As we’ve just passed our 8th anniversary, we wanted to thank you all for creating and supporting the greatest community of artists anywhere in the world. Model Mayhem is a unique and incredible place and we’re honored every day to be a part of it.

We also thought it would be worthwhile to give you a little update on the site and where we’re heading with it.

From your fantastic feedback and through a series of recent member surveys, we’ve identified three areas that consistently came up when asked “how can we make Model Mayhem better?” For each of these areas we’ve instituted immediate changes as well as ongoing projects for us to focus on.

Here they are:

Improved member quality

Predominantly, the feedback in this area has been around improving your ability to network with people who take their profession or hobby seriously. As such we have implemented the following changes to our member policies:

• New member applicants cannot have low-quality, self-taken images (aka “No Crappy Cell Phone Pics”). We implemented this with the Gatekeeper team back in March and have seen a strong rise in the overall quality of new profiles coming onto the site. We will not be enforcing this policy on already approved profiles. This is just for those people seeking to become a new Model Mayhem member.
• Zero tolerance on adult networking. Historically we gave members a warning if caught soliciting others for adult work.However, with the implementation of our PM flagging capability and based on your feedback, we have moved to a zero tolerance stance. Model Mayhem is not to be used to solicit adult industry work.

There were a number of other excellent suggestions that will help us improve the overall quality of the community and we are actively working on ways to implement them.

Improved photo capabilities

Most of the discussion revolved around your ability to upload better (and more) photos and videos to your portfolio. We’re excited to announce the following updates:

• Higher res photos allowed. We have expanded the photo size allowance from 800Kb to 1500Kb.
• Updated image processing. We’ve also recently updated our image processing software, enabling us to retain EXIF data when it is included in the image being uploaded.
• More images! For VIP members we are expanding the number of available photo slots from 200 to 500.

We also have plans to continue to improve the portfolio viewing and managing capability as well as add the ability to link videos into your profile.These improvements will take some time to implement so expect them in future.

Improved look and feel

By far the biggest “look and feel” wish amongst members was to create a mobile-friendly version of the site. We are excited to have launched a true mobile version of Model Mayhem last month. If you haven’t played with it yet, please do check it out.

In addition to mobile, we’re currently working through how to improve the usability of the My Stuff and Portfolio areas and have some great new designs as well as features that we aim to introduce through the course of the year.

We will continue to apply new designs to the various areas of the site with the ultimate aim to make Model Mayhem a highly functional application to help everyone in the community network, learn and collaborate.

The Model Mayhem community continues to thrive. We fully believe that Model Mayhem represents the most robust, dynamic and valuable community of artists in the modeling and photography industries. We greatly appreciate the feedback and suggestions we get on a daily basis and hope to be able to continue to provide you features and services that you can’t find anywhere else.

Thanks for all of your support,
The Model Mayhem Team

Model: Aviva; Photographer: Philipe

Casting call

First, let’s talk about casting calls. A member can post a Basic Casting Call at no cost if he or she is looking for someone to work with. If you want to have a higher response rate for your casting call, give as much detail about the gig as possible. Definitely tell members the tentative date when you are planning to shoot, where the shoot takes place, who else could be involved in the shoot (makeup artists and hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, other models, etc), how long the shoot will be and whether the people that you’re looking to work with will be paid or if it is a trade shoot.

If it’s a casting call that’s labeled “paid” then that means that you are looking to hire someone and pay them money for their services. If you post a “negotiable” or a “TF” casting call and ask for payment from the members responding to you, then your casting call will get flagged for removal. Please do not post your request for jobs for which you want to get paid in the casting section and instead use the availability notices or travel notices (whichever applies) sections.

Sponsored Casting Calls appear at the top of search results but require a payment. Members receive discounts; Basic/Legacy 10%, Premium 15% and VIP members get 20% off. Sponsored Casting Calls also allow non-members to cast for MM talent.

Availability notice

If you are available for gigs in your local area, then it is best that you post an Availability Notice. Your availability notice is a way for you to let other members know that you are available for projects being done locally, which means that you should not have to travel far to get to the location of the shoot.  You must indicate if you are a model, photographer, hair stylist, makeup artist, etc. Indicate the date/time that you are available, as well as what type of shoots you are willing to do (fashion, nude, etc). Also, if you mark the availability notice as “paid”, it means that you are looking to get paid for your work and you should also let people know how much you charge per shoot/hour, etc. So, if you are looking for paid work, meaning you want to be paid, then this is the section to post in. If you post a TF availability notice, then that means you are accepting shoots where money is not exchanged.

Model: Aviva; Photographer: IMS Photographic

Travel notice

Lastly, if you are traveling to an area outside of where you live, you should post a Travel Notice letting members know that. Just like with an availability notice, indicate whether you are a photographer, model, makeup artist, etc. Then, let members know your travel dates and the location where you are traveling. Additionally, your travel notice should indicate what types of projects you are looking to do and what your limitations are. Finally, if you post a “paid” travel notice then that means you are looking to get hired and would like to be paid for your service (modeling, photography, etc). You are permitted to ask for transportation and accommodation in exchange for shoot time or for reduced rates when you post a travel notice.

To summarize, when you post a paid casting call that means you are looking to hire talent and pay them. If you post a paid availability notice or travel notice then this means that you are looking for work and would like to get paid. I hope this article was helpful in clarifying the difference between castings calls, availability notices and travel notices. When used correctly, this section of the site is a great way to find people to work with and even get some paid work.

Wishing you all the best!

P.S. If you have any other questions about the use of the site or some of the features, please feel free to post them in the comments section below.

I’ve noticed a lot of profiles not being used to their full potential so here are some ways to enhance your front page.

Adding several pictures to your front page can make your portfolio look much more professional, maybe getting you a few more hits and a little more interest from photographers and models alike.

This only works on VIP, Premium and Legacy accounts

First you need to get yourself a Photobucket account (if you don’t already have one). You can also use Flickr but I prefer Photobucket.

Once you have an account, decide which pictures you’d like to put on your front page. Remember, you cannot use 18+ images; it’s against the Model Mayhem image rules, so only use work safe images. This means no boobs, bums and genitalia. Basically nothing you wouldn’t want your kids to see.

Then, with Photoshop or some software that allows you to resize pictures, you need to resize the image to 575 pixels wide.

You can also resize the pictures using Windows Picture Resizer. This works on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Resizing to 575 simply aligns the front page image neatly.

You might want to create a folder for these images so you know where they are, but remember each image needs to be 575 pixels wide in size.

Open Photobucket.

Click Upload.

Once you have uploaded the image you want to use on the front page of your portfolio, hover over the picture until you see the small gear icon. Click it and a DROP DOWN menu will appear. Select “Get Media Link”.

Select the IMAGE CODE by clicking the box and it will automatically copy it for you. If not then simply drag the pointer across it and copy that way.

Next, go back to your MM page and select http://www.modelmayhem.com/mystuff/profile/edit and scroll down to “BIO”.

Select the location of where you want to image to be and PASTE the IMG CODE into the BIO section of your profile.

It will look like this: [IMG]http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/YOUR USERNAME HERE/MK-1_zps49a4759d.jpg[/IMG]

Then Scroll down and click UPDATE.

If you did it right then it should show the picture on your front page.

See how my MM profile looks here. www.modelmayhem.com/I-Got-3-Wishes

If all images are resized to 575 pixels wide then you will have a neat front page with all images aligned.

Once you have this down you can, if you want to, add a link to another website like YouTube, Facebook, Flickr or any other site you want to use to show off your pictures.

Remember that you cannot use links to adult/porn websites that show inappropriate content.

Decide which website you want to make into a link. Let’s just make your MM portfolio a link as an example. http://www.modelmayhem.com/2329795 and then Select the image you want to use on your front page as the link.

EXAMPLE [IMG]http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/username/MK-1_zps49a4759d.jpg[/IMG]

This is how you do it:

Start by adding [URL= before the http of your MM page so it will look like this:
[URL=http://www.modelmayhem.com/2329795
Remember to add “]” so it looks like this:
[URL=http://www.modelmayhem.com/2329795]

Now you need to add the image code to the URL like this:
[URL=http://www.modelmayhem.com/2329795][img]http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/YOUR USERNAME HERE/MK-1_zps49a4759d.jpg[/img]

Once this is done you need only to complete the LINK using [/url] like this:
[URL=http://www.modelmayhem.com/2329795][img]http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p514/YOUR USERNAME HERE/MK-1_zps49a4759d.jpg[/img][/url]

Now copy this completed code into your Bio and the link will work.

I hope these simple steps will help you to make the most out of your VIP, Premium or Legacy account.

For more info on embedding images please see “How to embed images on your profile.”

Avoiding Scams: The basics from Model Mayhem on Vimeo.

What are these scams?

The scams we are talking about here are commonly referred to as “Nigerian” scams or “419” scams, and classified as Advance-fee fraud. However, there is a twist to these “advance-fee” scams that we see here on MM: Rather than convincing you to send them money first, they send you money first, though the check is fake and worthless. You just don’t know that yet.

You get a check from them for a certain amount and then they use some ruse to get you to send a portion of that money to someone else. It could be that they want you to send a portion to a makeup artist for this supposed shoot, or to pay for studio time, or maybe they will claim that they accidentally sent you too much money and can you send some of it back?

Whatever reason they use to get you to send a portion of the money doesn’t really matter. What matters is that the check or money order that they send you is fake and worthless, and if you—thinking that it’s okay to send a small portion of the check you just deposited—send a check to someone else (that someone is the scammer) you will be sending them real money. Your real money.

Beware! #1

If someone sends you an email or message and wants to hire you for some job (be it a modeling job, a makeup job, a photography job, whatever) and asks you for your information so they can send you a check, BEWARE!

It’s 99.99999% certain to be a scam. You’re more likely to win the lottery, get struck by lightning and get laid by your favorite movie star, all on the same day, then for such an offer to be legitimate.

Let’s put it this way: If you needed someone to clean your house would you go online and randomly contact some stranger from out of state, and even from other countries, and offer to pay them in advance to clean your house?

The real world does not work that way, and neither does the modeling industry.

Yes, we know that you are exceptionally lovely and exceptionally talented and you’re thinking that you just might be the exception to this. Hate to burst your bubble, but you’re not.

No legitimate industry professional is going to hire someone unknown to them, sight unseen, and pay them in advance for a modeling/photography/makeup job.

Beware #2

If someone contacts you and provides you with a link and wants you to click that link and login, BEWARE!*

They may offer some incentive for you to do so, such as telling you that you need to log-in there because they want to hire you for some job. Or they may claim to be a representative of MM and send you a link to a fake site that may look like MM. Again, whatever ruse they use doesn’t really matter, all of them are designed to do one thing: harvest your MM login information so they can access your account and send scam messages to other MM members, from your account.

Don’t let that happen to you. You are responsible for what happens with your MM account, so please be very careful with your login information.

The link they send to you may appear to be a link to modelmayhem.com, and if you go there, it may indeed look just like MM. Don’t be fooled.

They sometimes will “spoof” our email address. That just means that they will send an email that appears to be from mods@modelmayhem.com (which is our email address) but it actually is not from us. It just looks that way.

If you’re not sure it is from us and don’t know how to tell, simply send us a new email (don’t reply to that one) at mods@modelmayhem.com and tell us about the email and copy/paste the message. We will confirm whether or not we sent that email to you.

* Note: Some companies are Certified Partners of Model Mayhem. As such, they are authorized to ask for Model Mayhem login information in order to provide services for members. It is safe to supply Model Mayhem login information to these companies. Here is the complete list of Certified Partners.

What do these scams look like?

Probably the best way for you to familiarize yourself with what these scams look like is to simply use our Forum Search tool and find examples. Click that link and then search for “Is this a scam”. You will find hundreds of scam messages that have been posted by other MM users. Read through some of those threads. Once you get a good idea what they look like, you can spot them a mile away and easily avoid them.

And, now that you’ve seen all the other MM users posting those messages and asking if it’s a scam or not, you’ll probably realize that there’s no real need for you to ask the same question. Hopefully, you already have your answer.

Should I take my email address off of my page?

When reading through those “is this a scam” threads, you may notice that many people will insist that you need to take your email address off of your MM profile page (assuming that you have it there), and for many that may be sound advice. However, there are valid reasons for having your email address shown on your profile page—some people simply prefer to be contacted via email rather than a private message on MM. That’s okay.

If you do choose to display your email address on your profile, please understand that you will get scams sent to your email address. But, if you know how to recognize them, it’s a simple matter of deleting them. So now that you do know how to spot them, go ahead and display your email address if you wish.

However, if that email address is the same email address you use for your MM login, you should understand you are displaying half of your login information, which makes your account less secure.  Your account is most secure if you use a login email address that is never displayed publically. If you’re concerned about having another email account to check, simple set that private email address to forward emails to your main account. That way you won’t have another email account to check.

And sometimes scammers will post casting calls and ask that you contact them via email, please make certain that the casting is legit before providing an email address. It is also good advice to never post your login email address in response to a casting call, whether that casting is on MM or not.

How do I report a scam on MM?

If you get a scam sent to your email address, it’s not likely that we can do anything about that. There’s just no way for us to prevent someone from emailing you once they have your address. But, if you get a message here on MM that you suspect is a scam, please do report that to us using CAM (Contact A Mod). The link to contact us is found under the “help” tab link which can be found at the very top, and the very bottom, of the page.

When reporting a scam message to us, please be sure to include a link to the profile that sent the scam to you, and copy/paste the message for us as well.

Enjoy the Mayhem!

Now that you’ve armed with some basic knowledge, you can go about your networking business without worrying about getting ripped off. And if every member of this community understood just these basic things, the scammers would be forced to move on to greener pastures.

In order to better arm yourself against them we recommend that you click these links for further information. It’s not just for models.

NEW MODELS; Learn about scams
What do scams look like?

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud
The New Model’s Guide to the Industry and Scams
Western Union: Online Fraud

Learn more about general scams:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
http://www.phonebusters.com/
http://www.419eater.com/
http://www.scambusters.org/NigerianFee.html
http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm
http://www.modelingscams.org/
http://www.hotscams.com/blogs/learning-the-hard-way.html
http://www.fakechecks.org/

With this in mind, we’re excited to announce a significant upgrade to our casting platform: Sponsored Casting Calls.

Sponsored Casting Calls provide two major benefits to our members. First, it allows non-member entities to cast directly to the Model Mayhem community. Previously we prohibited non-members (agencies, casting directors, publications, etc.) from posting casting calls, which inhibited the number of opportunities for our members. With Sponsored Casting Calls, our members will gain access to a wider variety of paying opportunities.

Secondly, with so many casting calls live at any given moment, it was very difficult for calls to remain visible to those searching out opportunities. Now Sponsored Casting Calls sit at the top of casting search results for relevant search results.

Sponsored Casting Calls do require payment, and we think the value for money is undeniable. However, we also wanted to reward all of our members. We’ve done so by giving sizable discounts to Sponsored Casting Calls for all members:

Basic/Legacy – 10%

Premium – 15%

VIP – 20%

We hope you all enjoy the upgraded system. Tell your friends!

Now here’s how Sponsored Casting Calls work…

How to create Sponsored Casting Calls

1. Register a Guest Account. First-time users who are non-members will need to create a Guest Account. Members can bypass this step simply by logging into Model Mayhem.
2. Create your casting. Here’s where you state your casting call details. The more accurate and detailed your description, the more people will trust you and respond.
3. Pay and activate casting. Here’s where you confirm and pay for your casting. After you’ve paid, you’ll see another confirmation page (“Casting Call Posted!”) with links to view your casting call and manage all your casting calls.

3 tips for successful Sponsored Casting Calls

• Social media buttons on casting calls allow anyone to share them through Facebook, Twitter, and email.
• If you place a Sponsored Casting Call, you can change its start/end and run times while it’s active. If the new run time is in a higher payment tier than the original one (e.g., 2 weeks instead of 1), you’ll pay the difference.
• If your Sponsored Casting Call gets taken down, feel free to work with us through customer service about the issue. If you broke the casting call or site rules, we won’t refund you for taken down casting calls. However, we will provide refunds for casting calls taken down in error.

That’s it! Please also check our FAQ (“Casting Calls/Travel Notices/Availability Notices” section) for answers to frequently asked questions about this feature.

Post a Sponsored Casting Call on MM today.

Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography

Profile etiquette: Don’t make people regret reading your profile

Sometimes members of this site don’t read profiles because many of them tell nothing about the person, and—on the other extreme—some of them tell every detail including about how happily married they are, and all about their dog Scooter. These members are why I am writing this. If we all learned to just include information important to shooting then profiles become tools instead of novels filled with nonsense.

Profile etiquette: Read their profile before asking questions

Maybe it is because my momma used to repeatedly yell “I do not like to repeat myself.”, but the first line of my profile is: “Please read my profile before contacting me about shooting.” Consider your profile your first message to anyone on this site that you may work with. Do you want to repeat that message over and over again? Probably not. It is one thing to clarify information stated on your profile, and it’s another to be asked something that is already clearly stated.

I’ve had photographers ask what my travel schedule is when it is on my profile. They have asked what they have to do to get me to travel to their area. Well, that’s on my profile as well. I’ve been asked what my rates are. It’s on my profile. You get the point.

Having this included won’t ensure that you won’t have to repeat what is on your profile, but it will be easier to say “If you refer to my profile…”than it will be to restate every detail (that they would have known if they read it before contacting you). One rule, if you do include this, is that you must read every profile before contacting people on this site to keep from being a hypocrite.

Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography

If you do something special, be sure to keep it simple and orderly

Next is optional, but I’ve found it has gotten me more work. I have a video of me modeling. I feel that it has shown a little bit of my ability beyond the still photos in my portfolio. For models this is especially helpful because it shows you can pose and emote without direction. I recommend showing yourself in action. Just make sure you keep links to a minimum and don’t clutter your page with images and video. If it takes forever to load your page you’ve got too much code on it! Keep it simple!

Here are some helpful articles on how to embed images on your profile and how to format text. But remember; only Premium and VIP members can embed images, videos, and format text on their profiles by using BBCode.

Do you have a webpage, Tumblr, or Flickr account that has even more of your work shown? Post it above your “About Me”. Take advantage of that area by linking to a site that has even more of your portfolio. That lone website linking area above the “About Me” section should be reserved for either your modeling website or a site like Tumblr or Flickr, where all your modeling images can be hosted. It is in an uncluttered place and you can label it as “Extra Images” or “Extended Portfolio”.

Link to your professionally-relevant sites

Think of it this way: You did a few art nude shoots, but your focus is on glamour and your portfolio here displays that. An art photographer likes your look, but doesn’t know if you are good with art nude posing. He goes to take a look at the link provided at the top and sees, from your images on the linked site, that you are capable of posing for the photos he is looking to create, and he hires you. That is more beneficial to you than linking to your Twitter or personal Facebook page in that premiere spot. You can add your Twitter and Facebook to your profile, but don’t make them as prominent on your profile as you would a modeling website or image hosting platform.

Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography

Thematically order profile information into visually distinct sections

If you travel, then provide a section on your profile just for travel plans. Keep travel days listed and updated. Also if you are willing to travel, but cannot afford to, you may put your requirements for any travel inquires.

For example: I have included that I have a passport. I have also explained two options to get me to travel to work:

1. I will travel to model in exchange of flights, hotel and a minimum of 2 hours booked at my normal rate.
2. I am willing to travel if my full day rate is paid.

This provides two ways that photographers out of your area can work with you, and it provides a specific, easily located place to refer people to when they leave you tags like “When are you coming to my area?”

Important points to emphasize

Next if you have built your portfolio to a point that you deserve pay for your time and work, list yourself as paid only—BUT we all have those “wish list” people we would love to work with just for images, and we don’t want to drive them away. That is why I include an “I will consider TF*” section, and I recommend you include a similar area in your profile. Mine explains that if you have a great port, a concept that will knock my socks off, and a team that can make it a reality, I will consider TF*. I also explain that, if it is a guaranteed published opportunity, I may consider TF*, if I like the publication. This section saves me from missing out on working with great artists and keeps my portfolio fresh with new images that I’d be proud to have in my portfolio.

Now this next part has been debated in the forums for a long time. To post or not to post your rates? I am on the post them side of the debate. I do recommend keeping it clear that they are negotiable, though—especially if you travel. What you can get in one city is not the rule for another.

I provide my hourly rate, as well as my half day and full day rates (which saves them a bit of money, compared to hiring me hourly). Posting rates can deter some from working with you, but those people were unlikely to pay you anyway. Posting can show those that are serious about your look that, if they hire you, you will be charging pretty much the same of them as you did the last person you shot with.

Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: Fototails Photography
Makeup Artist: Heathyrre Kautz; Hair Stylist: Hair by Berenice

Clearly state your standards and expectations

If you have had a bad experience with things—like holding your schedule open for shoots for which details were not yet finalized, or being flaked on, etc—feel free to put a disclaimer such as the one I added to my profile:

“If I do not have a time and location set within 24 hours of the day of the shoot I will not hold my schedule open. If I get another offer for the day with all the details in place, I will take it. So please provide time, location, and any other info quickly to ensure your shoot.”

Make sure to be professional, to the point, and not sound bitter.

Now you can post things like how long you have been modeling, as well as what markets you’ve modeled in. Post what your limitations are and what sort of modeling you are focused on. If you can’t drive and need someone to drop you off, or need a ride to and from shoots, be up front about it. These details can show what type of model you are, but keep it short and sweet.

Keep your details up to date

Finally, remember to update your credits, as well as relevant information such as hair color and length, and measurements that are accurately up to date. Don’t advertise as something you are not. People search for specific height, skin and hair color when casting for projects, so keep it updated and factual. Also, choose an avatar that shows your current look, as this is the first image that will be seen—it must represent what they will be seeing on set if they cast you for a project.

I believe that covers the basics! Like I said before, my profile is ever changing and is not perfect, but this is what people have positively responded to. Keep information prudent to your cause and use your profile as a tool to get more from this site.

1. Getting started as a model

Model: Ashley Graham; Photographer: Ken Marcus

Ashley Graham discusses what it takes to be successful as a freelance model. She draws on her personal experience doing mainly nude and fetish modeling and gives helpful advice for models with similar interests. Read the full article…

2. Model rates: Advice for freelance models

Model: Aviva; Photographer: IMS PHOTOGRAPHIC

Regular MM Edu contributor Aviva provides an honest assessment of model rates and lists “6 things to consider when setting your rates.” Read the full article…

3. Avoiding scams: The basics

Avoiding Scams: The basics from Model Mayhem on Vimeo.

We made this video and article to inform you of the basics of how to avoid scams. It covers some of the most common scams, how to avoid them, and a number of resources that will help protect you. Read the full article…

4. How height, weight and age influence getting signed by an agency

Model: Paige Morgan; Photographer: Kaitlyn Barlow;
Hair Stylist: Gracie Baptiste; Makeup Artist: Julissa Lopez

Paige Morgan answers some of the most frequently asked questions in the modeling industry. She covers height requirements for fashion and commercial modeling, plus size modeling, and options for models that don’t meet the standard requirements. Read the full article…

5. Ditch your cell phone pics

Photographers: wynnesome (center); RebeccaChristine (top left & right-center);
Merry P (top-right & lower-left); Eye of Sicari (lower-right)

This article is for models in need of a little help building their online portfolio and profile. It lists 6 types of photos not to include, like cell phone pics, photos you took in the bathroom mirror, pics where you had to crop out another person, and more. It also gives advice on “how to get good photos for free” in 7 easy steps. Read the full article…

6. The Model Mayhem interview: Lauren Vickers

Photographer: MPPhotograph; Model: Lauren Vickers

Stunning Australian model Lauren Vickers took time out of her busy worldwide schedule to stop by the Model Mayhem office in Los Angeles. We discussed how Lauren got started as a model (hint: being 5’9 at just eleven years old helped), her extensive work and credits, being a TV presenter, and a Playboy Playmate of the Year! We also talked about how Lauren wants to help younger models progress in the industry. Read the full interview…

7. The secret to landing your first magazine cover

Photographer: Armond Scipione

Armond Scipione discusses how to land your first magazine cover, and Armond knows what he’s talking about. He was a successful model, with many covers to his name, before becoming a photographer. He explains two basic methods he used, dealing with rejection and how to find the right photographers to work with. Read the full article…

8. Using window light

Photographer: Tom deL; Models: Susie B & Anne Schaar

This two part series on Using Window Light by Tom deL was our most popular photography how-to article. Part one covers the basics of light shaping, from using a single source to using windows for rim lighting. In part two, Tom explains how to deal with difficulties like uneven light levels and color temperature shift by using reflectors or in post-production. He also discusses how to use backlighting effectively by controlling your exposure and aperture. Read the full article…

9. MM profile etiquette for models

Model: Tristin Huntamer; Photographer: FSJ Photography

Tristin Huntamer shows how to get the most out of your Model Mayhem profile. She provides helpful advice on what to include and maybe more importantly, what not to include. Tristin also covers how to “thematically order profile information into visually distinct sections,” the type of things you should emphasize, the importance of clearly stating your standards and expectations, and keeping your profile up to date. Read the full article…

10. The Model Mayhem interview: Christie Gabriel

Model: Christie Gabriel; Photographer: Duke Morse

Christie Gabriel is an international fashion model with over 12 years of experience in runway, commercial, editorial, music video, fine art and spokesmodeling. She has been represented by agencies such as Elite and Irene Marie, but in 2012 Christie authored, “The Self-made Model – Success without Agencies.”

We talked to Christie about her career and why she’s so much happier now as a freelance model, agencies, exclusive versus non-exclusive contracts, and much more. She also discusses her book and “The Future of Modeling.” If you didn’t receive a copy of Christie’s excellent book over the holidays, make use of that gift card and order one today. Read the full interview…

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We hope you enjoyed our top 10 and all the other articles and videos we published in 2012. We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to MM Edu because without your submissions it wouldn’t be possible for us to share your valuable insights and incredible photos.

We’re looking forward to bringing you more great articles in 2013, so keep on sending those submissions and suggestions.

- MM Edu

Help us help you.  We would like to rid your inbox of spam, scams, porn and other PMs that don’t abide by our rules.  Now with PM Flagging, you can help us identify senders of such messages and alert us to their presence.  By flagging a PM, you’ll be “dinging” that member. After too many dings, their future PMs will be automatically sent to spam.

(Don’t worry – PM Flagging doesn’t give us access to the actual contents of PMs. We just see the flags on the back end.)

Here’s how PM Flagging works. The bottom left of each PM has a “Flag this PM/Sender” link.

If you click it, you’ll get a popup, where you’ll select a reason for flagging. (You cannot flag a PM without a reason.)

You can also choose to block the sender in this popup. (You can manage your “Block List” in your My Stuff section.)

Once you’ve clicked “send” to flag a message, the message goes into your Spam folder. All flagged messages, regardless of reason for flagging, go to Spam. Once messages are in Spam, you can delete them with the “Trash Selected” button or move them out of Spam to your Inbox or other mail folders.

That’s it! It’s a pretty simple feature. Using it will help us catch scammers/spammers/creeps and stop them from messaging people.

If you have questions about PM Flagging, please ask the mods in CAM. Thanks!

For those of you who want to use it (it’s an optional feature), the app’s called “My MM,” and it shares notice of basic Model Mayhem actions on your Facebook profile. You control what’s shared and how it’s shared.

Here’s how the app works.

Actions shared

The app shares three actions on your Facebook profile:

• Uploading photos
• Changing avatar
• Posting a casting call/travel/availability notice

Model Mayhem side

The app affects two areas, your Model Mayhem profile and your Facebook profile. We’ll talk about the Model Mayhem side first.

In My Stuff > Settings > Facebook Sharing, you’ll see a check box to “Share My Photos and Castings on my Facebook Timeline.” This is a global setting that automatically selects Facebook sharing for the actions mentioned above.

Note: Even if you have this global setting checked, you can still opt not to share on Facebook for any individual action. Each of the above actions has a check box for that.

Note: The global setting might not work fully on Internet Explorer, but you’ll still be able to opt in or out of sharing for individual actions.

When you first share on Facebook, you’ll be asked to log into Facebook and allow the app for your profile. Once you’ve allowed the app for your profile, sharing on Facebook will occur for a particular action only if you’ve checked the appropriate check box and are logged into Facebook. If you aren’t logged into Facebook, the act of sharing will ask you to log in.

Note: M-rated images or anything even close to M-rated SHOULD NOT be shared via this Facebook app! Remember that Facebook’s photo policies are different than Model Mayhem’s (stricter), and you do not want to get in trouble with the big FB.

Facebook side

Actions that you choose to share on Facebook will appear in a widget box called “My MM” on the right side of your Timeline. These actions will also appear in your Facebook friends’ feeds according to their and your feed settings.

To make an individual action appear on your Timeline, go to the pencil icon in the My MM widget box and select “View Individual Stories,” or click on the Activity Log link at the upper right of your profile. Then click on the right-side open/closed circle icon for the action, and select “Shown on Timeline.”

Removing the app from your Facebook profile

You can remove the MM app from your Facebook profile in two ways:

1. Log into your Facebook profile. Go to Account Settings > Apps and click the “x” for the My MM app.
2. Click the pencil icon on the right side of the “My MM” app widget box and select “Remove My MM”.

That’s it! We hope you enjoy this app. Get out there and start sharing your Mayhem!

To embed images on your profile, you’ll be working in your “edit profile” page: http://www.modelmayhem.com/mystuff/profile/edit.

Note that we do not allow M-rated images on profiles.

Embedded images on your profile come from two places: inside your portfolio and outside your portfolio. We’ll discuss both options, as well as how to turn your images into links.

1. EMBEDDING IMAGES FROM INSIDE YOUR PORTFOLIO

We recommend this first, as your portfolio images lack the bandwidth and date expiration limitations that third parties outside Model Mayhem sometimes have. There are two ways to embed images from inside your portfolio, using MM Forum Code and using the image URL.

A. Using MM Forum Code

This is the easiest way to embed images on your profile, as we’ve already done the work for you.

(1) Small

To embed a small version of a portfolio image on your profile, click on the “MM Forum Code” link below the image. That will reveal a bunch of code highlighted in blue. Simply copy (Ctrl-C or Command-C) and paste (Ctrl-V or Command-V) that code into the text box in your profile editor. Click “update” at the bottom of the page to save. The embedded image on your profile will link to the image in your portfolio.

(2) Full size

To embed a portfolio image in full size on your profile, follow the instructions in (1) above, except remove “_m” from the code (it appears just before “.jpg”).

B. Using the image URL

This way requires a little more work than 1A. Right-click on your portfolio image to get its URL. Depending on your browser, you’ll select an option like “Copy Image Location” (Firefox), “Copy Image URL” (Google Chrome), or “Properties > Address” (Internet Explorer). Copy and paste the URL into your “edit profile” page text box. Add [img] and [/img] to the beginning and end of the URL with no spaces. Your finished code will look like:

[img]http://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/numbersandlettersandslashes.jpg[/img]

2. EMBEDDING IMAGES FROM OUTSIDE YOUR PORTFOLIO

This is a little more uncertain, as images hosted elsewhere sometimes have bandwidth or date expiration limitations. Additionally, do not infringe upon others’ copyrights or trademarks. Make sure you have permission before embedding images that are hosted elsewhere.

A. Images hosted elsewhere

Add [img] and [/img] to the beginning and end of the image URL with no spaces. Your finished code will probably look like: [img]http://someurl.com.jpg[/img]. You can only embed image types supported by browsers, e.g., JPEG, GIF, PNG.

B. Images not hosted elsewhere (i.e., on your hard drive)

If an image is on your hard drive, you’ll need to upload it online somewhere. Here are three typical places to upload images: Photobucket, Imageshack, Flickr. Online image repositories like these typically have a sharing option called something like “IMG code” or “Forum code”. Simply copy and paste that into your “edit profile” text box. If that isn’t available, try the directions in 2A.

3. HOW TO TURN YOUR IMAGES INTO LINKS

To turn your image into a link, add [url=URLWHEREYOUWANTTOLINKTO] and [/url] immediately outside your [img][/img] tags with no spaces. For example, to link an image to Model Mayhem’s home page, your code would look like this:

[url=http://modelmayhem.com][img]http://URLofyourphoto.com.jpg[/img][/url]

That’s it! Go embed images on your profile. (Just don’t overdo it!)

(Note that only Premium and VIP members can embed images on their profiles. To upgrade to Premium and VIP status, go here.)