How to get a model/models abroad in exchange for photos only?

haring

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I am a wedding photographer. I am shooting a wedding in Europe this summer. I am just wondering how to find models who are willing to work with me in exchange for the photos.

People recommend Model Mayhem. I have never used it.

I mainly looking for single models and couples for taking photos at interesting places.

How should I go about this? Is there anybody here who also had the same problem before?

Thanks so much!
 

StoneNYC

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You answered your own question... Model Mayhem is your best bet if you want FREE models who will work TFP/TFCD whatever you want to call it.

That's your resource.

Good luck!
 

alienmeatsack

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Any of you here used MM for this kind of talent search? I am afraid of it to be honest. My first impression there was that it was a bunch of horny wolves looking for fresh meat to shoot nude and/or have sex with (and shoot adult films).

So I've not gone back. I am very reluctant and scared of meeting and shooting new people, esp models. I've been taking photos for a long time and a site like MM makes me question my skills and makes me want to run and hide. Crazy? Sure, but Im the good kidn of crazy Im told.

I decided to see what I could find locally. I called around to the local modeling agencies who were all very happy to hire out their models for a very sizable fee and with a lot of rules. One place required me to prove I was a paid photographer, interview etc. I realize they are protecting their clients but it just felt like I was being judged.

--I just want real people who look good in front of a camera and who know how to model.---

I have no clue how to direct a model and I am not a pro. I am just a guy who wants to get some human photos in his vast Library of shots, learn something new and make some good photos. And if I am lucky I might meet some models who I click with and who will shoot with me regularly when I need someone affordable.

OP, I hope you find some folks to model for you on your trip! Maybe try some local universities for starving students who'd shoot w you for cheaply and for photos. Who knows.

Good luck!
 

StoneNYC

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It doesn't sound like you're ready to shoot models. If you're that skiddish and concerned about an agency vetting you, then you probably need to start with a place like MM, it's not at all a site for pornography and there are plenty of amateur models as well as pro's. It's the best place to find what you are looking for, but you'll probably have to start with someone who is completely new, if you don't know how to direct models, and you are willing to pay a professional model, then you're going to have to work with amateurs and both learn together how to direct and clothes etc., you have to start with models that might not be as attractive as the ones that you first wanted, but it will give you the training and practice you need and then you can show that work to other models who might be a little more experienced and still willing to shoot for free. Just because you want to shoot pretty women and put them into your portfolio doesn't mean it's going to happen and less you put first put in the time to learn how to work with people and become confident and prove yourself, you ARE being judged by those agencies, they aren't going to send a model to some random guy who's never shot models, THATS how models end up getting in bad situations, not from MM but from men who aren't real photographers and just want not ogle women naked. The agency that wanted to check your credentials is probably the best one.
 

RalphLambrecht

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that will be tough.time for pictures is not a popular scheme with talented models.you are much better off, offeringa payment.You should figure ``````````````````$30-50/hour for portrait work.there are several online model afencies with sample photos and references.I had decent success just by walking up to someone and ask;never been hit,slapped or spit atbut was threatened by a boyfriend with a knife oncebut,she decided to go with me and left him for good.
 

c6h6o3

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Better you should pay them. You're not willing to work "for the exposure" and neither are models. If you're a professional photographer why would you work with any but a professional model?
 

Vaughn

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That was my first thought, Jim, but in this case both parties exchange something of about equal value. New models need to have good images of themselves and it is very expensive to have a pro do it. Photographers who want the experience of photographing people (for themselves or to build a portfolio) may not wish to pay the per hour charge of professional models.

So both parties benefit. I'd call that professional. If it is the best most productive way to go about it is a different question. Photographing a pro model that can give good feedback to the photographer could be money very well spent.
 

tkamiya

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I've done this in US, not in Europe.

One of my local modeling school/agency was more than happy to facilitate this with their still-in-training models. Mind you, these "models" are still students, so none of them had the finesse of already-in-business models. The owner's rationale was, these students need practice and be accustomed to working with photographers and being photographed. In return, I was asked NOT to contact them directly (bypassing the agency) and provide the models with photographs. I was also asked to not monetize the photographs. I also had student models themselves initiate a contact to me via emails. I declined those offers.

It really doesn't answer OP's original question but I am posting this with hope that he/she can use it as one of the approaches he/she may make.
 

snapguy

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Back in the 1960s, when it was not at all difficult to hire models to pose for legit shoots, I would get calls from "photographers" who did not want to contact models themselves but wanted me to give them some names/phone numbers. I figured them to pretty much be creeps. Today I believe the waters are 1000 percent more muddied and I don't think you can really trust anybody. The only way is to work through friends and associates and find someone you can trust who knows they can trust you. I think that is the grim reality these days.
 

MattKing

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Find a professional photographer who is looking for an assistant in return for some experience and a good reference to a modelling school.
 

mopar_guy

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There are workshops that you could attend that include models. You can photograph a model, and get instruction all at the same time.
 

jvo

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in america - mm is the way to go... been to meetup groups for photo groups, for models of various experience... every body is learning/teaching... for both groups you can go and observe in a group setting till your comfortable moving to the next level.

jvo
 

Fixcinater

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+1 to MM, but be prepared for a high flake out rate if no money is changing hands.
 

spijker

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ModelMayhem is mostly a North-American thing. I don't think it's very popular in Europe. To which European country are you going? Europe is made up of many countries with their own languages and cultures. Do you some have knowledge of the language of the country you're going to? Then you should try to find a local model forum. For example, in Germany there's Model-Kartei (MK) which is mostly in German but imo much better designed than MM. (I'm not German )

I have good experiences with models from MM and MK. Willing to pay the model really helps in getting a good experienced model. You get what you pay for. Hiring a model for 2..3 hours won't cost you a fortune. If you can impress the model with your current work, he/she might be willing to do TFP. But in that case, be prepared to deliver post-processed digital files. Models are usually not really interested in darkroom fibre prints.
 
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