Blog: sessions, travel, education and more
Photographer Model Calls | Why I do them.
I do a lot of model calls and have large group of models I work with. In fact I have a Facebook Group for model calls. I have over 100 members of the group, most in the North Texas area, but others from all over in case I want to do a model call when I travel too.
Why do I have them?
Some photographers use this as a way to boost their income. I have done this in the past, but not something I like to do. That is not my main focus of model calls. Yes some of my models do book a regular session later or buy photos from the model shoot, but they do get discounts off the sessions they book and the products.they buy. They can also earn products with my referral program with points system and purchase products with their points.
So what is my referral program? It’s a points earning system, the more they post on social media the more points they get. Refer someone to me and the get points. They need to keep track of their points, I recommend they develop their own hashtag to keep track of post.
What type of model calls do I do?
Equestrian; Were the focus is on the equestrian with their horse. Some call it horse & rider sessions, but I prefer equestrian sessions as not all equestrians are riders. I will also call them horse and humans sessions. It all depends on your definition of equestrian. These can be range from casual portraits, action under saddle or lifestyle.
Equine; Horses of all breeds. Can be conformation, liberty, headshots, pasture and more.
Model; Only a person or couple or even a family, no horses.
Reasons I do model calls.
Practice: Even though I have been doing this for many years, you can never have too much practice. Especially during slow seasons. I will admit that I loose motivation when I am not busy, so this is a way to get the motivation back. Also keeps me sharp and in “shooting” shape.
Example: After the lock-down last spring, I realized not shooting sessions for almost 2 months I lost the stamina to do a long session. I did a practice session with my daughter when the announced that we would be able to open up again soon and glad I did.
Stock Images: I sell a lot of stock images and their are certain type of images that don’t happen during photo sessions so I will do a model call for these.
Example: I visited a local equine vet and photographed a few procedures.
Need stock images visit my stock image site.
Creative outlet: Sometime I want to try something a little different for my own personal project. Usually involves some sort of props.
Example: Did a July 4th shoot with smoke bombs, earlier in the year-lots and lots of glitter. Every Halloween on of my assistants comes up a great shoot, which is more her creativity, I just find creative ways to photograph it.
Marketing & Social Media; I might need models for an event or other marketing material. Also when I post on my business page for a model call it gets so much interaction it always helps my social media algorithms.
Example: I have family mini sessions planned at a new location and needed images for my website and Facebook event page. I also did a promo video earlier this year.
Want to learn more on social media marketing visit my class on EPN.
Photography education/styled shoots: I do a yearly 3 day workshop and need numerous models. I also need models for mentor sessions, classes and video recordings for webinars. Styled shoots as well require models.
Example: Having a model for a mentor session so I can explain posing, using light is much better than just describing the methods.
Interested in equine photography education, visit my website.
Area I notice I am not getting a response from: I live in areas where there are more horse saturated than other areas. Those more saturated areas I have plenty of clients and get referrals from them. When I notice I am not getting referrals from certain location I will find some one in that area and reach out to them.
Example: My own hometown I have noticed a drastic drop in Senior sessions . I my kids where my referral system, but they graduated awhile back and I haven’t followed up on getting sessions here. I reached out to someone looking on my town’s Facebook group and have them scheduled for a model shoot soon.
My website: I have a style closet that I offer clients to borrow from and need photos of the items. I also want images of locations I shoot at.
Visit my Style Closet.
For fun: I enjoy what I do and love to shoot with other photographers that have the same passion as me. If I have a photographer friend coming into town and wants to shoot, I am glad a I have some great models to call on to set something up.
All the images on this blog where from recent model calls
Adrieen & Prince | Gypsy Horse & Equestrian Model
When I saw Adrieen post photos of Prince on her Facebook page, I immediately contacted to say let’s do a photoshoot. Adrieen is one of my equestrian models and is always up for a shoot. We where lucky enough to photograph Prince two different times before he left for his home back East. First shoot was at the ranch she works at in Gainesville and the then we did some at the Fort Worth Stockyards, where Prince gathered quite a lot of attention.
Reagan & Amber | Young Cowgirl Equestrian Session
Reagan is the cutest! I needed to do some product shots and she volunteered . Of course we did some shots for fun.
Kelly & Rio | An Equestrian Photo Session
Kelly is one of my equestrian models and I love how much preparation she put into her photo session. Each outfit was thought out for her horse’s color, the location and the look she wanted. Kelly made a beautiful floral wreath for her horse, Rio. She did an instructional video on Instagram how she made it too. We her session at Bay Yard Farms in Bartonville, Texas.
Bailey & Pepper | Byron Nelson High School | Senior Photographer
Despite the wind and the 1st cold snap of the season, Bailey had a great session. So much personality and energy! We did her most of her session in Argyle at her trainers where her horse, Pepper is kept before moving to Lantana for some photos without her horse.
Anelise & Addy | Keller Photographer | Equestrian Portraits
Anelise won a gift certificate I donated to the North Texas Fair Horse Show. Her session was scheduled they day after she returned from the Texas State 4H Horse Show. All recommend doing sessions following a show since your horse is clipped, cleanand tired. Addy was well- behaved, but still very attentive. Both were great to work with.
Anelise and her horse Addy ride under the guidance of Kimberly Young of Fancy Pants Ranch in Keller Texas.
Mattie | Equestrian Model | Equine Photographer | Weatherford Texas
Mattie is one of my equestrian models for 2017. Mattie and her horse Guns R Spooky "Avatar" have been having a great year and I am always seeing their names pop up winning many titles in Reining. Including a recent World Championship at the AQHYA World Show in Oklahoma Texas.
Mattie trains under the guidance of Deary Performance Horses in Weatherford Texas. Mattie had some great images and already has been on the cover of CR World Magazine.
Hair & Makeup by Shelia of Horse Show Makeup Artist.
2017 North Texas Equine Photography Workshop
The 2017 North Texas Equine Photography was held last May. Had some great photographers attending and I love the photos they took. The 3 day workshop was full of some great locations, beautiful models, both horse and human. We all met Thursday evening for a meet & greet at Barley & Board located on the Denton Square. We meet at one of my favorite Ranches, XO Ranch, early Friday morning and photographed a young lady and her horse. After lunch Friday we returned to my studio for some Lightroom and Photoshop tutorials. Friday evening's shoot was just up the road and we had the opportunity to photograph a beautiful quarter horse stallion, mare and foals. Along with a newly married bride in her wedding dress. One of my equestrian models volunteered her time giving us one more subjects to photograph. Saturday morning we headed north to Sebastian Petrols Reining Horses and shot some reining horses in action as well as some casual shots. After lunch we did more classroom work at the studio. Saturday evening we visited Sergeant Ranch in Pilot Point. We photographed and Danish Warmblood and did black background photos and some Dressage photos. The big treat was a half Friesian that was converted into a unicorn! Sunday morning we had some rain (with lots of lightning) delays so we decided to grab breakfast first. When the rain passed we went to Cardinal Ranch in Aubrey and photographed some mares and foals. They put on a great show. Our last stop was Dryden Ranch and we did some conformation and liberty photos. I think all the attendees were tired when we were done, but come back with some great images and everyone learn a lot. Not only from me, but from each other. I started a Facebook group for them and everyone still keeps in contact giving tips, advice and words of encouragement.
Upcoming workshops are coming up this fall and spring 2018. Visit the Workshop page for more info.
Please enjoy photos taken by workshop attendees
Ruth Gray - Derby Kansas
Caitlin Demura Photography - Terrell Texas
Rebecca Keith Photography - Collinsville Texas
Sweet Sentiments by Lynn Schwab - Cornith Texas
Chelle Ann Photography - Houston Texas
