Photographing models......

[Testosterone boy]

is a lot of hard work.

I have done less than 10 model shoots and decided to quit offering that service.


Why do people have this sordid image of a model shoot?

 

[strongsmartsexy]

is a lot of hard work.

I have done less than 10 model shoots and decided to quit offering that service.


Why do people have this sordid image of a model shoot?

Because they have never done one. I used to do nude models in LA area in the mid 80's. Some of the most difficult work I've ever done with a camera. And talk about neurotic and in need of constant praise. It was EXHAUSTING!!!

 

[Testosterone boy]

Because they have never done one. I used to do nude models in LA area in the mid 80's. Some of the most difficult work I've ever done with a camera. And talk about neurotic and in need of constant praise. It was EXHAUSTING!!!

Nude modeling in L.A.?

Well that might be just a little sordid.

I never went past bikinis. Never even did lingerie.


So you used to be a photographer?

I had a good year but the writing is on the wall. People are doing their own stuff when they can now. Everybody has a digi cam that they love these days.

 

[Razorguns]

i thought about it once, til i hung out with a photographer. Let's see:

* Spend 1 hour organizing the shoot on the phone. find out what it entails, theme, location, blah blah
* Set time. Wait 30 mins cuz model is late.
* 30 minutes to setup equipment while she spends that time getting "ready"
* Spend 45 minutes to 1 hour taking shots. Different poses. Costume changes, etc.
* Another 30 minutes for breakdown -- she changes back to normal clothes.
* Another 15 minutes for "question/answer period"!
* Find out she's broke -- and all she's got is $50 for everything.

So let's add it up:

3 1/2 hours for $50. This is ALL assuming you're working out or your own home/studio.

2 models a day (if you're lucky). $100. Wow. Bring out the Ferrari.

No thanks.

 

[Testosterone boy]

i thought about it once, til i hung out with a photographer. Let's see:

* Spend 1 hour organizing the shoot on the phone. find out what it entails, theme, location, blah blah
* Set time. Wait 30 mins cuz model is late.
* 30 minutes to setup equipment while she spends that time getting "ready"
* Spend 45 minutes to 1 hour taking shots. Different poses. Costume changes, etc.
* Another 30 minutes for breakdown -- she changes back to normal clothes.
* Another 15 minutes for "question/answer period"!
* Find out she's broke -- and all she's got is $50 for everything.

So let's add it up:

3 1/2 hours for $50. This is ALL assuming you're working out or your own home/studio.

2 models a day (if you're lucky). $100. Wow. Bring out the Ferrari.

No thanks.

Figures like this are why I don't like to do small shoots.

And yes....models seem to think that $50 is a lot of money.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

Nude modeling in L.A.?

Well that might be just a little sordid.

I never went past bikinis. Never even did lingerie.


So you used to be a photographer?

I had a good year but the writing is on the wall. People are doing their own stuff when they can now. Everybody has a digi cam that they love these days.

I thought about being one until I discovered I could starve to death being one.

I sold off my beloved RZ67 and the rest of the trimings and stayed in software.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I thought about being one until I discovered I could starve to death being one.

I sold off my beloved RZ67 and the rest of the trimings and stayed in software.

Mamiya's are excellent, I had a 6x7 for a while.


Photography is a very tough business to make good money in. Very tough.

First thing to go in a recession as well.


I was paying most bills with my other business but the recession hurt that greatly.


Friggin' recessions.....over 1/2 of my career has been in a recession due to where I lived.

 

[Razorguns]

being in colorado and seeking modelling clients isn't the best location either.

 

[strongsmartsexy]

Mamiya's are excellent, I had a 6x7 for a while.


Photography is a very tough business to make good money in. Very tough.

First thing to go in a recession as well.


I was paying most bills with my other business but the recession hurt that greatly.


Friggin' recessions.....over 1/2 of my career has been in a recession due to where I lived.

They make excellent studio cameras, but are too damn heavy and clunky to hand carry for long.

 

[Testosterone boy]

They make excellent studio cameras, but are too damn heavy and clunky to hand carry for long.

Agreed.


Weight becomes a factor during a prolonged shoot.

I am a wedding specialist. Thinking about carrying three cameras with prime lenses since they weigh so little compared to the huge, heavy, professional zooms.

Business is just brutal these days. Everybody wants to do it...............

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

I do a little photography as a hobby. I wish I could make money with it. However, it is a tough business. Do any of you do sports?

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

By the way, I shot some nude models before. However, I was paying them so it was a bit different.

 

[SoreArms]

Photography is a very tough business to make good money in. Very tough.

First thing to go in a recession as well.

Yup, I worked for Alfa Color Lab (the second biggest photo lab in the country) as a Systems engineer and Network administrator assistant. When the post 9/11 recession hit, it hit the photography industry hard, so n one was sending in work. More than half the people got laid off whithin a few months, those of us that stayed took massive pay cuts. By the time I decided to leave (almost a year later), I had taken 3 pay cuts and the entire company was running on a skeleton crew. The owner had to sell his house to keep the bussiness afloat and moved in to the penthouse on top of the building. I wonder if they're still in bussiness.

 

[Testosterone boy]

Yup, I worked for Alfa Color Lab (the second biggest photo lab in the country) as a Systems engineer and Network administrator assistant. When the post 9/11 recession hit, it hit the photography industry hard, so n one was sending in work. More than half the people got laid off whithin a few months, those of us that stayed took massive pay cuts. By the time I decided to leave (almost a year later), I had taken 3 pay cuts and the entire company was running on a skeleton crew. The owner had to sell his house to keep the bussiness afloat and moved in to the penthouse on top of the building. I wonder if they're still in bussiness.

Noyones phone rang for about 3 months.

Part of the reason I continually rip our 9/11 reaction. We acted as though a nuke had taken out NY and Washington.

Thousands of businesses went
down inside of 6 months. Some had staying power and are just now finally succumbing to a putrid economy.

The pro labs are as upset as I am. People that shop for photographers now look almost entirely at price as well. Quality and experience are not considered too heavily.

I spent $4000 on some improvements then proceeded to lose almost all new business because I added $50 to package prices. Which takes about 3 years to recoup investment.

I would do better with real cheap gear and being $75 cheaper.

People used to spend $3000 for qulaity wedding photographry. Now $1000 is pricey due to the huge influx of amateurs.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I do a little photography as a hobby. I wish I could make money with it. However, it is a tough business. Do any of you do sports?

I have done a little. You take many, many pictures for each good one since stuff happens so fast. You don't have time to evaluate the shot.....it is over before the analysis is done.

It is kind of fun though.


People seem to be jealous of the guy with the big camera/lens. Rules get made up, on the spot, fairly regularly.

 

[Testosterone boy]

being in colorado and seeking modelling clients isn't the best location either.

True.....Cali, NY and Florida do well.

 

[p0ink]

is a lot of hard work.

I have done less than 10 model shoots and decided to quit offering that service.


Why do people have this sordid image of a model shoot?

still paying in barbie dolls and candy, pervert?

 

[mountain muscle]

I do a little photography as a hobby. I wish I could make money with it. However, it is a tough business. Do any of you do sports?

Used to shoot sports at CU, pretty much all of them though I have my favorites. After college I switched to weddings and portrait work for awhile. Expensive business to get into and tough to break in to where you are making decent money. Lots of fun though. Sold the Hassy, Kept my Canon and Mamiya for fun and now work in the oilfield. Thinking about a 645 pro tl and starting back doing weddings and portraits for fun.

 

[Testosterone boy]

still paying in barbie dolls and candy, pervert?

You have my sympathies oh sick one.

 

[Testosterone boy]

Used to shoot sports at CU, pretty much all of them though I have my favorites. After college I switched to weddings and portrait work for awhile. Expensive business to get into and tough to break in to where you are making decent money. Lots of fun though. Sold the Hassy, Kept my Canon and Mamiya for fun and now work in the oilfield. Thinking about a 645 pro tl and starting back doing weddings and portraits for fun.

Medium format is dead like a door knob.

Digital is where the action is. Best buy is the Canon 10D but lenses are where the money is spent.

Aren't you in western Colorado? I need an associate when I get double booked. My current associate is hard headed......insists on doing level 10 jpegs instead of level 12 because that is "how I do it".

He is gone for that reason....I don't appreciate 500 kb files after he has done cropping.

I get 3 mb jpeg files doing it right....that is plenty.

I am serious btw.....I have two pro digital cameras.

 

[RADAR]

Figures like this are why I don't like to do small shoots.

And yes....models seem to think that $50 is a lot of money.

That was exactically why i only did weddings.


RADAR

 

[vinylgroover]

I don't follow...........is it hard because you can't concentrate with a hard-on?

 

[jnuts]

I get 3 mb jpeg files doing it right....that is plenty.

Why don't you shoot raw files?

 

[Testosterone boy]

Why don't you shoot raw files?

I have hundreds of times. Regretted it hundreds of times.


You will answer this question in a few months. I think.


For one thing, a hacker disabled Photoshop despite reinstalling it. That is one of many reasons. The Olympics are on.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I don't follow...........is it hard because you can't concentrate with a hard-on?

I concentrate so hard that true hard ons don't happen.

 

[Daisy_Girl]

I am a wedding specialist.
Business is just brutal these days. Everybody wants to do it...............

Wish you were in Vegas...I just went through hell trying to get a photog for my wedding. Unfortunately, money was an issue - which is not a good situation when dealing with ANYTHING wedding-related!

 

[Razorguns]

here's a tip: advertise wedding services in AAA travel mags. Most engaged couples start looking at honeymoon vacation options immediately to book in advance, and that's the right opportune time to snag them with information on wedding services.

 

[Testosterone boy]

here's a tip: advertise wedding services in AAA travel mags. Most engaged couples start looking at honeymoon vacation options immediately to book in advance, and that's the right opportune time to snag them with information on wedding services.

Interesting idea.........if I could travel for free.


You have a lot of ideas.

 

[jnuts]

I have hundreds of times. Regretted it hundreds of times.

You will answer this question in a few months. I think.

The only reason I see (for my needs) for shooting RAW is the ability to change the light temp of the image. Auto white balance sux and is frequently wrong. When I set the temp manually, I'm off at times.

The image quality isn't much different, though the file size is. I still haven't figured what I want to settle on using.

 

[Werd]

UGH Wedding photography....

UGH Wedding anything...

You would charg 50$ for a portfolio shoot? Shit top photogs on the east coast would ask as much as $1000.00 a few years back. I was like, "You gotta be freaking kidding me!"

Believe me when I tell you that it was as hard if not harder to find quality photogs. Every guy who owns a camera thinks he is a photographer. I still remember the guys who would give me a sort of deer in headlights response when I asked to see their portfolios.

I only paid for portfolio shoots twice in 5 years. The first shoot I did. The hair/makeup kid was good but the photog left a lot to be desired. And a few years later. I was DYING to shoot w/this guy who was some local fitness big/whig - man did he see me coming. The guy was "eh". Live and learn, I guess. I used to charge photogs and did ok. I would get no less than $85 p/hr for minimum 3 hour shoot. I did my own hair and makeup and provided several costume changes but it was a lot of effort and like you, I needed to generate more income to support me and my kids.

THE BEST photogs I shot w/gladly did TFP. Some would even pay my expenses.

I really enjoyed it. Was asked to shoot again recently but I just can't do it anymore as my health will no longer allow.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I have hundreds of times. Regretted it hundreds of times.

You will answer this question in a few months. I think.

The only reason I see (for my needs) for shooting RAW is the ability to change the light temp of the image. Auto white balance sux and is frequently wrong. When I set the temp manually, I'm off at times.

The image quality isn't much different, though the file size is. I still haven't figured what I want to settle on using.

RAW sounds good but almost all labs require an 8 bit RGB file.

You are right about light temps but setting the white balance manually can be lethal. You will forget that it is set for tungsten lighting when you walk outdoors......blue photos bor.

I did an entire wedding with my camera still set for tungsten lighting recently. Oh shit.

Some labs don't like compressed TIFF files. 20-40mb files are a nuisance for so many reasons.

I compared TIFF images with level 12 jpegs and could not see a difference myself. But my vision is not 20/5 like most peoples.

 

[Testosterone boy]

UGH Wedding photography....

UGH Wedding anything...

You would charg 50$ for a portfolio shoot? Shit top photogs on the east coast would ask as much as $1000.00 a few years back. I was like, "You gotta be freaking kidding me!"

Believe me when I tell you that it was as hard if not harder to find quality photogs. Every guy who owns a camera thinks he is a photographer. I still remember the guys who would give me a sort of deer in headlights response when I asked to see their portfolios.

I only paid for portfolio shoots twice in 5 years. The first shoot I did. The hair/makeup kid was good but the photog left a lot to be desired. And a few years later. I was DYING to shoot w/this guy who was some local fitness big/whig - man did he see me coming. The guy was "eh". Live and learn, I guess. I used to charge photogs and did ok. I would get no less than $85 p/hr for minimum 3 hour shoot. I did my own hair and makeup and provided several costume changes but it was a lot of effort and like you, I needed to generate more income to support me and my kids.

THE BEST photogs I shot w/gladly did TFP. Some would even pay my expenses.

I really enjoyed it. Was asked to shoot again recently but I just can't do it anymore as my health will no longer allow.

No....I don't do shoots for $50 unless I know the girl. If she is hot then prices are negotiable of course.