New York City, the bustling metropolis of art, culture, and opportunity, is ideal for aspiring models and professional photographers to collaborate. With countless creative opportunities in the city, models and photographers have the chance to create something unique and special.
However, the market is highly saturated, and it can take time to know where to start. Here are some tips to help models find great opportunities and grow their portfolios in a safe and secure manner.
Finding NYC Professional Photographers
TFP (Time For Print or Trade for Print) is a great place to start finding a professional photographer. Just go to Facebook and type in “TFP NYC”. You will find multiple groups.
TFP is where a team of passionate creatives, usually with a model and a photographer, work together to create art pieces they can use. It's a great way to create portfolios, gain experience, and network with other creatives.
Of course, there will be a lot of work and dedication required from the model and photographer, such as finding suitable locations, creating a concept, styling the shoot and knowing how to use the camera's settings and equipment. But with the right attitude, the results can be truly rewarding.
One of the main advantages of TFP is that everyone involved in the shoot is working for free. No financial compensation is required, but everyone involved will get to use the images for their portfolios. This is a great way for photographers and models to gain experience, build their portfolios, and network with other creatives.
Another advantage of TFP is that it allows photographers and models to express their creativity and test ideas in a no-pressure environment. This can be a great way to build confidence and hone your craft.
In addition, TFP shoots can be great networking opportunities. You can meet other photographers, models, fashion designers, hair and make-up artists, and other industry professionals. You can even collaborate on projects with them in the future.
I still work with the same makeup artist I shot my first big TFP shoot with almost two years ago. You never know who you will meet and what connections you will make.
NYC Professional Photographers on Instagram
Another option would be to reach out via a direct message on Instagram.
Find a photographer that has worked with someone you know or via searching with different hashtags.
When reaching out to a photographer, make sure you go to their profile and check out their work. Write a personal message rather than “Heyy, let’s collab”. It sounds too generic and shows minimal effort.
Check out the photographer's work and write a message saying what you enjoy about their style!
The worst thing that can happen is that you dont check out the photographer’s style, and the shoot is nothing you want for your portfolio.
Finding Professional NYC Photographers
Model scams are too common, especially in New York City. Aspiring models are often targeted by unscrupulous people looking to make a quick buck. It's important to do your research and be wary of any modeling offers you get.
A good rule of thumb when looking for a modeling opportunity is to check the profile of who made the post. If the profile seems suspicious and is from outside this country, that should be a red flag.
Additionally, if the profile picture seems fake or inconsistent, that should also raise questions. Click on the profile picture of whoever made the post, see what their previous profile photos are. If they go from a white female to another race and gender, that should be an immediate flag.
If they are truly a professional photographer, along with having a social media account, they should have some form of website or portfolio. Check out the website and see if they have any reviews on google or other services.
What's more, no modeling or casting gig should be asking for money ahead of time. If a director asks for payment so you can model, that's a sure sign that this is a scam, and you should walk away. It is one thing to split the cost of a studio, but that should only be done with people you know and have worked with before.
Lastly, under no circumstances should you be se
nding nude photos to a casting director. Digitals are one thing to request, but there should be no need for someone to see a nude image of yourself, even if the shoot is boudoir or nude-themed.
Safe and Professional NYC Model Shoot
At ETG Photos, we provide models with a safe and comfortable environment for their photoshoots. Whether you are a new model or an experienced professional, we are committed to ensuring that you feel relaxed and supported while working with us.
Before the shoot, we will provide you with a questionnaire to ensure we understand your comfort levels regarding clothing and any other information we need.
We also strongly encourage models to bring a friend along for support and to help make the shoot more enjoyable.
At ETG Photos, we believe in transparency. Everything that happens during the shoot is clear, and models have full control over what images will be used and what will be shared. We want to ensure that the model is comfortable and that their privacy is always respected.
If you’re looking for an experienced and professional photographer in NYC to help you with your modeling career, look no further than ETG Photos.
We’re committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all of our models and will work with you to ensure you get the best possible images. Contact us today to learn more about our services. To recap, finding photographers can be easy, but you need to vet them and ensure their style fits what you are trying to accomplish. Be cautious of scams; if something does not feel right, walk away.
If you are interested in shooting with Evan from ETG Photos, click the link below, and he will contact you!