A Message to Models
An Editorial Contribution

It's about YOU - NOT a schmuck who calls himself a "photographer".

Let me cue you in to a fact that will change your life: Photography was, once upon a time, a technical art & science which required that the photographer had an intimate understanding of how light interacted with photographic film. During that time frame, a photographer needed to know his sh!t or his images would be incorrectly focused, exposed & his work would generally suck.

Then technology happened and the SLR camera was created. Suddenly, with the most fundamental skills, anyone could take decent photographs because the computer in the camera did all of the technical work making sure the best aspects of the image was recorded at the settings chosen. 

And suddenly, every loser who failed at fast-food prep wanted to be a "photographer". And many did. You can usually spot their work because it lacks any semblance of good composition. These hacks literally throw a bunch of paid models up against the wall of odd-poses & see what sticks. You know, - the schmoes who'll bring a box of donuts to the shoot & then get the "idea" to have you stick your d!ck thru one for a picture (because they didn't prepare a real shooting or posing plan). And you'd be astonished at how many complete wastes-of-skin do this. And do you know how they pull it off? How are they knocking down the paychecks to afford the cars, equipment & the travel while you lose the weight & cut up because the fridge is empty? Their "skill" is not the reason for their success; - guys like YOU ARE! You need to realize that MOST of the guys waving cameras around are hacks who are trying to build their self-centered kingdoms of fraud on the back of your hard work. Please stop letting them!

Brothers, you are the ones taking raw genetic potential, & applying a level of discipline worthy of an award! With work, work, work, diet, diet & more work - YOU are shaping your body into a literal piece of living, breathing art. You are the masterpiece. And you need to protect your image from the many schmucks who are more than willing to ruthlessly exploit all of your hard work for their own selfish interests. Pick your professional associates carefully. Those who broadcast arrogance due to their position, profession or associations are to be avoided as you would any narcissist or sociopath! 

So, here's the strategy you should consider: Don't sell your image. Syndicate it. Every actor knows this. Now it's your turn. What does this imply? You get PAID - every time your image gets commercial use. Your photographer should be your business PARTNER, NOT your EMPLOYER. By insisting on such an arrangement - you'll eliminate most of the assholes who want your ball-busting work to finance their laziness. If you have good self-esteem - you can kick them to the curb in good conscience.

So, what does a "deal" look like? If you're getting started into the business, -you may be able to do your own photography. You do need to know a few things about cameras & lighting. An intro photography class may be your easy ticket into self promotion. However, if you want a photographer who can remove the odd blemishes, correct color, edit out the cat in the background & other post-production feats of image improvisation - then find someone who has a balanced sense of win/win & is willing to give as much back to you for the privilege of photographing you. I am a model photographer and I only work win/win deals with the people I work with. One of the arrangements is whenever I get paid for the use of a model's image, the model gets paid. Every time. Forever. My model releases contain ongoing royalty language. Do you think my models like that? It's about THEM. I'm just the photographer.

This type of arrangement may come with a trade-off. If you enter into a royalty agreement - expect less money paid up front for the shoot. However, if you're just breaking into the profession - a decent human being who happens to be a photographer will want to see you make it professionally & will work with you expending their own TIME to get your portfolio off the ground. This is exactly what happened to actor Chris Pratt. A decent person who was a photographer did a gratis photo-shoot & built him a head-shot portfolio with no strings attached. The love & kindness of God does shine through people who value such attributes themselves & having such people in your life is priceless.

This should go without saying: Do NOT violate your conscience or your principles in order to enter the scene. Some priceless parts of you are intangible & should never be compromised. DO NOT REWARD UNETHICAL PEOPLE by providing them with your image in some shady deal. Those types of arrangements NEVER work out for your good. Your ethical core is too high a price to pay for commercial "success".