Still don’t understand how photographers are doing this

Afrofilmviewer said

Zella Whitfield This explains even more.

Exactly my thoughts. wants to shoot pretty girls for free or have them pay him, pure fantasy world! time to come back down t earth. if you want to be a paid photographer you're going to have to shoot products, weddings or passport photos, night club photography. Models rarely ever pay and if their going to part with their cash its for something exceptional not something they can get from other photographers for free or even be paid for. you keep posting the same question expecting a different outcome but there isn't one

Repzee Photography I really have no desire to argue in a public forum but in the future if your model doesn't use the words, "I am cancelling the shoot", maybe double check

What are your thoughts about that?

I'd consider his work to be of a very high standard and he does workshops which probably makes up a lot of his income. Jason Lanier does workshops and is also an ambassador for Sony and rotolight, yet his portfolio is nowhere near as good Sagaj's. I think the images lit with those rotolights look horrible, but he has made a great career for himself despite having substandard work.

Lanier was let go by Sony and Rotolight after allegations surfaced. There was a thread about on PP as well. He is still making videos, has a strong following among male aspiring photographers to an extent, but no professional endorsements anymore.

Repzee Photography said

Sis Benedict thank you bro.

I always get the same advice, I didn’t want to put this on here, but I don’t have financial funds to pay models that’s why I offer TFP. I haven’t stated this before because I didn’t want to get the response “well if you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t be doing it” or “save then” I’m on minimum wage I’m not able to save money.

Every other part of advice I’ve tried maybe it’s worked maybe it hasn’t, I know I need to work on lighting as some of you know I had multiple triggers with my speed light couldn’t get them to work I’ve still got the soft box and stand. I’ve tried working with natural lighting and I prefer flash. With editing I know that needs improving too I do try an improve my editing I try different techniques of editing after every shoot.

OK, but the models you want to pay you this is their job... they arent rolling in it either, they work very hard with no stability to their pay check so where do you expect them to find money to pay you?

The other models that dont get paid but instead do TFP are here the same as you, they love the hobby and often cant afford to leave their jobs etc... for the non-security of modelling incoming and also arent rolling in it but hoping to one day be good enough to make money but currently aren't.

No one here is rich, you situation isnt special or unique its average and most of us are in the exact same boat.

I would guess I likely make less than you because my photography (which I do make my sole working income from) I do part time as I have 2 very young children and as a result I have an income of whole £5-£6k per year (so well below average yearly income for an employed person) but I still put money into my business (last year I spent about £3k on my photography relaunch by upgrading camera equiptment but ontop of that I also annually pay for a website, businessness cards, networking events, editing software, props/outfit for portfolio shoots, insurance, advertising and more) because without investing money my income from photography would be exactly £0.

Repzee Photography said

I always get the same advice, I didn’t want to put this on here, but I don’t have financial funds to pay models that’s why I offer TFP. I haven’t stated this before because I didn’t want to get the response “well if you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t be doing it” or “save then” I’m on minimum wage I’m not able to save money.

In which case what I would do if I were you is buddy up with another photographer and wander around town exploring natural light situations, eg edge of shade, opposite reflective walls etc. Take plenty of photos of each other (or just use your eyes!) and observe how natural light interacts with faces, and especially the eyes, in different situations. Do it two or three times until you're confident you know what to look for, what to expect and what works best in different weather and at different times of the day. If you only do that, your model photography will improve appreciably and it's so much easier to find a like-minded buddy than to find a PP model who is willing/able to invest his/her time with you at this stage.

Repzee Photography said

Sis Benedict thank you bro.

I always get the same advice, I didn’t want to put this on here, but I don’t have financial funds to pay models that’s why I offer TFP. I haven’t stated this before because I didn’t want to get the response “well if you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t be doing it” or “save then” I’m on minimum wage I’m not able to save money.

Every other part of advice I’ve tried maybe it’s worked maybe it hasn’t, I know I need to work on lighting as some of you know I had multiple triggers with my speed light couldn’t get them to work I’ve still got the soft box and stand. I’ve tried working with natural lighting and I prefer flash. With editing I know that needs improving too I do try an improve my editing I try different techniques of editing after every shoot.

You get the same advice because you keep asking the same question.  The issue isn’t the standard of your photography or whether you can afford to pay good models.

 The issue is your mindset.  You don’t seem to be able to understand that model photography is not a way for 99.9% of photographers to make money.  There simply isn’t a market.  No one is going to pay you for something that they can easily get for free.  Models don’t need to pay photographers, most people on this site will pay models and give them free images.  Many of them are superb photographers and that’s what you are competing against.

Unlike many posters I don’t think that you are a troll, I genuinely believe that you just fail to understand how this and similar sites work and that you don’t understand the photography business at all.

If you were closer to me I would happily mentor you if you were able and willing to change your mindset, but I am not sure that you can or will.

Alan Ewart said

Repzee Photography said

Sis Benedict thank you bro.

I always get the same advice, I didn’t want to put this on here, but I don’t have financial funds to pay models that’s why I offer TFP. I haven’t stated this before because I didn’t want to get the response “well if you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t be doing it” or “save then” I’m on minimum wage I’m not able to save money.

Every other part of advice I’ve tried maybe it’s worked maybe it hasn’t, I know I need to work on lighting as some of you know I had multiple triggers with my speed light couldn’t get them to work I’ve still got the soft box and stand. I’ve tried working with natural lighting and I prefer flash. With editing I know that needs improving too I do try an improve my editing I try different techniques of editing after every shoot.

You get the same advice because you keep asking the same question.  The issue isn’t the standard of your photography or whether you can afford to pay good models.

 The issue is your mindset.  You don’t seem to be able to understand that model photography is not a way for 99.9% of photographers to make money.  There simply isn’t a market.  No one is going to pay you for something that they can easily get for free.  Models don’t need to pay photographers, most people on this site will pay models and give them free images.  Many of them are superb photographers and that’s what you are competing against.

Unlike many posters I don’t think that you are a troll, I genuinely believe that you just fail to understand how this and similar sites work and that you don’t understand the photography business at all.

If you were closer to me I would happily mentor you if you were able and willing to change your mindset, but I am not sure that you can or will.

Summed up perfectly, Alan.

Taz75 interesting. Lanier still shows up as a Master of Light on the Rotolight website and is still doing events for them.

Edit: will have to search out that thread.

Edited by kennymcrae69

Repzee Photography have you thought about trying Street photography for awhile? It definitely helps you work with natural light and you can also work on Street portaits. It's surprising how many people will actually stop for a portrait photo, especially if you have an "in" like a project or a compliment about their look. Once you have their attention you can also direct them a bit. Not quite a 2 hour shoot but useful.

The bare minimum requirements to to be a pro photographer… aka getting paid / making a living via your photography.

Caveat; in today’s commercial environment/market.

Bare minimum = Bare minimum functional UK resident income.

Caveat; as a full-time/on professional  photographer from 2005 to 2018, and a PP member for a fair ol’ while, this guy from my perspective talks complete and utter sense, but I’m acutely aware his sentiments will not ‘compute’ with many brains here on PP, OP included unless he has the wherewithal to read-up and absorb on this video’s key points for a fair few hours…

https://youtu.be/eW5QqLdSZF4

kennymcrae69 I did try street photography but then I got anxiety about taking pictures of somone without consent🤣

Repzee Photography understand the anxiety element however it's not just about sticking your camera in people's faces :) You can take silhouettes, abstract, night scenes all of those help reduce the anxiety. It's a way you can still work on your skills at a lower cost to you. Then when you are in a better place financially you can afford to pay models on PP for shoots. If you decided to give it another go I would recommend buying the book 52 Assignments Street Photography by Brian Lloyd Duckett. These assignments help alot, especially in asking people for Street Portraits.

Edited by kennymcrae69

Still don't understand why this thread is still alive.

Orson Carter at least the op came back to face his flagellation :)

SteveDeansPhotography said

Orson Carter at least the op came back to face his flagellation :)

Flagellation - you can't beat it. 

[Apologies. That old joke has been flogged to death.]

Edited by Orson Carter