[Prepare to enter the gripe zone]

I'm not certain if it is summer, a run of luck, or what, but I've had a number of models flake out on me lately. The fact that all of them are from Massachusetts and more than a few have been Russian ex-pats leaves me scratching my head and with a sour taste in my mouth.

Working on portfolio material with models as trade is a necessary part of my business. Clients, obviously, don't permit me to use their images as marketing material, so models help to fill that need for my business. And I feel I offer something to their portfolio as well. But it is much easier to find "pretty girls" than it is "models".

Now many "models" on useful sites, the most popular being ModelMayhem ([link]) take themselves fairly serious and do make an effort to actually participate in this creative endeavor as professionally as possible. I've seen in the past two years a rush to models calling themselves "professional" or paid-only assignment models, and to this I shake my head.

The internet has made us all superstars - in our own heads. Models think that because they have a few images in there portfolio... maybe even some taken by a competent photographer... that they are professional. Without the internet, models used to have to attend classes, pay one or more photographers for photo shoots, comp cards, put together a physical portfolio and walk their (pretty) little asses into an agency to be looked up and down many times before being hired and assigned. And then they were models. But today, with very little practical experience, dubious commercial qualification, and no cost or investment, girls show up thinking they are professional and expecting certain amounts of doors opened on their behalf.

I'm, of course, not making a blanket statement. I have some models in my portfolio that I treasure their friendship. Some are better than they know. Some are realistic about their aspirations. But there are always bad apples in the bunch. And even I have some in my portfolio of "models".

Miss Mosh - sorry, should have prefaced that with the fabulous and professional model, Miss Mosh - recently wrote a post about modeling. I wish everyone I worked with could read it ([link]). In regards to being professional, absolutely true. If you want to be treated like a professional, act like a professional. Don't make appointments and cancel them last minute. Show up on time. Understand that your schedule may not be the only one affected. There is the photographer, assistant(s), MUAs, etc. Be clear about what is expected and work cooperatively and contribute where you can.

Perhaps I'm getting old and crotchety. Perhaps I need to take a little break from the 20-something "professional" models.