Models Under 18 Years Old - Please Read Guest Editorial By Mark Anderson www.M-L-Anderson.com   Warning about Internet contacts When you want to contact a photographer via the Internet, it should be via your parents and not directly by you. They MUST me fully engaged and supportive of your modeling aspirations because they will be REQUIRED to be PRESENT at the shoot and sign all of the Releases. As a photographer, I involve them in the shoot itself, helping me and helping you. I can't stress it enough - THEY MUST BE INVOLVED WITH YOUR COMMUNICATIONS AND MODELING. Although the Internet is a great place for self promotion and getting information about modeling, it's not a fully safe environment. If your parents are not aware that you are communicating with a photographer, they should be, and I recommend that you sit with them and discuss together what you want to communicate to the photographer. Then draft the note together using their email address, not yours. You may also suggest that they call the photographer - most will post their phone number on their web site - mine's there. I insist that I speak with the parents prior to consenting to do a shoot. Many times that's the last time I hear from the model. Guess I know the amount of dedication and honesty in those cases... My studio is what I consider a "model safe" environment, but it's that way only because I insist on parents being fully involved and encouraging EVERY model to bring someone with them. Like I said earlier, I even put them to work. If you want to shoot with me or get my advice on any aspects of modeling, it MUST be through your parents. It's that simple. Sorry, but it's for your own good... When contacting a Photographer Once you have your parents involved, you need to describe what types of modeling you want to do, what training you have had, why you want to model, a little about yourself [your stats] and anything else you can think of to help the photographer decide if they will do the shoot or not. It really helps to attach a photo, but do not give out your phone number or address in this first exchange of notes. It's important to be honest with yourself and the photographer. Be as specific as you can about your goals, your training, and your interest in the session. If you are looking for free pictures and are not committed to modeling (or at least trying to model) then that's not a good reason to shoot with you. If you say you want to be a model because you think it's like you see on TV, then be prepared to be disappointed - most shoots are far from the Hollywood version of modeling. Test Shoots and TFP are an investment of the photographer's time and talent. They haven't got time to waste if you are not serious. You need to be actively practicing poses - walks - facial expressions, building a pose book, learning about modeling and the "business" of modeling, and building your skills at every opportunity you can. It's a fact that talent won't make up for lack of drive and drive won't make up for lack of talent. A pretty face and body are only the most BASIC of elements of modeling - it's not an easy business - and it takes dedication and education.