Aquiline TFCD planning for model shoots

My name is Tracy with Aquiline Photography and I'm building my portfolio of people pictures (portraits) and other interesting artistic shots. I do photography shoots here locally in Colorado Springs, Colorado when aspiring models travel into town. The addiction of free-trade photography is when you have an image or concept in your head and that magical moment happens when the image springs to reality thanks to the help of a model. The moment is often quick and involves getting the theme, expression and pose just right. The birth of a concept happens and you realize that the two of you have created something beautiful that never existed before. Like a child being born the image can go on to live a life of popularity even after both the model and photographer go their separate ways. You have made Art together. This is what photography is to me. Aquiline doesn't mind stretch marks, scars, or similar features. I'm one of the few photographers that don't mine if you have tattoos and occasionally piercings. I realize you are telling your story and are using your body as a living work of art. Whether naturally beautiful or a refined work of art put Aquiline to work making a world class image focusing on you and your best features. As you may have guessed, a good photographer will sort of become temporarily enamored (admiring) of their subject for the time of the shoot and processing. This is how they become your best fan by focusing on you with the camera and their artistic attention. You should know Aquiline images use Photoshop images sparingly. The answer is yes, these women in the AQ portfolio really are this beautiful!

Aquiline rules of trading images with those working on their modeling or acting portfolios are lengthy but listed below. Even professional models need fresh and updated images, right?! Hopefully you won't think this too legalistic as it is all standard. I figured if everything was up front there wouldn't be any confusion. I know many people who have met through photography and remained friends for years. There are some good people out there! The key is that neither party play head-games and everyone gets what they decide on in the trade. We shoot all over but most of the Aquiline (also called AQ) photo-sessions occur outside at a unique location. If we shoot indoors than it's probably a location that was eye-catching or its way cold outside. The style for the glamour portfolio is bright creativity, clarity, and colors at the heart of the Aquiline theme respectively. The point is to express the beauty and youthful spirits of the models here in the south west region. As a note, one of the wonderful things about glamour photography is that the height of the person doesn't matter. They are more critical about how tall someone is in the fashion industry where they look for about five feet eight inches tall typically. There is still catalog, commercial, and print modeling etc. Glamour means wonderfully exaggerated beauty but not necessarily faked. It's the best of your best of your best! If you look up glamour photography notice it is about making sexy images. This doesn't assume lingerie or nudity. While those can certainly be part of glamour this shouldn't be assumed. As a friend of mine says, "Being a model is not entirely about being pretty, it's about selling what you have! ". Is modeling easy? It depends as not everyone can throw their emotions into the image. It takes a great deal to 'let go' and let the images have a flow and that happens when you see the beauty in yourself.

What I'm doing is called TFCD or the old term TFP. TFCD means "time or trade for CD-ROM". In this case CD-ROM is a computer disc of the images. It's an arrangement where the person being photographed and the photographer exchange their time freely to produce photos that both parties' can use. A free CD of the images then goes to the model after the photographer has processed them. The older term TFP meant trade for prints where the model received a few printed pictures for her time. Many photographers may give you just one or two images for your work on an hour project. AQ gives access to most of the image originals taken. This is outstanding compared to many horror stories you will hear about photographers. However, the down side is that weeks from the shoot even more improvements are made to the photographs. If you don't check back you may not have the best version of the images. Here AQ usually works up the best ten images and polishes the rest at a later time. The major advantage regarding all this quantity mixed with quality is that for new models they get to see a huge number of images and really evaluate how they did in expression and so forth. This is terrific feedback and reward for doing the effort and shoot. One reason for AQ returning most of the shots is that years from now this will be an event to remember. For the model portfolio consider staying with the top ten chosen images because of best exposure and expression etc.

As the photographing element Aquiline:
(1) Takes the time to find the creative locations (2) Often shoots test images to assure it's a good shoot location and demonstrates this to the model (3) Checks and schedules dates around the weather forecast for day of shoot. (4) Exchanges information such as cell phone numbers and meeting location (5) Creates a backup location and plan in case of the unexpected (6) Implements the expensive equipment. (7) Plans out the shoot details and sends a map of the creative location. (8) Sets up equipment, shoots the photos, and packs up any equipment if applicable. (9) Collates and uploads images to computer systems. (10) Orients, discriminates, and quality checks for clarity, exposure, etc. (11) Retouches flaws in top 5 or 10 post production such as minor blemishes, bruises, or distractions. (12) Adds any effects to the images if desired. (13) Reduces image sizes for web use, crops, and signature labels hundreds of images. (14) Authors and creates webfile/webpage to disseminate different sized images to model.

Maybe after hearing all this you'll know why AQ has a ONE strike policy. It can take days to arrange a great photograph session on site. It's a bit of an art to add nature. If you flake out and don't make it to our appointment than there will generally not be any rescheduling. I find that people who are so scattered-brained they can't make the first appointment, simply won't make the second one and so on. Let's face it, if showing up and looking attractive is all you have to do for a minimum and you struggle with that ...well one photo session isn't going to fix your ability to comprehend time-management, communications, or keep promises. The old clichés about a relative dropping into town or an emergency at your house is way too old and used weekly in wannabe circles. Let's face it, the genuine people call and cancel formally 24 hours ahead of the appointment. In the age of instant text messages and email being sent to your phone only total airheads get back to the photographer AFTER the appointment.

At Aquiline we are a bit ahead of the CD-ROM or TFCD concept. Your images will be ready for you to view online within approximately five business days from your session (probably much faster like that weekend and posted on this website). This works out well since many models that shoot with AQ are from out of town. They don't have to wait around to receive the CD-ROM. You will also receive an email with a link to a large ZIP file with all your images. You click on the link and all of the images are pulled to your computer in ONE click. These are large looking images but also small in file size to fit on the portfolio boards. You can optionally receive a hard copy DVD/CD-ROM of your images for free. These images on the disc are the huge original images.

This sounds really high-speed right? You are correct. If suddenly you want your images two months later just email AQ and your link can be resent to you. Voila! All of your images are right where they were the week of the photograph session. Your images are still on your private page and ready for downloading again.

During any shoot paying for the model's effort is not expected because it's a TFCD. During the shoot AQ looks for enthusiasm and professionalism in meeting the appointment. Once AQ photographers know the model the subsequent shoots can be more elaborate.

Of course now you know our photo-session is free with TFCD. However, If you want to pay Aquiline for a photo session then AQ is willing to do whatever ideas YOU have without Aquiline ideas. The charge is $50 an hour. A great many images can be taken in an hour so don't be afraid to try this option. If you are a perfectionist this might allow you to get the images more like you wish them? TFCD is more collaboration with ideas from both parties.

As an overview AQ lets the model sort through all of the images we photograph. This includes the untouched originals if she wishes. Models can use all these free images to advertise themselves. They can create business cards, advertise their abilities, or show them off in many portfolios. Legalistically Aquiline retains final ownership/copyright to the TFCD images shot. AQ can use them to promote this website or portfolio and may use then in print or however AQ wishes. AQ grants the model the rights to use the images in their portfolio or site and for non-commercial use. As the model you may wish to have a giant billboard printed up to promote your career. Maybe a huge sign by the road? This is fine since we are sharing these images. You are just not allowed to sell the image to another party. No alterations of the images are allowed without AQ's permission. Yes, it's possible you can get this permission if you are the artistic type and do Photoshop yourself. However, the watermark or AQ signature must remain on the images to show its origin. There are always those out there that like to brighten the eyes to craziness and make the model look like the goa'uld on the series StarGate-SG1. If you are one of those that likes to smoothen the skin till it looks like plastic, then AQ may grant you the permission. These are pictures of you after all. AQ won't do this and the style here is natural beauty but glamorized. :)

Some very few models have said they'd shoot if the copyright was entirely signed over to them. Say what?! So let me see if I understand your fabulous proposal. AQ allots all the time, provides the expensive equipment, takes the photos using experience and then sits for several hours of processing time only to simply turn them over for free?! Then the model can lean back and say please remove them from your galleries as I have ownership? Or sure you can use them today but only keep them in this gallery or that one. Say what? Again, if you wish to pay $50 an hour AQ will sign over the images to you free and clear. The other scenario is suppose you were to sell a great image to a magazine. They could come back and say they owned it and to legally remove it from the present website. This is a problem. If you want a specific image for say MAXIM magazine or another media, AQ would be happy to take a few images in a separate set and sign those entirely over to you just to motivate your career. We'd have to know this in advance and write it into our agreement but not really a problem.

As a model you should be prepared to style your own hair and apply your own makeup for the shoot. This can really make or break a shoot. Your makeup should match the most glamorous outfit in the set. Normally makeup can be put on light for the first natural shots and built up as the shots get more glamorous. Wear something that contrasts or harmonizes with the theme we've agreed on or something comfortable that represents your personal style. Many times AQ will recommend colors that 'pop' based on locations that will be shot. Let's save those casual type clothes such as blue jeans as only an extra set, but be sure to wear something beautiful, sexy, or interesting for the main shots!

It is probably important to note that usually there isn't any meet-up before the shoot over coffee or whatever. If the model is paying Aquiline for the images then yes, there can be a meet-up to work out details. However, on TFCD this type pre-planning is a huge time consumer. We have email and texting that works just fine. Some photographers insist on this type meeting and surely their once-a-month photograph sessions probably allow for that type of time waste. The purpose for meeting in person is that when photographers pay models it is to assure the model has not dyed their hair or changed drastically in appearance compared to her representation in the portfolio. They are paying for a certain look after all. However, in this case of a free-trade shoot there is some trust involved so be candid when representing yourself. If a model offers an outrageously great idea and wants to meet before hand this rule can be flexed. For the average shoot though there is no point.

The entire photograph session takes less than or up to approximately 3 hours. Don't worry about experience as the photographer can guide you in poses and expressions if needed. In the end remember the image is about you. We are out to make images that help you market yourself and build your portfolio. TFCD is really about collaboration so don't worry about being pushed into anything you don't want to do. On the other hand don't ignore what the photographer needs by showing up in sweats or torn blue jeans only and forgetting about the glamour theme or any other discussed concept. In other words, don't ruin the AQ side and then act as if you didn't understand what collaboration meant by bringing only one outfit and that was something entirely different from what was requested. AQ would like to take a few shots that accentuate or highlight the amazing things that others see when looking at you.

If you are a normal person you will probably get a slight bit of nerves before the shoot. Then there is that relaxation when you begin working through the shots and realize how powerful the images are and how enjoyable it can be. Then the adrenalin rush at the end as you begin to head home. Heck maybe even slight depression as you have some expectations that were not met? Who knows? These are normal reactions to such a meet and the best way to combat them is to find something you know to take your mind completely off the shoot afterward. Obviously before you clear your mind make sure and tell If you feel your expectations were not being met and convey that to the photographer. You aren't being pushy and in the case of AQ it is appreciated since it shows interest in the work done. Most photographers aren't mind readers. Be understanding but be sure to give input too. Above all make an effort to switch mental tracks. Immediately find an activity that lets you wind down and relax.

The only long term item is assuring that someone doesn't forget they authorized AQ to use their images on this website and many portfolios. This is easily fixed with a simple 'release'. Before you leave the photo session, you will be asked to sign a simple Model Release. Those under-age 'minors' absolutely require a parent or legal guardian at the shoot. This person will monitor the sitting and sign the minor release. It's true that AQ doesn't do any risky shots with minors and could just take the photos legally. However, the copyright wouldn't officially be AQ's at this point and so your image won't be posted in the master galleries. Parents of minors should take a proactive role in assuring the clothes they choose are age appropriate. Even styles like 'punk' can be done tastefully in unrevealing layers.

Admittedly AQ prefers that you come to the shoot alone or with a female friend. Female friends tend to make the images come out better as they often are more aware of when your shirt is untucked on accident or your hair has just stuck up in the wrong places. In experience, a spouse, boyfriend or partner often creates distractions or self-consciousness. Photographers often see the model thinking or looking over at the boyfriend and having the same dull or worried expression all the way through the session distracted by what their significant other thinks of the pose. However, If you want or need your significant other to attend the shoot then let AQ know and we can deal with that if needed. Some spouses are supportive and helpful but it's hard to tell. Hopefully your escort will help the photographer with the equipment, and so forth. AQ needs the model's undivided attention during shoots as it is a very collaborative process.

Want to earn some cool points? Take the time to help out in the creative planning of the shoot and get more involved. Give out ideas of locations, outfits, story building, or whatever. Nothing makes the photographer feel better than getting the model involved. Have you seen the opposite portfolio? I mean the one with the model who has 20 images and each is just her standing in various directions with her hands in her pocket? Yeah, very exciting if you are a magnetic compass. Maybe you've seen the port of the lady whose entire portfolio has the expression of a deer in headlights? *yawn* If the moment when you were adjusting your shoes is the best shot you have then maybe it's time to get active and involved in the process? What I'm getting to is how much better images come out when you put on your creative hat and help work out ideas. Beyond creativity is the model themselves. If there is anything learned in this industry it is that the photographer can know an incredible amount about his equipment and tradecraft, but if the model isn't comfortable with her/himself then the images aren't going to come out very well. As an AQ photographer I look at the model as a sister or relative and all the behavior and respect that goes with those roles. Models that look like they have wire stiffening up their spine tend to come across that way in the images. It frightens the image viewing audiences to see a scary look on your face.

Glamour models video: You may have to buffer this YouTube video as their servers get bogged down sometimes.

[00] Be on time for goodness sake!
[01] Do print out a map of the meeting/shoot location or get a GPS. We don't have all day for you to find your way to the shoot location.
[02] Do bring a dress and heels. Short dresses make the legs look longer and make the model look taller. Most women are not statistically that tall so this helps.
[03] Do bring lipstick, chapstick or lip-gloss so your lips aren't dry looking in close-up shots.
[04] Do lotion up those elbows and knees so they don't look "ashy" white and dry. In Colorado this is a must especially in winter.
[05] Do bring water or a drink to stay hydrated on the shoot (this might be provided or on locaton but don't chance it).
[06] Do bring slide-on tennis shoes or at least flip-flops so you can walk all over the shoot location outside and later change into different heels and such. AQ is notorious for dragging models to crazy outside scenes.
--[05a] Bring a coat if the weather is cold to wrap around yourself.
--[05b] Bring a towel or robe if it is a water shoot
--[05c] Bring sun tan lotion if it's too sunny
--[05d] Bring bug lotion if it's a mosquito area
[07] Do try your own poses and ideas. AQ gives most all the images back so you can see the feedback in more than just your mirror. Perform and act out as nothing is too outrageous assuming no one gets hurt.
[08] Do a good job on the makeup and take your time when changing clothes. If the results are good both sides benefit! Those who can't wait shouldn't work around actors and models. Okay, the caveat here is don't take TOooo much time. The sun does go down on outside shoots!
[09] Do a strap check on your dress. Those tags and plastic looking short straps are for pulling up the dress or for hanger use and when they stick out it looks flawed. Check and tuck those things in continually as we go.
[10] Email and text often with confirmation of the shoot and any questions. This comes off as really professional compared to the scattered ones who wait till the last minute or just forget they set-up an appointment. The more communications the better the shoot.
[11] If able, find a mentor and learn the Ninja female art of changing clothes by sliding one thing on while simultaneously sliding one thing off. This way you aren't revealed and changes go quickly even if there isn't a nearby place to change. Don't ask me how this amazing skill is done.
[12] I can't believe I'm straight and saying this but do your darn finger nails! Cracked fingernail polish or dirty nails is unsatisfactory. Clean natural nails are just fine too for natural shots.

[01] Don't cake on makeup! Photoshop can remove a blemish or two but super caked-on makeup can't be fixed. Don't ruin the images before they start. It's odd when you see a model with dark skin and her face is glowing white because of too much base.
[02] Don't match glamour outfits with a singular hair-style that looks like the lawn mower got a hold of it.
[04] Don't get sun burnt and show up to the shoot looking like a two-toned paint job on a car.
[05] Don't party so hard that you have dark rings under your eyes from the night before.
[06] Don't wear a strapless outfit and then a bra that shows the straps. Occasionally the straps look sexy but more often than not they look trailer park. Open yourself up to dropping the bra or tighten yourself up not to wear potentially sexy clothes.
[07] Don't experiment with new haircuts and styles within 24 hours of the shoot. Your hair will stick up in all the wrong places.
[08] Don't let your escort get in the way playing body guard like they are at a concert.
[09] Don't make AQ the 3rd photographer that same day because images turn out substandard and you will be very scattered and tired looking.
[10] Don't wear translucent clothes and then bright hot pink underwear. It's a visual contradiction to wear sexy clothes underneath and then cover them knowing they can still be seen. This shy and not shy contradiction makes the images look trailer park. Simply do a lingerie shoot or wear more subdued under clothes without patterns.
[11] Don't bring sweat pants for actual shoot clothes, since this isn't Wal-Mart as a target audience. A great many people wear sweat pants for driving to the shoot as that is understood. Wearing subdued sweats non-verbally says more about lack of ambition than you know. If you can wear dresses to church this isn't a revealing stretch on fashion either. Okay, you get the picture of no tie-dye or burkas.
[12] When wearing dresses stay away from grandma floral patterns that scream shy and trying to hide in the corner to blend into the background. No camouflage attempts! There is a lame designer who does plaid and whacky patterns...leave his clothes for the lumpy bodies. That’s not what a model is about since they should have the confidence to wear bright bold colors and they’re not afraid to be noticed or the center of attention. To show your self confidence wear bright loud outrageous and even conforming clothing.
[13] Don't wear white cakey under-arm deodorant if you can help it. It often clumps up and shows in the photos.
[14] Don't keep hair rubber bands on your wrist during the shoot. Okay, you will forget and so will I...damn it!
[15] Don't forget about the subtle things that can ruin the image. For instance sock lines and bra lines look tacky on the skin. For revealing shoots be sure to wear loose undergarments to the shoot.
[16] Consider not keeping those photos with your arms reached out from a cell phone camera and using a bathroom mirror. These are sort of seen as your "desperate period" or more facebook use before a real camera gets images.

Here are a few things different between AQ fashion glamour shoots and more mature themed shoots...

1) You must bring and present your driver's license before the shoot just to assure legal age 18+.
2) You bringing an escort is okay. Most models don't bring an escort but this is your prerogative given the type shoot. This can be whoever but preferably a girlfriend that helps out the photographer.
3) Images are art and not religion, if you have some drama where the images need to be removed from the AQ portfolio and it was a free-trade shoot, then ask and images will undoubtedly be taken down.
4) Review of the image during the shoot and a full review of the images is encourage for confidence.
5) Digital removing of scars, stretch marks, or other items will be up to the model and easy to do. Yes some lingerie models have very minor stretch marks!
6) If you'd like, you can approve the images posted of you.

Here is AQ standards and what most women want in a sexy lingerie or boudoir shoot:

[1] Safety. This is a photographer they can trust to be professional at the shoot. This is also how the images are handled after the shoot. That means unflattering images don't float around unless it's the model herself posting them. Also needed is an environment where people aren't wondering around who aren't in the shoot.
[2] Boundaries. Since women are as varied as snowflakes the ability to set their own level of boundaries is important. Also models don't need touched, you know how to pose yourself if instructed on what to do.
[3] Fun! With music and just enjoying the session without awkward tension.
[4] Direction and ideas. Where the photographer doesn't expect the model to just "perform" as amateur photographers often do.
[5] Respect. You can exect kindness, dignity, and respect. Often this means no innappropriate comments.
[6] Consideration. AQ will respect your artistic creativity and consider your input, if you have any.
[7] Distribution. The images will stay in local AQ portfolios and don't go anywhere else other than local websites and portfolios.

That about wraps it up for information you'll need. The rest of this page is just personal ranting side-notes. Feel free to email when you are ready for a photograph session!

[1] Runway models - Portfolios are often stunning but incredibly simple. Fashion models usually need and like images focusing on their natural beauty without all the retouching because they are selling their natural features in their port. These ports are often simple because the models uses them to get free images to promote themselves on the runway. They often don't take the time to polish their online portfolios. The images are given to their agencies and used more offline to promote themselves. These very tall models often move every time the camera clicks and need little guidance in shots. Usually they don't have many facial expressions during a shoot but are amazing to shoot with!
[2] Professional portfolio making models - Professionals whose portfolios have a great deal of nudity and their angle is usually modeling for money by posing for nudes. These freelance models can be art drawing-class figure models or playmate candidates. These models are fluid and can hold difficult poses for long periods of time like yoga. They often make genuine and deep connections with photographers since being photographed is their primary pay source. These models are very good at helping photographers move up to a new level.
[3] Event models - Ports reflect promotional pictures taken to get themselves to the next event such as radio event or sports bar promotion rather than any type of quality. Images abound with tongue out and surf's-up sign or rock-on hand symbols. Images usually have many distracting "things" in the background due to amateur snapshot at carshow or small town event. Event models often have great facial expression and emotion to images.
[4] Part-time event or promotion models - Ports reflect sexy and confident images. Usually overly photo-shopped pictures fill their portfolios. These are sometimes divas to schedule for a shoot due to time priorities. They tend to do most work standing outside stores waving to customers in swim suits and trying to be on TV or radio. Their portfolios seldom have nudity except implied. Event models vary in style and build depending on the event they are hired for. These models are sometimes conservative in comparison to others and often have other primary jobs.
[5] Commercial & Catalog modeling - Selling jeans and other clothing in ads is the goal. These models have the best changes in facial expressions during a shoot. They can be rather short as their height doesn't matter on the rip sheet of a catalog. Sexy images come easy to these models but aren't as important as showing the wear of clothing in many cases.
[6] Art lover or fan modeling - This type modeling desires working with the photographer to push the photographer's own visions to the surface. These model's portfolios are usually a melting pot of different type works and they let the photographer take creative license. These are models who are not attempting to be known as pro models. They are willing to work with more avant garde ideas and are generally a bit more open to what the photographer wants. They are still trying to put together a portfolio, they just enjoy the process of making art.
[7] Girl next door modeling - This is the entry level and every imaginable style and size is represented. It is rare when a new model has good taste in building their portfolio. Even if they have taste they tend to mistakenly stick with only one style (like all black and white or all headshots) Portfolios more often than not have blurry images from local photographers who couldn't focus (and justified it as soft focus art or those sun flares that are now artistic when pointing the camera the wrong way). Many new amateur models burn out within a year due to the amount of time needed for photoshoots, lack of variety in stylization, building too many cliques against local photographers, or becoming pregnant.

So you ask, what is a "flake" to photographers when talking about models? Flaky is defined normally as something fragmented and broken off from the whole piece. This refers to someone's personality who is fragmented and unreliable. Flakes are an epidemic of the wannabe modeling community. These may be hopeful models that have lives filled with an over the top amount of drama. Some are people who play head-games in email and have lured the negotiation along but are themselves chemically imbalanced trying to run their social experiments. Yes of course... there are rare and genuine people who simply have some interruption come up because of family and real life events. Again, let's face it, the genuine ones call and cancel formally 24 hours ahead of the appointment. In the age of instant text messages and email being sent to your phone only total airheads get back to the photographer AFTER the appointment. Polling many photographers (photogs) it's pretty clear that in a TFCD crowd only 34% of the wannabees who contact photogs will go all the way through with a shoot. The rest are just fishing.

What is not flaky to me? I don't mind models not getting back with me if I solicit them. I think anyone can assume that maybe the tastes of the model and the tastes and vision of the photographer differ. However, if you say yes to a photoshoot or start the planning process and then simply disappear you are certainly a flake. Calling more than 24 hours ahead of a photoshoot to cancel does indeed remove you from the flake category. This is just standard business and everyone has drama or other priorities to some degree.

The Lucky-13 message observation: The mathematical Pareto principle applies to setting up a model shoot. Some 80% of models have the photo shoot solidified within 14 messages back and forth. This means that both parties have decided the style, date, time, location and exchanged phone numbers. The less than 20% are the ones AQ mostly has trouble with. By message #40 she is still asking basic questions like how many of her uncles, aunts and boyfriends can attend the photograph shoot downtown in public which is the simplest of affairs (compared to the other model yesterday who just did a masterpiece and had 4 messages to set it up) . She is on message #75 about some snake she wants photos with and how costumes of an air-bender series should be made available and a photoshop wizard air brushing in black birds and fire all around her in the background. Magically she gives no return phone number, no hint of her vehicle appearance for meet-up and no confirmation or other calls the day of. The words "run away" should pass through the photographer's head just seeing the amount of messages. Go with your gut feeling and run away...don't walk.

This paragraph is more brain storming. The below information is more of an idea of structure and what the over-arching technical goals will achieve. Most agree that the image lets the audience get to know the model. The more personal the image, then the longer they will view the image and the more views it will get. When we talk about "they" most of the audience can be divided into categories from personal experience. The audience members are Techies, Creatives (colleagues), Flesh-hunters, or those pesky Social Engineers (busy bodies). The truth is that most people are more than one if not all of these personalities. The image should appeal to at least one of these groups.

1) Techies are usually the insider photographers, experienced models or those others breaking down the technique, location, or other details about how the image was created. They do this more than caring for the actual image itself. Photographers and models have been there done that and are now rating on how you did in the same situation. They prize the difficulty in getting the shot or enthusiasm of the person in the shot. If you want to impress other photographers for future shoots this is your audience.

2) Flesh-hunters generally seek beautiful people to look at. They feed on the amount of skin or attitude shown in an image. They gravitate toward pretty people. A few seem as if they're looking for a hook-up more than anything else. Generally the more flesh one shows the more popular the image becomes! It's that simple as the silly nature of sex selling will not change. If an image is of nudity (assuming there are no distasteful or distracting issues with it) then it's going to be popular even if not photographed well. Everyone secretly and sometimes outwardly admires the boldness of a nude model. Men see the power of a woman able to express her sexuality without issues and show confidence in the entirety of who she is. Women often see a person who is powerful and throws caution to the wind about what problems such an image might cause in her job or future. Pure nudity comes off as super bold! Other images with implied and teased nudity do well on a more watered down popularity scale. If you are after a huge number of fans this is your target audience. Once a model appeals to this group they are almost a celebrity with their own fan following. The type of career one anticipates pursuing may dictate if nudity is a good idea or not.

3) Creatives are those who focus more on the scenario, story or clever message being sent by the image. Unless your image is shocking or vastly unique, then creatives won't pay it much attention so this is a hardcore audience. Creatives are famous for going in reverse with all the photography rules because they can. Some images are even gross or complex. If you want to be remembered for "that" bizarre or special image then this is your group. They will talk about your image at length when they all get together over lunch or that wild fetish festival or whatever.

...Social Engineers are people who put out the facade they are really into the photography or modeling gig but concern themselves more with who is working with whom. They spend their time running portfolio to portfolio asking many questions and trying to get information and background on other models or photographers. Some are merely playing games with social experiments and test some goofy theories. Others want to be the "one" to recommend or not recommend a photographer. Some are merely trying to overcompensate their lack of abilities by digging into another's business or style. This gives them a sense of power and validation. Usually these extremely 'active' people consume time but are not really reliable when involved in an unique shoot. Even their ports give off an amateure "high school yearbook" or I've just Xerox someone else's port appearance. They will drop by and weigh in on comments to your work however.

A fantastic image might appeal to all of these audiences. Usually these type images are planned and not accidental. For all of these personalities it is important to take a great photographic shot. Those cheesy cell phone images of you in the mirror won't cut it. If the background is distracting then the image's overall appearance will lose strength. Let's get rid of that image your boyfriend took of you against the wall with the large looming flash shadow on the wall okay? Think all images are the same? Think again!

[1] You already received a link in your email. Left-click your mouse on the link and it says to OPEN or SAVE. The "save" is probably a better option and you can put the file somewhere you know like the MyDocuments folder.

** Notice the message box may go to the bottom of your screen and blink. If so, find it there after you click and choose open or save. (you can also copy and paste the link into a browser if you wish)

[2] The file is like 50 to 100MB large. It may take a while to completely download especially with Qwest DSL

** Note also that although I have an up-to-date virus checker, one never knows of issues, so be sure to right-click and virus scan this file on your computer once you pull it down.

[3] When it's done, find the file Yourname.zip and double-click it. Choose "Extract All " or a similar option from the left side menu there in the MS-Window's file-explorer window. Be sure to put the images in a folder you can remember.

** This ability to extract these files is built-in to Windows. If you are still struggling with unzipping the file then try downloading the program on this next link to help. CLICK HERE

[4] These may look like very large images. However, they are the correct file size for ModelMayhem, BeModel, or One-Model-Place directly without shrinking them. Don't shrink them! Give it a try and enjoy!

[5] Additionally, give feedback to the photographer. What could have been better? You can be honest and candid and that is preferred. Put your thoughts down. If you can't think of what to write a simple "Thank you" will do.