Model Miracle

How long have you been taking photos professionally?

I've been shooting models for about two and a half years, not long.  I'm an amateur and I'm working on developing and improving on my style and technique.

Do you use online modeling communities to find models?

Yes.  In fact, I contacted a model from ModSheet and we're shooting next week! 

What's your success rate. Do you find most models flake and don't show?

Some of them do.  I talk with alot of photographers around the country and there is a bit of that.  But that just means they don't take themselves or their modeling all that seriously.

Have you ever had anyone who was gorgeous in person but you absolutely couldn't make look good on camera?
I've had a few shoots I've screwed up, more about my being on a learning curve.  You can have a great model and flat images.  When you capture something of their pesonality in the images, you've had a good shoot.

Is your art evolving or is this how it's going to be for the rest of your life?
I hope it's evolving.  I'm conscious of not wanting to take the same pictures over and over again. So, I attempt at something close to original.  And with time and experience I would like to see my photography get better.  I think it is.

Who was the most memorable model you've photographed and why?
That's a hard one.  There are models I've really enjoyed shooting and they're not always the ones that have made for the best images.  Recently, I had an extended shoot with someone and it played out like a kabuki dance, we didn't really bond, I think.  But the pictures from that shoot are the best I've taken so far.  Ideally, I want to have fun with the shoot and part of that is being able to establish some kind of rapport with the model.

Do you shoot more TFP or are you more about the money?
I've only shot tfp and tfcd so far.  My friends tell me I need to change that.  One thing I have done is to shoot less and be more discriminating about who I'm working with.  When you're an amateur and looking to build a portfolio, tfp is a good way to do that.  One advantage of continuing to shoot tfp once you've built a portfolio is that you get to choose who you're shooting, rather than responding to requests based on their ability to pay.

New age photography is almost entirely digital. How often do you use film and why?
I like shooting analog but digital eliminates the enormous amount of time developing film or the enormous expense of having someone else develop it.  I mainly use digital but I use the manual settings and I use photoshop to touch up rather than completely alter an image.

Many photographers have a favorite type of location. Some prefer the beach, some love grafiti covered walls, and still others love rusty old abandoned buildings. What would make you stop the car and take a photo?
Anything that catches the eye.  I've used all three of the above settings.  Since I'm in Miami, the beach is a natural.  I prefer shooting outdoors and I try to scout out new and interesting locations for those shoots.  I think it's important to change venues on a regular basis, look for something different.

Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
Yes.  Learn everything about your camera and then learn everything you can about lighting.  Ninety percent of photography is lighting!  I'm the kind of person who loads the software (or picks up a camera) and learns by trial and error.  That extends the learning curve quite a bit.  If you're shooting human subjects, find a friend or two to practice with.  When I first started, I asked a friend who is a phenomenal photographer to help me with a couple of shoots.  That helped!

Do you have any advice for aspiring models?
Yes.  The photographer is developing pictures and you are developing a reputation and image.  Prior to posting a profile, think about what kind of images you want and don't want.  Check out the photographers and determine what their focus is and what kind of shoot they want prior to agreeing to model for them.  Make sure it's a match.  Always sign a model agreement and always review that agreement prior to a shoot.   If you're serious about modeling, pay attention to what kind of portfolio you should be building and ask photographers if they will help you to put pieces of that portfolio together.  And have fun!

David A Chodrow
Miami Beach, Fl
Photographer
ModSheet Portfolio