How to FIND the BEST Models & What Makes a GREAT Model

I frequently hear photographers lamenting that they just can’t find models or that they don’t know how to find models and I receive messages with those questions several times each week.  After I wrote the title, How to find the best models, I realized that the bigger problem is that many photographers don’t actually understand what makes a great model.  So here we are.

Before I dig in, please listen closely to what I am about to say — I am going to share my experience, which began working with agency models that my clients hired and then evolved to working with the models to craft their portfolios so that they could get signed by agencies and hired by clients and then evolved to today where I work with models mostly on creative projects.  I started working with models in 1984.  I have worked with the best and the worst.

I am also going to share some things with you that will not be politically correct in today’s social climate.  Please listen closely to those statements.  They are not my opinions, they are observations.  As you will hear me say — don’t take my word for it — look around you — do some of your own research.  Sometimes reality is not ideal, but I assure you that I am a person with a liberal and progressive mindset and my only agenda here is to help you.

With that being said — let’s talk about what makes a great model.  I think it will make the discussion easier if we create three categories to begin with — Agency Models, Freelance Models and Acquaintances.  Just like photographers, there are many types of models.

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Episode Links:

How to find the “good side” of a person's face for a Portrait? https://video.joeedelman.com/goodside

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TOGCHAT Resources

Show Website: https://togchat.com

My Website https://www.JoeEdelman.com

Join the TOGCHAT Photography Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/ispphotographers

My calendar of upcoming Live-Online Photography Presentations https://www.joeedelman.com/edu/

I would love to be your PHOTOGRAPHY MENTOR! https://www.joeedelman.com/mentoring-for-photographers/

WANNA SEE MY GEAR? https://tog.chat/gear

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FTC Disclosure: No sponsors have paid for inclusion in this show. I am an Olympus Visionary photographer, a Delkin Image Maker, a TetherTools Pro and a StellaPro Champion of Light. These companies do provide me with various pieces of gear that I frequently discuss or mention, however all words and opinions are my own, and I was not asked to produce this show.