Model Guidance Service

So almost two years ago, I posted a forum post on Net-model asking models if there would be any want or need for a service of some kind that offered newer models advice on safety, checking references etc.  There was a phenomenal response on the forum, and on my FB page with overwhelming support for the idea.  So I contacted Escape, the site owner of NM informing him of this and asking if there was any way a service such as could be implemented. I was happy to moderate/run it, and had offers of help from other reputable and well experienced models. His was a positive response, and I was promised a new forum design for it with the next site update. The next site update came and went. Again, I emailed him and asked if it was still happening, and again, I have the same promise. And again, the next site update came and went. And again I emailed him, reminding him of how much support and requirement there was, particularly where model safety was concerned. But my emails then went un-replied to...So I lost my urge to do it - why should I when the site owner of one of the post popular sites (at the time) didn't give a crap.


Through the powers of Facebook, and well known model who shall remain unnamed has been doing her bit by ensuring that models have a safe space to let others know if they have had a bad experience with a photographer.  And this has become a safe haven for a few models to ask about photographers and trust each other. Which is great, but in my mind, still not reaching out to the models that *really* need that type of advice.


Some of you may or may not know about Mr. Dave Thomas AKA Classic Creations, or C_49, or Classic49 or numerous other aliases he has gone by over the years.  Well - if you don't know about him or his reputation, safe to say, he is a VERY BAD MAN.  And when he cropped up on my FB inviting me to shoot with him as part of his 30year strong international agency (in his bedroom with his compact digital camera and on camera flash), it was an automatic response to ensure that anyone I possibly could get the message to, got the message - this guy was back, and a lot of photographers and models remembered why he was banned from every known photography site.  I spent two days and nights running posting messages to various FB groups, pages, forums, photography sites, sending out private emails, replying to emails from models I didn't know saying 'I had a shoot booked with this guy - thanks for letting me know what he was like!'.  It drove me to near sickness with the stress of it all and tears when there were people who didn't know me (in all fairness) questioning my motives and accusing me of slander.  I was grateful for the support from the photographers and models who remembered his reputation, or who had worked with me who backed me up and explained why it was such a sensitive situation and what I was simply trying to do.  There were so many people behind me right then, and the message got out so far, so quickly, that I was amazed I had coped with it and had stopped at least a few models working with him.  And hopefully saved them from a horrible experience.


So is sparked me to once again think about implementing a model safety service, if not through NM, then somewhere else, anywhere, any how.  I suppose I had my loyalties to NM once, so stuck with it.  In the end, I joined PP, and asked the owner there, who not only guaranteed the member-forum groups would be available soon, but that it was a great idea and he would allow me to run it.  So I'm now in the process of setting it up - slowly adding posts regarding basic safety, preparing for shoots, registering and managing being self-employed etc etc. It's only basic for now, and a small number of members (by invite, both new and more experienced models) and other than myself posting, is fairly inactive. *Early Days!*


BrightLights Studio have offered me a model mentoring role.  I'l produce a booklet/book/guidance pack for new and aspiring models, filled with information, advice, guidance etc etc, much like on the PP forum.  They will have a studio session with a talk through with myself, and then a shoot to kick start their portfolio. So in the meantime, I am working on putting that guidance pack together.  The BL team was were lovely with the offer and suggested I might be the right person for the job since I'm friendly, upfront and have been around long enough to have learnt the trade and learnt from my own lessons!! And that I most certainly have.  I feel OLD! And I remember sometimes back to being seventeen and somewhat naive.  And the trouble I got in and out of :p  I wish I had someone guiding me somehow, or someone to report dodgy photographers to.  I wish I hadn't have had some of the experiences I have :(


In the last couple of months I have had a few new models emailing me or being put in contact with me by other photographers, being told that they can talk to me, report any dodgy photographer behaviour, any concerns they have had etc. And it's been a honour to simply speak to these girls, have a chat, make them feel better if they have had a rough experience, or make them aware of references, or putting them in touch with experienced models for private references when required. And for them to follow up later with thankyou's and support, is amazing.  It makes me feel like I can actually do this, and that all those times I feel defeated with it, it *is* making a difference, even on a small scale to a few models, that's a few more girls that may have been deterred from what could have been dangerous situations.


My trouble? It needs to be bigger, it needs to reach more girls.  It needs to be something that new models are directed towards, by studios, photographers, recommended to join or something. I need to be able to provide a solid, referable service, with it's own life, it's own standing, that links to the major photography sites at least, that can advise models, that can give them a feeling of 'this is a person who runs it', not just another faceless service they may not fully trust.  And then I panic, because I know that there is so much to do to get to that point, and there will be pitfalls, and people questioning me (and rightly so, I'm just another face on the internet)... But then the thought of not doing it, and knowing that there are models taken advantage of by dodgy photographers makes me want  cry.  Particularly when it's a name or reputation I know of, I can't stomach the thought of sitting back and letting young girls fall into untrustworthy hands. No, can't do it.


So where do I go from here? Well, there's the mentoring/model workshop thing with BL.
Web-wise - it's difficult where slander/libel is concerned, and I need to do my research with the legalities or risk it all going to waste.  I also run the risk of fake model accounts infiltrating groups that are intended to be model only, I risk missing information or misinforming models away or towards particular photographers. It's daunting.


So - for now - I guess, I keep plodding with the PP forum, I might try to implement it through MCM and PS too, and well, I may have given up on NM unfortunately.  I will set up a FB page for new models on a similar line to the PP forum, and hopefully my reputation will precede me, I can link to the main photography websites, maybe local agencies/studios?  Who knows.  For now, I'm starting small, to keep it in control, and hopefully it'll grow into a solid foundation. Eventually. With a lot of help and patience!

Spring Plans!

I'm off touring!! I have tours being planned for Cambridge in April and the South Coast in June :)  This means a stay in April with the lovely Emma Cadman-Willis in which I also get to turn my camera to her and get some practice in behind the camera with a stunning model who knows what she's doing - always a bonus!! Been missing being behind the camera - been finding that itch again to shoot, and have consequentially signed up a Purple Port account as a photographer Here and have been adding to my Ephotozine account Here!.  It's getting there slowly and I have to admit it was nice being able to pick and choose the best pics from the few shoots I have done to add together as a portfolio. Anyway, I digress! 

Tour to Cambridge - so far I have one booking. But a month to go!! It would be awesome to kick-start the spring with a few location shoots around there, and making use of Emma's as a free location to shoot at too.  I don't know if it's me, or the area, but it seems to be almost impossible to find any paid work - either through trawling through castings or by advertising myself. On the other hand... the tour planning to the South Coast, I have four photographers confirmed already (assuming none are flakes and cancel on me!) which I am looking forward to. Being on the cost in the summertime with a baby bump and plenty of pretty locations to choose from? Pure BLISS! xx I plan on making the most of that one! 

I would also like to hit Hull/York/Leeds at some point, but not sure when.  Should probably start thinking about that one :S  In the meantime, March shoots in my local area are going slowly...only have two bookings so far :( I'm a crap model these days! Must be! Oh well :( Lucky I'm getting better on the other side ;) 

The Model Guidance forum on PP is going smoothly so far - and I'm adding to it all the time.  And simultaneously, adding to the workbook I'm producing for the New Faces workshops. Hope to get this off the ground around May. 

I held a studio day a couple of weeks ago at the WhiteRooms Studio in Birmingham - it's a lovely place to shoot at - HUGE white infinity curve, loads of space for potential sets and a very swish make-up/changing room :) Shooting with Ian Robert M and Ian James was lovely and fun. Very different sets - floaty dresses and swirls and shadows with the first Ian and fetish gas masks and swords with the second :) 

I forgot last time to post some of my latest pics!! So here's a few from my first pregnancy (14 weeks) shoot with John Duder at Brightlights Studio :) 

Anyways, that's that for now :) I'm off to round up some more interest in the Cambridge tour :) Any tips would be great!! 

*Hugs* to you! 

BIG Changes!

So - I've posted all about everywhere, but not really updated my blog at all recently.
In main news - I'm currently 16 weeks/4 months pregnant! So all shoots from now till August are based around the bump, maternity and pregnancy styles.  I'm finding it quite hard to book shoots now, I would have thought there was a good market for bump-shoots, but apparently, it's a bit slow still.  Shame, really. I had some awesome shoots back in 2004 with my daughter. But hey ho. Can't bitch!

I have however decided that this was the push I needed to quit modelling when the babs is born. Not only have I  been increasingly frustrated with it all, but I'm finding myself more thrilled by taking photos and editing them than I am being in front of the camera.  So although I plan on staying in the industry, it'll be behind the camera from August onwards.

The Model Safety service is getting off the ground.  I have opened a forum on Purple Port which is growing and being added to all the time, advising new models about safety, shoot preparation, marketing, advertising, self-employment etc etc. And I also have the opportunity to run model workshops, tutoring new/aspiring models :) So I'll be floating around.

But in the meantime, I'd really love to be shooting more!! I have a few regular shoots booked to track the bump development till August, and a studio day this weekend as well as three mini-tours being planned :)  I suppose the weather doesn't help, eh? What I wouldn't give to be out on location in the woods, sunning it up all bare skinned and bare footed :( Time will come!

So recent events? Well, there was the model night at Westgate Studios last month, which went well, shooting with four photographers :) There were a few random shoots at Brightlights and then a fantabulous group shoot with Spirit Model Management for magazine publication :D And then a smaller shoot for an accessories designer with Rei-Bennet as the photographer :) It's been a busy February! And the studio day in Birmingham this weekend to top it off :)

Anyways,  off to do some more editing :)

Tara!

So where's it all going?

*sigh*
It's so annoying when I see models who can 'spare' a couple of hundred pounds to buy one latex outfit, or spend a fortune on their hair and nails and holidays and complain they are skint.  There's been one or two that's really been getting on my nerves recently with it. And they get lots of work, seemingly anyway.

I suppose this is more of a venting area than anything else at the moment.  Basically, my modelling earnings is having to stretch further than ever at the moment - and it's just so frustrating :(

On top of the usual rent, bills and house-hold expenses that everyone has to pay, it's when the extra expenses kick in. Basically - I pay out £120 a month on my daughter's piano and dancing lessons.  It's kind of a luxury I suppose, but she doesn't do games consoles, buying regular sweeties, magazines or treats. We spend weekends going for long walks or playing board games, not going to the pub, eating out or shopping. I buy all our clothes from charity shops, and food-shop at all the local produce shops, greengrocers, butchers as they tend to be cheaper. We're not lavish by any means!  Instead of coming home and plonking in front of some cartoons, she'll do a house-chore to earn her pocket money, do her homework and read a book for a while.  She'll help me with dinner and then maybe watch the news.  She's not only a good kid, but she's incredibly intelligent.  We're talking - not a bright kid in her mother's rose-coloured glasses perspective - a proper bright kid.  She's seven years old, can name you what different planets are made of, can relate the billion's of years of the Universe's history, can multiply and divide all the numbers of the times-tables, is reading at a 12 year old level...even started picking her way through basic philosophy - ontology, existentialism, Wittgenstein, Plato...

I joined the NAGC - the National Association for Gifted and Talented Children a little while ago after her end of school report which stated she was exceptionally above the national expected average levels for her age, and took a mini-educational report to explore whether or not it was possible that the kid is one of these GnT kids. It's 86% likely.  So I went to speak to her teacher, who also happens to be the SEN co-ordinator for the school, thinking that I could get some advice and help with the kid's educational stuff.  Instead - I was refused the school's educational psychologist on the grounds that 'her behaviour doesn't cause concern in the classroom'. I disputed this reason - I insisted that the teacher would at least allow me to appeal this decision and that I was referred to an educational psychologist.

This naturally upset me - feeling like the kid was being penalised for being well behaved, that I was being penalised for being a good parent. If I allowed the kid to act like a little sh*t - then I'm sure they'd declare ADHD or Learning difficulties or whatever other excuse they come out with these days. (Don't get me wrong - I work with SEN kids, but I don't appreciate when labels are just falsely thrown at them).  Basically, if she was disruptive in the classroom, then there would be reason to get an educational psychologists' assessment.  but because she doesn't, there's no need to.

Ever since then, the kid's teacher has been holding my kid back, where other teacher's had done nothing but encourage her, keep her focussed and challenged, never letting her just sit there and wait for other kids to finish work, she was allowed to do something extra, allowed to do extra work if she chose to (which she often did) instead of playing at break time.  They were great, and the kid excelled.  Now however, the kid's coming home with a huge temper, attitude and angry.  She's now hating school, saying that she did the work, and 'just sat there doing nothing'.  Saying that the teacher has now moved her into lower ability groups, that she can't do the harder work..... funny that.  The lower ability groups (I work in this school too, and have trained in SEN) can barely recognise letters in this year-group.  So - hmm... am I wrong in thinking that perhaps the teacher is behaving a little unfairly?

Anyways - what I'm getting at, is now, due to the bloody school refusing me access to the psychologist services, I now have to find £400 to pay for an educational psychologist who can assist, advise and support us.  That's just for the initial consultation - let alone follow-ups.  I don't have that kind of money.  So far I've managed to save £50 in the last three months of what I earned from modelling after daily expenses. It seems so impossible to get there - to save up enough to pay for this report - why should I be doing this when it's the LEA should be listening to the needs and providing the appropriate support?

The stupid thing is that terminology is restricting a lot of parents and children with the services they require - for example SEN - Special Educational Needs - is defined by the LEA as 'learning difficulties'.  SEN in most cases is defined as a 'different learning need' - something other than mainstream.  In this case - yes, she is, but not in difficulty learning.

So there you go, there's my rant of the day/week/month.

Last few shoots of 2011

Ok - as ever, I've been slacking with the regular updates on here - whoops.  But I've been busy, and I've not been well, so I have excuses, valid excuses.

So - my last few shoots of  December - well, there was the lovely Craig Llewellyn, who is a new photographer wanting some studio practice - everything about his pre-comms told me he was a nice guy, and he lived up to it on the day.  Wonderfully pleasant to shoot with, and unusually, he went away with lots of portraiture, smiley, toothy shots from me :D

Ian Hos who wanted some lighting practice and is a much better photographer than he seems to think he is!

Then there was Steve Fennel - he had read this blog sometime before our shoot, so one of the ideas he wanted to try was the 'Gwippy' look mentioned a post or two below.  This pleased me :) And out came the floaty skirts and  frilly tops :)  Unfortunately on the day, my old health issues had decided to kick in, meaning I had to rely on painkillers and sitting down poses a fair bit - this did not please me :(  But none-the-less, we got some pretty shots out of it, and I hope to shoot with him again.  He also got me dancing in the fog with a wind machine on the go - the results of this I am yet to see, but will post as soon as I do!

And then there was the studio day with Emma Willis - well, the one slot that we got booked that didn't get cancelled on us anyway :) We blasted through a few different sets with the photographer, and again, I will post the rest when I get them :)

Unfortunately, I had to cancel my remaining two shoots for December, which I regret horribly.  It's been so long since my belly has knocked me off my feet that it came as quite a shock.  Being able to  barely stand up straight without help was not boding well for the next two shoots :( One I have managed to rebook for January though! YAY for understanding photographers :D

Have a couple of  pics from the last few shoots anyways:

 

Steve Fennel:

Ian Hos:

And a couple from our first set with Geoff West:

So far January sees a studio/model evening at Westgate Studios which seems to be selling well at the moment - only one space available already! Three confirmed shoots already, two more available at £50/3hrs including studio, and five more available dates to fill :)  So far, so good!!

And February - oh yes, I think that far ahead - sees a huge change in direction for me, all being well at least, and a chance to create some pretty, pretty pictures ;) Keep an eye out to find out why :p

Until then - happy 2012, folks! xx

MODEL NIGHT!!

Proud to announce my first group model night to be held at Westgate Studio in Long Eaton :D

I've never done one of these before, so I'm hoping there'll be enough interest to make it a good night, and reason enough to run another in the future.

For those who don't know Westgate - it's a fabulous little studio with countless paper backdrops as well as walls decorated differently throughout the studio for variety - even a comic book wall and a Marylin Monroe collage.  There is an exquisite living room set with purple chaise lounge and furniture, fireplace, stylish modern bedroom set, office set a shower room...it can also boast soft boxes, spotlights, ceiling lights, a ring flash, fog machine (so much fun!), wind machine and much more.

Parking is right across the road, and is accessible easily from Junction 25 off the M1.

Honestly - £25 per person for the three hours that night, with myself working to lingerie and topless levels, experienced photographer on hand to help with lighting and advice - a serious bargain!

Have I sold it enough yet!? :p

...And then sometimes I wonder why!?

Seriously - it's so frustrating trying to organise shoots at the moment!! GAH! One thing that really gets to me is when a shoot is booked, discussed and confirmed, and yet the photographer then either postpones (and puts off setting another date) or cancels outright.  It's really, really annoying.  It means going through all the threads and castings for work I have posted, and re-adjusting them again, once having updated with 'NOW BOOKED' to 'Still looking because he cancelled'.  It looks unprofessional on my part and is so time consuming.

Not only this - but photographers quite often fail to understand that modelling is a source of income - not pocket money, not a little extra, some models rely on what they make from modelling to get by.  This is where I'm coming from - it is at the moment, my bread and butter.  So when you go from budgeting £120 for one week - which let's face it, isn't a princely sum anyway, to just £30 - it's going to p*ss you off somewhat.

I try really hard to maintain a good reputation, to ensure good pre-shoot communication, be reliable, contactable, on-time, prepared, and work hard at the shoot itself to produce the images the photographer will be happy with.

Monumentally annoyed at the moment!!

On the upside - I have a new business relationship with a local studio which should help matters in the new year, I have a studio day booked with Emma Willis (Still taking bookings for slots! Get in touch!) and hopefully one booked in February at the WhiteRooms in Birmingham.  Studio days, I like.  Reliable photographers, I like.  Knowing that I am being booked for doing what I love, I like.  Being messed around - I do not appreciate!!

**RANT DONE**