Hi everyone,

I have been doing quite a bit of freelance photography, shooting freelance models (aka normal girls) and would love to share my experiences if anyone is interested. I'm just doing it as a hobby and am not a professional by any means. I'm not a gadget freak, but most of the discussion in this forum seems to be about that. I am more keen in shooting my subjects instead

I think it is a mutually beneficial experience for both parties. Photographer gets to increase his skill level, make more beautiful photos and the girls normally gets paid and receive nice photos for her portfolio too. Wonderful opportunity to meet new people too.

I'm open to any questions and answers on how I get started, because there seems to be a flurry of people who is keen in shooting freelance models, and similarly girls who are keen to make some extra money too. For my work, you can refer to my siggy some of which can be a bit NSFW

Keep in mind, this is a non-trolling subforum

This post has been edited by lonelytraveller: Oct 19 2014, 05:12 PM

i am more interested the later part (aka post photo taking session) like what you have posted and said numerous time in kopitiam

that does not happen all the time, and it takes 2 hands to clap. going to bars and pubs are a better place if your primary focus is that instead of picking up a DSLR

shooting is serious stuff, and i do take my work seriously too. sometimes, its a lot of fun.. but other times it is also strictly work

there's always a time to be a professional and a time to have fun

just interested to know where/how u approach them?

Two serious concerns.

1. Logistics and security.
There will be plenty of equipments being used during a shoot. It is very possible for equipments to go missing or damaged. Especially when you attract people who're just in it for non-photographic reasons.

Who will plan/bear the cost of the venue/equipment/makeup/outfit/props/logistics.

2. Ethics.
We all heard the stories of perverted photographers harassing the model.
This paints a very bad picture to the public on legit photogs. If they tracked this was an event organized on LYN photography forum....
There must be very clear rules to ensure the model is perfectly comfortable.

Personally, if you're using this thread;
I completely oppose any post-photoshoot activity that does not involve photoshop.

Last thing we want is for some forumer who's just in it for these activities to disturb the model and this board becomes famous for the wrong reasons.



This post has been edited by LegendLee: Oct 20 2014, 01:56 AM

usually from facebook. if got friends in common and a good porfolio, its not too difficult to approach them

if you shoot quite a bit, some might already know about you from their friends, so that makes things much easier

but of course, need to find those girls that are keen to shoot too. stalking their public photos helps sometimes

1. Amount of equipment depends on photographer and style of shooting. You can always invite model to your studio for a full setup with all the props. I am assuming if you are the photographer, and inviting the model for a shoot. I do private shoots, so apart from the model herself, there will not be people who are there for non-photographic reasons. These models are not interested in stealing any equipments and the outfits I let them take it back anyway.

2. I'm not organizing any events here, so don't need to worry on that.
The rules are dependent on the models. Different models have different comfort level, so it is up to photographer and model to agree. Pervertic guys can be in a lot of places (clubs, public transport, etc), not only in photo shoot

post-photoshoot activity is not part of this discussion because that no longer involves photography. however, sometimes i do take my models out for a nice meal after the shoot (sometimes room service), etc... so its not always something negative

one of my photos from a long time ago shoot

taken with a very entry level DSLR. High F-stop (so no bokeh effect)

Sometime room service, hmmm

Most girls wont eat before the shoot to prevent a larger belly during the shoot

Some stick around after the shoot to look at the photos, so I will order something to eat/drink too and have some chit chat too

Hi, from your first post, I am assuming you open this thread for Q&A's?

yes, that's correct. trying to move the discussion away from gadgets and equipments, and more on the shooting subjects, challenges and themes/ideas when shooting freelance models.

also to help freelance photographers and models doing this on the benefits, challenges, risks involved as well because this might not be suitable for everyone (both photographer and model perspective)

Ah, ok, then I have got a question.

Before shooting (with a camera of course) a model, is there a need for the model to sign a release form?

i personally don't do this most of the time because it protects the photographer more than the model. model release basically says the photographer owns all the photo, shoot was taken at so and so date, the persons involved and model gets paid x amount, and normally photos cannot be sold without consent from the model.

some models would insist to add additional conditions that photos can be published only with her consent. i never found a release form helpful in preventing leak photos though. photos can leak with or without a model release form and i never heard any cases that a photographer actually got sued for it. the only time it would be useful is for accidental leak or hacking cases where the photographer can file a DMCA to google to remove an image on the basis of copyright infringement.

i'm not so fussy about models using the photos I took so I don't put a lot of emphasis on signing a model release. but if it makes the model feel better about it, i will sign it

Hmmm , thanks for that. But what if you were hired by a company to take photos of model with the company's product, would a release form be needed for both the photographer and the model?

Cause, the company owns the photos but you would want to have the rights to publish photos on your portfolio.


BTW, off topic, I don't see your siggy.

If hired by company, then normally yes... model release form is required. I am just doing this as a hobby, I do not intend to resell my work or make money out of it. So my arrangements is more on the basis of trust, rather than legal arrangement.

But if you are doing it commercially, you will definitely need a model release form or the model can sue you if the photos you take is published in some magazine whereby you are getting the money from her photos. Most model release form does not allow commercial use, so if you are shooting for a magazine, it needs to be clear to the model as well the use of the photos.

Moderators nuked my siggy because it was a bit NSFW. drop me a PM if you are keen tho

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

PM sent btw.

1 questions would like to ask u.. recently FB show alot of photographer bonk the model after the shooting session... does tat happen here oso? mind share wif us?

poses by the model, is it the model's concern or the photographer should dictate how he wants the model to pose?

this thread is bout photography and shooting only. to be honest, there are many situations where things can happen, not only in a photoshoot session. it can be a girl you meet at a club, a colleague at work, a person you meet on vacation/travelling or a random person on facebook. it always takes two hands to clap

there are also cases where photographer and model becomes bf/gf too. whatever happens outside of the photoshooting time is already not part of the photoshoot