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Re: Information Why does this happen? (PIC) (LINK)

Posted By: Elizabeth Watson (67.75.208.2)
Location: Snohomish County
Date: Thursday, 24 July 2003, at 8:47 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Information Why does this happen? (PIC) (LINK) (Chad Boutin)

::: sigh:::

Wow, this post has just slapped the face of every model that has ever taken a job off of the internet.

Perhaps you haven't dealt with the right internet based models and believe me, there are plenty with no business sense or reliability. However, there are those of us who operate freelance that have a strong sense of reliability, talent and understand the logistics of the business. There are also plenty of us who, in addition to working on the internet, have non-exclusive agency contracts. Does our internet activity make us less professional, even though we're part of the brick and mortar business?

I think you've also failed to notice that not every photoshoot is done for commercial or print purposes. There are art photographers in the world and there are fantastic character models. The guns, angel wings etc., that you negate do have a place in the world and in photography. There's also a thriving glamour community where "stripper boots" fishnet stockings and bondage gear are essential. Try selling one of your fashion images to Playboy. By claiming that the models who pose for these kinds of images are not "real" to you, what about the photographers that shoot them? And what would you suggest to the art photographer that needs a model? Many of them can't afford to pay agency rates and fashion modeling is a whole 'nother world from art modeling. Should they just not shoot their artwork, because it doesn't quite conform to the standards that you've laid out?

I think it's safe to say that just about every model or photographer working (or trying to work) in the industry wants to make a profit. That's no different from the internet to the agency. What would be the fate of modeling agencies if the models that they represented never made a dime? To say that internet based freelancers are of a lower class because we're interested in making money is a bit of a double standard, due to the fact that EVERYONE in the business is out to make money. Are you implying that freelancers should never be paid for images that will produce a profit for the photographer or client, strictly because they're not with an agency? Are you also implying that an internet models sole use is to shoot for their or the photographers portfolio?

As far as testing goes, the purpose of a test is to determine a models potential, ability and photogenic qualities. 1 roll, 45 minutes and it's over with. Testing does not equal 4 hours of unpaid work. To this day, I still test when needed, even though I have a whole lot of years under my belt. If a shooter has a job available and wants me to do a camera test, I do it. If a director has a role open and wants a screen test, it's a given. But, if you need more than one roll of film or 1 scene, that's no longer a test. That's free work. It behooves us all to be honest with our intentions, doesn't it?

Everyone is different and that's why human beings have so many choices in life. Paper or plastic, Geo Metro or Trans Am, loft in the city or house in the country, The Who or Brittney Spears. Agency or freelance. We all choose our path in life for our own personal reasons, just like we choose our cars, where we live and what we enjoy listening to. For some people, high fashion and modeling agencies are the way to go and they do well with it. For others, they either don't want to deal with an agency, don't fit the criteria for agency modeling, but still have an appealing look or many other reasons. Is it wrong for them to freelance? No, just like it's not wrong for me to have bought a Trans Am over a Ford Focus, use plastic grocery bags over paper, or live in the country, rather than the big city. Once we all drop our elitist attitudes and start realizing that not everyone wants to do things the way that we do, the industry will be a much cleaner place to work.

Ack, another pesty net model!

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