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Models not publishing photographers images on their portfolio

 

AshleyAshton

By AshleyAshton, 1715859248

Hello Everyone. 

Lets talk about about, "Models not sharing photographers images on thier portfolio". 

I believe there are some misunderstandings and negative emotions surrounding the topic. 

The first misconception being that photographer simply feels like he isnt good enough. 

The second misconception being the inabilty to gain exposure. 

Therefore i would like to talk about the importance of identity. 

When i first joined this site, however many years ago... i would post any image i could get my hands on. I was inexperienced and hadnt established a style yet. My inspiration upon joining this site was governed by models who were well established and also the photographers who had gained a status. I wondered how this was achieved. 

I noticed that the people who inpsired me the most, had develeoped an identity or style which they owned and that was striking information.

Even now, if you think about models and photographers who have seen success in the network, take a look at thier portfolios. No doubt familiar names pop up. (I prefer not to mention, to avoid favouritisim) 

This is important to both models and photographers looking to become established. Noone can tell you what your style or identity is, it is something you create or merge into through experience. 

Models and photographers who have a strong identity are inspirational. They drive other users to want to do better. Its likely the number one reason you book them. 

You can argue that you prefer to shoot with a particular model because she is cheaper or freindly or whatever the reason is. You can also learn alot from shooting with a regular model, as time spent in a relation will grow. However, there comes a point when you have to broaden your knowledge. That is, if it is your ambition to get better. 

The buisness is constantly evolving and the ideas are changing. If you get upset because a model doesnt post your image or even if a photographer doesnt share images hes taken of you..rather than take it as a personal insult, maybe try to understand why you wanted to shoot with that person in the first place. 

Once you understand the importance of identity, you can then look to create your own. 


Aswell, Exposure isnt achieved entirely through the model. Your portfolio is what gives you exposure. 

When i approach photographers for a shoot, i am looking at thier portfolio. Or... i am looking at models portfolios who have great images from strong photographers. My portfolio is important to me, because i understand my reasons for approaching others in the past. Its also the same reason that many of you have worked with me. 

If a model or photographer posts a chaotic array of images, you loose your identity. Without a strong identity, you will often be overlooked. 

Happy to hear your thoughts , 

Ashley




BigBaldTone said, 1715859439

The same could also be said about either party uploading an image, and then no tag is accepted for all manner of reasons, some of which are mentioned above...

Huw said, 1715859762

The really great art nude models have hundreds of images from photographers that they haven’t posted. It’s not a big deal if they choose not to post mine. Also why they seldom shoot TF. Don’t need to.

Also, models have a brand to build and to protect. What goes onto the portfolio matters.

AshleyAshton said, 1715860428

BigBaldTone

I have almost 900 tags awaiting approval. When I get back from studio events or long trips away, its almost impossible to go through everyone.

Hope you're well BTW!

Orson Carter said, 1715861333

Ashley - I agree with most of your points. 

As for an identity, if I'm looking for a model - or if I were a model (no sniggering, please) looking for a photographer - I'd like to see strength in one or two particular styles. A little bit of versatility could be an interesting 'extra', but I wouldn't regard that as a necessity. If a photographer or model is looking to shoot something specific, I reckon it makes sense to work with someone who has a track record in that particular style rather than going with a Jack Of All Trades.   

As for working with different models, I have a foot in both camps. On one hand I find it interesting to work with different models; different models have different skills, and I can learn from them. On the other hand, I also very much enjoy working with 'regulars' with whom I have built a good working relationship. On the rare occasions that I want to try something different (it happened in 1974 - it was a Friday, if I remember correctly), I prefer to work with a 'regular'. The model and I already know how each other works, and that's a great help

And as for feeling insulted if a photographer or model doesn't use one's pictures, I'm aware that some people feel a bit miffed by that. However, a portfolio is the person's shop window, so it makes sense for that person to use the best selling aids that they can. Doing other people a favour - using less-impressive pics so as to not hurt the other person's feelings - might be a generous characteristic; but if it waters down the strength of one's own shop window, it could be costly.      

Bergman Greenstreet said, 1715861488

I fully agree with what you say about creating an identity by curating the images you place in your portfolio. It makes perfect sense.

Sensual Art said, 1715861796

BigBaldTone said

The same could also be said about either party uploading an image, and then no tag is accepted for all manner of reasons, some of which are mentioned above...

Indeed.  I collected a number of those reasons in https://purpleport.com/articles/1133/crediting-other-members-in-images-1/

I'm open to any suggestions where I could improve that article :)

Huw said, 1715862342

It's also good marketing to use one of the photographer's photos if one wants repeat business.

If a model has a few hundred shots in her portfolio, but hasn't used any of yours, she robably doesn't rate your photos that highly.

Can't win really.   ;)

Edited by Huw

RAWing Waves said, 1715862659

Yes over time a photographer and a model's style develops and they can become known for that style and their work becomes recognisable.

This can be a good and bad thing as a photographer may become stuck in that style and not diversify to the extent that people just glance past the work eventually.

As a photographer I am always looking to develop my style but also to look at new styles including lighting editing etc.

Its the way that we grow as photographers and this all applies to models as well.

If my work is deemed good enough to be added to a models portfolio then I'm always happy and if my style becomes noticed by models then thats always a bonus too

Edited by RAWing Waves

CerithMJ said, 1715862819

A model's portfolio is theirs to with as they wish. If they share, great. If they don't, that's fine.

I wouldn't expect anyone to tell me what I should be doing with my portfolio, that goes the other way too.

HunterT said, 1715863054

Models are selling a service....of high quality shoots which amazing photos. They may work with others who aren't as a good as the rest of their port...and so...don't want that turd stain on there.

End of the day...this is a models job....if they don't want my image on there....that's cool by me.

I wouldn't open up a prestigious sports car store in Mayfair...and then deck the outside with a battered paint flaking Ferrari.

CalmNudes said, 1715863257

AshleyAshton said

BigBaldTone

I have almost 900 tags awaiting approval. When I get back from studio events or long trips away, its almost impossible to go through everyone.

Hope you're well BTW!

Blimey, I knew you had a stack to get through when I tagged you a while back, but that's worse than my day-job inbox :-) 

On the main point.   

There's one set of photographers who throw toys out of their prams if models dare to ask to use their pictures.

And there's a second set who also throw toys if they give models pictures and the model doesn't post a selection to various media. 

I'm in the third set which is happy to share edits I've done (not so happy to do a lot of extra editing), if a model uses them that's great for my ego, if not whether it's her style , portfolio curation or my stuff no being as good as I'd like to think - who cares? I have a script to resize, strip metadata, and plonk in a a one-drive folder , I run the script, get the link and post it in a message, it's almost no skin off my nose to do it.  IF a model begs for photos, asks for special edits and doesn't use them, THEN I'll grumble; but the only model to ever ask me for more than trivial extra work got me loads of views and extra visits to my page.  

If I enjoy a shoot and get shots I like, that's a success.  If a model is happier to take my money than the average punter, that's icing on the cake, and if she uses my pictures - cherry on top!   

Huw said

It's also good marketing to use one of the photographer's photos if one wants repeat business.

 

If a model leaves me a reference that makes me think she found working with me was an agreeable thing to get paid for, I really don't mind if she uses my pictures. If she's any good she probably has more offers of pictures than she can possibly use, if mine fit they fit. 

playwithlight said, 1715863307

Im going to go the other way from Orson Carter and Bergman Greenstreet about "creating an identity". Photography is a very broad church of styles and yes you could find a formula / style that works for you and that becomes your identity and that's worked super successfully for many photographers and will continue to do so. Thing is I like Hollywood style lighting, High Key B&W, Low Key B&W, soft lighting, hard lighting, themes and going off piste it sometimes works, and sometimes it doesn't. I decided years ago to shoot as many models as I could in the same tweed jacket but I don't think that defined a a style or an identity it was simply something that appealed to me. 

I always give models shots from our shoots whether they decide to use them or not is entirely up to them I certainly don't take offence if they don't use them after all who are you taking the shots for in the first place I would assume yourself first & foremost. For many models this is their current career and means of an income so its understandable they want to showcase themselves as best they can the only words of caution being if your seen to only highlight a certain group of photographers your close off others from thinking they are "worthy" of working with you. 

I worked in the film industry for over 40 years and worked with countless Cinematographers some had a "style" but the majority changed that style to suit the subject after all you would not shoot a period film like science fiction or like a gangster film etc. 

So why box yourself in? For most of us it's a hobby we don't get an income from it. Now I can earn an income doing bog standard product shots for peoples Amazon accounts and have but its not challenging or particularly fun to do. 

Afrofilmviewer said, 1715863386

AshleyAshton

"The first misconception being that photographer simply feels like he isnt good enough."

Personally don't feel like it is. Seen more than enough models gush about the togs they love. I've been here a while worked with a good variety more than once often in a style comparable to their portfolio. But their not used. My images are not strong enough. I think my annoyance came from people who pushed for images and then not used them anywhere. Came to a head last year and just decided to no longer give images in certain situations.

I don't feel I'm booked for my skill or ideas. A recent conversation all but confirmed that. I'm booked because I pay on time and I turn up.

GDSandy Photography said, 1715863825

It is nice that someone likes your work enough to post it.  Of course it is and to say different is to deceive yourself.  I have no definitive style.  I am competent (mostly) and I will give edits of shots I like if a model asks.  She or he is under no obligation to post them.  If they do, its polite to be credited as I credit those in he shots I post.  

As for "style", it is a blessing and a curse.  I see portfolios of photographer's work and sometimes think "oh no not that shot - again".   I see models work and think "if only I could get them to not look like that or shoot in that way".  Of course you discuss ideas and wardrobe before a shoot and direct during it but some styles and poses are so entrenched that you end up with nothing but more shots for which the model is already well known.

RHM.Photo said, 1715864029

My take is that I like it when models use my photos on their portfolio and I like it when they accept the tags.

More and more these days I'm fortunate enough to be able to work TF with some really experienced and fabulous models, so of course they get the edited shots they've liked. But I'm also one of those irritating fuckers who also provided edits of the shots I preferred when I paid models.

If the models don't use the images or accept the tags then I'm sad but not annoyed. Life's too short.