binder on top if you need a flat surface.

Take a piece of fabric sized to cover the required amount of the stool etc. to work early for the planned shoot, along with an iron, and one lunch iron out all the wrinkles, and fold loosely.

Again, in preparation, bring in a vase, sculpture, lunch friut etc, or see if there is such a thing around the office that you can appropriate as a still life prop.

Bring the meter in and see what the contrast ratio is - meter skin.grey card to see if you need any bounce card for fil, unless you are looking for full out sillouette. Foam core board, office paper taped to side of empty photo copy boxes then stacked on an office chair etc works well as an impromptu bounce device.

The day before the shoot bring in camera, etc, and lock it, loaded with desired film in your desk.

Day of shoot, come in early, set the shot up with all the planned things you have prepared.

Process film, make a great print, mount and matt it, then bring it to work to show off the great lighting and photo that has captured it.

Bring in other portrait work from your portfolio, again prefessionally presented and then suggest how you would like to bring the two concepts together to your prospective model.

Peter Black · Apr 5, 2007

This is a thorny one Rob, and I'm not so sure that you're thinking this through the right way. First of all (for the sake of my income!) I'd be asking my employer/building owner whether it would be possible to use this place for photography. If you get a green light on that, then would be the time to start thinking about the model. If you get the red light on the building, no point worrying/bothering your colleague and perhaps causing a problem.

wirehead · Apr 5, 2007

I think you'd get better results asking a non-coleague to model unless they are a very close friend. And you definately need to ask permission to use the building if you work there.

Otherwise, it's awfully simple... Asking somebody to model for you is not like coaxing a girlfriend out of their clothes.

bjorke · Apr 5, 2007

wirehead said:
Asking somebody to model for you is not like coaxing a girlfriend out of their clothes.

Speak for yourself, dude

RobLewis · Apr 5, 2007

"First of all (for the sake of my income!) I'd be asking my employer/building owner whether it would be possible to use this place for photography."

Yeah, good point. Seems like it woudn't be a big deal, but you never know.

"Asking somebody to model for you is not like coaxing a girlfriend out of their clothes."

And it probably wouldn't be appropriate to try to get her liquored up

Mike- wonderful step-by-step advice, thanks! I think I'll do something like that before I try to approach her (or someone else) to model.

George Papantoniou · Apr 5, 2007

Rob, I wouldn't force myself to work under such stressful conditions... would it be too inappropriate to ask her to pose somewhere else, during the weekend or something ? I am sure that you can find lots of places where there is a large window and the light is coming in from there...

copake_ham · Apr 5, 2007

I work in a big bank in New York City.

We have very detailed and strict rules regarding sexual harrassment. Your request, if taken the wrong way, could result in a complaint against which you will have little defense.

But heck, are you going to let a little thing like your "day job" get in the way of your photographic art?

paul ron · Apr 5, 2007

Just ask her if she has a moment and with your camera on your shoulder just walk her to the window. Pose, take a few quick shots reassuring her she look great. When the pics come back, now showing what you can do, she'll be more cooperative next time and may even take a lunch break in the park with you for a mini shoot. Why be so shy about it? If she says no, just walk away with your tail between your legs pouting like a child while looking for another model.

Edwardv · Apr 5, 2007

Since it is a "BANK" I would ask permission first. No doubt in my SP military mind I would not want to be spread eagle on the floor and for sure the model would not like to have such a memorable experience. Find a model for the project and not a co-worker, bad very bad. See if you can have the photo session on Saturday.

Good luck.

Ian Leake · Apr 5, 2007

I'd also not consider this with a model I hadn't worked with before. So spending some time with her beforehand so that you can learn to work effectively would be my 2c of advice.

Maris · Apr 5, 2007

Get your agent, friend, colleague to ask her. Don't give out your name. Get your representative to show (anonymous) samples of your work.

This way if the model shoot is not on, even in principle, she can say no easily without encountering a possibly stressful or confronting situation with you. If she says maybe get your rep to ask what would turn maybe into ok.

Modelling in front of a camera is position of high vulnerability for most people. You have to be sensitive, respectful, and willing to forget the whole idea if the final answer is not yes on all fronts.

25asa · Apr 5, 2007

She is a fellow employee of the same firm?
Absolutely NOT!!

Find another pretty face and a different venue.

AZLF · Apr 5, 2007

I have asked two co-workers (both female) to model for me. Both said yes and seemed to have no problem with the request. I have thus far had three sessions with one of the ladies and am planning on having a session with the other quite soon. Although I have not planned to do so I could set up a shoot on company property but I don't work at a bank and things are quite a bit more relaxed here in the southwest (Tucson,Az).

I would suggest the same as what others have posted here. 1st get permission from the bank. Then bring a few samples of your work to show lady in question and ask politely if she would pose for you. Describe what you have in mind. The worst that could happen is that she will decline. If done politely I don't think any sort of harassment could be inferred by your request.

Neanderman · Apr 5, 2007

You definitely need to talk to the bank first. There are very strict rules about taking photographs in a bank, for some hopefully obvious reasons.

Chazzy · Apr 5, 2007

Neanderman said:
You definitely need to talk to the bank first. There are very strict rules about taking photographs in a bank, for some hopefully obvious reasons.

I'm afraid that they're not obvious to me. Do bank robbers do a photographic survey of their intended targets? Wouldn't that be a little obvious?

Roger Hicks · Apr 6, 2007

Chazzy said:
I'm afraid that they're not obvious to me. Do bank robbers do a photographic survey of their intended targets? Wouldn't that be a little obvious?

Of course they do. Just like terrorists. And neither has ever heard of camera 'phones and clandestine photography...

Cheers,

R.

patrickjames · Apr 6, 2007

This sounds to me more like you have a "thing" for this girl than you want to photograph in your building. If you pursue this then you are on the fast track to a story that goes something like "I used to work in this bank..."

Forget about it. There are a bajillion people in the world. Photograph them, not someone/somewhere you work. Remember the sun shines everywhere.

Patrick

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 6, 2007

Yet another voice in favor of "Just Say No". You are playing with serious fire here when asking to involve a co-worker. I have a colleague I would love to photograph - certainly not at the office itself, as our building is dreadful - but even in my own studio, I'm very reluctant to ask him, even just for portraits.

Roger Hicks · Apr 6, 2007

patrickjames said:
There are a bajillion people in the world.

Yes, but he knows (and wants to photograph) the person in question, and not the other bajillion minus one..

I fully take your point about distinguishing between photography as photography and photography as pick-up -- but even in the latter case, how bad is it?

This strikes me as an odd thread. I don't know the OP; I don't know the bank; I don't know the subject; I can't see that I can say 'yea' or 'nay'.

I've photographed people where I worked -- even at work -- without problems. So have others. We've had no posts yet from people who've said "I did this and got fired" or even "I know someone who did this and got fired", just from people who say "I'd be too scared to do this."

Well, that's fine. In the wrong situation, I might be scared too. But I'd urge everyone advising against this to ask themselves whether they are really giving useful advice based on personal experience, or merely doing their bit to stoke early 21st century paranoia and contribute still further to the atomization of society and a fear of talking to each other,

Cheers,

R

RobLewis · Apr 6, 2007

Hi all, and thanks again for the thoughts on this.

PatrickJames- no 'thing' for this one particular person- she just happens to be the only person in the office that can offer the shape I was looking for with a silhouette.

Yes, many banks prohibit photography- there's no written policy here, but I think the common sense "as long as you're not getting any sensistive info" applies. I'm on the 9th floor, nowhere near actual cash operations, so it's more client-info sensitive than security sensitive.

I've made the decision- not worth any problems to get a couple pictures. Not so afraid of firing, but of the possible insinuations that such a request could result in. Besides, I wouldn't be making the next great image- at my skill level, I'd be happy to get something in-focus and exposed mostly correctly.

I'm just going to take my camera outside for a nice walk at lunch, instead

Thanks again

copake_ham · Apr 6, 2007

Roger Hicks said:
Yes, but he knows (and wants to photograph) the person in question, and not the other bajillion minus one..

I fully take your point about distinguishing between photography as photography and photography as pick-up -- but even in the latter case, how bad is it?

This strikes me as an odd thread. I don't know the OP; I don't know the bank; I don't know the subject; I can't see that I can say 'yea' or 'nay'.

I've photographed people where I worked -- even at work -- without problems. So have others. We've had no posts yet from people who've said "I did this and got fired" or even "I know someone who did this and got fired", just from people who say "I'd be too scared to do this."

Well, that's fine. In the wrong situation, I might be scared too. But I'd urge everyone advising against this to ask themselves whether they are really giving useful advice based on personal experience, or merely doing their bit to stoke early 21st century paranoia and contribute still further to the atomization of society and a fear of talking to each other,

Cheers,

R

While you may have ignored my post - my advice to not ask for the co-worker to pose does not stem from being "too scared to do this".

I work in a corporate environment, as does the the OP. There are very real risks involved in approaching a fellow employee with a "personal request" such as this. Whether you like it or not, you do not control the world we live in and your comments are not understanding of the situation many of us face in our workplaces.

The reality is that, yes, in the 21st Century, most firms have very strict rules regarding sexual harrassment - something that the OPs request could be considered if the receipent took it "the wrong way". Those of us who work in corporate environments are generally required once a year to attend "sensitivity training" seminars where, amongst other things, the company's strict policies regarding these issues is explained in detail.

As someone trained in the law, you will realize that these "seminars" have the effect of putting the employee "on notice" as to what is and is not permissible and what actions the company can and will take (including dismissal) if the "rules" are violated. I do know nor do I care how things operate in the "rest of the world"; in the US corporate environment, where both the OP and I work, these issues are very clear.

The OP is playing with fire - and it is not paranoia to warn him he may get burned.

jon koss · Apr 6, 2007

Wow - as an employer, if a female employee came to me and complained that a male colleague had approached her about modeling 'in some 'figure-exposing' clothing', the result would be a written warning in the male employee's file along with mandatory counseling, also recorded on file. At least. Depending on circumstances it could easily result in immediate dismissal. If I were interviewing you for your next job and got wind of this upon checking references, you would be labeled as radioactive and would not be considered for any position at all, ever. I do not think I am the only employer who would share this opinion. Your decision to not pursue the idea is the correct one, for sure.

Dave Wooten · Apr 6, 2007

1. Get a model represented by an agency....save yourself some grief...work with a contract...pay the professional fee....it is a business...if you can t afford it, (i.e. it is not a legitmate project that will profit you) you might question your motives...

2. Work for the model...have the model hire you.

patrickjames · Apr 6, 2007

I am originally from Chicago, so I know that your building cannot possibly be the only building with this kind of light. Just find someone else, or better yet extrapolate off of your original idea and come up with something better. It isn't worth losing your job over.

How to ask someone to model?

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