Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be any other models on the shoot?
If I'm working in the UK close to home, no, you'll be the only model on the shoot.

How can I use the photos from the shoot?
Generally photos from the shoot can be used for your portfolio (printed or online). Unless specifically agreed they should not be used as part of a members (pay) website. Images should not be used for commercial use (magazines, & advertising) without additional agreement between the publisher and myself.  It is very rare that I will release images to a commercial company without some form of payment in return.

* Commercial use in magazines also includes magazines that run competitions such as “Maxim Hotties” etc. That is commercial use of the image, and the magazines in question normally ask for the copyright holder (i.e. myself) to sign for permission of publication.

Is photography your only job?
Yes it is.   Since the summer of 2007 photography has been my only source of income.

What kind of shoots do you do?
At this time I am only undertaking paid work.

Are you employed by any of the magazines?
No, I am a freelance photographer. I submit to various magazines in the hope of getting my work accepted and published.

How long will a shoot last?
I never set a time limit on a shoot. The length of a shoot is often it is dictated by the lighting or how productive the shoot is. I’ve had some very productive shoots take as little as an hour, and others that continue over two days, so it really is impossible to say.

How does a model get a test shoot with you?
It is very rare that I'll offer any model a test shoot. These shoots are normally reserved either for more experienced models or those with the right look / body type for a possible magazine submission.   Please contact me with photographs of yourself if you think you might have the right look.

What does a test shoot entail?
To give a submission shoot a good chance of being accepted, we need to get a variety of looks (and locations). This will normally mean at least two separate shoots. The shoots may well be in the same day - for example early morning and late afternoon. For the most part on this type of shoots I’d be looking to shoot bikini / lingerie and  implied topless.  Although my style edges towards the more tasteful end of the “sexy bikini shot” market, you should still be at ease wearing thong bikini / lingerie.

Is there a cost involved with a test shoot?
I always charge a small fee when working with a model for the first time on a test basis. Also, if you require more than three high-resolution images from the shoot then I will make a small charge for each additional image.

If a magazine buys our pictures, will I get paid?
Shooting for submission is a gamble – sometimes the magazine likes the model, sometimes they don’t. Due to this I am not able to pay anything to the model if I’m able to get anything published from our first shoot together. However, if they like you, and we shoot again, I’ll pay you 20% of whatever I get.

Will I receive RAW files?
A RAW file is essentially a digital negative. A RAW file comes directly from the camera and is unfinished work. To produce the finished image I often adjust sharpness, contrast, saturation, exposure, colour balance and sometimes more.  For this reason I do not supply RAW files.

How old do I have to be to work with you?
If we're shooting anything remotely "sexy" then you need to be 18 and over.   I will shoot fashion, portraits, fitness with models who are under 18.   I do ask that you bring a parent (or other family member) with you on the shoot.

Do you require a deposit for a shoot?
Yes.  All shoots will require a deposit in order to secure my time.  This is to confirm the time / date / location of the shoot.  If you decide at a later date that you no longer wish to shoot, or fail to turn up at the agreed time / day / location the deposit may not be refunded.  Rescheduling the shoot is entirely at my digression, which in turn depends on my availability / schedule.

How do I pay you?
Paypal is the best way of getting money to me.  If you’re unable to pay with Paypal then I can accept cheques.

Are there any additional expenses for a paid shoot?
Depending on time and location of shoot I may require my travel and hotel expenses to be met. This is generally only required when I have to travel specifically for a shoot and not when I am already travelling.

I have some ideas / contacts to help you get published.
I am always looking for new ways to publish my work, so if you think you have what it takes to get published, or have a contact that may wish to publish photographs of you, then please don’t hesitate to get in contact. If you are able to provide me with a contact that buys from me, I will pay you a 20% fee from whatever I am paid.

How should I maximise my potential?
It is very important that when we shoot you have a nice, natural looking all over tan.  If you’re using a fake tan for the first time, experiment some weeks before the shoot to figure out what works best for you.

Also important is your condition – you need to be in top shape to maximise the potential to be published.  This doesn’t mean you need to be ripped with veins showing, just come in well toned and conditioned.

Practise different poses (standing and laying depending on the style of shoot we agree on) and practice different facial expressions.

If a pose doesn’t look quite right, or back needs to be arched more etc then I’ll tell you, but I’ve found it impractical / impossible to tell a model how to actually model. Modelling is not an easy gig, anyone can model, but it takes someone special to be a really good model!  So if you’re new to the modelling game, please practice lots!   You will thank me for it.  Honest!

Will you shoot my portfolio?
I believe that a quality portfolio should consist of the work of several different photographers featuring a number of different looks, styles and locations. So while I can play a part in making up that portfolio, I do not believe that any one photographer can develop a diverse enough portfolio for a model. In other words you need to work with several photographers.

Where is your studio?
As you can see from my work, the vast majority of my work is on location. I do not have a studio. Very occasionally I set up a small studio in a hotel room – obviously this is far from ideal, and normally I only work this way with models I’ve worked with previously.

Do you have any references from models?
Yes – you can take a look through the models pages on my website – a lot of models have left their comments.

Do you have any advice on how to prepare for a shoot?
Yes, I have a page full of questions and answers on just that.

You’ve not answered my question
Please contact me via email. (link will open contact page from my main website www.michaelpalmer.com)