But I Am Not a Model. I Am Too Old. I
Am "Ordinary".
Why Would You Want to Photograph Me?
To get a better idea of stock/lifestyle photography modeling, check out
these links to DreamsTime:
Woman;
Older
Woman; Young
Woman; Man
 So you really don't know if you want someone to
photograph you, or if you have what it takes. That's the neat thing about
stock photography. You do not have to be Giselle or Cindy Crawford or
Carol Alt (trying to get a couple of different generational references
here). Stock photography often deals with ordinary people doing ordinary
things. Add to that, there is a general swing in modeling away from the
super-thin model. Look at Dove's commercials with "ordinary"
people in them. These are certainly not supermodels. Commercial
photography, which stock photography is an extension of, has an even
longer history of using ordinary people.
Let's start with the first sentence above: But I am not
a model. Like I said, stock photography is not always about the perfect
face; the lean, slim body, the perfect attire. It is about creating a
photo that says something - mostly commercial in nature, but not always.
Sometimes the depth of character in a person's face is as striking,
sometimes more so, than beauty. Do you know who Danny Trejo is? If you
watch movies, I bet you've seen him. He's been in a lot of movies. He's
well recognized, but only a small percentage of movie watchers could name
him. He's not beautiful. But his face has such striking and powerful
character that it creates an impression that cannot be forgotten. He may
not get the 8 digit income for a movie like some superstars, but I'm sure
he does well and he works a lot more than many of Hollywood's
"prettiest". And he's been around for awhile. So, having
stunning looks helps, but it is not the only thing I am looking for.
Oftentimes a face with character is just as
important.
 And, of course, age is less a consideration these days
as more and more baby boomers begin to enter retirement age. These people
like seeing the faces of pretty young women and handsome young men too,
but they also like to see the faces of their own age group reflected. Just
because you are 40 years old - or fifty - or sixty or older - does not
mean you are not a suitable subject. In fact, you may make a great
photographic subject. You just have to believe in yourself. Let's face it,
an eighty year old man mowing his own lawn is inspirational.
"But I am so ordinary." No one is ordinary.
Nearly everyone has something at which they are good at. Maybe you are a
great cook, or maybe you make balloon animals, or maybe you can fix just
about anything. Maybe you have a hobby you are passionate about like
woodworking or painting. Unlike fashion photography, not every shot is
trying to sell you clothing or make-up or some such. Often your face does
not even need to be in the photo. For example, a man working underneath a
car or a close-up of hands cracking eggs against the edge of a glass bowl.
In stock photography, the action in the photograph is important. Forget
those Victoria's Secret ads you see on TV. That is 100% about selling
something in particular. Stock photography is about making a point and,
quite often, telling a story. And just about everybody has a story to tell
or a point to make.
So why would I want to photograph you? That's an easy
question to answer - because you are you. You have something to
contribute. You are special.
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