Finding Inspiration

This Bold Life and I have this on again, off again relationship. I had set a goal of 2 blog posts per week for you guys months back. Consistent information, updates, and experiences shared with you. However, the really good stuff only comes sporadically. That’s what it’s like to be a writer. I must write when the words start flowing.

Like writing, sometimes inspiration is hard to find.

But when you find it, it’s quite magical.

Inspiration isn’t, ‘oh, what a pretty dress,’ or ‘this is beautiful, I love this.’ Inspiration is moving. Literally. Really good inspiration gets your gears working, clicking into place, and suddenly, you’re up and replying, feeding off that inspiration.

Inspiration comes from another human’s boldness, courage, determination, hard work, and beautiful results and realizations. Inspiration is when you are a photographer who instills confidence in your subjects every day and, upon braving out the commitment to being the one in front of the camera, realize something deep, realizing, “That’s me, that’s beautiful, I’m beautiful!” (Read about Dana Kae’s profound, beautiful experience here). Inspiration is health and joy, like a woman staying fit for 22 years, not in it for the results, but for the wonderful feeling of being healthy. (This is Laura’s lifestyle, who shares her journey here).

These days, my main form of inspiration is through social media. There are so many stories to be shared and heard. If you know where to look, the options are endless. In my search for inspiration, here are just a few of my finds. Continue reading “Finding Inspiration”

10 Qualities a Model Looks For in Photographers

NOTE: This post is informational for photographers nearly as much as it is for young models.

It is universal knowledge that a model needs photos of herself in her portfolio; the only way to go about this is to collaborate with different photographers. How she goes about building a model portfolio depends on a few different factors and is up to her (and her agency) to decide.

A model will mainly begin building her portfolio either by hiring a photographer or collaborating on a (free) trade shoot or test shoot. As she begins shooting and building up her reputation, she has the position to be more choosy with who she shoots with. Only then, when she has a reputable portfolio, may she ask the photographers for compensation when she is requested for a shoot. However, there are some collaborations even an experienced model won’t want to pass up.

You can automatically assume any work with a designer needs to be paid, since they are advertising an actual product. With photographers, however, it gets tricky.

Here are 10 qualities an experienced model looks for in a photographer when testing for free Continue reading “10 Qualities a Model Looks For in Photographers”

Model Mayhem 101: Casting Calls and Collaborating

So, you’ve signed up for Model Mayhem (MM) and you’ve been approved. Now it’s time to start networking. There are two main forms of networking on Model Mayhem and these are straight up, “Hey, do you want to shoot?” and casting calls.

How to Set Up a Collaboration on Model Mayhem

Searching for connections on MM is pretty simple and straightforward: If you’re looking for a photographer to collaborate with, all you need to do is click on “Browse,” enter in your specifications, and browse.

What we do on Model Mayhem when first getting started is shooting TFP, TFCD, or trade. They all essentially mean the same things.

  • TFP = Trade For Print
  • TFCD = Trade For CD
  • Trade = Trade 😉

Essentially, these all imply both parties are working on a shoot for free, meaning you will get “compensated” in photos from the shoot. Continue reading “Model Mayhem 101: Casting Calls and Collaborating”