How / where to find models for a creative fashion shoot /test?

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

I'm in a commercial photography course at my high school and I have really been playing around with an idea for a photo shoot that would be amazing ,but I would also love to work with a real model for experience.The shoot I thought of was a 1940's looking girl wandering around the bar section of a certain restaurant in my area.At night the area of this place gives off the feeling of being somewhere more exciting and I would love to capture this on camera.I would of course have to call and see if I could possibly come in after hours one night and shoot it, and I hope very much so that it wouldnt be a big problem for them to let me do that.

I'm looking for a sort of young ***edited ****model with shoulder length hair ,color really isn't an issue for me.I want a strong face though, and this is where I'm running into problems as ohio doesn't exactly have the greatest looking people ,even as far as models are concerned.The overall styling look I would be going for would be similar to this(from models.com)

Anyways ,what would be the best route for finding a model for my shoot?I've posted on models.com ,but frankly that's not a great site because barely anyone gets replies on there and it's hard to get in contact with people on there unless you pay the monthly fee.I've also emailed basically all themodeling agencies near me(I live in northern ohio) and I haven't gotten any responses yet ,mind you I sent them on thursday so I might just not get any response until next week.

I realize it's a bit ambitious to try and get a real model for a shoot that is basically something I want to do instead of what I have to do ,but it can't hurt to try I suppose.I only wish ohio was as model crazy as NYC was, I would probably have problems finding a model there.

I'm sort of just freaking out about this, and some advice from any photographers or models or anyone would be great.

 

[BetteT]

The best way to find pro modes is by contacting the modeling agencies in your city. Now I'm not sure if they would be receptive to a high school photography student or not ... but that is how photographers get models for their creative shoots and tests. They take their portfolio in to the agencies (they call ahead to find out who to see and if an appointment is needed). Usually they meet with a booker who is handling "new faces" ... brand new models who don't have much expericne behind the camera and need decent pictures. If the booker thinks that you can produce images that the models can use, you may be given a list of names and their comp cards and you can pick from that list. Sometimes, a model gets pulled at the very last minute for a paying job ... so it's always a good idea to have a couple more models in mind, in case that happens. Maybe the agency can substitute for you. You will not get paid for this ... not will you have to pay for the model. But you will be expected to provide the agancy with a bunch of high res images so that they may pick some for their model and use it in her portfolio.

Sometimes the photography teacher has connections to modeling agencies, so I'd start there and see if your teacher can give you some help. If the connections are not there, but many of the students might need models, it would be a good idea for the teacher to see if he/she can line up some agencies that would like to participate in student projects ... so I would ask if that was a possibility.

And then there are sites for amatuer and aspiring models like modelmayhem, musecube and onemodelplace ... where you can find models in your area. Most of these models are happy to do a shoot in exchange for hi res pictures. But most of these are not pro level ... so you have to weed through a lot of not so great "models".

Don't forget to look around your school ... there won't be many who are model material ... but if she's got the right body and has big, wide set eyes, full lips and high cheekbones, and clear skin, you've got some of the makings of a model there and you can always test her to see how she photographs. It's not the pretty girls who make the best models ... it's tha plain ones with the right bone structure. Then the right makeup will totally transform them ... I've seen it happen hundreds of times ... you'd be surprised at how a homely looking girl can morph inot a gorgeous, strong creature.

BTW ... I edited out one word ... it's considered "weight talk" even though it's relevant to being a model ... just so you know.

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

Thanks a ton!

Would it still be ok to call in and see if I could talk to someone even though I'm a high school senior?Because I do have some photographs that I could bring in of people that could work as examples of my work.

 

[BetteT]

It never hurts to call ... but expect to be turned dow because of the age thing if you are under 18 ... because of legal responsibility and stuff like that. But ... if they do want to see you and your work , then you are way ahead of the game. So it's worth a try.

 

[SnejanaIsMyMuse]

I'm actually 18 but still ,I see what you mean.

 

[Mchunu]

i'd like to find models as you've described too, but it's so hard in my area

 

[FASHIONLOVA]

to find models u can

go up to people on the street and ask them
malls are a great place too
go to model agencies
fashion show producers usually know models too
make fliers to post at bars, schools ... to reach a lot of people

 

[kettlin]

You can check out modelmayhem.com to find models in your area, there are some really professional models on that website

ohh and you can also find stylists and makeup artists on there

 

[Fontenrose]

craigslist - if you have a good on-line portfolio

But if you are in high school, you must surely be able to find SOMEONE in your entire school who looks like a model. Some of them probably already have agencies and just want to keep it quiet. If you can show them a serious portfolio they would be interested. They are really tired of random people blurting out "you should be a model" comments in front of their friends though.