I am a model, you should know this…
Dec 23, 2015
Brennan Hill
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
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I am a stylist. I show up with thousands of dollars in wardrobe, so you didn’t have to provide it.
I am a makeup artist. I went out of my way to get trained on how to apply makeup for camera to make your job that much easier.
I am a creative consultant. I spend non-billable hours upon hours going through your proof galleries and offering the feedback you requested, because I care about the work that we produce together.
I am a travel agent. For every hour that I spend in front of the camera, I spent an average of 2 hours to that one hour of planning and logistics.
I am a master at marketing and brand management.
I am a therapist. You photographers have some issues, and boy, have I heard it all.
I am a hand holder. I go out of my way to make sure that you’re having fun at our shoot too.
I am a studio and lighting assistant. Chances are I know more about lighting than you do, and I’m always offering to help put up the backdrop, change modifiers, etc.
I am fine art. I have spent thousands and thousands of hours perfecting my craft so you only have to worry about the photography aspect, and not the modeling part. I twist and contort my body in various unnatural ways, because that is what looks best. That relaxed pose that looks so easy? Every muscle in my body was tensed and my back was unnaturally arched, my toes pointed and calves burning, all while maintaining a pleasant expression, even though I really wanted to sob because if done correctly, even the pose that appears effortless is incredibly difficult and painful. I hold that pose for seconds, minutes, sometimes hours, while you get your framing and lighting correct. I don’t complain.
I run a successful business. If I spend 8 hours in front of the camera, I still have another 8 hours of computer time waiting for me when I get done.
I am a masochist. I suffer in a bikini on a beach in 50 degree weather so you can get the shot that you need. I try not to sweat in 100+ degree temps and hide my heat exhaustion, because I know a ton of prep and money went into securing the location. I forego weekend plans so I don’t show up hungover for our sunrise shoot on a Sunday. Oh, and that 6am call time? I had to get up at 3am to start the long process of becoming camera ready. I endure abuses of all kinds without the protections of unions, OSHA, or employers.
I am an accountant. Please don’t talk to me during tax season, as I am busy carefully processing every. single. goddamn. receipt.
Oh. Yeah. I also model. So please don’t ever tell me that all I do is stand there and look pretty.
About The Author
Brennan Hill is a full time model and adventurer. Former IT nerd turned gypsy, she favors craft beer, coffee, and unicorns. You can follow her adventures on her Instagram and Facebook page.
We love it when our readers get in touch with us to share their stories. This article was contributed to DIYP by a member of our community. If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us here.
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47 responses to “I am a model, you should know this…”
“Chances are I know more about lighting than you do” = Haven’t meet one of those ever
*met*
Your level of indigence goes down with each spelling mistake.
Are you sure “indigence” is the word you are looking for? I mean if it wasn’t that would be hilarious.
Yep, it sure would.
You might want to look up the definition of the word you spelled. Somehow I doubt you were meaning to imply that his level of poverty would go down the more he misspelled?? I think you have made a spelling error in your effort to criticize someone for making spelling errors. Quelle Ironie.
Ironic? You bet!
Ironie is French.
I know Brennan, I’d be willing to bet she knows more than you. Because a real photographer wouldn’t argue and make dumbass remarks.
So, basicaly, you don’t like your job or you’re just pointing out everything every freelancer/person has to deal with.
Obviously, you don’t get the point of the piece.
It’s not about complaining about her job, or doing what everyone else does. It’s about people who think she just stands there and looks pretty.
Try reading the whole thing next time.
“…I know more bout lighting then u do”? Lol – oh yeah?
*than*
Casting shade at someone and then misspelling a word in your comment draws your opinion down to zero.
Hey David! Shut the f*ck up!
You are probably as good a photographer as you are a wordsmith.
Oh, NOW your opinion is totally validated :D
That’s a good way to piss off photographers who are also professionals. You better be damn good at what you do to have an attitude like that.
I can tell you aren’t. She’s not insulting photographers. SHe’s responding to people who think models just show up and look pretty.
Wouldn’t go near someone like that with a barge pole!
I am a model. I give you 9 poses in 2 seconds that you can’t shoot because even after thousands of hours of “honing my skills to perfection”, I still haven’t grasped the basic concept of ‘cycling time’….
I am bored
I am a hobbyist model and I know nothing about lighting. I am a hobbyist photographer and still know nothing about lighting.
If all models were stylists and makeup artists, photographers would never hire people for those jobs. Not even going to comment on “You photographers have some issues” and “Chances are I know more about lighting than you do”.
tl;dr: this post is bullshit.
tl;dr ^ this comment is bullshit.
Wow, I bow to your superior wit and eloquence.
Oh wait, I don’t. Because you’re obviously just here to defend your friend by trolling anyone calling out this bullshit piece.
So it’s ok to be an ass about her stance, but any one who disagrees with you is a troll?
By your logic, you’re a troll.
I’m not defending anyone. I just was able to understand what she was saying because I can read.
Yeah, whatever. Your comments all over this page speak for themselves. Not worth the effort to further dissect them.
And yet, you tried. Not only tried, but you came to the wrong conclusion. I’m not here to defend anyone. And the author can defend themself.
Nice try genius. And I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to comment on the article. My bad. Sorry to offend you your highness.
Ask her how she feels about sexual assault since she is the culprit of such a case. Myth: If the assailant, victim, or both are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the victim is free to consent to sex and the assailant therefore cannot be charged with rape.
Fact: When intoxicated, an individual cannot legally consent to sexual activity. Forcing sex on someone who is too drunk to give consent is still Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Third Degree. Rape is a serious offense, and people who commit crimes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not considered free from guilt.
1: I have no idea why you’re coming after me about the facts and myths. I never said anything that implied alcohol was consenting.
2: I am a victim. I am aware.
I just push a button and try to keep my thumb out of it
I would never hire someone narcissistic enough to take the time to write such a repulsive article. Actually, you couldn’t pay ME enough to work with such a person. it’s never worth the garbage they bring along with them.
Well, this was stupid. Just another open letter from some whiny person bitching about being taken seriously when they don’t care about anyone but themselves.
I’m a photographer. Without people like me, models wouldn’t have a job. I ACTUALLY know lighting, not just what someone tells me to do when I assist them. I provide the location, lighting, equipment, and skill to make the client’s idea come to life.
Oh yeah, I also don’t show up 2 hours late or just not show up at all like some of YOU people do.
Actually there are plenty of modeling jobs that don’t require photographers.
But congrats on thinking the industry revolves around you.
Newsflash, photographers are pretty low on the food chain.
Bot congrats on being awesome :D
what the fuck are you doing on a photography website?
I’m a photographer.
Is it ok for a photographer to be on a photography site?
Or do I have to be photography?
Where are these Models I need 5
Comments by so many people who missed the point of this. Models are often seen as thoughtless attractive women, but this field is dominated by very business savvy and educated ladies. You don’t just stand in front of the camera, you become well rounded in all parts of business. You promote yourself, you book your own work, you book your travel, you are detail oriented, you help people who are just learning, you are aware of how you look in all types of lighting, you bring wardrobe and beauty to the table… there is so much more to the self made model than just being pretty.
Came to read the comments and see how many photographers missed the point and though it was about them personally.
Wasn’t disappointed.
If the point was to come across as more than a pretty face I think others would agree
this was a total fail. The notion that all photographers think models just
stand there and look pretty is false. I have spent over 1000 hours working
with freelance models and never once have I asked them to do anything other
than their job, which includes contributing creatively. Blaming photographers
for her inability to enforce boundaries isn’t anyone’s issue but hers. She
states that she doesn’t complain, but her entire article is a complaint. She’s
playing victim and the hypocrisy is so overwhelming it’s almost funny.
I don’t believe she ever said all. But a butthurt photographer may see it as “all.”
But yes, some photographers do in fact think that, and treat models as just mannequins.
” I have spent over 1000 hours working with freelance models and never once have I asked them to do anything other than their job, which includes contributing creatively.”
What does that have to do with anything, other than trying to make your opinion sound more credible?
“She’s playing victim and the hypocrisy is so overwhelming it’s almost funny.”
No she isn’t. She’s stating that modeling is more than just getting your picture taking.
The photographers here trying to pretend they’re self important and matter more than the model, THAT’S hypocrisy. Because they’re just proving her point. Photographers think they matter more. One guy even claimed that models wouldn’t have a job if photographers didn’t exist.
But then, if models didn’t exist, photographers would just photograph trees and buildings and mountains.
With skies.
I’m sorry, but all the butthurt photographers pretending she isn’t mire than just a pretty face that stands there, are proving her point.
The amount of people talking down to her, while you claim she’s being a hypocrite, is hilarious.
Good job champ :D
Brennan, please stop using your boyfriends account to troll your own post.
Not her boyfriend. But if that’s the best you can come up with, that’s pretty sad.
I am calling BS on this VERY one sided and ignorant
perspective. A master of brand management would understand that being perceived
as an entitled diva is not good for the brand. A master of marketing would
NEVER post an inflammatory article that pisses off their customers. I certainly
don’t need or want her to hold my hand or be my therapist. Based on her
level of mastery in brand management and marketing, I suspect her mastery of lighting is similarly lackluster at best. She has mastered the art of being a complete ass hat however, so there is that. :-/ If you are a model, I urge you to read the comments prior to authoring such a post.
How can you read the comments on a post before you author said post?
Are you a magician?
So far, have met very few models, agency, freelance or otherwise who meet even 50% of the description above. Would be a very happy photographer if more simply showed up on time! Would love to work with Brennan if she can deliver what she promises!
She isn’t bitching. She’s educating.
Probably the hardest lesson I learned as a photographer (or at least one of them) is that listening to others or taking a suggestion from others doesn’t diminish my talent, creativity or ability. It actually enhances it. It’s called collaboration.
When I treat someone with respect, they usually return that to me. Then, they’re eager to work with me in the future. And they will speak positively about me to others which helps secure more work for me.
I say well done, Brennan. Good information that most people don’t think about.
I almost hate to comment on this, but I feel like too many people took it personal and there should be a rational response. I would like to preface this by saying that i respect the models i hire for what they do because i did that job in my youth.
You are a stylist. and it is appreciated, but you do not own the product i hired you to advertise.
You are a mua, but you do not own the makeup that my mua and i have spent months working with to ensure it performs exactly the same in camera no matter what condition it is lit with.
You are a creative consultant. I agree with this.
You are a travel agent, i agree but so am i and i brought three people minimum with me. If asked i would do this for you to allow you less stress
You are a marketing master, a bit egotistical, but i do agree.
You are a therapist, I am sorry you had to work with photographers like that.
You are a hand holder. minus the condescending tone, i agree with the point.
You are a studio assistant… You may think you know light, but you do not know post, which sometimes we do shoot for, you also have not spent thousands of hours testing light modifiers to see what works best with different types. but i will agree that models offer to help with set up and often have a good grasp of the concept even if they do not understand things like the inverse square law, or fall off ratios.
You are fine art. again with the ego, but i spent thousands of hours making it look like all i do is push a button so you can focus on “looking pretty” so we are both doing our jobs to the best of our ability.
You run a successful business. and so do I
You are a masochist. I am standing in that 50 degree weather right beside you in contorted positions
staying perfectly still so as well so as not to have camera shake…. and i brought a blanket for you. Oh and that 6 am call time, i have not slept at all the night before laying out contingency plans for rain, power outages, delays, and yes i brought hemorrhoid cream in case you did go out last night to get rid of the puffiness under your eyes
You are an accountant. I would say me too, but i pay people for that. I can not afford to take the time off work to do it myself.
You are a model. So am i I had to learn the craft to be able to pose people that just think they are models much like you had to learn my craft from working with amateur photographers.
For the most part i understand your points and had it not had such an antagonistic tone, this could easily have had a positive effect on the industry and probably your standing with photographers in general. We all do a job, and the reason it is called a job is because it is years and years of training in our field. I promise i will respect your craft if you respect mine, Because i am a photographer.