Finding models -- part 2

In an effort to find models I am reviewing my options. In my last post I discussed perhaps finding someone on the street. The issue of approaching people and asking to take a type of candid shot of them in my mind still has its problems, and isn't resolved, but that can be revisited at a later point. The point of this piece will address where else one may look for models, and the focus this time will be the internet, and the two main free options.

The first place I thought of was to post a advertisement on Craigslist. This is perhaps the easiest way to find a model. There is not any registration, and one does not even need example photos of one's photography, although they do help. The two main sections within Craigslist that seem to have advertisements looking for models are: community, and gigs. In the community section there are requests made for models in the artist subcategory. Then the other place is in the gigs section, talent subcategory.

Now, with that said, there is really no barrier for posting for either the photographer or the model. What that means is that anyone who has a computer and an email address can post. With no barrier to posting it brings good and the bad. I can imagine some experienced photographers cringing at the thought of potentially using persons who may have a couple of snapshots and without any modeling experience whatsoever. On the other hand, for someone like myself this is a positive. That means there are more potential models available than on other sites, ceteris peribus.

Another free site Model Mayhem is different than Craiglist. Model Mayhem is solely about the modeling industry, whereas Craigslist is a online classifieds. However, there is more of a barrier for admission into Model Mayhem. First, one must register with the site where one must provide pictures of one's self if he is a model, or pictures of other models that one has taken if one is a photographer. This can be a probelm if one is just starting out. If one wants to start photographing models, but doesn't have any photos of models how does one clear this hurdle? Welll in that respect one must ask friends, relatives, or go onto Craigslist. However, after one is accepted into Model Mayhem (they have administrators go through to see if the photos are of good enough quality for admittance) then there are many models to choose from, and models with some sort of modeling aspirations or modeling portfolio.

Each site has a little something different to offer. And since they are both free -- they are both good places to look for potential models.

To see some of the models I have found on Craigslist and Model Mayhem check out my site: www.nocojoe.com.