Models' Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this TomNine character?

 I do not promote myself as a "professional photographer," whatever that means. This is a hobby for me, and my business model is to just have fun and cover my travel expenses and model fees. I try to deal with people professionally and produce the best images I can. I typically pay my models and recoup my expenses from the sites that use my photos. I am just a fan of athletic women who got his hands on a camera. There are some better photographers out there and some worse, you can look at my photo samples to decide if the quality meets your needs.

I have a regular job with the Department of Defense here in the Norfolk area. In 2001 I retired from the Navy after 20 years of active service. I am single, no children. If you want to see what I look like, I've assembled a few photos of myself on my MySpace page.

I prefer to be identified online as "TomNine" but I will use my full name when dealing with you directly.

I attend a few major bodybuilding events each year, listed at the end of this FAQ. 

I live in Virginia Beach, VA, and I can travel around the VA DC MD NC DE area if shoots justify it. I am always available for shoots in the Hampton Roads area and I am eager to lure more models to visit the area, especially during nice beach weather (May to September). Please let me know if you are considering a visit.

Do I have what it takes to be a TomNine model?

If you look at my photo samples page and you can picture yourself there, the odds are I'll be happy to work with you. If you aren't nearly as muscular as some of the women I have shot with, that is no problem. I expect the model to enjoy flexing and doing some bodybuilding poses, showing off some degree of muscular size or definition. Typical fitness/figure levels of muscularity are fine.

If you contact me about a shoot, I'd appreciate some photos or a link to where I can find some on the web. On season, off season, bodybuilder, figure, fitness, general athlete, non-competitor, it's all good.

If you have any special capabilities that might make for interesting photos or video (like gymnastic/strength moves, martial arts, good flexibility, etc.) please let me know.

How much does the model pay TomNine for photo services?

A trick question!

I generally pay the models, at least for shoots over an hour long with both stills and video. I don't pay as much as some of the pros, but I hope to make it worth the woman's time.

I usually provide the material to the woman for her own use. If you have a pay site, I am typically successful in getting a quantity and quality of photos and video that paying members want to see.

If I have the time, I will accept most shorter "time for photos" shoots, and I will sometimes be willing to shoot a woman exclusively for her site as long as I can add a few samples to my portfolio.

I prefer to pay with a personal check at the end of the shoot. If you need cash instead, please let me know before I leave home so I can plan for that.

Where will the material appear?

I recoup my expenses by sending the material to a website needing content for its members. I only send the material to one site at a time. Most of my material has gone to TheValkyrie.com. Prior to a shoot I try to be clear about what site will receive the images, I encourage you to check it out if you have any concerns.

Some photos from each shoot may appear on my samples page and I may share those same samples on various online forums. I often post one video clip from a shoot to YouTube. I have a good relationship with Andy's Muscle Goddesses, providing many photos for his great free site both on my own page and for individual models.

Do I get any photos?

I usually send the content to the model, and you will have full commercial use of all the material. Some of the sites I've worked with expect exclusive content, or may have other restrictions on how the content can be used. This will be made clear before the shoot.

I don't do a lot of shoots compared to some guys and I try to clear out my backlog fast, so I am pretty good about getting the material to the model. I can usually get some sample stills out within a few weeks. Video takes longer to process but I can usually get that done within 120 days of the shoot.

I shoot stills and video, exclusively digital. If we do a shorter stills-only shoot, I might get the pics to you by just uploading them to a place online you can access. Otherwise, I'll get a disc (usually a DVD+R as a data disc) to you in the mail. I assume everybody I work with can access some basic computer capabilities, please let me know if that is an issue. I am now shooting HD video.

The stills are available when I send out the samples and if you don't want the disc with the video I can get a zip file to you, just ask. If you were in a contest I shot, feel free to ask for the stage stills and I can get you a zip file of those too, even if we didn't do a shoot.

Why is TomNine such a cheap bastard?

I can afford to pay a higher fee than I do, but I have found such shoots unsatisfying. I pay a good rate that I think most people would be happy to earn. I enjoy working with women who are motivated to generate some good material and have a fun shoot, not models who view me as a walking ATM.

If you don't like my original offer, please feel free to let me know what your terms are. I do not like to haggle much. If the model is "all about the money" I will usually just pass. I like to support the ladies and I know how expensive it is to compete, but I view a shoot as a partnership among myself, the model, and the site receiving the content, where everyone desires good images for agreeable terms.

Do you work in a studio, or what?

I try to use available lighting and simple locations whenever I can. I prefer to work outside when weather permits. Of course some outfits are better shot in a more intimate indoors location, and I seem to have some success with natural light indoors.

I do as little post-processing as I can get away with, and I am very unlikely to alter the photos to correct a model's flaws. 

Do you shoot nude/pornographic/erotic photos?

My entire purpose in a shoot is to make my models looks sexy, attractive, and feminine, but I like to keep things around the PG-13 level. I enjoy doing boudoir/lingerie shoots if the model is comfortable with that, and I try to bring a classic glamour/pin-up girl look to my work. What you see on my samples page is about as racy as it gets.

I appreciate that the models I work with are serious athletes and I will respect any limits you set. If you don't want to portray yourself in certain ways just let me know. I don't need to play any "oops, I forgot to pack my lingerie" games.  Let's just find some common ground about what sort of images we want to make, and do it.

I am not interested in nude pics, including the range of topless, implied, partial, artistic, and tasteful nudes. If a model desires photos like this I won't run from the room screaming, but I am kind of shy.

What is a TomNine shoot like?

I like to shoot a model for at least an hour, and I prefer 90 to 120 minute shoots when possible. (I schedule my shooting time at contests into 90-minute blocks with half-hour breaks.)

I try for a fairly high volume of stills and video in that time, as opposed to fussing a lot over getting one or two perfect images. I like to keep things simple with a few basic locations and some fast costume changes. I suppose in this regard at least I am a typical schmotographer.

During contest weekends I prefer to stay close to the host hotel or another central location. I like to start on time and use the full scheduled period. The last 10 minutes or so are devoted to filling out paperwork. I try not to book shoots back-to-back, but schedules often fall apart on these weekends. Please show up on time, and let me know as soon as possible if you can't. I try to be professional about this, and I expect the same from my models.

I am not a particularly demanding or high-energy photographer. I just suggest a place to stand/sit/lie and let you do your thing. I assume you know how to best present yourself though I will recommend poses or tweaking them for best appearance. I devote some of each shoot to the usual flexing stuff, but my favorite images are where we try something different and the model and photographer work together to communicate directly with the viewer.

Can someone come with me for the shoot?

I'd rather work with a model by herself, but if it makes you more comfortable to have your husband, friend, whatever, at the shoot, that is fine. For various reasons, the fewer people at a shoot the better. Some thoughts on this subject (an many more subjects you might find interesting) appear on this Model Etiquette 101 page.

Shooting in a confined space or where there are lots of reflective surfaces can be difficult with extra people around, and I might suggest a specific place for them to watch from. 

I notice an increasing tendency for the guy with the model to take some photos during the shoot, and that is fine as long as it doesn't distract her from focusing on my camera. I might ask to cut back on the flash while I am shooting video.

What about clothes, jewelry, hair, and makeup?

I usually do not provide any costumes. I expect the model will bring a few options for me to pick from. I like to work with a few different outfits, at least one for each 30 minutes of shooting time. 

I always like to see the model in a nice dress/skirt for part of the shoot.  Any other outfits you want to wear are welcome. I also like to do at least one segment of a shoot with the model in lingerie if you are comfortable with that. If you are in sharp contest condition we will want outfits that show it off, while a different approach will flatter an off-season physique.

I prefer simple, "classy but sexy" outfits over something overtly slutty. I trust that the models know best about how to look good and how they want to display themselves. 

The model should bring shoes appropriate to the outfit: sneakers with workout wear, nice heels with a dress, etc. There might be some walking between locations, so casual shoes or sandals might be useful.

I'm not a big fan of accessories like hats, scarves, etc. If you have some fun props or costumes in mind that is great.

I like to see jewelry appropriate for the outfit, not too much though. I don't really like non-ear piercings and feel they detract from most women's appearance, but you should show up however you want to present yourself.

I expect the model to arrive at the shoot with her hair and makeup prepared. I do not usually provide anyone to help with this. 

If you anticipate any complications in how I propose a shoot (for example: work-out photos early in the shoot will ruin your makeup, humidity outside will do crazy things to your hair, etc.) let me know and we can work around it.

Some points you should consider:

• Bold stage makeup required for competing is not good for shoots. I prefer simple, light, natural-looking makeup, perhaps zipping things up a bit, for example a brighter lipstick when the shoot progresses from the gym to the bedroom. 
• Please remove ALL the tags and labels from outfits before the shoot.  Of course this might not be a problem with some outfits, but with sheer fabric and lingerie they ALWAYS show up. Tucking them in does not work, they will always pop out when posing for video. Stickers in the soles of your shoes need to go too.
• It doesn't look good when the body is very tanned and the face remains pale. It is more flattering (and easier to get a good exposure) if you use makeup just a little lighter than your neck-down tan.
• The worst time to schedule a shoot is after applying a tanning product, especially a Jan Tana treatment. That stuff never really dries; it will run and streak as you move, and get all over your clothes and anything you touch. At contest time I understand tanning is an issue, but I expect the model to show up with her color relatively dry and even. 
• If you show up wearing an outfit we can shoot in, that is a great time-saver.
• Outfits should be flattering to your condition posing different ways, like sitting, standing, and reclining. 
• Shoes are an important part of the outfit. Most women are totally into this. High heels really do make you look better, I don't make the rules.
• 
• If you have body piercings visible under a tight dress, you might consider removing them before the shoot.
• Gum chewing looks bad.
• Bring what you need, but not everything you might need. The less you carry to the shoot, the easier it will be to find what you want and to move from location to location.
• If you think you might squint when shooting outside, bring along some sunglasses.
• I know you want to have some fun on contest weekends, especially after the show is over. Don't party all night if you schedule a shoot the next morning.
• I used to suggest layered outfits, for example a bikini under a dress, to save time changing. I no longer recommend this, and like each outfit to be as uncluttered as possible, with minimum straps and lines. If you can get by without a bra with visible straps, that would help.
• Dresses should be tight, short, and simple. I need something that looks good and shows off your physique in many different poses. If you are in tight shape, you might as well wear something form fitting to show it off. If your dress is loose at the waist, consider bringing a belt.

I'm a tomboy and don't know about posing, any suggestions?

I am terrible about suggesting how to be a good model. This article has some ideas. This clip from the Ford Agency is totally applicable to the shoots I do.

You should practice in front of the mirror, and be aware of how your face looks from different angles, how to best place your feet and hands, that sort of stuff. Look at photos you like of other women and see how the model presents herself.

It might help to watch America's Next Top Model for ideas about presenting yourself and working with photographers.

Will I need to sign a release form?

At the end of the shoot I will ask you to sign a model's release form, and sometimes a second form for the site receiving the material. I will be happy to forward a Word version of my release prior to the shoot if you wish to review it, and if you prefer to sign it before the shoot that is fine as well.

I use a very simple form, free of complex language, stating clearly that I, and the site I represent, own the material and can use it as we please, plus defining any obligations I have to provide you with material. The form also collects all contact information I might need to send you the material and some optional personal information. 

I appreciate that a lot of trust is involved to sign such a form. I hope that the number of women I have worked with many times shows that I am worthy of that trust.

I don't want to do any video, is that a problem?

If I have time, I will usually be happy to do a brief (15-30 minutes) TFP stills only shoot. No money will change hands, I'll just send you the material online. I can usually only justify a longer or paid shoot if the model is comfortable doing video. 

I like to get some posing, flexing, and working out video, and also try to get some interview material if the model is up for that. You can check out my YouTube channel for examples of what I come up with.

What's with your YouTube channel?

A strong YouTube presense is a major part of my personal branding, and increasingly a source of income. If you don't like the idea of being on YouTube, please let me know before booking the shoot. If you prefer to not be identified by name, that is fine.

I'm still nervous about working with you, can I talk to any previous models about their experiences?

I have no problem if you contact any of my past models. You can't please everybody, but most of the women I have worked with are eager to pose for me again. If you look through my samples from recent shoots you might see someone you know well enough to contact for a reference. (Links to older shoots are at the bottom of the page.) I also know quite a few of the other photographers on the scene, you can ask what they think if you like. A good shoot is all about the model and photographer trusting each other.

We've discussed working together but you never got back to me or always say your schedule is full. What's with that?

I prefer longer shoots (60-120 minutes) and only work during daylight hours, so during a contest weekend I rarely get to work with more than a dozen models. 

My first priority is usually new models, or ladies I haven't worked with recently. I also try to achieve some diversity among my models. Ethnicity and age are factors, but it also includes getting a good mix between bodybuilders and figure competitors, in contest shape and off season.

Please do not take it personally if I can't fit you into my schedule. There is only so much TomNine to go around.

What shows are you attending?

Here is my highly tenuous travel schedule for 2010.