Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Soliciting models, how-to?

Janet Kimantas · 06-22-2005, 08:55 PM

I wouldn't mind some input on approaching strangers and asking them to model (for photographs to be painted from).

We bought some luggage this past weekend at a location near where I work. The young girl who served us was stunning and I wanted to paint her. For the time being I am not accepting commissions and only working on portfolio stuff. I have all the time in the world and some money to spend. My question is how best to approach her - she is between 17 and 25 and I would suspect on the younger end of that. I don't want to look like the crazy woman and scare her off. I thought that I could offer that her dad OR her boyfriend could come, that we could do it at my house, her house or a third,neutral, location. I am willing to pay her, but would like to have some kind of contract between us (let's say her boyfriend enjoys extortion). What kind of money would be fair and reasonable? I live in a prosperous community of above average income with pockets of poverty-and who knows if she is in a pocket?

I'd like to be fair, not too weird, and protected.

Thanks, Janet

06-22-2005, 08:55 PM	#1
Janet Kimantas Juried Member Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Posts: 233	Soliciting models, how-to? I wouldn't mind some input on approaching strangers and asking them to model (for photographs to be painted from). We bought some luggage this past weekend at a location near where I work. The young girl who served us was stunning and I wanted to paint her. For the time being I am not accepting commissions and only working on portfolio stuff. I have all the time in the world and some money to spend. My question is how best to approach her - she is between 17 and 25 and I would suspect on the younger end of that. I don't want to look like the crazy woman and scare her off. I thought that I could offer that her dad OR her boyfriend could come, that we could do it at my house, her house or a third,neutral, location. I am willing to pay her, but would like to have some kind of contract between us (let's say her boyfriend enjoys extortion). What kind of money would be fair and reasonable? I live in a prosperous community of above average income with pockets of poverty-and who knows if she is in a pocket? I'd like to be fair, not too weird, and protected. Thanks, Janet