How to find "lifestyle" models

[Tim Armes]

Hi all,

I'm hoping to get a few nuggets of good advice for you guys

I wish to find, on a fairly regular basis, models for lifestyle shoots. I live near a mediul sized French town, so I'm sure there's potential out there, but it's certainly not a raving metropolis like Paris or Lyon.

There are various web sites that try to act as a hub between photographers and models, but there are very few people in my area. One of the disadvatanges of the south of France I suppose. Furthermore, most of the models are clearly targetting the fashion/glamour photographer, which is a suprisingly long way away from being a lifestyle model where I'm looking for natural poses and natural looking human interaction.

So, do any of you have any great techniques for finding people to do this sort of shoot?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Beauty Salon

I have gotten models via my beauty salon. I approach friends and ask. The people in the doctor's office and people that work near me

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Tim,

One advantage you have that will put you ahead is that you are a careful and artistic photographer. You select how you take the picture and what you show. So you only have to make a start and then you will recruit a widening circle of folk to photograph. Here's what I'd do.

Go to the places you frequent:

Restaurant
Place you buy your climbing gear/tents etc
Garage/bicycle shop
Hairdresser
Dentist
etc

In each place, give them a card and a pamphlet offering free pictures in a natural style. In the release, you let them know that the exchange is free images of them and their family in return for that permission. Show them some pictures of the artisans you have shot. They already know you are a nice guy. With this approach I am certain you'll have all the models you need. Ask each person to introduce you to friends. soon you will have a cast of characters and you will be all set for your lifestyle collection.

BTW, get your wife some new blouses and makeup in a fancy store, choosing only the helpers that you like. That will give you the especially beautiful people!

Asher

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Don't listen to him

Asher,

You have a gift of conversation beyond any one I have ever met with a camera in their hand. I personally have witnessed beautiful girls begging for your attention. I can promise you that there is no one else out there with the skill you have at obtaining models for your lenses pleasure. It is a gift and talent that you could not even train someone else to have. It's like sunshine - either you have it or you don't.

The rest of the world needs to go where people might know them to get a model or a website like craigslist/model mayhem.

 

[Tim Armes]

Asher, you're going to have to demonstrate this style you have so that I can see it in action for myself....

 

[Asher Kelman]

Asher, you're going to have to demonstrate this style you have so that I can see it in action for myself....

Tim,

Kathy is full of compliments! Truth is that if you know you can do a good job, it can project on to your prospective clients and models. You have a fine portfolio, Tim and so it will speak sonnets for you! All you need to do is show the folk I mentioned that you already know.

For lifestyle, what groups do you need? Do they have to be beautiful or just healthy? For the latter, they are people you deal with! For models, you will have to pretend you are yours truly!

Asher

 

[Tim Armes]

Hi Tim,
In each place, give them a card and a pamphlet offering free pictures in a natural style. In the release, you let them know that the exchange is free images of them and their family in return for that permission.

It's certainly a good idea, however since I don't have a studio it could get complicated. I'd have to go to them, and it doubles the workload for each shoot.