Question for Photographers and Models - Direct messaging hindrance or a help?

B17fan but that states something specific and welcomes models with those attributes.....I don't like messages that are clearly cut and paste for cadtings/studio days that have no relevance on what I've stated I'm interested in.

I often message people directly when I'm doing an event or model day in their area, I almost always get replies to either book on or to say they won't but thanks for letting them know.

So I think it's a good idea - sometimes castings or events may get missed.

Mirror Image'S' said

B17fan but that states something specific and welcomes models with those attributes.....I don't like messages that are clearly cut and paste for cadtings/studio days that have no relevance on what I've stated I'm interested in.

I do agree that cut and paste messages with little apparent effort do not go down well.

Generic messages, like 'Hey Hun, love your work. Would you like to work with me? Message me for rates' tend to be answered with a brief 'No thanks'. Often, I won't even read the whole message before responding.

If a message starts with my name and has some specific reference to my work or profile notes and then goes on to elaborate on ideas, dates, fees and whatnot then I am more likely to engage with it. 

'Hey, Buddy. I really like your style and particularly the xyz images of xyz model. I wondered if you'd be interested in a shoot sometime as I think my look and levels are a good fit for your preferred work styles and we could produce something eyecatching together. My rates are xyz and I will be available, and can travel, on xyz dates.'

So, message away by all means but don't expect positive results if you don't put a little effort into your approach.

B.

Buddygb said

I do agree that cut and paste messages with little apparent effort do not go down well.

Generic messages, like 'Hey Hun, love your work. Would you like to work with me? Message me for rates' tend to be answered with a brief 'No thanks'. Often, I won't even read the whole message before responding.

If a message starts with my name and has some specific reference to my work or profile notes and then goes on to elaborate on ideas, dates, fees and whatnot then I am more likely to engage with it. 

'Hey, Buddy. I really like your style and particularly the xyz images of xyz model. I wondered if you'd be interested in a shoot sometime as I think my look and levels are a good fit for your preferred work styles and we could produce something eyecatching together. My rates are xyz and I will be available, and can travel, on xyz dates.'

Absolutely!

"I love your work" when they've not loved a single image?
Nah.

"You've worked with a friend of mine" without saying who?
Nah.

In my case it'll often go in the bin, unanswered, along with the double glazing and pizza flyers.

Something specific, as you've said here?
Yep, you've got my attention, I'll read further.

Everly Rose   this is what I meant

Paris photographers for today only ....
  based around London which is approximately 51 miles from you. 

I am in Paris...

London goes to every photographer in the South East, but having got to London you're a couple of hours away from the shoot. Just a low grade annoyance. 

An incredibly simple way of looking at it is possibly that photographers who have either:

1) A strong vision of what they wish to shoot and appear very particular in how they go about it, the places they will shoot, the types of model they will book and what they book them for are probably going to source their models by finding them themselves and things like regular castings, uploading images and tours and availability castings may get you noticed. Messaging is unlikely to achieve anything other than risking making them ignore all future castings and image uploads, UNLESS you can find the specific buttons to press and be prepared to risk losing a shoot when they may be ready

or

2) Shoot random stuff, don't have a specific theme, shoot models rather than ideas, are looking to horse-trade rates or levels, need to spend ages chit chatting before they will decide who to book, do it for more of a social experience, like to feel "wanted" will all probably not mind some sort of messaging, provided it doesn't completely miss the mark

or

3) Never shoot but like the chit chat LoL, so will be happy to receive messages even if no shoot is likely!

Your task, should you wish to accept it is to lump everyone you see into one of those categories and go from there accordingly!

Gerry99111 said

An incredibly simple way of looking at it is possibly that photographers who have either:

1) A strong vision of what they wish to shoot and appear very particular in how they go about it, the places they will shoot, the types of model they will book and what they book them for are probably going to source their models by finding them themselves and things like regular castings, uploading images and tours and availability castings may get you noticed. Messaging is unlikely to achieve anything other than risking making them ignore all future castings and image uploads, UNLESS you can find the specific buttons to press and be prepared to risk losing a shoot when they may be ready

or

2) Shoot random stuff, don't have a specific theme, shoot models rather than ideas, are looking to horse-trade rates or levels, need to spend ages chit chatting before they will decide who to book, do it for more of a social experience, like to feel "wanted" will all probably not mind some sort of messaging, provided it doesn't completely miss the mark

or

3) Never shoot but like the chit chat LoL, so will be happy to receive messages even if no shoot is likely!

Your task, should you wish to accept it is to lump everyone you see into one of those categories and go from there accordingly!

So your basically saying they are the 3 categories of people I will get if messaging?

Well today I had 2 very productive conversations resulting in bookings and the photographers would never have known about me before hand, both conversations were constructive, ideas discussed and bookings finalised, both of these photographers don't fit into any of your categories stated. I know you HATE direct messaging and I have noted that but it looks like there are many out there who really don't mind and as I have just said it worked so I'm happy.

The first time I went up to Edinburgh for the festival, I put up a casting, four photographers applied, and I managed to work with three of them. A few weeks later I started putting up the photographs from those shoots with Edinburgh tagged, and a few photographers got in touch saying that they would have worked with me if they had known. Sometimes the casting works, but a well-worded direct email to people can also help to generate interest.  People on both sides of the camera are missing out on good shoots if they don't know who might be where and when, and want to work.

Admin is it possible to lock this thread now as I have gauged everything I started out too and have received plenty of advice answering my questions, thank you :)

Just one wee, question, if I may please, before the thread is closed. When a photographer DMs a model that does not shoot the "higher levels", we receive an automated warning that reads:

Please note that this model does not shoot nude or adult style photos.

It is against site policy to ask them to shoot nude or adult photos, and you risk being removed from the site if you do.

Do models receive a similar warning when they DM photographers who don't shoot those levels?

Edited by waist.it

waist.it said

Just one wee, question, if I may please, before the thread is closed. When a photographer DMs a model that does not shoot the "higher levels", we receive an automated warning that reads:

Please note that this model does not shoot nude or adult style photos.

It is against site policy to ask them to shoot nude or adult photos, and you risk being removed from the site if you do.

Do models receive a similar warning when they DM photographers who don't shoot those levels?

Edited by waist.it

I honestly can't comment as I would never do that 

Everly Rose said

waist.it said

Just one wee, question, if I may please, before the thread is closed. When a photographer DMs a model that does not shoot the "higher levels", we receive an automated warning that reads:

Please note that this model does not shoot nude or adult style photos.

It is against site policy to ask them to shoot nude or adult photos, and you risk being removed from the site if you do.

Do models receive a similar warning when they DM photographers who don't shoot those levels?

Edited by waist.it

I honestly can't comment as I would never do that 

It's an automated message that comes up before we have even typed anything, presumably for photographers that don't bother to read model's portfolios before messaging them.

Of course I know you would not do anything like that. You have a first class rep.

Sadly however, some of the spammy DMs I have received were pushing levels far in excess of what I shoot, despite the fact I make this really clear right at the top of my folio notes. Then, to keep my reply rate up, I actually have to reply to these people too. I'm sure you can see how this might be a tad irritating? 

I honestly do not mind receiving messages from models travelling to th remote part of the UK where I live.  How else would I know they were coming and  possibly organise a shoot?

just had an unsolicited message and a lengthy one at that.

as for my reply, let's hope the model likes scrolling. :)

waist.it said

Everly Rose said

waist.it said

Just one wee, question, if I may please, before the thread is closed. When a photographer DMs a model that does not shoot the "higher levels", we receive an automated warning that reads:

Please note that this model does not shoot nude or adult style photos.

It is against site policy to ask them to shoot nude or adult photos, and you risk being removed from the site if you do.

Do models receive a similar warning when they DM photographers who don't shoot those levels?

Edited by waist.it

I honestly can't comment as I would never do that 

It's an automated message that comes up before we have even typed anything, presumably for photographers that don't bother to read model's portfolios before messaging them.

Of course I know you would not do anything like that. You have a first class rep.

Sadly however, some of the spammy DMs I have received were pushing levels far in excess of what I shoot, despite the fact I make this really clear right at the top of my folio notes. Then, to keep my reply rate up, I actually have to reply to these people too. I'm sure you can see how this might be a tad irritating? 

Hi

Yes of course I can see that that would be irritating. Maybe in the future something could be put into place by admin so if you do not want spam messaging it can say so when they go to message you then if it is a generic spam message they would be sent a warning? I'm guesing you would need to choose on your port yes or no to this sort of messages then it will come up for anyone that tries but unsure whether this is something that could be put into practise as I am not that I.T savvy