Author Topic: Why is it so hard to find stock with non-white male models? (Read 13826 times)

AEK · « **on:** March 29, 2014, 18:39 »

I'm an author, and I'm wondering if you guys know why it's so difficult to find non-white male models. There are hundreds of white models... but I'm having a heck of a time finding an african male model who fits with my story (mixed race, younger, handsome, serious.)

If you have any tips where to find that sort of stock, I'm open. I'm willing to pay more for the right image, but if I'm completely honest, really my budget dictates I only license images from sites like DepositPhotos. I've looked into getting custom shoots, or licensing photos from photographers, but I can't afford hundreds or thousands of dollars for a very limited use license.

So, in the end, I'm just wondering why non-white models are so difficult to find on microstock sites. All my author friends talk about this all the time. We'd be snapping up pics that feature non-white models and couples.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2014, 19:03 »

Try this search and then use the filter options at the top to sort by your favorite ethnicity:
http://www.stocksy.com/search?src=head&text=man

I have some non-Caucasian models, but in general, I don't get a lot of response when I put up casting calls. Can't tell you why.

mike ledray · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2014, 19:08 »

Quote from: AEK on March 29, 2014, 18:39

I'm an author, and I'm wondering if you guys know why it's so difficult to find non-white male models. There are hundreds of white models... but I'm having a heck of a time finding an african male model who fits with my story (mixed race, younger, handsome, serious.)

If you have any tips where to find that sort of stock, I'm open. I'm willing to pay more for the right image, but if I'm completely honest, really my budget dictates I only license images from sites like DepositPhotos. I've looked into getting custom shoots, or licensing photos from photographers, but I can't afford hundreds or thousands of dollars for a very limited use license.

So, in the end, I'm just wondering why non-white models are so difficult to find on microstock sites. All my author friends talk about this all the time. We'd be snapping up pics that feature non-white models and couples.

I have a ton of Good Looking Black and African American Male (and female) models here

http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&language=en&ref_site=photo&search_source=search_form&version=llv1&anyorall=all&safesearch=1&search_tracking_id=KP6pfI5rmyHf0Ibfh-AiqA&searchterm=black+guy&show_color_wheel=1&orient=&commercial_ok=&media_type=images&search_cat=&searchtermx=&photographer_name=mikeledray&people_gender=&people_age=&people_ethnicity=&people_number=&color=

Hopefully you can find what you need in my gallery
Let me know if you have a Specific look or need, I may already have it or be able to shoot it for you on spec.

Thank
Mike

sdeva · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2014, 19:41 »

You may find some on my port perhaps,

http://goo.gl/aDyDJq

Tryingmybest · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2014, 21:16 »

There seems to be very little effort to load up on non-white male models. However, there seems to be very few non-white male photographers and illustrators from what I've seen. I find the same thing as an illustrator. So I make many of my people non-white. Growing up, I always lamented not seeing positive images with such models. So I've made it a point to create more of them on my own. Suffice it to say, I have lots of sales for them in Africa, South Asia and parts of the Americas.

Quote from: AEK on March 29, 2014, 18:39

I'm an author, and I'm wondering if you guys know why it's so difficult to find non-white male models. There are hundreds of white models... but I'm having a heck of a time finding an african male model who fits with my story (mixed race, younger, handsome, serious.)

If you have any tips where to find that sort of stock, I'm open. I'm willing to pay more for the right image, but if I'm completely honest, really my budget dictates I only license images from sites like DepositPhotos. I've looked into getting custom shoots, or licensing photos from photographers, but I can't afford hundreds or thousands of dollars for a very limited use license.

So, in the end, I'm just wondering why non-white models are so difficult to find on microstock sites. All my author friends talk about this all the time. We'd be snapping up pics that feature non-white models and couples.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2014, 22:04 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on March 29, 2014, 19:03

Try this search and then use the filter options at the top to sort by your favorite ethnicity:
http://www.stocksy.com/search?src=head&text=man

I have some non-Caucasian models, but in general, I don't get a lot of response when I put up casting calls. Can't tell you why.

I'm home now, so I can post a direct link:
http://www.stocksy.com/search?text=man&ethnicity=Black&ethnicity=Mixed%20Race&ethnicity=Middle%20Eastern&page=1&pageSize=200&sort=curated

lisafx · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2014, 23:02 »

Not sure what you want the model to be doing. Are you looking for a business pose, or more daily activities? If you wanted to be more specific I am sure most of us could direct you to good examples.

In general, you have identified an important hole in the stock collections, and I am sure a number of people will be taking that into account and trying to fill it.

Hope this doesn't count as pimping, but I have several African-American male models in medical settings, and educational settings, including both kids and adults. If that's what you're looking for you can PM me and I will send you some links.

shudderstok · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2014, 23:26 »

http://www.istockphoto.com/search/text/black%20man/filetypes/photos,illustrations,video/source/basic#1611ec9a

you should find what you need in the Istock collection.

MxR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2014, 03:55 »

In seconds i found 16500 images in shutter writting "african family" and 76600 images writting "african man".

Is not hard.

mike ledray · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2014, 12:08 »

Heck contact ME Directly and I will give you an Amazing Deal on all the Black Guy Model Pics you need!

We can make a deal that I know we both will be thrilled with!

Pixart · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2014, 12:22 »

I have a real answer: I live in the whitest place on the planet! (I do have a couple models but not what you are looking for though.) I moved to central Canada from Toronto and the lack-of-diversity was shocking!

dbvirago · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2014, 20:37 »

How does this work?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2014, 20:49 »

Hopefully the OP will return with more comments...

lisafx · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2014, 22:16 »

Quote from: dbvirago on March 30, 2014, 20:37

How does this work?

Funny, from the limited description given, this was pretty exactly what I imagined he was asking for. Nice looking model and pose. Hope you get the sale.

If not I agree with Sean. More direction frm the OP would be helpful.

Gunter Nezhoda · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:18 »

Quote from: AEK on March 29, 2014, 18:39

I'm an author, and I'm wondering if you guys know why it's so difficult to find non-white male models. There are hundreds of white models... but I'm having a heck of a time finding an african male model who fits with my story (mixed race, younger, handsome, serious.)

If you have any tips where to find that sort of stock, I'm open. I'm willing to pay more for the right image, but if I'm completely honest, really my budget dictates I only license images from sites like DepositPhotos. I've looked into getting custom shoots, or licensing photos from photographers, but I can't afford hundreds or thousands of dollars for a very limited use license.

So, in the end, I'm just wondering why non-white models are so difficult to find on microstock sites. All my author friends talk about this all the time. We'd be snapping up pics that feature non-white models and couples.

Several in my portfolio on Deposit Photos
http://depositphotos.com/portfolio-1024641.html

LesPalenik · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:30 »

It could be the Search problem.
If you enter - Black, African-American, or African American, you may get different results at different agencies.
Sometimes, you'll have to try several variations to find the right image.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2014, 06:41 »

Quote from: lisafx on March 30, 2014, 22:16

Funny, from the limited description given, this was pretty exactly what I imagined he was asking for. Nice looking model and pose. Hope you get the sale.

If not I agree with Sean. More direction frm the OP would be helpful.

I think an author looking for something like that would find it easily. I'm imagining some other kind of writing. Romance, life advice, travel, etc.

mike ledray · « **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2014, 11:51 »

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-55296214/stock-photo-a-young-man-is-excited-about-brushing-his-teeth-isolated-on-white.html?src=IOkaACEhGiz8a1cGa018CQ-1-11

Since this is a Pimp/Show me the Black Guy thread
Hows about MY image?

Or?

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-36266926/stock-photo-a-young-black-man-is-up-against-a-police-car-with-his-feet-spread.html?src=IOkaACEhGiz8a1cGa018CQ-1-14

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-36266926/stock-photo-a-young-black-man-is-up-against-a-police-car-with-his-feet-spread.html?src=IOkaACEhGiz8a1cGa018CQ-1-14

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-15534967/stock-photo-a-man-asks-for-donations-to-help-stop-global-warming-with-his-cardboard-sign-in-black-and-white-and.html?src=IOkaACEhGiz8a1cGa018CQ-3-64

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-15574954/stock-photo-a-well-dressed-african-american-male-model-walks-down-a-city-sidewalk-as-if-he-is-walking-down-a.html?src=IOkaACEhGiz8a1cGa018CQ-3-94

I have a TON more and can always take Custom Request on spec.
Let me know if any of these work for your needs and if you have a Specific idea you would like.
Thanks

http://shutterstock.com/g/mikeledray

Gunter Nezhoda · « **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:21 »

Really

tickstock · « **Reply #19 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:22 »

wordplanet · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2014, 14:29 »

My second-best-selling editorial image.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #21 on:** March 31, 2014, 14:34 »

Yes, I'm sure that's what the OP is looking for.

Jonathan Ross · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2014, 15:42 »

HI AEK,

If you are still having trouble you might want to check out www.blendimages.com we specialize in ethnic lifestyle content. You can buy direct or you can find our content at the top 90 resellers in Macro stock. Best of luck.

Cheers,
Jonathan

LesPalenik · « **Reply #23 on:** March 31, 2014, 15:43 »

If none of those handsome devils above satisfies your criteria, here is an african male model who may just fit your story (mixed race, younger, handsome, serious - even somewhat bewildered).

Best thing is, you don't need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for the license.
Available at very affordable price at artist-operated symbiostock site - http://advantica.com/stockphotos/

http://advantica.com/stockphotos/image/black-man-stock-image-by-les-palenik-13-2

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2014, 11:10 »

Or admit it was some kind of troll to get people to pimp their images. So lets see, you create a fake account, then post a challenging question (which is wrong) and a dozen people splash their People of Color photos. Plus the real account of the OP can also direct attention to his collection...

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on March 30, 2014, 20:49

Hopefully the OP will return with more comments...

Reminds me of some professor who wanted to point out the injustice of no Chinese people showing in the driving of the golden spike photos, when they were so important to the building of the transcontinental railroad.

People look for things to be wrong, which tends to create the impression that something is wrong. Often when there's no problem in the first place.

BTW Some Chinese workers are in the photo and the Asian crews were invited to a private dining car for the celebration. The Chinese workers were elsewhere getting their own, well deserved honors, for the hard work and making it possible to complete on schedule.

Why is it so hard to find stock with non-white male models?

To the OP, It's not hard, so what's the real reason for posting this?

SS for example? African American Male Model Stock Photos, Illustrations, and Vector Art
(7,414)

IS = Stock Search Results (2590)

ShadySue · « **Reply #25 on:** April 01, 2014, 11:18 »

He doesn't even seem to know if he wants 'African' or 'mixed race'.

It's definitely not hard to find these images. iS: African, man, one: 27783 photos; 9741 in the Main (cheapest) collection.
man, one, mixed race: 7068 photos - 2243 Main.

Of course, you'd need to sort through these to find what you want, but there certainly is no lack.

shudderstok · « **Reply #26 on:** April 02, 2014, 04:58 »

Quote from: shudderstok on March 29, 2014, 23:26

http://www.istockphoto.com/search/text/black%20man/filetypes/photos,illustrations,video/source/basic#1611ec9a

you should find what you need in the Istock collection.

-3 this forum is a joke

Ron · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2014, 05:21 »

I dont understand any of the down votes in this thread. OP is asking and people are providing.

danienel · « **Reply #28 on:** April 02, 2014, 06:42 »

You'll find some here: I'm based in South Africa, and we have an issue with finding black guys who look South African, and not African-American. (Trust me, to the native South African, the difference is obvious)

I have a bit. Check it out:

http://shutterstock.com/g/danienel

tickstock · « **Reply #29 on:** April 02, 2014, 11:41 »

mike ledray · « **Reply #30 on:** April 02, 2014, 11:49 »

Batman · « **Reply #31 on:** April 03, 2014, 11:25 »

HI AEK, nice troll for a 1st post.

Ron · « **Reply #32 on:** April 03, 2014, 15:08 »

Quote from: Batman on April 03, 2014, 11:25

HI AEK, nice troll for a 1st post.

Takes one to recognise one

Zayne · « **Reply #33 on:** June 07, 2014, 09:48 »

I was just browsing this forum to see if it is worth uploading some images to a stock site, when I chanced upon this topic. Being an author too and having several author friends, I think I can shed some light here. Most fiction books have images of people on them that are looking either serious or morose. You do not see images of anyone smiling, except on a few humorous romance books.

1. Models for book covers need to look serious.

2. Next, the problem with most of the African American images is that they show poverty or labourers. Authors want glamorous images. Handsome and either bare-chested with muscles or well-dressed. This might be a possible option:

3. Authors are picky and want attractive models. Think movie-star-looking good. They need this to sell their books. People won't buy books with models that look like street bums. Or even ordinary. They need someone like Michael Jackson. The Indie authors have to compete with big New York publishing houses that have the money to hire professional models and photographers at the cost of thousands of dollars. Only the Indie authors do not have that kind of money. Many are just housewives, teachers, professors...so they look for stock images and try to get the best ones possible.

So there you have it - Yes, there are some images of African American males. But no, most of the images do not meet the criteria. There are way more handsome Caucasian males available, though authors still complain there are not enough of those either - ones with sexy muscles and serious faces.

This is the kind of image for a book cover I am talking about:

The image must show the hero of an epic story - serious, grave, sexy...not a miner or a beggar...or someone brushing his teeth...

Good luck and I hope my explanation helps.

ShadySue · « **Reply #34 on:** June 07, 2014, 10:10 »

^^ Yeah, and they want all that for a dollar.
Models that goodlooking don't work cheaply.

iStock's "handsome, black (african descent), 'one male only', serious" search:
http://www.istockphoto.com/search/lightbox/15392558#8383b0d
I didn't make a selection, as what different people would consider handsome differs, e.g. Michael Jackson did nothing for me, but some of the guys here I think are really good looking.

PixelBytes · « **Reply #35 on:** June 07, 2014, 13:36 »

Thanks for the insights about what authors want. You were kidding about Michael Jackson tho, right? Wouldn't somebody like Blair Underwood, Daniel Sunjata or Jason George be more appropriate?

gaja · « **Reply #36 on:** June 08, 2014, 06:37 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 07, 2014, 10:10

^^ Yeah, and they want all that for a dollar.
Models that goodlooking don't work cheaply.

You don't really need to find a beautiful face, just look for a model with a sixpack: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_13?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=shifter%20romance&sprefix=shifter+roman%2Caps%2C241

onepointfour · « **Reply #37 on:** June 09, 2014, 02:47 »

You might want to try ImageBrief. Alot of requests for photos suitable for book cover there. But yup, they are not microstock price.

gillian vann · « **Reply #38 on:** June 15, 2014, 03:13 »

Quote from: Pixart on March 30, 2014, 12:22

I have a real answer: I live in the whitest place on the planet! (I do have a couple models but not what you are looking for though.) I moved to central Canada from Toronto and the lack-of-diversity was shocking!

I'm sorry, I find this odd. If I went to Kenya and lamented on the lack of Whiteys and Asians wouldn't you think I was nuts? frankly, only whiteys are crazy enough to live in such cold climes

And I might also challenge you with where I live as being the whitest place on the planet (apart from Ireland, and much of Scandinavia of course). The most "different" kids in my daughter's class at school are the 3 red heads!!

I wonder if there's fewer sexy red heads in stock (not women!)? anyone want to lament that?

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Author Topic: Why is it so hard to find stock with non-white male models? (Read 13826 times)

lisafx

shudderstok

dbvirago

lisafx

Uncle Pete

shudderstok

Ron

Batman

Ron

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