Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
I'd guess that they are turned off by the $50 per hour rate

Garry k wrote:
2 questions would come to mind if I were a Model

Firstly why would You not be able t find suitable Models in your own area?

Secondly is this a Scam? (Because. Lot of scams start out sounding like this )

These could be some of the main issues..
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Also, trying to book someone a year out is probably hit or miss, at best, a lot of people have no idea what their lives are going to be like in a year,  go ahead and plan the idea, and then maybe 2 or 3 months in advance, once you have everything planned out, then start recruiting.

Also, may not hurt to include some of the minor details about the project, don't reveal everything, but a brief synopsis might help.

Also, look at the models that will be traveling to your area at that time, you never know what you might find.

Is there a reason why you aren't wanting to use local models?

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
I'd guess that they are turned off by the $50 per hour rate

Hmm. I can understand that. I suppose having around $2000 payment, plus travel, food and lodging reimbursed isn't as appealing if the payment is less than they value themselves per hour.

Garry k wrote:
Firstly why would You not be able t find suitable Models in your own area?

Secondly is this a Scam? (Because. Lot of scams start out sounding like this )

Answer 1: I seek faces that fit the style of beauty that I want to fill my world with. And in my area, there aren't any women available that have the features I want on MM.
Answer 2: Interesting, I'll have to study up on these modeling scams so I don't look like them.

Leo Howard wrote:
Also, trying to book someone a year out is probably hit or miss, at best, a lot of people have no idea what their lives are going to be like in a year,  go ahead and plan the idea, and then maybe 2 or 3 months in advance, once you have everything planned out, then start recruiting.

Also, may not hurt to include some of the minor details about the project, don't reveal everything, but a brief synopsis might help.

Also, look at the models that will be traveling to your area at that time, you never know what you might find.

Is there a reason why you aren't wanting to use local models?

You have very good points. I'm going to take this into consideration.
Primary reason for not using local models is because The ones I want for my work aren't available because they aren't even  logging in to MM. Secondary reason is that the models that are logging in don't fit what I want in my vision.

In my opinion, it sucks.

SayCheeZ!  wrote:
There's many posts about this phenomenon.
Here's the latest one:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/982520

Thanks for your contribution.

Mark Salo wrote:
It's probably just me but "Quick Question" always sets my teeth on edge.

Rather than saying $50/hr, why don't you say this up front: " . . . around $2000 payment, plus travel, food and lodging reimbursed  . . ."

"Answer 1: I seek faces that fit the style of beauty that I want to fill my world with." Don't you photograph feet?

In regard to the price suggestion, thanks for pointing that out. It does sound a lot better than say, "$50/hr."

In regard to your question, I don't just do feet, I do the whole person. And I prefer someone who is absolutely smashing.

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
I'd guess that they are turned off by the $50 per hour rate

hahaha - yup... 400-500 per day for 5 days / travel & accommodations paid for - - -  sounds a lot better than 50 bucks an hour even though it's the same thing

MoRina wrote:
Traveling models are not really on MM anymore, especially fetish models, which is what you're looking for. They're on Twitter, some on Fetlife/Facebook/Instagram.
Traveling models typically make their own travel and lodging arrangements. Search for travel notices in your area. Instead of paying lodging and travel, plan on paying the going rates for fetish work. I don't think anyone works for under $100/hr anymore, even non-nude work. You can negotiate a day rate or half day rate and typically save a bit.
If you pay for flights/travel and hotels you will end up paying even when a model flakes on you or her plans have to change due to covid, etc.

You have a good point about the paying for lodging and travel. I'll take that into consideration.

However, I specifically try not to work with Fetish Models; my past experiences show me they tend to make the whole experience far too transactional and the whole shoot loses its spontaneity.

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
I'd guess that they are turned off by the $50 per hour rate

^^^ THAT.

I would never work for $50/hr. Also it is WAY too far out to plan something like that.

There is a such thing as travel notices on here and there are a ton of models in the DC area.

Aisbarika wrote:
You have a good point about the paying for lodging and travel. I'll take that into consideration.

However, I specifically try not to work with Fetish Models; my past experiences show me they tend to make the whole experience far too transactional and the whole shoot loses its spontaneity.

That's your problem. You're a fetish producer who doesn't want to admit he's a fetish producer. You're in it for the "experience."  Got it.

G Reese wrote:
It don't take a math whiz to realize $50 to $60 is a base rate and another $50 to cover travel and food. That is how the model comes up with the $100+ hourly rate.

When I pay for travel, I pay separately.
Models don't make a habit of posting their pricing breakdown rationale on their profiles.

Model Sarah wrote:
There is a such thing as travel notices on here and there are a ton of models in the DC area.

I understand. The local models in D.C. just don't fit what I'm looking for.
But thanks for the addition of your perspective.
It further confirms what others have said about the number needing to be changed.

MoRina wrote:

That's you're problem. You're a fetish producer who doesn't want to admit he's a fetish producer. You're in it for the "experience."  Got it.

My impression as well at this point

Garry k wrote:

My impression as well at this point

I am glad you all find me so interesting.
But I don't see why this is so important.

Aisbarika wrote:
I am glad you all find me so interesting.
But I don't see why this is so important.

Interesting is not the word that I would use but I think that we now understand better why some travelling Models are not interested in responding to You

MoRina wrote:

That's you're problem. You're a fetish producer who doesn't want to admit he's a fetish producer. You're in it for the "experience."  Got it.

I just looked at the portfolio and it is foot fetish. If they were to be honest about that, and pay more, the response would be better. :shrug:

Model Sarah wrote:

I just looked at the portfolio and it is foot fetish. If they were to be honest about that, and pay more, the response would be better. :shrug:

Who says I'm not honest? The letter you all read was a qualifying letter.
To see who might want to travel for the gig. I haven't even explained the gig yet.

Aisbarika wrote:

Who says I'm not honest? The letter you all read was a qualifying letter.
To see who might want to travel for the gig. I haven't even explained the gig yet.

Well then what you are doing is lying or leading on the model. You need to be up front with the content first and foremost. MOST models do not do fetish work. You cannot expect someone to agree to traveling for something they are not comfortable with. That is VERY deceiving. And frankly, gross.

Model Sarah wrote:

Well then what you are doing is lying or leading on the model. You need to be up front with the content first and foremost. MOST models do not do fetish work. You cannot expect someone to agree to traveling for something they are not comfortable with. That is VERY deceiving. And frankly, gross.

You have made up a whole story about what I do without knowing the whole thing.

I ask if they are willing to travel first,  then I explain my work. If they have a problem with it then they can decline.
I am not being deceitful.

Aisbarika wrote:
You have made up a whole story about what I do without knowing the whole thing.

I ask if they are willing to travel first,  then I explain my work. If they have a problem with it then they can decline.
I am not being deceitful.

I did not make anything up. Myself and others have called you out on your BS. You are a foot fetish photographer who is not being up front about that in the initial message. No wonder you are not getting a response. Traveling is not your problem here. Not being honest about fetish work, is. You asked in your OP what you are doing wrong. THAT is what you are doing wrong.

Let's say for the sake of argument that your "projects" are something completely different than foot fetish work. Your portfolio leads to different conclusions so be honest about the content FIRST.

Aisbarika wrote:
I ask if they are willing to travel first,  then I explain my work. If they have a problem with it then they can decline.
I am not being deceitful.

You might have better success (at least with those models that work in that area), if you include the type of work upfront, AS WELL AS the "are they willing to travel" part.

I.E.  They don't feel completely caught off guard when they check out your portfolio.

If you want to build trust (very important), anything that they might find as an unexpected "surprise", should come from you right up front.  Just my personal opinion, but I strongly suspect that's exactly WHY you're not getting responses back.  They don't feel that you were being straight with them, to START with.

On top of that, as has been mentioned, you're also targeting a smaller number of models that are interested in that particular work to begin with.  Plus you want them to travel and work with you for a few days.   So "Trust" and "No Surprises" are even MORE important.

---

Although, Deb, I have to admit that I'm also puzzled about your refusal to work with existing fetish models (because they're too "transactional").  That's exactly what the paid modeling gig "is".  They're being compensated for their modeling skills.  Don't get confused on that point...

LightDreams wrote:
---

Although, Deb, I have to admit that I'm also puzzled about your refusal to work with existing fetish models (because they're too "transactional").  That's exactly what the paid modeling gig "is".  They're being compensated for their modeling skills.  Don't get confused on that point...

I was quite confused about that as well. Like, are they supposed to pretend to be a friend or something?

Model Sarah wrote:
I was quite confused about that as well. Like, are they supposed to pretend to be a friend or something?

I know you don't do fetish work, Sarah, but it's not uncommon for fetish photographers/producers to pull this crap. They don't want established fetish models because either they aren't honest to themselves that it's a sexual thing or they actually enjoy the naivete of models who don't understand exactly what's going on. That's why they want to pay travel and accomodations - it gives them complete access to the model while they are in town. They take the model out to eat, because they're covering meals and it gives them "free" time with the model so they get a girlfriend experience. Established fetish models aren't transactional, they're professional business people who don't put up with this shit. That's what someone looking to feel like it's a date finds off-putting.

MoRina wrote:

I know you don't do fetish work, Sarah, but it's not uncommon for fetish photographers/producers to pull this crap. They don't want established fetish models because either they aren't honest to themselves that it's a sexual thing or they actually enjoy the naivete of models who don't understand exactly what's going on. That's why they want to pay travel and accomodations - it gives them complete access to the model while they are in town. They take the model out to eat, because they're covering meals and it gives them "free" time with the model so they get a girlfriend experience. Established fetish models aren't transactional, they're professional business people who don't put up with this shit. That's what someone looking to feel like it's a date finds off-putting.

Whoa. That is quite enlightening.

So that is exactly this guy's problem. He doesn't like professional models because of what you just said. Ugh how gross. I used to have models in a facebook group think I was "better" than them because I have not had a bad experience and I couldn't relate to stuff like this or worse. The truth is that I am just a professional and that wards off creepy men or people with ill/gross intentions like this.

Model Sarah wrote:

Whoa. That is quite enlightening.

So that is exactly this guy's problem. He doesn't like professional models because of what you just said. Ugh how gross. I used to have models in a facebook group think I was "better" than them because I have not had a bad experience and I couldn't relate to stuff like this or worse. The truth is that I am just a professional and that wards off creepy men or people with ill/gross intentions like this.

Yeah, I'm glad I didn't start freelance modeling til I was in my mid 40's. I have too much street sense to not see right through this crap. Most of it is pulled on models who are young and don't know better, but even in the art photography world there are plenty of shenanigans. I changed my business model and cut the photographers/producers out and do my own photography and sell my own work now. I don't have to deal with anyone else and I make so much more money.

MoRina wrote:

Yeah, I'm glad I didn't start freelance modeling til I was in my mid 40's. I have too much street sense to not see right through this crap. Most of it is pulled on models who are young and don't know better, but even in the art photography world there are plenty of shenanigans. I changed my business model and cut the photographers/producers out and do my own photography and sell my own work now. I don't have to deal with anyone else and I make so much more money.

I totally hear that.

LightDreams wrote:
Although, Deb, I have to admit that I'm also puzzled about your refusal to work with existing fetish models (because they're too "transactional").  That's exactly what the paid modeling gig "is".  They're being compensated for their modeling skills.  Don't get confused on that point...

I read your post and I'm taking your suggestions into account. But, I'm not confused about the nature of the shoot as a business transaction. I elaborate more on it in my response to MoRina.

Garry k wrote:
Secondly You seem to have enjoyed some success with Models in the past-given the number of positive reviews on your profile… So what has happened since?

Finally_If a Model won’t travel to You then why sny you travel to them? New York is only a few hours:@away by car and I’ve been told that toucan find most any type of Model there

In regard to your second question, nothing has changed. I still treat people decently, and choose to work with people not in a fetish sphere. My only recent problem was trying to figure out how to get people to answer my message. Most of you have been very helpful in giving your perspectives.

In regard to your third question, I'm willing to travel to them. But I've gone through the work of building the network to support my work in my city.

I've contacted and worked with Hoteliers, Moteliers and Airbnb owners to find good lodgings near shoot locations and have ongoing agreements with them to house people while they are working on projects with me.
I've got lists of food establishments they can order from, and I provide a stipend for the duration of the work being done.
I've got Uber, Lyft and Taxi drivers who I pay to pick up and drop off people.

I've got a lot of logistics that I've built up. So, it's easier to bring them here, than me to go there.

But I'm not unwilling to travel.

MoRina wrote:
Established fetish models aren't transactional, they're professional business people who don't put up with this shit.

In my case it is actually that fetish models generally expect me to behave in that way, then, like you, act according to their preconcieved notions. There is a coldness, jadedness, discardedness and an assumption of my intent without ever inquiring as to who I am and only negatively assuming my motivations.

It says, "I know what you are, and I will treat you this way. Give me the money, and have a good day." And that is very transactional.

It can be very insulting when you do everything properly and still get casually disrespected by people you pay high fees to work with.

So, I don't work with those persons.

I've worked with Fetish Models in the past, and in the end, they absolutely loved me. But it does not take away from the fact that they began discourse with disrespect in tone and manner.

I do not need a girlfriend experience, nor am I dishonest about my sexuality. I prefer people to be genuinely polite, not using politeness to hide daggers. That behavior is very common where I reside.

Your idea of me, the work I create and my ideals is absolutely incorrect.

EDITED I left a sentence unfinished.

Garry k wrote:
I am wondering why You avoided the first question I asked

Oh, I just didn't think the question needed a major answer. I had been thinking about that topic in the past few days, and I didn't want to say, "Oh, I was just thinking about that."

But I guess now I did.

Aisbarika wrote:
Who says I'm not honest? The letter you all read was a qualifying letter.
To see who might want to travel for the gig. I haven't even explained the gig yet.

Perhaps not dishonest, but not exactly transparent either. Before I entertain traveling for a paid gig, I want to know what the gig actually is. Now perhaps that’s just me, but I suspect that many traveling models are similar. Given that lack of upfront information on your part about the job, it seems logical that a prospective model would look to your current portfolio for clues.

Aisbarika wrote:
In regard to your question, I don't just do feet, I do the whole person.

Yeah, that just doesn’t come across in your portfolio. Whether it’s feet, or faces with unique features, or something else, it looks like you’re asking for a very small niche, and possibly, as others have suggested, a fetish. Nothing at all wrong with that, but that fact doesn’t come through in your initial message, and that perceived lack of clarity may send up a red flag for savvy experienced models. Plus, your niche needs have reduced the potentially-suitable model population to a tiny sliver of the whole. If you’re hesitant to engage with the very portion of that sliver who is well-versed in delivering what you’re seeking…well, that could partially explain the difficulties you’re having.

Aisbarika wrote:
…having around $2000 payment, plus travel, food and lodging reimbursed…

If you live in a moderately large urban center that is also on the Acela corridor (i.e. one of the most densely populated segments of the country) and you have that much compensation available per model and you still can’t find models that fit your needs, that’s going to raise red flags.

tl;dr – You asked if you’re doing something incorrectly. Your approach and expectations have several significant stumbling blocks and potholes.

AgX wrote:
tl;dr – You asked if you’re doing something incorrectly. Your approach and expectations have several significant stumbling blocks and potholes.

Thank you for that perspective.