Casting etiqutte?

Did you fulfil the criteria? It’s quite common on here that people will ignore casting requirements and just apply anyway.

If you haven’t heard back the first time, I wouldn’t apply again, they know where you are

With regards to your casting, you’re asking to be paid to shoot your own idea. That’s probably why nobody is interested. You also say you’re in Wigan but you’re not local to the North West. I’d be confused if I was reading that and thinking of applying.

I wonder if they were TF castings or paid castings? As a 'newish' model, you'll probably be more successful with TF castings at the moment - at least until you have a better portfolio/more references. Similarly with your own castings - TF for now, possibly?

As Tabitha said, we don't know the criteria in the castings - nor how many replies were received by the photographers.

For my part, I ALWAYS reply to ALL applicants. It seems only common courtesy. Having said that, each to his own ... and someone will probably chip in and say how they're far too busy to respond - I advertise on StarNow for kids and my (dubious) record is 169 replies for a single casting, though I admit to copying/pasting I did reply to them all.

I can only advise 'onwards and upwards' and wish you the best of luck :)

Thank you Tabitha for your replies.

Not a native of Wigan no. I've only lived in the NW for about a year. 

The casting is open to ideas, but I'm looking for a photographer who would like some wedding shots for their portfolio.
 
So it's not okay to ask to be paid by a photographer? I'm still trying to get my head around how all this works.

Cheers,
Sweet

Tabitha Boydell said

With regards to your casting, you’re asking to be paid to shoot your own idea. That’s probably why nobody is interested. You also say you’re in Wigan but you’re not local to the North West. I’d be confused if I was reading that and thinking of applying.

Cripes! Yes, I agree. Your chances of a response to your casting are nil.

I am very specific about what I am looking for in a casting and even state that I won't reply to people who reply that don't meet those criteria but that doesn't put off chancers. I would look at the Photographers profiles to see if you fit with the style he/she works to before replying as this will save you time and effort.

RexV said

I wonder if they were TF castings or paid castings? As a 'newish' model, you'll probably be more successful with TF castings at the moment - at least until you have a better portfolio/more references. Similarly with your own castings - TF for now, possibly?

As Tabitha said, we don't know the criteria in the castigs - nor how many replies were received by the photographers.

For my part, I ALWAYS reply to ALL applicants. It seems only common courtesy. Having said that, each to his own ... and someone will probably chip in and say how they're far too busy to respond - I advertise on StarNow for kids and my (dubious) record is 169 replies for a single casting, though I admit to copying/pasting I did

Thank you, RexV.

I've done a mixture of paid and TFP till now. I know everyone is different in the way they work and what they are looking for.

I will be patient. I just wondered about others' experiences.

Thanks,
Sweet.

TBH I'd say 5 replies out of 13 applications is better than I'd have expected. Nothing to do with you necessarily but the nature of castings generally. I'd always recommend contacting photographers direct if you feel they have a style and personality which matches your own; do not rely on castings.

It's obvious though from your profile and the things you say that you're still finding your feet as a model, and certainly there are things you request which I, and I suspect many others, would not entertain. At the same time, though, there will be plenty of other photographers who will be happy to oblige. I expect that as your experience builds it will be reflected in your profile/portfolio and your results from applications will improve.

If you don't meet the casting criteria then do not apply otherwise you're likely to be blocked, and blocks are tricky to get removed once in place (thus affecting your future work opportunities). Instead, drop the photographer a personal message acknowledging that you don't meet his casting criteria but if he has anything suitable in future you'd be delighted to work with him. A subtly different approach with much better prospects of a shoot opportunity down the line.

SweetEnigma it’s fine to ask to be paid, but when it’s your own ideas that you want to shoot, it sounds like you want the images as well, which for paid work aren’t usually provided

Hey,

Welcome to PP.

Castings are going through an unusually quiet spell at the moment, and I've generally ditched using them in place of cold calling and going after the models I want directly.

Experiences vary, but I went through a phase of having the same 4 or 5 models applying to everything even though I wasn't interested in working with them. Understandably, this became a bit much after a while.

I've also had models just not read the casting and whack over a Cut N Paste application.

In the summer, I posted a casting for implied/concealed topless as a minimum level. Models replied "Interested! I work up to lingerie." - when you point out "that's great, but I need a model who is comfortable using her arms, hair or props to cover her boobs, is that something you're comfortable doing?" Cue a ghosting! 😂

So my advice is...

- Don't hammer the castings blindly, read exactly what is expected of you first.

- Make your application bespoke. Unless a model is offering something absolutely exceptional, I personally find Cut N Paste applications a turn off..

- ...but nothing turns me off more than ChatGPT. Just don't use it. Even Stevie Wonder can detect its use.

I hope some of this helps, and I hope I've not come across as overly harsh.

Asking for payment for images that you would like for your port to launch your account might gain little response on here. Took a look and your references are excellent so no issues there.

It's a delicate balance putting together a portfolio and obtaining paid work for many models. Might I suggest you look for local photographers who can provide quality images and approach them for TF, however, be selective and restrict the amount you do as some models struggle to get paid bookings if they do too many producing poor images, it can be counter productive.

Nothing wrong asking for payment but if you're not getting any takers it's best to work out why and address it, a usp and top quality port will help.

FiL

Thank you so much for all your advice. May I message you with a question?

Sweet.

FiL said

TBH I'd say 5 replies out of 13 applications is better than I'd have expected. Nothing to do with you necessarily but the nature of castings generally. I'd always recommend contacting photographers direct if you feel they have a style and personality which matches your own; do not rely on castings.

It's obvious though from your profile and the things you say that you're still finding your feet as a model, and certainly there are things you request which I, and I suspect many others, would not entertain. At the same time, though, there will be plenty of other photographers who will be happy to oblige. I expect that as your experience builds it will be reflected in your profile/portfolio and your results from applications will improve.

If you don't meet the casting criteria then do not apply otherwise you're likely to be blocked, and blocks are tricky to get removed once in place (thus affecting your future work opportunities). Instead, drop the photographer a personal message acknowledging that you don't meet his casting criteria but if he has anything suitable in future you'd be delighted to work with him. A subtly different approach with much better prospects of a shoot opportunity down the line.

Thank you, Tabitha.

I didn't know that. I was just going by the shoots I've been paid for and was given images.

Sweet

Tabitha Boydell said.

SweetEnigma it’s fine to ask to be paid, but when it’s your own ideas that you want to shoot, it sounds like you want the images as well, which for paid work aren’t usually provided

JME Studios said

Hey,

Welcome to PP.

Castings are going through an unusually quiet spell at the moment, and I've generally ditched using them in place of cold calling and going after the models I want directly.

Experiences vary, but I went through a phase of having the same 4 or 5 models applying to everything even though I wasn't interested in working with them. Understandably, this became a bit much after a while.

I've also had models just not read the casting and whack over a Cut N Paste application.

In the summer, I posted a casting for implied/concealed topless as a minimum level. Models replied "Interested! I work up to lingerie." - when you point out "that's great, but I need a model who is comfortable using her arms, hair or props to cover her boobs, is that something you're comfortable doing?" Cue a ghosting! 😂

So my advice is...

- Don't hammer the castings blindly, read exactly what is expected of you first.

- Make your application bespoke. Unless a model is offering something absolutely exceptional, I personally find Cut N Paste applications a turn off..

- ...but nothing turns me off more than ChatGPT. Just don't use it. Even Stevie Wonder can detect its use.

I hope some of this helps, and I hope I've not come across as overly harsh.

Not at all. I appreciate your advice and expertise. 

I detest AI and would never use it for messaging. Have never, would never cut and paste. I've only contacted the same photographer for two different castings once and so won't contact them again.

How do you know if you've been blocked?

Cheers,

Sweet

You'll know as you can only see the person's references, not their portfolio.