HOW TO CONTACT A MODEL
Your first contact with a model is the start of your working relationship. This is why you want to build the foundation for a respectful partnership, which is rooted in professionalism at all times. This first interaction also gives a model a clear idea of what that working relationship would look like.
I’ve been a professional model for 10 years now, and I find that there is nothing more appealing than a respectful, organized, well-written email from a photographer who is interested in working together. This initial contact is something I personally use to determine whether or not I want to accept a shoot request. In this blog post I’m sharing my top tips on how to contact a model. Let’s dive in!
Initial Contact
Professional models are on multiple social media platforms and have their own websites. They receive a lot of messages each day, and you want to be sure that your inquiry reaches them. To cut through the clutter, stick to email as the best means of communication. If a model is agency represented on an exclusive basis, they may tell you all communication needs to go through their agent. Otherwise, you can contact them directly to inquire about a professional project.
Send Your Portfolio
When contacting a model about a potential project, you should send your photography portfolio right away. It’s important to show your work, and share a bit about yourself in order to start building a good relationship. A model wants to see your photography samples to know if you’ll be a good fit in working together. At the very least, you should have professional profiles set up on social media, but the best place to have your portfolio is on your own professional website.
Include a Shoot Proposal
A shoot proposal should include all details regarding potential dates and locations, as well as the theme of your project. Your goal is to include all necessary information, while keeping your email concise and to the point. A shoot proposal with details and specifics is far more likely to be accepted than a vague pitch. Pinterest can be a great tool for creating mood boards, and is useful in sharing ideas and themes with the model.
Ask for Rates and Policies
When contacting a model for a project, you should ask about their rates and terms right away. Including a shoot proposal will help them know which of their rates and policies apply. If you have a certain budget, it’s important to be upfront with it. You and the model both want to be on the same page, and good pre-shoot communication will make for a better overall project.
Allow for a Reference Check
Always allow a model to check your references. This is common practice, so don’t be offended when a model asks to do so. It’s their job to advocate for their own safety, and they have every right to do research on who they will be working with. The best way to make this easy, is to always credit the models in your work. This allows a new potential model to easily contact those you’ve worked with previously. You can also go ahead and provide references in your initial email. This is how a model is assured that you are a safe photographer before they commit to working with you.
I suggest writing practice emails, pitching different photo shoot projects to potential models. Include a detailed proposal with all requests and expectations, while keeping it concise and professional.
If you’re looking for more resources on how to work with models, be sure to check out my e-book.
HOW TO WORK WITH MODELS: A MODEL’S GUIDE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
With an in-depth look at model photography, this guide book teaches photographers everything they need to know about working with models. As a professional model with a decade of industry experience, I’m providing the important perspective of a person on the other side of the camera. How to Work With Models: A Model’s Guide for Photographers offers expert advice on how to make a professional model-photographer relationship result in the best work possible. The comprehensive guide outlines the entire creative process including before, during, and after a shoot, and will equip any photographer with all the tools they need to feel confident working with models.
I’ve been in this industry for a decade now, and I love working to educate photographers on how to work with models. At the start of 2019, I was invited to be a guest speaker in the photography program at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. I gave a presentation to a class of new photography students about how to work with models, and what it means to cultivate a positive model-photographer relationship. I really enjoyed speaking on the topic, and quickly realized that there are very few resources on the subject. Even fewer of them are offered from a professional model’s perspective. I decided to turn my presentation into an in-depth e-book for photographers, and now here we are!
A PDF download is available directly through my website, and a Kindle version is available through Amazon. If you give it a read, I would love to know what you think!
Please tag me at @kaitlinchapple #howtoworkwithmodels and let me know your thoughts.
As well, be sure to check out my other blog posts about working with models:
