​When I first began taking photography seriously, sometime around 2008-2009, I considered joining the Roswell Photographic Society (RPS) in Roswell, Georgia.  For years I had noticed their galleries displayed at the Roswell Visual Arts Center and wanted to join, but the quality of images was well beyond my capabilities. I had mentioned to my wife a number of times, that I wanted to join, but I didn't feel I was ready! For Father's Day, my daughter Carrie gave me the $25 with a note that indicated it was for membership to the Roswell Photographic Society (RPS). With some trepidation, I joined!  The rest as they say is history.

At my first meeting I sat in the corner of the last row, avoiding interaction with everyone.  I was pleasantly surprised when a few of the photographers came over and introduced themselves. They could not have been more welcoming! One of them asked what kind of photography I did. I put my head down and and said sports, thinking it was the lowest form of photography given all the landscape, architecture and portraits hanging in the hallway outside the meeting room. I was shocked at the response, as they were impressed with the ability of sports photographers to capture fast moving objects, at key moments and often in bad lighting. Right away I realized I had a skill not everyone in the room had, with the exception of one gentleman who shot for NASCAR and Sports Illustrated in the past. He was equally welcoming and encouraging.  

Over the next few years, I attended most of the monthly meetings, listening to speakers, attending photo walks and workshops and just being engrained in the club. I not only learned the technical aspects of photography, but a lot about composition, light and lighting for studio photography, post production editing, printing, I even took a matting and framing workshop. 

Just about everyone at RPS was more than generous sharing their knowledge, including me in activities,  and providing me opportunities to have my photos placed in galleries, I even won a few awards! I learned to much, that just a few years later, I started speaking at camera clubs all around Atlanta. I have spoken at the Roswell Photographic Society, Southeastern Photographic Society, Cherokee Camera Club, Paulding Photography Club, Sweetwater Camera Club, (what is now) the Booth Photography Guild and at a photography class at Roswell High School.

The bottom line is, if you want to improve your knowledge or photography join a camera club or at least attend a meeting a two and let me know what you think!
  

 

Though I've cutback substantially on my shoots, I'm always open to do a test shoot with a new model, if it will add to my portfolio or I think the model may be a fit for my Workshops.  However, the model must take the lead on the shoot and make it relatively easy to get it done. Fairly often a model will contact me for a shoot and it goes something like this...

Model: "Hey, I saw your content and I'd love to do a shoot with you. 
Me: Great, What kind of shoot are you thinking of doing?
Model: I don't know, whatever. Do you have a look, or a location?
Me: Where are you located?
Model: Atlanta
Me: Where in Atlanta?  
Model: Midtown
Me: I'm in Roswell, are you willing to come up here?
Model: Sure
Me: When are you available?
Model: I work (or have school) Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and I'm not available on weekends after 2:00 pm

​I'll end this here, but it can go on and on and on. I have messages that are over twenty exchanges, trying to set up a shoot, for which I won't be paid, with someone I don't even know, and it becomes my job to put together! 

Here's how you should approach it...

Model: "Hey, I saw your content and I'd love to do a shoot with you. 

Me: Great! What were you thinking?

Model: I'm thinking a shoot type (portfolio, digitals, boho, cowgirl, motorcycle, swimsuit, golden hour, etc.) shoot. I think location would be perfect. I'm available on Tuesday and Thursdays and before two on weekends. I'm located in Midtown, but I'm ok shooting at a location that works for you. 

It's even better if you can send a mood board or some sample photos of the look(s).

Here, the model did the initial heavy lifting! The photographer can then respond with a date and time and alternate location if interested. If your Instagram or Facebook is private, include a sample photo or two so the photographers has an idea of what you look like and who they'll be shooting. Getting a message from a private account with your dog as your profile pic, probably won't get a response.

There are photographers that will go through the continuous back and forth, but there are many that won't. Honestly, most want to be paid. So if you're looking for a photographer to do a free shoot with you, make it easy on them. They will be more inclined to do the shoot, if they can work out the details in a few quick exchanges.

I hope this helps!

Old Car City (OCC), located on HWY 411 in White, GA is by far my most requested shoot location. It's no surprise why, with over 4,400 old cars located on 34 acres there are endless themes and concepts that can be shot there. I've been shooting there for over 15 years and have become good friends with the owner Dean Lewis. I often take random motorcycle rides up to White, GA just to stop by and see what's new, as it's always changing and I enjoy spending time with Dean and the crew. 

Over the years either I and my Roswell Photography Meetup Group have photographed: pinup, wedding gowns, ball gowns, bikini, western/cowgirl, school girl, auto mechanic, and of course casual editorial and lifestyle. For backgrounds there are cars, trucks, school buses, ice cream trucks, old police cars, vans, fire trucks and just about anything else you can think of. There are assorted gas pumps, gas station signs, trailers, farm equipment, a fork lift, an old Motel Sign an abandoned building, and the newest addition, a couple of log cabins that are still under construction.   

In addition to all the above, there are some very unique works of art, such as small huts with roofs made from bed springs and pine straw. A pile of bicycles, a piano, an "airplane" made from car parts - complete with a ceiling fan as a propeller! Like I said, there is no lack of concepts or backgrounds at OCC. People come from as far away as New Zealand to shoot there and it has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, the New York Times, the BBC and Georgia Public Television. 

Though I've probably done fifty or more shoots there it never gets old. If someone says they'd like to do a shoot there I always find a way to make it happen. If interested shoot me a message and let's do it!

​Back in the day, actually not that long ago, there were plenty of opportunities for models, photographers, MUAS, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists and designers to network, build their portfolios and just have a good time!  The Atlanta Photography Guild, held regular get togethers at the Elliott Street Pub and later at the Goat Farm. There were also Meet & Clicks, Meet & Shoots, and several others opportunities to grow your network.  I met a lot of people at those gatherings, I'm still friends and work with quite a few.

The image above was taken at the Photoplex in 2016.  The model was, Sarah Murphy, at the time known as "Sarah With an H".  She and several other models, brought elaborate costumes and props, while others just wore whatever style they were the most comfortable with. The studio would supply the space and lighting and would sometimes provide themed setups. Occasionally, there would be themed speakers, including experienced models and photographers sharing their experiences, equipment, portfolio building and sometimes providing demonstrations. One had a lawyer speak to discuss copywrite issues, model releases, and the rights of models and photographers.

These are largely unpaid events. I know everyone wants to get paid and I respect that.  However, like any business you have to market yourself. I know a lot of you show your work on social media, but nothing beats face to face interactions. I've said this a thousand times, and it upsets people, but it's a fact, modeling and photography are commodities. There are a million models and photographers out there. I've met some incredibly gorgeous models out there and after a short conversation I knew we wouldn't be a good fit. Conversely, there are others I met at these events, that weren't models at all. They were just attending to support a friend who was a model. I asked them if they'd like a few pictures and they not only became models, they became long time friends. 

I know there are a few organizations around that offer free or low cost get togethers like Pexels, ATL Shooters, and Beers and Cameras. You should definitely check them out. I've also had discussions with a local studio about putting something together. If you'd be interested in attending let me know.

​I started the Roswell Photography Meetup Group in 2012.  Our first gathering was on September 29, 2012. I didn't intend for it to be a long term endeavor, or even a business. I was a member of the Roswell Photographic Society and gathered a small group to a portrait meetup at Old Car City. Everyone had a great time and when it was over, I thanked everyone for attending.  The photographers (and the model) asked if I was going to do something like this again. I hadn't planned on it, but there was plenty of interest, and I had a great time, so I said let's do it!

The group had several intended purposes.  To provide photographers an opportunity to network and build their portfolios and offer the models the same along with paid work.  I kept the group sizes small, the cost as low as possible, and the gatherings informal and fun.  

All was going well, as I was holding several meetups a month. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, however; I learned new and seasoned photographers who had not done a lot of portraiture photography were not signing up.  They thought it was only for experienced portrait photographers. I changed the name to Roswell Photography Workshops and offered one on one instruction to those who requested it.  The name change worked, as I began seeing some new and less experienced portrait photographers attend.  

To date I've hosted over 230 portrait photography meetups, receiving 961 reviews with the following results:

​Over the twelve years of hosting meetups, I've hired 124 models, many of which were subsequently booked by group members for one on one shoots, fashion shows, designer shoots, video shoots, etc. I've become close friends with several of the models and have photographed their engagements, maternity sessions, graduations and family photos. 

Due to an astronomical increase in cost of Meetup.com, I decided to discontinue my subscription effective September 10, 2024.  This removes Roswell Photography Workshops and Portraits and Places from Meetup.com.  I will continue hosting occasional small, private, group shoots, but with a few changes.  I have a very small email list, currently twenty people, which includes frequent attendees.
and close friends. They will first receive notification of my Workshops. If the Workshop doesn't sell out, I will announce it to the general public on Instagram (@LouTR44) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/louraimondiphotography). If interested in attending keep an eye out for announcements.

I work with a lot of new models who are anxious to book shoots, but have no experience doing so.  I also work with a lot of models with various levels of experience who never thought to ask some basic questions.  This blog serves to identify just some of the questions models should ask before booking a shoot.  They are as follows:

1. Is the shoot paid? Models will often tell me how excited they are they booked a shoot.  The first question I ask is "is it paid".  This isn't because it's any of my business or I need to know. It's because I want them to pause and think, did they work that out?  It's not uncommon for photographers and models to show up for a shoot and each has a different understanding as to whether it's paid or not and who's paying who. This question avoids that issue!
2. How long is the shoot? Make sure you're clear on the duration and stick to it! It's not uncommon for photographers to book you for a two hour shoot and four hours later you're wondering when it's going to end.  If it's a two hour shoot, at two hours you politely let them know time's up.  If they want to continue to shoot, request payment for the extra time or get more images if it's a Time for Print (TFP). 
   
3. How many photographers will be shooting? Some photographers have been known to book a model, set up the backdrop, put them in position to shoot and suddenly three other photographers appear out of nowhere.  So instead of four photographers booking you for individual shoots, one books you and four shoot, to either share the cost or simply let their friends get free shots.   
   
4. Will wardrobe be provided?  If the photographer or a stylist will provide the wardrobe, see it  or at least know the style before the shoot.  This way there are no surprises and you're not put in a position of being asked to wear something you would not be comfortable in at the shoot.
   
5. Number of images, who selects them and when will they been received? Be clear on these issues. Some photographers provide more than others, some will allow you to select the images you like best and some will provide you with images they like best.  Some photographers provide  proofs and final edited images quickly, some take weeks or months.  Just know in advance when you can expect images.  If it's a TFP or you're paying the photographer, insist you get to select the images you want.  
   
6. Escorts/Chaperones? Ask if you can bring an escort or chaperone to the shoot.  Whether you bring one or not, is up to you, but if a photographers says no I would carefully consider proceeding with the shoot.  At a minimum get references from other models and/or photographers.

As stated in the beginning these are only some questions models should ask before agreeing to a shoot.  There are many others which I will address in future blogs, but it is essential these issues are clearly understood, by both parties prior to a shoot.  If you think I've missed any please comment or send me a message.