Particular style vs versatility

I show the pictures that I want to show.  It seems to make little difference - I get ignored the same no matter what sorts of images are in my portfolio.

Sometimes a model's portfolio will inspire me with a particular idea such that I'll reach out and propose a shoot, but it's rare that I'll engage with a model who has "their look" just so I can get "their look" in my portfolio.

I think it depends on your market - some people will be approached/hired for a particular style so versatility could be an impediment commercially.  For a hobby I don't think it matters so much.

Versatility is always a bonus, but I try to avoid creating the same image repeatedly. Shooting on a backdrop can present its own challenges when trying to create unique, but I strive to let my inspiration guide me toward something new and unique each time. Every image has its own individuality, but the goal is to create something I’ve never done before. Otherwise, you risk boxing yourself in, and art should have no boundaries.

If I was looking to hire a photographer it would be because I liked their style so I'd be disappointed if what I got back looked way different because the photographer decided to go off in a different direction that day. That said a bit of creative lattitude is fine either side of their usual approach so long as that usual stuff is in there too. I read on here from someone many years ago that technique can be taught but taste cannot, so if I see a photographer trying different approaches but they all have that core of taste, then I would have no concerns about using them knowing I would end up with something amazing either way. Same core of that applies to me looking to hire a model. Obviously taste is a very personal thing but that's what makes us all different and life exciting. If I look at your model and photography work I would say you have great taste :-)

If I were doing this for money, either as a photographer or a model (me being a model - not too much laughing, please), I'd try to show versatility but with a strength in one or two particular styles. That way, I might not just be one of thousands competing for 'general' work; hopefully I'd be a 'go to' person in one of my stronger styles.

But that's only if I were doing this for money. Which I am not.   

I have a feeling that this question is more important for professional and semi- professional photographers.

Less so for hobbyists.

If you are doing photography as a hobby, you can do pretty much what you like and work with people who will enable that approach.

JPea I suppose but even people collaborating as a hobby there does need to be a reason to want to work with someone

Edited by Holly Alexander

Holly Alexander I want people to work with me because of how I shoot. Hobbyist or not. The wish to defer what I do and now I do thing has caused irritation in a few ways in the past.i often say in messages "if you like my work..." For a reason.

A recent approach had a model ask me things they wouldn't ask if they knew how I worked. This would be a nightmare if the shoot went ahead.

I don't have a look or preference for models. I don't like the road that goes down. However certain aspects of my images look a certain way and I'd rather models not work with me than forcing particular choices.

When I was arranging test shoots with booker in a commercial modeling agency, she gave me a tip to pick up my niche and get really good at it, as that's what the industry wants from photographers.

“Jack of all trades, master of none”?

Hard saying, but not without a bit of truth.

For a professional, you either show versatility, or you aim to excel in one area and capture most of the work in that specialty. Photographer, model, or anyone else. It’s a money decision, not one better than the other.

If you are going in for brain surgery, you probably want a specialist….

If you are an amateur, you could be doing it for fun, and doing a mixture of types of photography. If you want to excel, you better specialise to make the best of your limited time to shoot.

I know, I tend to have a 'core genre' that I shoot, but I think it's really important not to pigeon hole yourself and show you can be versatile and shoot multiple genres.

People tend to draw on their strengths which is maybe why you see a certain kind of imagery from particular people.

Personally, I specialise. 

I have a pretty decent studio setup (built up over 20 years). I’m reasonably competent, but I don’t really get a thrill out of studio shoots. I’m considering selling the gear, using the room for other purposes, and concentrating on what’s important to me (“naked chicks on rocks”).

Again, not saying it’s the best way, just what suits me.

Holly Alexander

This is probably why I never ask why a model has agreed to shoot with me.

If they say they will shoot with me and turn up then that is enough.

Apart from the level we will shoot and the venue, quite often I am unable to say what is likely to happen.

I'm on a loooong learning curve trying to explore a number of different approaches and techniques...I wonder how long it takes people to find a niche or a style...I suspect some people never do?

In a professional setting it makes sense that a photographer gets books because of their style...whilst it's a hobby I guess I should enjoy the freedom to play around and see if a style finds me!

For me If I wanted to hire a model and all hiring was my choice and I was running my own studio I'm fussy about looks so the models face would be the primary factor or the first thing I'd look at.
The model could be as versatile as they want or have a look/style but as a photographer that would be wanting to create images that I like for only myself then I'd need to think the model is somewhat attactive looking.  (Its likely to be  different if your a professional photographer making images for a client)

After that it would be Versatility would be a higher priority than a style for me personally

If you take for an example a Met-Art Model.  They are nearly always slim with good figures, youthful looking, attractive and they usually have very little tattoes or piercings or extreme body modifications.
A model like this has versatility.  They are comfortable in their own bodies and have no hangups about nudity, they tend to pose great.  You can spend a day doing all different styles from Beauty/Fashion/Glamour/lifestyle/Artude/Erotic/Adult. They can be styled a lot easier to match a wider variety of shoots.   (Or at least that is the theory in my own head without and proof either way)

If you compare this to say an Alt-model with say a goth look (Which I like since I was heavily into the Goth scene in my youth) that has a very dinticntive style  style and look, they "might" have tattoes, piercings, fake eyelashes, cosmetic surgry enhancements.   Or somebody that has a specality like all cosplay in their portfolio,  or somebody that does a speciality type things like Dancing/Contortions/Firebreathing/juggling etc they will have a certain style that will come through on images.
Its a lot harder to do a wider range of styles,  example you want to make some images lookin like a vintage oil painting but your models got botox/drawn on eyebrows/pieceings/tattos/fillers and wont suit your period style dress you want to dress them in,    Your more limited/restricted to shooting a narrow band of syles they are suited towards.    
If you as a photographer wanted to do a "different" style you'd end up trying to change the look of the model and it would beg the question why you'd of hired them in the first place if you want to change the look or style that they are known for.

If your Paying for a full days shoot and want to try a variety of concerpts and styles the Met-art model might be a better choice
If your looking for a very very dinstintive look/edgyness or doing a very specifically themed shoot our alt model might be better.

~B

Edited by Bullets