I've tried the asking complete stranger to model or pose for shots off the street and have gotten a wide range of answers and the results of those will never be seen in my portfolio... i'm not saying that it won't work for you tho so give it a try and see what type of results you get.

The few times I have tried with relative strangers, I have gotten the "what the Fluck" look and then watch them run in shear terror. With aquatinces, I get enough double talk to choke a horse, then watch them run in shear terror. It gets depressing some days.

Several weeks ago I was tasked with finding a male model that looked like a body builder. We needed this person for some Navistar ads and the client didn't want to use standard agencies because the talent usage numbers were a budget killer. It so happens I was on my way to pick up my daughter when I noticed this monster guy cutting his grass. I stopped the car, got out and introduced myself, and took iPhone shots of him for client approval. He did the job, made a nice hunk of change and everyone was happy.

I do stuff like that all the time.

Emeritus wrote:

<SNIP> ...We've scheduled it for tomorrow evening; I'll let you know if it worked out. 

And???

Michael Banks wrote:

Do you ever try to recruit new models and how would you suggest doing it?

I just try to be brief, nonthreatening, give them a way to contact me if interested, & specifically tell them that I don't need an answer immediately.

Also I don't advise using any of the following phrases: art, pose, or nudity. They all psychologically translate to being porn whether it was remotely what you had in mind or not. Don't ask me why.

Michael Banks wrote:

I've done a lot of asking and have had mixed results.  As a theater major, I have many gorgeous actor acquaintances who I have worked with who seem enthusiastic when I talk to them about modeling but never respond when I try to actually set something up.  One of them has a summer job as an honest-to-god Disney princess at Disneyworld and is just gorgeous!  On the other hand, I was at a party and this knockout beauty walks in.  A mutual friend who was sitting with me on the couch called her over, introduced me, and suggested that she model for me.  I just got a message from her that she loves my portfolio and that she wants to work with me.  I'm going to set up a senior portrait style shoot for next week on one of the local college campuses to help beef up my portfolio in that area and I think that a shoot like this is a good way for a photographer and model to get to know each other in a safe / low pressure environment.

That's your in! Actors can always use headshots whether they realize it or not.

Michael Banks wrote:

What has been your experience?  Any horror stories?  Is the thought that every male photographer is just a GWC ingrained in the minds of most beautiful women?

Think of it like a numbers game. The more people you ask to work w/ you, you increase the liklihood in someone actually responding. Though in my experience the actual percentages stay about the same. So you have to ask a lot & NOT be afraid of rejection. You're looking for the person that will say yes & follow through on it. Not the 90% that will say no.

All the models I have shot were internet models in this type of sites. Some are startup and don't have much experience but they have a better understanding. I don't think I would contact someone on the street if I am working on a project that have no sense of what they are doing.

As often as possible. Sometimes I offer them fee balloons as an incentive to shoot with me.

Kevlar Vest Girl wrote:

As often as possible. Sometimes I offer them fee balloons as an incentive to shoot with me.

that made me laff so hard, a tiny bit of poop escaped me...*TRUE*

I have a secret weapon: I moonlight a couple of nights a week as a bouncer. Hot chicks come in and out of the bar all the time. They see some of my work hanging on the wall in the bar. It's a foot in the door. I've recruited more than a few non-industry people to model for me just by spending a few hours a week getting paid to pick up empty beer bottles and check ID's.

Facebook has also been a tremendous resource, recruiting "friends of friends". I've been quite successful with that.

toesup wrote:

Yeah.. I've asked complete strangers..

"Excuse me, I'm a photographer and notice you have lovely hair / features / smile*.. "
Present card
"Have a look at my website and let me know if you are interested.."
Smile.. then walk away..

* = pick a feature

It works 1 in 10 times... Try to keep it short and sweet.. and professional!

-Straight forward and simple
-works well for me too.

proshotphoto wrote:

I am a professional photographer.
Like any other business man i advertise and do so effectively or i would not be in business.
Because i advertise effectively they come to me and ask how much.
Guy;s begging girls for attention never worked as no one is impressed nor should they be with panhandling.
I have never talked to a stranger about a session whithout telling them my rates.
I am busy and have been a full time photographer for 5 years.
My competition is over 500 guys with cameras begging for attention in my city so the truth is:
Beggars cannot be choosers - is still true today.

I cannot teach you how to deal with women - if you do not already know - but i might suggest shooting dogs - they are much easier to deal with and the owners usually love to see thier pet get some attention. 

In my area of business, what the OP is referring to is known as street casting. Street casting has nothing to do with TFanything, it is a legitimate and valuable part of the normal routine of a commercial photographer who specializes in people oriented imagery. Your post is rather short sighted.

What is being asked for here is some better pick up lines or as you might call them streat casting BAIT.
It has been called a casting couch in the past too.

Like how do i fool the innocent fish in to bighting and maybe doing stuff she too often regrets later.  LOL

Truth probably will not help.
You look pretty unusual and great for some modelling gigs if your cheap, free and available to work for nothing.
If you tell that truth you do not need a line to bull shit them but you will probably not be successful.

Try (Hey honey your the hottest babe on the planet and I can make you a star) LOL

something like that works probably pretty well
after all if your going for the bull shit lines why not blow it way out of promotion.

Those who make it as models or photographers are skilled business people and they have to work very hard to promote themselves professionally and the last thing anyone needs ot the scam they your the ONE who will Discover her. 

Tell them the real truth - chances are you will only get some free photos out of the deal but that is were my advise stops cause i am in this for ME not you.

Even when i was younger looking for a girlfriend i could not understand the bull shit scams guys come up with to sell themselves and that is what this thread is about.

I will probably get a reply again saying WHO ME - NOT ME I am offended.  lol