I just recently opened an account on modelmayhem.com to try and hook up with some models in my area. After browsing around for about a week, I noticed there are a ton of photographers shooting artistic nudes and beauty shots of T&A cropped at the Knees. Some of these photographers are quite good, some not so good. My question is: where do these guys market this material? is it considered stock? Are they doing it just to get women half or fully naked? Just wondering if and where the market is or if it is all just fun and games? 

I realize if your extremely good the big glossy's would pick up your material, but what if your work is somewhere inbetween or to edgy?

My question is: where do these guys market this material? is it considered stock? Are they doing it just to get women half or fully naked? Just wondering if and where the market is or if it is all just fun and games? 

Not every photo you take has to sell.  You can enjoy photography just for the sake of photography.  My grandfather did photography for 50 years and never made a penny.

And it's not just to get them naked, I'm 22 and female and love taking pictures of naked chicks!

Depends what you mean by "these images".

In the UK the glamour market is saturated.  There are so many wannabee models who are quite content to send pictures in for free to Nuts and Zoo magazine that they no longer need to pay (unless the photographer sends them an invoice IF they see their work in publication with a threatening letter to take them to court).  FHM use their own in house photographers mostly (apparently).  The top shelf and hardcore adult mags / websites will always need new work from photographers, but it's all about who you know.

Fine art nude depends where you can sell the shots.  Some galleries might take them on, but they all depend on people wanting to buy your work.  Photographs are not as desirable as paintings.  Having said that, my boyfriend collects photographs, but I think he's been educated from me.  In my experience (and gallery owners I've talked to) people will look at a fine art photograph and say "I could do that" and not buy it.  YMMV.

Can't tell you much about the other markets around the world though!

Hmmm...thanks.  Does seem like its pretty saturated. It also looks like a lot of these guys are  making their money by charging the models.

Yeah right!

Honestly, I used to be a professional model (mostly fetish and nude work) and I think I knew two models who actually paid a photographer for photos!  Too many middle aged men looking for kicks willing to pay models AND give them pictures!  I've certainly never met ANY photographers that make a regular portion of their income from shooting models portfolios.

Quote from: Seren on March 30, 2008, 13:45

I've certainly never met ANY photographers that make a regular portion of their income from shooting models portfolios.

There seems to be a pretty endless stream of actors and models here in NYC who regularly need new headshots (not exactly the same thing, I realize) but its enough to keep me and plenty of other photographers employed.

Not exactly the glamour models that we were talking about though?  We're talking about T&A shots.  Plus any savvy actor should be able to find a photographer willing to trade time for shots... how perfect would actors be for stock work?  That is the point, there is no real need for models / actors etc to pay photographers.

...there is no real need for models / actors etc to pay photographers.

Well, yes and no. If they're willing to gamble on the results of a tfp shoot (just as photographers do) then they may or may not come out with something useful. As with most things, you tend to be more likely to get what you're after if you're willing to pay - and luckily, plenty of people here are!

I've used three models found on ModelMayhem here in Australia, but rejected many more for stock work.

Here's an important tip (for stock photography): pay particular attention to those models who say they will NOT do nude under any circumstances.

I agree, the girl next door type has a much broader appeal for stock work. I'm having a hard time finding the right type at this point.

Quote from: cdwheatley on March 29, 2008, 22:03

Are they doing it just to get women half or fully naked?

Yes.  This is really what MM is all about for 90% of the photogs, no matter what they say.

LOL..Thats what my gut told me but I wasn't sure.

Quote from: Seren on March 30, 2008, 13:45

I've certainly never met ANY photographers that make a regular portion of their income from shooting models portfolios.

There seems to be a pretty endless stream of actors and models here in NYC who regularly need new headshots (not exactly the same thing, I realize) but its enough to keep me and plenty of other photographers employed.

Same here in LA. I could do 10 people a day for free if I wanted to, or do headshots everyday. About the nude thing and I agree there are a lot of Kids on that site just looking to chat or get laid but some Photographers do stuff to work on there book. Remember stock isin't everything. Thank god.