Casting etiqutte?

indemnity said

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.

Agreed. The last shoot I did I couldn't use any of the images for my portfolio. I will be selective.

Thanks so much.

Sweet

You can try as many times as you like! Different photographers vary, personally I admire anyone who just keeps knocking on the door.  Essentially modelling is a tough gig and it's not an industry in which  you should be taking any rejection personally.

I using the casting system sporadically and sometimes I get the same models applying that I have rejected previously and for me that's the right attitude unless someone has out and out said sorry but it's a definite no please don't apply to any more of my castings (which the vast majority of photographers won't) then I'd say keep going.  I'm definitely of the view you have to be in it to win it.  Just because you are not suitable this time doesn't mean you won't be next time.  I think some models don't understand that when a photographer places a casting they have a certain look in mind even if they don't choose to communicate it because they don't want to narrow down the field.  Also as a model you have no idea who you are competing with, I've had applications from models I hadn't thought about that are usually out of area but they just happen to be in my area when I've placed the casting call and then I've jumped at the opportunity of working with them.

It costs you nothing to apply for a casting, fire the application off and forget about it and don't take it personally if you don't get a response or get a rejection. I'd have a standard well thought out template that you can tailor to the casting if it needs it. I sometimes get the same copy and pasted message or 'intrested hun!' actually I'm fine with both because a quick look at the model's port will tell me if they are likely to be suitable or at least peak my interest. Although I wouldn't recommend the 'intrested hun' approach as there are some photographers here that get easily offended. 

I know there are models (and photographers) that take it personally if they don't get a response, I'd say don't, rejection is perfectly normal in the creative industries.  It's slightly different for photographers if they are applying for a paid casting or approaching a model and offering them money, as they are the paying customer but even then I'll give a model a couple of chances to respond before adding them to a not interested list.

I'll caveat all of that by saying don't take a scatter gun approach and apply for everything, if you are clearly not suitable then don't apply.  Looking at a photographers port can tell you the type of models that they shoot with, although not always.

On the subject of casting to be paid for something you want to shoot and expect images, I would say don't be that explicit.  Personally I see that sort of casting and think, you are having a laugh.  You have a couple of options, put up a paid themed casting and hope that you get some images from it or put up a part paid casting. 

Edited by Allesandro B

SweetEnigma - the way I understand your post is that it's about other people's castings for which you've applied, rather than a casting that you've posted. 

If I've got that right, someone else said that 5 replies out of 13 wasn't bad. I agree with that. It's far from unknown for someone who has been rejected for a casting to throw a wobbly, so some folk - photographers and models - prefer not to do a polite 'thanks but no thanks' just in case there's a backlash. That would explain some of the non-replies. 

5 out of 13 really isn't bad.    

Very few people under 40 have ever had a reply to an unsuccessful job application....

JME Studios said

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

Good to know. JME. Thanks.

Thank you everyone. It's good to have it straight in my head now.

I never asked for payment and images in my casting, but offered to wave my free if the photographer could bring in a MUA.

I was trying to be authentic and honest, sorry if that came across as brash.

Late to the discussion, but
(a) Some people try to answer all response to casting calls and DMs for work. Some just ignore the ones which aren't of interest.  It strikes me as poor etiquette, but I'm not always best at judging  
(b) Saying "No, and sorry you don't have a look that I'd book" or whatever is hard for some people. Some "No" responses make the door seem open when it isn't really. 
(c) The site is here for creatives to contact each other.  Ask 'Am I being a nuisance ?'  If you send the same mail to 100 photographers every week, probably. If you've tried promising looking photographers a couple of times then a third go is probably OK, but at some point you might to take no-answer as a "No" answer. 

Number 1... don't take it personally if you are rejected from a casting. It doesn't mean he doesn't like you, just that there was a better fit for that job.

2 don't think you are the only reply. Paid castings attract very large numbers of replies and anything that can whittle the number down to one or two is great.

3 read any instructions in the casting, yes sometimes we can use tricks to see if we can filter the numbers down to a manageable number of models, (well I did anyway) if we ask for a half day rate, don't send a per hour rate for instance.

4 apply to the same photographer for every casting you would be suitable for. Although we may have favourite model, relationship wise you are still models providing a professional service, if you fit the bill great.

5 temporary blocking isn't personal. Some models do apply to every single casting, even if they are way off being suitable. Those models might be blocked while a particular casting is happening as a means of keeping the numbers of reply down. Only to be unblocked when something suitable for them is available.

6 you might think you are gods gift, and your portfolio may be brilliant, but unless you have worked with a photographer before, he won't know how easy it is to get the hero shots from you. Models are very different, some flow from pose to pose with grace of a ballerina at the click of the shutter, and some seem to be made of wood. What I'm saying is a model I don't know, especially a new one with a high price is a bigger risk than one I know. As I used to shoot commercial a big risk can be an expensive one.

So, don't worry, don't take rejection personally, be professional and keep going.

Edited by StubbsPhotography

That being said, the travel section of your portfolio would put me off.

That being said, the stock photography market is often crying out for models like you . If you find someone who shoots stock, that would be a good direction.

SweetEnigma said

JME Studios said

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

Good to know. JME. Thanks.

It's not true though, except when another member executes a full block.

The blocking system is granular and includes a dozen distinct options, one of which is 'Block user casting interaction'. If that's the only block which is applied, you'll still be able to see their profile/portfolio and everything else. You just won't be able to apply to their castings.

However, if you try to circumvent the partial block by messaging them direct about a casting (because you aren't able to apply via the casting) it's highly likely the partial block will be escalated to a full block.

Edited by FiL

StubbsPhotography said

That being said, the travel section of your portfolio would put me off.

That being said, the stock photography market is often crying out for models like you . If you find someone who shoots stock, that would be a good direction.

Sadly there's not much I can do about going further afield. And have to stick to local photographers. My confidence is growing thanks to the modelling. However, I still suffer from social anxiety when it comes to travelling by myself. I'm pushing and going out of my comfort zone but it will take time.

Hi Sweet, I would think that some photographers who are willing to pay models might jump at the chance of having a model place a castings and put together a mood board and outfits for it, so I wouldn't be put off, it's just finding the right photographer who is available on your shoot dates that may be an issue.

Obviously at my age I am competing against the very young, beautiful and experienced models who pose effortlessly in my area, so I personally don't expect to get many TFPs.

Also I have to mention something I learned about TFP. TFP for the model means you work for free and get pics or prints for your portfolio, but the photographer as the copyright owner gets to use them in anyway they wish unless you specify their use prior to the shoot.

In my opinion Purpleport is a safe place for models and photographers, I personally have had only a positive experience but I would recommend keeping your communications about the shoot details etc on here.

Edited by tandi