Admittedly, the last year, the TFP scene in Christchurch has really been struggling for models.
Between the models that say they are coming but then never show up, the teenage drama and then the mentality of others that "they just won't bother"... it kinda gets annoying.
Unfortunately, there's only really 3 that consistently turn up to meets. One of which actually comes as a photographer but then gets roped into modeling. I've decided to step up a bit to help Marie get at least some more time behind the camera than in-front of it... I know I'm not the best but at least I'm a change of scenery! 😂
TFP meets up Christchurch hasn't been getting the best rep lately... but a good portion of the "gossip" is from women looking to start trouble.
We had a situation before the Bottle Lake meet where a model named Wendy decided to aggressively accuse a photographer of not giving her images from a Edmunds Factory Garden meet. The admins and organisers of TFP meet ups CHCH Facebook group tried their best to sort things out with Wendy but she refused to accept sense. Turns out the photographer she was waiting for images from wasn't even the one she accused. She left the Facebook group and then went on to bag the group on a nationwide models/photographers group. Spreading her lies and creating hate.
Something I really can't stand is people who just feel the need to be horrible to others. I did see the messages she sent at least one of the admins, and it was pretty juvenile and extremely aggressive. I was pretty embarrassed for her, for her behaviour.
This situation really put things into perspective and we've had to address a photographer time "guideline".
Unfortunately a casual meet can no longer be casual, and photographers SHOULD have their images to models within a month of the photoshoot date. We as a group have acknowledge and agreed this is an acceptable timeline... though sometimes I find it interesting something so casual needs to be so rushed... some wedding photographers take 3-6 months to send completed images!
I'm finding myself that I'm taking longer with getting my images done. Working a full time job (40-60 hours a week), doing an apprenticeship as well as running a photography business... well.. things can get pretty chaotic. So I do understand that time gets in the way and things don't quite get done as planned. Christ, I've been completely forgetting so much recently. I have to put paying clients first... so if I have clients images I need to edit, they will get done before TFP models.
Another thing that needs to be addressed is model mentality to an uneven balance of models vs photographers.
The thinking of "I can't be bothered going because there will be way too many photographers" is rather selfish really. It puts so much more pressure on girls like Christina, Sanj and Marie that consistently show up. It's one thing to be a model at a portrait workshop and be working with a large group of photographers at once, but to have people standing around waiting to work with you because you're the only model there... that's pressure. It would be different if we could shoot models at the same time (like a workshop) but there are some photographers that get extremely sensitive over people "shooting over their shoulder". Me, I couldn't give a shit. I've been on enough workshops to know what it's like, and as long as the model is comfortable, things are communicated and everyone's having fun... well, it shouldn't be a bother.
Last but not least... I wanted to share these images created by Kester Apostol of me. I absolutely love them and was great to get some awesome images back from my first time modeling at a meet.
I'll be offering myself as a model a bit more frequently with the meets.... I know I'm not great and a little older and less appealing looking... nut I'll try my best 😂😂😂😂
