The People Around Us = Our (Free) Models
posted on 17th of april, 2011
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The People Around Us = Our (Free) Models
I am a cheapskate! My daughter groans every time we drive past a house on our street because she knows if I see the car parked there (a red, low riding, ridiculously expensive sport’s car) that I will launch into my “what a waste of money” lecture. I also have no trouble telling my kids to put on a sweater when they are cold so they won’t turn up the thermostat. I’m pretty sure my cheapskate trait is genetic and therefore isn’t my fault, but that’s a story for another time.
I carry this cheapskate mentality into my photography and have to admit that when I bought my Nikon D200 I nearly choked on the price. But I bought it anyway and though I put on a seriously sour scowl and hunch my eyebrows together when I talk about the purchase, I am actually really glad I did it. The scowl and eyebrows are mainly for my kids so I can maintain consistency with my cheapskate persona, but I love this camera and all it is capable of.
I’ve been submitting to microstock for nearly 5 years and have come to realize the importance of using models in stock photos. However, I cannot bring myself to hire any. For some reason I am convinced that if I spend any money on a model a black hole will suddenly appear and suck me into oblivion. To keep myself safe from any galactic doom I simply use the people around me as my models. I start with family. Like many of you I have kids, sisters, a spouse, cousins, in-laws, and an uncle or two that I may or may not claim to be related to, that I use as models. I’ve found that my family are, strangely enough, normal looking people whose photographs sell pretty well in microstock.
Sometimes, when desperate, I even use myself as a model. I know it's not pretty but it works.
I also rely on willing friends. Well, some are more willing than others. I had a couple of friends who were reluctant to have any picture of them uploaded as stock until they started competing with each other on how many times their pictures sold. (I might have planted the seed of competition, but it was all in good fun, and because I wanted to divert my friends’ attention away from the lunch bill that had just come on a day when I forgot to bring my wallet.) Anyway, the bottom line is I have semi-willing models all around me that generally cost me nothing and who look good at the same time. Ahhh, the cheapskate in me can rest easy.
So if your microstock portfolio needs a little boost, try using family, friends, and even yourself as a model. Believe me, your wallet will thank you. Good luck and I hope to see you out shooting.
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Tags: cheap family friends model people
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Comments (15)
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I started with my family, but now non of them will pose for me, not my wife, not my daughter, not my son, not my daughter in law etc. So hiring models is the only way to go, they are not all realy models but girls/guys just trying it out. I do still shoot myself from time to time still. You seem to have a great circle of family and friends to shoot.
- posted by
Tacrafts
on April 19, 2011 |
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I started with my family, but now non of them will pose for me, not my wife, not my daughter, not my son, not my daughter in law etc. So hiring models is the only way to go, they are not all realy models but girls/guys just trying it out. I do still shoot myself from time to time still. You seem to have a great circle of family and friends to shoot.
- posted by
Tacrafts
on April 19, 2011 |
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My wallet is constantly thanking me, LOL! The wonderful thing about kids is that they'll work for pocket money or ice cream! ;o)
Great advice, love your MTB images, they are fabulous!
- posted by
Tamarabauer
on April 19, 2011 |
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interesting images
- posted by
Uptall
on April 18, 2011 |
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great blog.I also use friends and family..
- posted by
Dmccale
on April 18, 2011 |
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Congrats for your photos and blog!
- posted by
smartview27
on April 18, 2011 |
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Beautiful Shots
- posted by
Sobek85
on April 18, 2011 |
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Very beautiful!
- posted by
Joe1971
on April 18, 2011 |
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Very Beautiful!!!
- posted by
Nero67
on April 18, 2011 |
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Great if your family and friends don't run a mile when they see you with camera bag! Having said that my best sellers are of my dear old hubby hard at work. Might just try myself as a model when noone else is around. Great portfolio by the way!
- posted by
Heathse
on April 18, 2011 |
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very nice!!
- posted by
Syaifulafzal
on April 18, 2011 |
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Your portfolio is fabulous....... very good tips as well. Its not easy using yourself as model but it does work if you have a radio trigger. David.
- posted by
Davidwatmough
on April 18, 2011 |
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Great tips! Thanks! ;)
- posted by
Mariaam
on April 18, 2011 |
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I guess many of us do the same, I use family and people that work for me, I don't like to use friends, since I don't know how will they react... Thanks for sharing.
- posted by
Egomezta
on April 17, 2011 |
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For 2 years now I am postponing talking to my colleagues at work about posing as models. Slowly I started to show them my port and told them this is mostly for fun since pictures sell for as low as $0.42 (I am exclusive). They just look and don't know how to react to it. I would like to bring some lights and soft boxes to the office and take some very nice and authentic pictures, but I am afraid people would make a fuss. Besides I wonder if they would sign the release, and what HR might say...
Any advise would be really appreciated.
Thanks
- posted by
Gmargittai
on April 17, 2011 |
Comments (15) |
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Photo credits: Lane Erickson, Lane Erickson, Lane Erickson, Lane Erickson. |
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Idaho, US
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