Guide for working with Non-MG Photographers

ModelGateway.net(MG) not only use some of the best photographers working today, we also train photographers which ends up guaranteeing excellent results and a continued loyalty to the brand.

Because of this we have expert level advice on what is best to know when working with photographers for the first time. All MG Qualified photographers are bound by our Fairtrade Modelling Ethos and Professional Guidance Agreement (also known as our FairAgreement) which means that they have to operate under our rules and regulations when working with new models/clients. This guarantees that MG photographers operate at a first rate level that is comfortable for all levels of experience.

Below are some FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about photographers, feel free to see if they answer any of your questions and if they don’t you can contact us HERE.

1. I was approached by a photographer who would like to shoot me, what should I do?

Well that really depends on the manner in which you were approached and what you do for living. Photographers will often keep an eye open for perspective talent or people who have a unique look. However, very few photographers are directly connected to agencies as they prefer to be freelance which allows them to work with whomever they choose and getting a full time job attached to an agency can be short lived and underpaid.

This means that if you are approached by any photographer promising you “fame and fortune” or “a guaranteed contract with a top agency” it may be worth your time to check their credentials before jumping into a shoot with them.

Remember that feeling beautiful, desired and/or wanted can be a potent mix and as such there are some people out there who would seek to take advantage of this, keep your head up and your eyes open.

We cannot offer information on photographers not working under our FairAgreement, but feel free to let us know if you are having difficulty with any photographers, it can help us support you and protect others.

2. I am interested in having a shoot done, what should I be looking for in a photographer?

Choosing a photographer is a lot like choosing a partner. You want to make sure you get on, can trust them and most importantly you have to have faith in their abilities to see the best in you and thus present it.

The best advice to give is that academic credentials mean very little when it comes personality. We have met plenty of photographers on our travels that have impressive academic qualifications and a good understanding of the technical and processing sides of photography, but some struggle in communicating with their models and this makes them ineligible to work for us.

Being able to communicate is the first and essential quality in an MG photographer and is also in the top priority list of any good photographer or client.

Part of communication is the photographers ability to qualify themselves as being a suitable choice for your business. Ask the photographer to E-mail you some samples of their recent work so that you can see if their style would suit you. Also ask for a reference from any new photographer if you are still unsure, if you are friends on Facebook or any other social/model networking site you can see what friends you have in common or check their albums for people they have worked with. This means you can contact them direct to ask about their experience.

Remember that people always want to shoot with the best photographers but this will often come at a cost. Its important to recognise whether or not you are ready to work with a top photographer as it’s a dual responsibility to get the best images and if you are still struggling to get a decent output, you may be wasting your time and money and they will be unlikely to recommend you for work in the future.

3. I think I would be more comfortable with a Female photographer, how do I find one?

Well the first thing to know is that you are effectively cutting out a very strong set of skills within Male photographers and to be honest it should always be about the imagery. If you are looking to go into modelling as a career at some point, you will need to be able to work with both Male and Female photographers because its not a gender exclusive business.

That being said, there are a whole range of superb Female photographers working in the industry today and photography is quickly rising to become one of the most popular hobbies turned profession for Females in the UK which means we can expect a whole lot more becoming available in the near future.

Photography is all about communicating with each other to get a great end result. The sexual politics of a Man/Woman shooting team can be an issue for some but all “true” professionals will not let it affect how they work.

With the uprise of UK Glamour in the mid to late 90’s, Male photographers reported becoming “desensitised” to imagery of a glamorous nature and this made for more daring and interesting concepts.

But the same can be true of a Woman/Woman shooting team so you can see the risks are more along the lines of the photographers professionalism as opposed to their gender.

MG PRO-TOGRAPHY consist of both Male and Female photographers who are working at the top of their game, always professional and always able to help support their models and clients in order to guarantee the "Perfect Exposure."

4. I have spoken to a photographer who wants me to shoot in their house, is that a good idea?

Some of the best work is completed in areas that people would never realize the shot could of been taken in once they see the finished product. Many shoots are completed in corners of rooms, against painted walls and in some cases, using a range of living room and kitchen furniture. Just because a Photographer wants to shoot in their own living space it does not guarantee that anything seedy is going on.

However the flipside of that coin is that you should still be cautious of ANY shoot location. Regardless of whether the photographer wants to shoot you in their garage, house, studio or an exclusive location such as a Five Star Hotel, you need to be aware of the exact same concerns as you would anywhere.

Make sure people know where you are, if a location change is agreed upon at the last minute make sure you let someone know where you are going to be and your travel plans to reach the location, keep mobile phones on at all times and if possible use text messaging to update friends/family of your check points.

5. What are TFP, TFCD and all these other terms?

TFP is an acronym Time For Prints (also TFI which is "...for Images") which means that the Photographer will shoot you without cost to either you or them and they will provide you with prints of the final images. TFCD is similar it just means that images will be provided on a CD for your use.

Other industry terms include:

TOG = Photographer

MOD = Model

MUA = Make Up Artist

OLS = On Location Shoot

STU= Studio

As well as a range of other terms that can be unique to different areas of photography. Do not be afraid to ask the Photographer to clarify what are the meanings are of any of the terms you do not understand, you wont seem thick by clarifying the details, if anything they will appreciate the effort you are making to learn their shorthand.

6. Who owns the pictures when they are taken?

The photographer owns Copyright of all images taken by them under the Copyright and Patents Act 1988 (unless the copyright has been sold to another party). At time of writing (July 2011) this law is currently under review by European parliament to ensure that it is not infringing on peoples rights. With any professional photographer you should be asked to sign a Model Release before or after a shoot and this is standard practice but it is worth having a good look at it first.

MG uses its MG2B or variant Model Release Forms to allow for the Model to use their images online as provided by us, this is something you need to clarify if you wish to join an agency or use your pictures on a social networking site.

It is also worth checking out what the Photographer intends to use your shots for first before shooting, if they are just for portfolio use then that should be okay but if they are planning on using your image in a publicity drive you need to make sure you are comfortable with that. Remember to only shoot to a level that you are comfortable with by taking a leaf out of the book of glamour and you will find that glamour models strictly stick to their levels and only shoot with photographers they know well.

7. Any other advice for me?

7.1) Find out what the photographer is using equipment wise.

They may be using a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex: a camera with interchangeable lens, what you would expect a camera to look like if used by the press) and not a compact (the type of camera you have at parties and girls carry around in their handbag) as it is highly unlikely that they will be able to get anything worth using out of a compact, it does happen, just not very often!

7.2) See if you can take a friend with you to a shoot.

If you are Female take another Female friend as most photographers will prefer Males not to be in on shoots as this can affect the output of either the model or photographer. There should be no reason (besides space) where a model could not bring a friend to the shoot, even if they sit in another room nearby. Be advised, don't bring your Mum to shoot, if you are looking to make a career in modelling nothing says amateur more than bringing your Mum, unless she is Elle MacPherson.

7.3) Don't travel unnecessary distance if you don’t have to.

If you are really set with working with a photographer who is based on the other side of the country then that is fine but make sure you make a risk assessment (a checklist of all the possible hazards on your journey).

Another example of good practice is to see if you know someone who lives close by to the shooting location, that way if you have problems you can reach them easier then get home.

Also check out local rail and bus travel centres in case you have an issue with transport. Find the location of the nearest Police station in the unlikely event that you have a problem before departing. Public transport users should know that Tom-Tom's and other Sat Nav equipment are not just for cars, they can be great ways of finding where you are and where to go, should you need to.

If traveling by train via several stops, it would be a good idea to let people know when you get to each stop, like a check point. Call or text someone you know and let them plot your travel in order to work out where you could be if there is any problem with you missing a train or being delayed.

7.4) Dress appropriately for public travel.

Female models in particular are advised to "dress down and intelligent" for traveling. You may have just had a lingerie or club wear shoot but it does not mean you need to be wearing this on the way home. Get into something sensible, trousers or a tracksuit is a good choice and easy footwear is a must both ways.

Avoid traveling at rush hour, if you can finish your shoot and travel before 4pm or after 6pm, you will find travel to be somewhat more comfortable. If your photographer is covering travel costs, remember to factor in the cost of your travel x2 if a friend is traveling with you as it is unlikely the photographer will cover this.

7.5) Have an exit strategy in place for any shoot that you do, paid or unpaid.

Remember just because you are getting paid for a shoot does not mean that the people you are working with are reliable, make your judgment based on the imagery that they produce and what you have learned from them, before you even think about taking a step in the door.

Its important to work out what it says in any contract with an agency or with a photographer (if one is agreed) before walking out or you could be liable for legal action. Always know where you stand on this before leaving.

Remember that there is a lot of common sense attached to safely working with others, regardless of it being photographic or not. Use it.

DISCLAIMER!

The information in this page is strictly for guidance only. There is no ‘fast track to modeling’ and there is no guaranteed way to stardom. We always advise our models to take modeling as a career strand not a career. This is a great mentality to have when you are new to it and especially a safe one to save you from financial disappointment if the dream never happens.

Statistically you have more chance of playing a sport professionally than being a professional model but that does not mean that you should not do it, quite the opposite. But if you expect to make millions, then the chances are very very slim so be realistic and keep your eyes open!!!

The MG Team.