We've been told a time or two that we seem to have cornered the market on some of the most beautiful models in the region. We hear it from prospective models, from photographers and the occasional observer. The question that frequently comes up is where do you find these stunning models to work with?
I've always the found the idea of going around trying to find models kinda distasteful. I simply don't have the personality nor the patience for it. Additional is the fact that on a deep buried level it was too close to 'hitting on people.' "Hey, you're gorgeous. Wanna take some pictures?" That just seems weird to me. But some photographers have the gift and the personality to talk a complete stranger into just about anything. Maybe I'm just not as vested in any singular person to be that interested or maybe I'm shy. I have no idea. It feels weird to even consider trying and I've never been compelled to.
If you're starting out you've also tried all the online sites where photographers and models meet and work out collaborations. Many many years ago I'd been there and done that. That's a hit or miss approach with a very low turnaround. It's mostly miss. If you want to photograph a ton of people then certainly websites are the way the go. If you want very very high quality collaborations and high quality models then you'll want a different approach.
Another way is to use an agency. Agencies are often looking for photographers to photograph their new models; to help those models get their ports started and to give them some experience in front of the camera. Establishing a relationship with an agency may be a great idea for you. You'll have to decide for yourself on that. Agencies are kinda... Well... Ambiguously beneficial at times to say the least. But there are photographers that have nothing but the best to say about their agency relationships.
Over the years I've established my own personal way to get the absolute best of the best models. The trick to getting them for me is not to try - at least not a direct approach anyway. I found that by concentrating more on the quality of my work, higher quality models found me on their own. It seems so simple now but that wasn't always the case. It's a steep hill to climb but putting my efforts into turning out higher quality results eventually, albeit slowly, found the people I wanted to work with for me. More to the point, my best work with models has most often been a referral from another model, a photographer or a paid assignment. There is no higher praise than a referral. That means someone likes or loves your work enough to share you or to recommend you. That's bigger than anything.
On occasion I'll still stumble upon someone when no substitute will do for a very specific look and I'll go after one model in particular. But over time I've learned that the models that have been statistically more professional, more communicable, more trustworthy, and more punctual tend to find us first. It seems that when you have to pursue them they're simply not as committed to the process or the project and the results are mixed at best if the model shows up at all. It's sounds too much like children dating and chasing each other around as if it's a "playing too hard to get" scenario. Well I'm too old for that so I turn back to what works for me.
It all brings me back to my original method - concentrate on quality and when you get your model whether it be a male or female spoil them senseless. They will always recommend like minded beautiful and stylish people like themselves that cherish the high quality results you repeatedly give them. Once you hit referral stage you will never have to go out looking and you'll always have professional talent. I've actually had models come up to me and say "you absolutely have to work with my friend or this other model I just met because she's so talented and beautiful and she would compliment your style very well." That within itself would be a huge compliment and a testament to the kind of work you put out. For us, we concentrate on quality and from quality comes all the work we can handle. That's how we get great models.
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