1. What are your rates? Our rates are billed in half-day increments of $350.00 with completion of 3 - 36 exposure rolls of film. Additional rolls are $75.00 a roll. Those preferring only digital format can expect to achieve about 750 mega-bytes of images, or about 250 images easily capable of being enlarged to 2'x3' posters with no visible pixilization. These rates include the transfer of the film and copyright of the images to the model. For models with a suitable image to use in our promotions, more affordable rates can apply if the model only desires use of the images for self promotion (portfolio only) and allows us to retain the copyright. We also offer low cost and no-cost scholarships for beginning models (must never have modeled for fee or compensation before) which are decided at our sole discretion based on the model's potential and inability to pay. Frequently college students fall into this category. Images of models working on scholarship or time-for print should expect all images in digital format, unless in our discretion they are so exceptional we want to capture them in analog as well. Publishers and advertisers should contact us for a commercial quote, or we may have the image you desire in our image bank. 2. Will you shoot Nudity? We prefer not to create images involving frontal nudity. However, we understand occasionally actors find themselves needing shots involving frontal nudity when casting for roles where this is required. We will so long as the images created will not involve sexually suggestive poses, and the model is willing to sign a binding agreement that the images created will not be sold or published in any sexually oriented magazines or appear on any sexually oriented web sites. Frankly, this is not our audience and we do not desire to become associated with that aspect of the model and talent industry. Most models with an athletic build desire pin-up images involving non-genital nudity and we have no problem with that. Under no circumstances will we create images of minors involving nudity in any form. 3. Can I bring a friend or relative along when I shoot? If you are the only model shooting that day and at that location, absolutely. We only ask they be out of your view when the shooting starts. Being before a camera for most people is in itself an unnerving experience and the peering eyes of another can only serve as a distraction and diminish the quality of the completed images. If others are working on their images at the same time, bringing others would turn their personal endeavor into a public event. So always check with your photographer. As a general rule bringing someone along to watch on a model's photo-shoot is disfavored, and out-right prohibited by some photographers. Always make sure you are shooting with a reputable photographer before going on a photo-shoot. 4. Do I need an agent before I start working on my portfolio? No. Indeed, you should have your portfolio completed or near completed before you begin looking for an agent. A portfolio should be the first thing you do. Many people look good on film, and others do not. Indeed, many models look better in print than they do in person. You should have a professionally prepared portfolio in hand before you go shopping for an agent so that the chances of your being accepted will be greatly increased. We do arrange photo shoots through reputable area agents and can often make a referral. 5. How do I find a reputable agent? Agents are everywhere. Reputable agents are not. Most talk the talk and walk the walk, but when it comes down to it, they have little or no successes to show you. Many do nothing more than sell dreams to aspiring models. Ask to see tear-sheets and composites of other models they have placed. A tear-sheet is simply a print advertisement torn from a magazine or other publication. A composite is an 8x10 flyer with a series of photographs of a particular model. It should have his or her stats and the name of the agent you are considering. Naturally, the images of the models on the composites and tear-sheets should match. Frequently disreputable agents will casually drop names of publications where their models have allegedly appeared. Now is the time for you to enthusiastically ask to see it. Your first danger sign when considering an agent is when they require large fees from you. They're supposed to be sustaining their business by drawing a percentage of the fees paid to models they have placed. Also be suspicious of agents that insist you shoot with "their" photographer, who coincidentally charges outragous fees. There are unscrupulous agents and photographers who conspire to gouge unsuspecting models by charging twice what they normally would and then kicking-back the difference under the table to the referring agent. You should also check with local professional processing labs. Most have a printed price lists of their charges. There are agents that insist on arranging the processing of images for their models, and then marking up the actual processing costs as much as three times what they actually were. Also beware of so-called agents who are nothing more than recruiters for or operators of so-called modeling schools where they teach outrageously expensve classes that cannot be described as anything less than asinine. ("Confidence Classes" Oh please!) Again, if this is the way the agent sustains their business then the model needs to be asking themselves how much work the agency plans to find them. Also beware of the contracts they have you sign. Many have clauses where the contract self-renews and requires you to pay agent fees even if the agent didn't find you the work. Many models have found success, only to find past agents who haven't done anything for them clammoring for their percentage. Before signing a contract, read it to make sure there is a way out. When you end a relationship with an agent, do so in strict accordance with the terms of the contract. 6. Do I need to prepare for a photo-shoot? Absolutely! Rest, diet and exercise is critical. The camera adds as much as 20% to bulk so definition is very important. Indeed, most men who look ripped in print are actually rather lean in person. A six-foot male, for fashion, should not have larger than a 39" chest. Body fat should be less than 10%. You should also drink copias amounts of water (a natural diuretic) for about two weeks before the shoot and stop the day before. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet is best and nuitrition stores have protein supplements now that are very good. Exercise should be primarily directed at abdomen, chest, shoulders and back. Avoid stress and foods that will cause skin blemishes. You want these images to be usable for many years, so avoid faddish hairstyles. Mutton-chopped sideburns and goatees (or whatever else is in this week) are a bad idea if you want these images to look good in a year or two. Face and body piercings should be removed. Right now advertisers are looking for men with little or no body hair. (The Abercrombie look) If you plan to shoot shirtless or in shorts you should remove chest hair with number one clippers and follow up with a liquid hair remover the day before the shoot. (Beware that shaving chest hair makes many men break out.) If you have a narrow hairline going down below the navel (happy-trail) you should leave that. Minimal leg hair is fine. However, if you want to accent the definition in your legs, or if you have tarantula-legs, an appointment with the clippers is in order. A large percentage of male models shave their legs and that is fine. Hair in the groin area should be trimmed with clippers so it is not too bushy, but should be left long enough and in its original pattern so that it appears natural, unless you're desiring to look like a porn-star down there. You should stay home the night before the shoot, get plenty of rest, and not consume any intoxicants. The morning of the shoot you should eat very lightly so you don't appear bloated. Caucasions should tan in cycles of three. You should tan one time nude and twice in a pair of regular cut men's briefs until you achieve the level of tan you desire. When tanning nude you should be careful when laying on your stomach because fresh lamps in a tanning bed can burn the genitals. When tanning nude you should be careful when laying on your stomach because fresh lamps in a tanning bed can burn the genitals. When tanning in briefs you should move the leg and waist bands a little every few minutes so you don't get those bright fake and bake lines. Hanes briefs are inexpensive enough for tanning, and tend to fit most men best and put the gradual lines where they need to be. You should discontinue tanning a week before the shoot or the camera will pick up red hues in your skin not visible to the naked eye that will be very visible in your color images. 7. How do I handle wardrobe? Many models make the mistake of bringing half the house where it comes to wardrobe. Unless you want to spend all your time changing this is a mistake. For headshots you will need both light and dark shirts, with, and without a collar. You will need a matching tie for one of the collared shirts. If you want formal shots, you can save money by buying a suit (so long as you don't have it altered) and taking it back after the shoot. (Unless you have really long legs avoid pants with cuffs.) You'll need a pair of fairly snug fitting jeans and decent shoes to go with them. If you have an athletic build you should bring along some athletic wear and shoes, and perhaps designer underwear if you have any that looks good on you. 8. Further Questions? We have tried to answer the questions here most frequently asked. If you have any beyond what has been covered please use the "Contact Us" button with your question and we'll get back with you. |
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