You can call a fashion agency and ask for names of photographers they work with, but some agencies treat this information as though it belongs in a vault at Fort Knox. Other than referrals from model agencies, you can find photographers through ads in photography, modeling or acting trade journals (or their websites). Examples of such publications include Variety and Backstage. You can also find contact information in books, such as The Black Book or websites such as www.models.com.
Choosing a Photographer
“Choosing” isn’t the same as “finding.” Attractive women generally can find photographers to work with, and may find good ones at little cost. Other types of models are more likely to have to pay for good shoots, but should be able to find interested photographers. But not all photographers who are interested in shooting you (paid or not) should be chosen. These pictures are for you, and you need to be sure the team you choose is likely to get you what you need. Many photographers can’t, or won’t.
Your first problem is to assess the photographer’s style:
1. Fashion photographers shoot people all the time, but they shoot “fashion style” – which may be entirely different from what you need if you aren’t a fashion model.
2. Most commercial photographers don’t often shoot models at all; they spend a lot more time on product shots. Those that do shoot a lot of model photography are likely the best choice for commercial and “fashion print” models, but not for editorial fashion models.
3. Glamour photographers shoot people constantly, but “glamour style” is inappropriate for most professional mainstream modeling, and most of them don’t know how to do fashion or commercial/lifestyle shots.
4. Portrait and wedding photographers are rarely good choices. They may be very good at what they do, but what is customary and expected in their business is very different from what a professional model’s shots need to look like.
5. Specialty photo shops like “Glamour Shots” produce fun souvenirs, but they aren’t likely to get you what you need for your book.
6. Art photographers may produce beautiful work, but unless you are an artists’ model (or, rarely, a fashion model) what they do won’t do you any professional good.
7. “Test Photographers” specialize in shooting specifically for a model’s portfolio. Some of them make their sole living at it. Good ones are likely to be the best affordable choice you can make. Sadly, not all of them are good at it, and not all are good at both fashion and commercial styles. All of this puts a burden on you to know what professional modeling pictures in your specialty look like. Most people don’t, and that accounts for all the horribly inappropriate pictures that aspiring models bring into agency offices. If you can’t tell the difference, one approach is to seek out a family member or friend who knows these kinds of people who can give you some advice. Another approach is to go to one of the better mainstream modeling forums on the Internet and ask those kinds of questions. At least some of the people there ought to be able to help. If all else fails, buy some magazines and look carefully at the way models like you are portrayed in fashion (if you are a fashion model) or print ads. That’s what your shots need to look like.
