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Home  The Micro Shooter Who’da thunk it?
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Written by Perry Correll
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Wednesday, 27 September 2006 |
 I am thrilled, proud, tickled, pleased and smug….and….just, well, stoked! Who would have ever thought that this would be a watershed event?. A milestone, I must say! Even an epipha…..nah – not an epiphany, but still pretty cool.
I actually (are you ready?) I actually mustered up the gumption to ask an almost complete stranger to model for me!
Now, you pros are probably laughing your heads off at me right about now. Well, I certainly hope so! But, please keep in mind that this column is more or less focused on the amateur’s venture into photography via microstock. So, while you might be jaded and cynical, I am, and many others are, still a bit unused to much of what is required – and I personally believe approaching ANYONE to model is a hurdle for a lot of us.
OK – so I exaggerated - maybe you pros are not jaded and cynical. However, there is a certain level of confidence – of assuredness – that comes with being an experienced professional. So for those of us who are not, small accomplishments are huge victories!
I need to back track just a tad. If you look at my gallery, you will see that I am “people poor”. I have been so reserved about asking anyone I KNOW to model for me, that the concept of asking a STRANGER has been totally out of the question. It’s hard to explain – but it’s something I’d be willing to bet everyone out there knows, or at least remembers having known.
Well, I’ve been trying to work on it. I’ve been forcing myself to approach more people. I’m trying to just blast past that shyness. (I mean, I am, after all, in a rock band, so how shy can I really be, hmmmmmmmm? )
So, at dinner recently at a favorite Italian restaurant, my husband and I had a waitress we’d not met before. This was unusual because we frequent this restaurant quite – well – frequently. We know everyone, but we didn’t know Lauren. She was infectious, cute, dimpled and adorable. So, at the end of the evening, I just said this to her:
“Lemme ask you something”
She says “Sure!”
I said, “I’m a photographer, and…..”
…..(Still feeling a bit like I was misrepresenting myself, but after a couple glasses of Chianti, who cares!?)
Oh, Great Googly Moogly and Sweet Fancy Moses…..I just realized, as I am writing this even now, how was I able to get over that hump of uncertainty….. it was with the simple aid of one glass of wine!!!
Anyway…
“So”, I said, “I’m a photographer and I do stock photography. I’m always looking for models and I think you’ve got a great look. Would you consider modeling for me?”
That was it. I instantly learned I didn’t need to explain everything in the first sentence. I instantly realized the potential model didn’t need to understand the level, or the lack thereof, of my in-expertise as a photographer in the first sentence. I instantly knew it wasn’t as scary as I thought it was.
So, here’s the deal….
I have always felt that I didn’t have a concise way to explain what I needed. But that is secondary.
You don’t have to feel you’re not worthy of calling yourself a photographer. Don’t worry about disclaimers. Don’t feel like you have to explain yourself in 3 words or less Most people on the street are not going to instantly understand what type of photographer you are. They’re going to respond with a positive or negative right out of the box. If it’s a negative, you tell them “it’s cool, no problem, no offense intended” Thank them for their time, etc.
If it’s a positive, THEN you can explain. By then, it’s easy, because you’ve already broken the ice. (take it from a recovering shy-aholic)
The Big Guys will tell you to be prepared with model releases – terms of use – tear sheets, etc. You know what? They are full of correct information! You may not always need it, but if you get a nibble, you need to be loaded up with material. I have started a notebook. It has sample photos of what I would like to shoot (from others’ galleries), and samples of stock photos in use. I keep it in my vehicle just in case I need it.
Remember, it’s that “breaking of the ice” that’s hard. Once you stick your nose into someone’s face and proclaim your photographer-ness, it’s downhill from there, I promise!
In case you were wondering, Lauren hasn’t contacted me yet for a session, so maybe it won’t come to pass.
And, for the record, I certainly don’t feel like frolicking through the mall asking every man, woman and child to pose for me. I do believe that I will be a bit more confident the next time I am inspired to actually ask someone if they would mind doing so.
And so should you be!
© 2006 Perry Correll [bio ]
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 27 September 2006 )
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