Adam Sund Photo Blog Photography is the new black.

Finding models

Here's another post inspired by my evening class in studio photography.

When starting up on photographing people, I always encourage to use those close to you, be it family, friends or lovers. That way, you're automatically past the whole hi-there-stranger-whom-i'm-gonna-take-pictures-of-without-know-exactly-what-I'm-doing.

Spend some time getting to know your equipment before inviting some stranger to the studio (no phun intended). Odds are that you'll do exactly as I did the first many times I photographed people I had never met before - ending up solely focusing on the camera and light cursing it all to hell because it's does whatever it pleases just to piss you off.

It vital never to forget the model in such a process, so make sure to communicate when them, especially when the technical par is playing tricks on you.

And now that that's been said, let's move on to actually getting in contact when the models.

There are actually many ways to do this, and I'll list the ones I've had good luck with.

Model.se is a scandinavian site for photographers, models, makeup-artists and stylist, but most of the members consist of the first two groups, and as far as I can see, there are more danish members than any of the other nationalities.

The site allows you to upload 20 photos to your profile, write some text on your profile allowing you to inform visitors about your agenda (links are deleted, so there's no need to list all your websites and fan groups on facebook).

The site have an average forum where you can post requests on models for specific projects, but what I've had much success with was actually browsing through the list of models and contacting them directly with specified requests.

Modelmayhem.com is an american based site which has the same groups as model.se - the difference lies is the fact that model mayhem has many times the number of users, and many of the more successful photographers have active profiles on this site. (I often use it just for inspiration browsing through peoples images).

They have a very active forum, but when it comes to getting into contact with models, you have to contact them directly. Browse models and select Denmark to see the selection.

Facebook.com is without comparison the largest social network, and this is begging to be used for a purpose like this. I've contacted friends of friends with success - browsed through groups designed for sole purpose of allowing photographers and models to get in contact with each other - here or here - the options are almost endless on facebook.

These are tools for finding models, but always make sure to have an actual idea when contacting. If the models are not professional, bets are most of them would be interested in shooting for free with you if you have a good enough idea. As with many things, it always helps to have something to show - which again serves as a point for using your friends to get shots for the portfolio.

Share your thoughts on this matter!