Models Wanted in Ottawa!

I am constantly seeking models to pose for various types of photographic projects. Much of my photographic work is of the high-art / fine-art genre, and the usage for most of my work falls into three basic categories: (1) unique prints designed for gallery showing. (2) Archival prints for limited edition commercial sales to collectors. And, (3) Used as photographic elements in larger, more complex digital artistic creations which are then either displayed in galleries, or printed in limited editions for commercial sales. Although the bulk of my work is intended for at least one of these three purposes, and I'm almost constantly on the look-out for new faces for these types of works, I do occasionally seek models for other, more traditional, types of photography (such as stock, glamour, etc.) as well.

I hire models both on a paid, or TFCD / TFP basis, or a mixture of both (depending on the specifics of any given project.) Shoot locations vary between my own home studio, outdoor or indoor location shoots, or rented studio facilities, depending on the requirements of the specific project. Experience is preferred, but certainly not essential. If you've never modeled before, but think it might be something you'd like to try, or get into, on a pro., semi-pro basis, or even just for fun, please don't hesitate to contact me — even if you think you might like to model, but don't think that you're "model material." I create beautiful photos and works of art using models of all different shapes, sizes, looks, and ages. If you're not sure you have a model-like appearance, please don't be shy. Don't hesitate to contact me — you can e-mail me a simple photo of yourself, and If you're not exactly what I'm looking for for my next project, I'll almost certainly be able to work with you in some future project. If you think you might be too fat, too skinny, not pretty/handsome enough, you're probably wrong. There is immense beauty inherent within practically everyone, and I can capture it in my art.

Since my style is largely artistic in nature, I'm completely self-taught as a photographer, and my background is in non-photographic visual art, my way of working during a shoot, and the look of the end product that I'm trying to achieve, tends to be somewhat different from most photographers. Although my skills are on par with most professional photographers, I am an artist first, and a photographer second. Most photographers are not artists. They are actually archivists, documentarians and/or engineers — even most of the ones who refer to themselves as "artists." I tend to work in a minimalist fashion, striving to achieve highly-dynamic images from a minimalist approach. Both my style, and results, tend to be somewhat unconventional. I believe this can be useful experience for newer models, and that my work can add some real and valuable diversity to a portfolio that you're not likely to easily find anywhere else.

If you think you might be interested in working with me, there are some requirements that I have, which you should be aware of before making a decision to contact me. They are as follows:

(1) - I will require you to have photo I.D., and I will photograph you holding your I.D. before the shoot begins - no exceptions. And, I would prefer it if you arrive at the shoot with two pieces of I.D. (only one piece need be photo-ID) Of course, this only applies if it's our first time working together. This wont be required on any subsequent shoots that may take place.

(2) - If you're under 18 years of age I will require your parent, or legal guardian, present at the shoot for the entire duration of the shoot. You will arrive with them, or after, they do. And, you will leave with them, or before, they do. If they have to leave half-way through a shoot, then you have to leave too — the shoot will stop, and you will be paid for the time of the shoot up until that point. If it's a paid shoot, I will only hand the money to your parent or L.G. I pay them, not you. And, I will require them to be photographed holding their photo I.D. as well. If it's our second shoot or later their I.D. wont be required, but their presence on the shoot still will be. If you arrive at the shoot saying that your parent or L.G. couldn't make it, the shoot will not go forward. I will also require both their signature and yours on the release.

(3) - You are perfectly welcome to bring a chaperon with you to any shoot. However, I ask you to make sure that they remain unobtrusive to the shoot. They're welcome to watch the shoot take place, but once the shutter starts clicking I appreciate not having any distractions. The only people talking during shooting should be me and you.

(4) - I reserve the right for any shoot I do to be filmed on video. The video will not be published in any manner. It will never leave my studio, nor be viewed by anyone other than myself, and possibly my assistant. Any release you sign will not be applicable to any video taken during the shoot. The camera will be unmanned and placed unobtrusively somewhere within the room.

The reason I require the shoot to be videotaped is two-fold:

(i) I find it to be an invaluable tool. Often, because of my methods and the highly artistic nature of my style, upon watching video of the shoot, I will notice many things that I should have done, or done differently, that just didn't occur to me at the time of the shoot. This information becomes highly valuable on future shoots. And, if you're interested, I may call you back for a second shoot to incorporate the ideas gleaned from the video.

(ii) Videotaping the shoot is for my protection. I recently had a friend photographer experience a nasty incident with a model wrongly accusing him of some inappropriate action. So, if we haven't worked together before, I'm sorry, but I strongly feel the need to protect myself in this manner. My word against a model's word isn't good enough. If, by chance, we work together a few times and become familiar with each other, and I feel that you're an honest person, then I'll likely waive this requirement if you so wish. But, if we've never worked together before, I hate to insist on this requirement - I know most people are decent and honest - but, I'm afraid, because of the few who might not be, I must insist.

(5) - The model release must be signed before the shoot begins. I will provide you with a copy of the signed release at that time, upon your request, and if circumstances allow (I don't have a portable copier that I can bring with me to location shoots - in such circumstances, I will e-mail you a scan of the release at the earliest possible time.) But, until there's a signature on the release form, the shoot will not go forward.

The above requirements are not negotiable. If you have a problem with any of them, then, unfortunately, we can't work together.

Along with those requirements, I must make it known that I prefer to pay models at the end of the shoot, and not before the shoot. The reason being is, unfortunately, some models can adopt an "I got my money, now I can just put forth a minimum of effort, and if he doesn't like it, I'll just leave" attitude when they're paid before the shoot. However, I know that you have as much reason to trust me as I have to trust you if this is our first time working together. So, if you feel very strongly about being paid up-front, we can probably work something out -— like half up front, and half upon completion. I also know that it is folly to trust words written on the internet by someone you've never met before, but for what it's worth, if anything, I will never attempt to cheat you in any way, shape or form. And, you will be treated with the utmost respect and dignity at all times. And, I will expect the same from you. I sincerely take great pride in the knowledge that I am a decent and honorable person, and I will not knowingly take part in any action which would undermine that belief.

And, there's one other small thing that I ask: Please try to be punctual. And, if we have a shoot booked, please show up for it! If you can't make it to a shoot, or you know ahead of time that you're going to be quite late, a little notice is all it takes. I'm very flexible and a single phone-call, or e-mail, even just a few hours before a scheduled shoot, to let me know you can't make it, and I'll usually be happy to either re-schedule or cancel the shoot completely and not think any less of you. If you fail to show up, or show-up an hour late, with no notice, nor a really, really, really, really good excuse, we will not work together again. And, I will have no choice but to alert every photographer that I know to be wary.

I do strive to conduct myself in the most professional of manners and I pride myself on being an honest, forthright, and trustworthy person — and I do expect the same from those I work with. If you're not honest or trustworthy, or are incapable of conducting yourself in a professional manner, then please do not bother contacting me - it would only be a waste of time for both of us.

However, with that said, I do always try my best for a fun shoot that is very relaxed, with no pressure on any party involved. I'm very flexible, and I'm usually quite willing to go out of my way to be as accommodating as I possibly can be to anyone I work with. Making sure a model is as comfortable and at ease as possible is a top priority — the more relaxed the atmosphere, the better the shots - every time!

So, if you think you might like to work with me, and be a part in creating some unique and beautiful artistic works, send me an e-mail by clicking the link below and filling out the e-mail form. Just let me know that you might be interested in modeling, and tell me a bit about yourself. If I have any projects coming up, or if you have an idea for a project that you'd like to do, let me know and we can work out the details through e-mail.

Click here to contact me.

Thank-you for your consideration, and I hope we'll work together soon!

Sincerely,

Derek R. Audette

UPDATE - August 2015: (Please read)

A few new things of which you should take note prior to contacting me:

I'm currently receiving a lot of inquiries from people who wish to model, and I have been for some time. For this reason, and other reasons, I'm very likely to be solidly booked for a fair amount of time into the future when you contact me. Because of this, there's a couple of things you should know, should you choose to contact me:

(i) If you're looking only for paid modelling work, currently, the chances that I'll have anything of the sort available within about the next three to sixth months, at the earliest, is slim. I tend to book for projects for which I'm willing to pay quickly and well in advance, and I only pay for certain projects. Also, for such projects, I'm usually looking for specific looks and body-types to fit the particular shoot. So, if you're interested only in paid projects, be forewarned that there will likely be a long delay before a project comes up that I can use you for. I don't wish for this to dissuade you from contacting me, however. There are times when I have a paid shoot coming up soon that I'm trying to get done for which I don't have a model currently booked, and there's a chance you could contact me at just such a time. Just be forewarned that, at this point, it's sort of a 'luck of the draw' thing.

(ii) I'm currently using nudity fairly extensively in my artistic imagery. If you're willing to pose nude, please let me know that when you contact me, as I'll likely be able to use you for a shoot almost immediately. There is also a much better chance that I'll have paid work available quickly — although it's still not guaranteed. Most of the nude work I'm doing now is being done on a time-for-pictures (TFP) basis.

(iii) Please be advised that, if contacting me, I will ask you to provide example images of yourself in my response e-mail to you. This is a visual medium, after all, and I need to know what you look like in order to determine what sort of a shoot you'd be best suited for. If you contact me using the contact form that you'll be taken to when you click on the link above, there is no way to attach images to your message via that means of contact. If you're able, using that contact form, you can copy and paste a link or two to photos of yourself if they're available on the internet somewhere. If you're not able, I will ask you, in my follow-up e-mail to you, to attach one or two to an e-mail and send them to me. I only need one or two reasonably clear photos that fairly accurately portray what you look like. It is most helpful to have a reasonably clear shot of your face, and, if possible, a photo that displays something at least fairly close to the full length of your body.