Model FAQ
I am always willing to consider new models to work with, and it is particularly nice to work with models who have found me on their own. The following answers may help you decide if you would like to work with me.
I am interested in modeling for your commercial work. How do I arrange this?
Models for commercial work are usually selected through Ford Models, or from the list of models I have worked with previously. The commercial photography world is extremely difficult to get into, and Ford can help you realistically gauge your potential.
Can you help me develop my portfolio?
If you would like total control over the images produced, and share all rights to the images, I offer those services starting at $500 for two looks. You may wish to also hire a Makeup Artist, which I can help you choose.
The other industry standard technique for this is something referred to as “Time for Prints” (TFP) or “Time for CD” (TFCD). The idea is that you supply the modeling for free and I supply the photography for free. This is not entirely useful to me anymore, so I alter the offer slightly.
I will review your current portfolio, or help you assess your needs to create a portfolio. We will arrange for a 4-hour shoot, during which we will spend roughly 2 hours shooting material specifically to enhance your portfolio, and 2 hours shooting material for my fine art photography. If we produce material which I consider salable, I pay 10% royalty to the model(s) out of every sale made.
Images for your portfolio may be selected from either half of the session, or both.
Unlike many photographers, I do not offer a CD of the unprocessed images at the end of the shoot. Exhibition-quality images are rarely complete after a shoot, and typically require 60 minutes of post-processing work. Unfortunately, recent federal legislation puts my photographs at an even greater risk of image theft, which requires additional post-production work to protect myself from. However, we will select the images together at the end of the shoot, and you will receive them in a timely manner.
How do I apply to be a model?
Contact me through the form below. Please include:
Full name
Date of Birth
Height and Weight
Hair and Eye color
Contact Details – Telephone number, email address, general location
Do you have any skin blemishes or tattoos?
Do you have any links to an online portfolio?
Is there a particular series of images on my site that you would like to be a part of, or which encouraged you to offer your services?
Write “Model” in addition to your name, in the space provided in the contact form, to ensure that you do not get mistaken for spam.
What is a Model Release?
A model release is a legal contract which stipulates that your modeling services were performed in good faith in exchange for adequate recompense. It allows me to sell the images we made, and earn a living. There is a lot of frightening language in the industry-standard model release that I use, which is advocated by the American Society of Media Photographers. While legal back-covering is a sad reality, the truth is that I’m unlikely to do anything with the images we produce together, since it is far more effective to shoot specifically for the needs of each client. In the extreme, I may produce an image which has been significantly manipulated as an exercise. In such cases, you’ll likely see the final image before anyone else does. The Model Release simply protects me from lawsuit if I lose your contact information.
You handed me a card while I was out. Are you for real? Do you do that a lot? Why me?
I am for real, and I do that a lot. Chicago’s nightlife is one of the primary inspirations for my stranger artistic work, and I frequently find myself moved by an unconscious gesture made by a complete stranger. If I give you my card, it means that you inspired me and I am simply offering to repay the favor by including you in the work that you started.
If you choose to email me after I’ve given you my card, please be sure to remind me of the details of how we met. Reminding me how we met recalls that inspiration.
There is a lot of nudity in your portfolio! Am I going to have to pose nude for you?
No. You do not have to do anything. If we agree to work together on a project that is not funded by a third party, the nature of those images will be entirely decided by what excites both of us.
I would like to show my friends images from the shoot. May I upload them to a site like Flickr or MySpace?
Unfortunately, no. These sites have usage contracts which deprive me of my income. I am currently working with several organizations to get them to change their incredibly unfair practices. The modeling agreement we make will specify how you and I both can use our images in a way that complement our career and life goals.
Besides, I’d much rather have your friends come to my site, where I can control the format and presentation of your photographs in a way that does the art we’ve made together proper justice.