Tampa Bay Modeling. The free modeling career resource web site based out of Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Models can get the lowest portfolio photography rates!
Help yourself for low cost photography and other services by using our online bidding system. Save up over 50% off of any service that you need for your modeling career!
As a model, you will have to pay for these services. You might as well save money while you do it.

This free and easy to use online bidding board was developed by models who have had photographers and other service vendors bid against each other to win their business. The lowest bid wins, of course, and that's the idea. They saved over 50% and more, and you can do the same! Follow the rules and make them use the board, and this will work nicely.

This bidding system is brand new and the first of its kind to be used in the modeling industry. It was launched on Monday, October 18, 2004, and many people do not know about it yet. Photographers cannot use something that they do not know about, and you need as many as possible to bid in order to lower the rate. Your success using this will depend upon how many photographers post bids for your service need, and you will need to send them to your post. The advantage of doing this is that you can screen most of the photographer bidding for quality, and that will not be an issue. In the future, photographers will be coming here to bid on their own, and the models will have to review their work before allowing them to bid or accepting their bid as final.

Follow these easy steps exactly. Follow the rules for bidding and you will get the lowest rates. Allow photographers to sidetrack the process by contacting you directly and you will waste money that you do not have to spend- stick to the script and you will save a lot of money. You do not need to be in the Tampa Bay area to use our system. You can be anywhere in the world. Shop for photographers and service suppliers in your area.
As a model looking for services, you are the customer and you call the shots. Photographer have no right to overcharge you for services, and you have the right to seek a lower rate and pay them a fair rate. All the cards are in your hand. They have to convince you to invest in their services, and that gives you both the power and leverage in any negotiations. Do not let someone convince you to spend more than you have to. Use this system like it is designed to be used and follow our simple rules and you will save more than enough money to make the easy effort worth it.
Don't accept their rates! NEGOTIATE. Nothing is as cut and dry as they would have you believe. Many photographer will discount their services to get your business, ESPECIALLY when they have competitors bidding against them for the sale!
For these instructions, we will specify that the model is looking for a photographer, but this can be used for any modeling industry service that they are dealing with.
Tampa Bay Modeling assumes no liability or responsibility for business conducted on the bidding board. All participants accept all risks and potential liability. For more, please read our reverse auction bidding board DISCLAIMER.

Economic Rule: Competition drives down prices.
Complicated? It's not! It's easy to create a competitive scenario that will save you money. Try it and see how easy it can be. Many photographers market their services with rates and are always trying to underbid other photographers to get business. Make this simple fact work for you!

Models should NOT reveal their real identity until they accept the bid that they want and set up their service or shoot. Use a YAHOO or HOTMAIL disposable E-Mail account. DO NOT use your real E-Mail account. Keep the control where it belongs- with you!

1. LOOK at our suggested RATE INDEX to see what a fair rate is in Tampa Bay or Florida. Use this to evaluate your bids.
2. POST WHAT YOU NEED with a description of what you are looking for, what city you are in, and when you need it. You can look at the posts of other models on the board to get an idea of what to post.
3. GET LETTER to E-Mail to the photographers and invite them to bid for your business. The more photographers that bid, the lower your rate can go.
4. GET TIPS to improve the bidding process and get a lower rate.
5. GET AGREEMENT to close the deal.

Don't know the process or this is your first time? Take five minutes and learn the process with easy instructions!

1. POST A DESCRIPTION of what you need on our online bidding board.
First, get familiar with our SUGGESTED RATES for model photography so you know what is fair. When you figure out what you need, post it. Post a request for services on Tampa Bay Modeling's reverse auction message board. Sample request would be like "I am looking for four looks for my portfolio, and I'd like to do this between November 3 and 15. I am a model in the Tampa Bay area. Please give me what you would charge for this, and I will consider working with the photographer with the lowest bid for my requirement. Do not contact me directly. To be considered, you must post your bid on this board". Post WHAT you need, WHEN you need it, and request the quotes (bids) to be placed on the board (this is very important, and we will explain). When you post your bid thread, give it the SAME NAME AS THE E-MAIL (Hotmail or Yahoo) ADDRESS NAME YOU ARE USING so photographers can find your bid! You can also cut and paste the URL of your thread into the body of your invitation E-Mail to give them a direct link.

2. SHOP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS or service vendors.
Go to a search engine or an online photography directory. Look for photographers in your local area. Look at the pictures on their web site. Only deal with photographers who do good work. If their photography is flawed or that cannot demonstrate range, keep shopping. If they list their rates, note that everything is negotiable and you should be able to reduce that rate by a good percentage. We've had models get over 50% off, and in a few cases they got over 75% off the photographers normal rate. Once you have compiled a list of contact E-Mails, E-Mail all the photographers an invitation to bid for your business by ending them a simple E-Mail with a link to your post on our bidding board (cut and paste the address on your browser window to make it easy for them, or add this general address: http://www.network54.com/Forum/357360 . Get a sample letter HERE, and feel free to change what you need to. Models do not have to disclose who they are when they use this, and should stay anonymous until they actually accept the photographer bid and meet with them to sign their agreement.
GET INVITATION LETTER.

3. DRIVE THE BIDDING process.
This is critical. Don't just post and sit back. be proactive and take the initiative. You're the boss!
Once you post your service requirement and a few photographers have bid, you need to keep adding the photographers. The more photographers who enter the bidding process, the more you will potentially be able to save. If you only have a few photographers, there will be less incentive to lower their rates.
GET AS MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AS POSSIBLE TO BID ON YOUR NEED!
You cannot allow photographer to privately bid or to contact you with a deal. You will be giving away money that you do not have to give away unless you stick to the plan. They must post their bid on the bidding board so the other photographers who are bidding can see WHO they are and WHAT they are bidding. The photographers will look at the quality of the other photographers work, and will look at their rates. Their competitive nature will help drive the rate lower and lower.
Remember: There are a lot of photographers out there. There are fewer models. Competition is fierce, and my making them post publicly, you facilitate an environment conducive to competition and will get a lower rate. Most photographers will be obligated to participate in this process simply because their competition will be doing it and they would lose your business by default.
Do NOT let the photographers bid anonymously. The other photographers MUST be able to see who they are, the work that they do, and the rates that they are bidding. all these factors will drive down the bids and this process will save you money.
If a photographer that you did not invite to bid jumps into a bid, look at their work. If it would not meet your needs, you do not have to accept their bid as final if they underbid the others. Let them bid if they want to, as it will help the process, but don't say anything to them. Simply accept the best photographer at the lowest rate you can get.

4. CLOSE the deal.
As their customer, you choose the final bid. It doesn't have to be the lowest on on the board, but the lowest bid at the most ideal quality of service. Announce on the thread "I have made my section. The bidding has been closed for this job."
You do not need to announce who you have chosen, and there is no time limit on the process other than the one that you have set.
Contact the photographer and set up a meeting to sign the service agreement at your low rate. Check their references. If the photographer misrepresents their work or misleads you, simply walk away and choose again from the bidding board. If the photographer tries to convince you to book services at a higher rate or tries to modify what was originally agreed upon, run away and report them to the authorities! This is unethical and illegal, and could be a case for fraud or using deceptive trade practices.
If you need an agreement to use for your booked rate, use THIS.
When you meet with the photographer and sign the deal, stick to the original deal. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY ALTERNATIVE DEALS. If they do good work and you might consider working with them in the future, consider alternative deals in the future. For now, insist on the quoted rate and your service requirement.

The results of this service are not guaranteed. Savings in services specified were from models who have used reverse bidding techniques used in Tampa Bay Modeling's Reverse Auction System. The service if provided as a service free of charge for models, and no guarantees expressed. Results of the use of this service vary case by case, and is mainly up to the model and how they conduct themselves. In general, the more people that you get to bid, the lower the bids tend to go.
Tampa Bay Modeling and its affiliates are not responsible for any interaction, business conducted, or services booked on our Reverse Auction Bidding Board. False statement, misleading bids, flaming, and defamatory posts will not be tolerated, and will be removed upon discovery. Tampa Bay Modeling reserves the right to remove or edit posts on our board at our discretion, at any time, and with no reason given.
All participants accept full responsibility from the use of our bidding boards, and waive Tampa Bay Modeling and our affiliates from any and all claims of libel, slander, fraud, cyber stalking, and any civil or criminal infraction.
Opinions on any public message board are the opinions of the author that posted them, and may not necessarily be the opinions of Tampa Bay Modeling.

Business rule: This can be a great way to sell your photography services. Remember that.
You might not like the fact that models are pressuring you to participate in the modeling industry's first reverse auction program. You may even try to ignore them. That would be like throwing away business, however, and is not the way to deal with this.
The best way to deal with this program is stay positive and use it to market your quality services! Think about it- there are models who like your work enough to consider booking you for their portfolio. The only thing that they want is a fair rate for your services, and we hope that you understand.
Learn the process and embrace it. Your bank account will thank you!
Think about this: How many shoots have you lost to other photographers who do not do work anywhere near as high quality as you do but charge a lot more? There are photographers out there who can talk a good sales pitch who have below average skill but can close a sale. Sometimes, they will embellish the value of their work and try to pitch themselves as a larger player in the modeling industry with connections to convince models to pay extremely high rates. The insult to injury comes when the model pays high rates for pictures that end up worthless, and when they finally find you they no longer have any money left to invest in your services.
Would you rather discount your services or not have the booking to begin with. Not participating with this service is a mistake when you have models looking for the services that you offer! Your competition will be bidding, too, so at the very least you'll have to play the game to be in the running to winning a job.
THIS SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO DRIVE RATES BELOW PROFIT MARGINS. We do not want photographers to go out of business over this. You may have to discount your rates a little to keep up, but even if the rate bids go lower than you can do, you can still win the job! How is this? Because if your quality is good, the models might still give you the booking, even if a hundred other photographers have bids that are lower. The photographers who bid too low will either demonstrate that they don't know what they are doing or their work will be so bad that a lower rate will not do much to hurt your consideration. Most models who are smart enough to use this service are also smart enough to know the difference between good and bad photography.
If you are as low as you can possibly go with your rate bid, let them know. Post something like "I bid $400.00 for this job, and this offer stands firm". Don't give up. For every post that offers a lower rate, repost your offer even if it is more. If you stay visible in the bidding process, at least you are still in the running for consideration even if your rates are higher, that is if your quality is good, because you are still visible to the model. Quality often wins out over rate pricing, anyway, and wouldn't you rather compete on the grounds of the quality of your work instead of rates?
Everyone can win with this program. The smart photographer will go here often to check out models who are looking for services so they can offer what they have to give. That's smart.

ETHICS OF REVERSE AUCTIONS

We have already heard from at least one respected professional that this may not be ethical. We disagree. This is exercising freedom in the market at its best.

From Webster's dictionary - "Ethical": Being in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct of a profession. "Unethical": Not adhering to ethical or moral principles; "base and unpatriotic motives"; "a base, degrading way of life"; "cheating is dishonorable"; "they considered colonialism immoral"; "unethical practices in handling public funds".

Models, this is a changing modeling industry. You need to be open to new ideas and the progress that doing this differently enables. There is nothing unethical or wrong with open competition and shopping for the best rates; we do it every day when we shop for things that we need. It's time that we apply these strategies to model photography and modeling industry services.
Reverse Auctions are considered to be ethical and are now accepted business practices used by corporations to have subcontractors bid for jobs. There is noting immoral or illegal about it, nor is it "cheating". For proof, go to any search engines and enter "Reverse Auctions" in the search field.
Reverse Auctions have been proven to work, and are revolutionizing the way the business world contracts for work. We are introducing this proven concept to the modeling world. Reverse Auctions are an alien concept to the modeling industry, and people may not understand them at first. It is a known fact that people who are uninformed automatically assume the worst of anything that they do not immediately understand.
We challenge you to take the time to understand this process and make up your own mind. If you still think that it is unethical, please feel free to not use this and pay whatever rates a photographer dictates to you.
Smart models will use this system, save over 50%, and realize that they have the power and the ability to negotiate for what they need.

RETURN TO INSTRUCTIONS

POST A COMMENT - TERMS OF USE - MODELING RATE SHEETS - ABOUT US

Read the instructions.
Take five minute and read the instructions. This is not hard to do, but you need to know the rules. How can you play the game and win if you don't know the rules? If you are reading this, you probably just read the rules and understand them. Read the rest of these tips and get ready to save some money.

Communicate your needs.
POST YOUR REQUEST. You need to post exactly what you need so you don't have to clarify yourself. The photographers need to know what they are bidding on.
INVITE THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Send an E-Mail like this or copy it and fill in the blanks to get the photographers to bid on your request for services.

Follow the rules.
You need to stick to plan, and do not get tempted to go off course. Don't allow photographers to convince you to accept a private bid for their services. Why? Because if the other photographers can see their bid, they will try to underbid it, which will cause them to lower their bid to keep your interest. The rules are there to help you get the most out of this.

Don't consider them if they do not cooperate.
Some photographers might get angry that a "model" is asking them to bid on services. They will explain that their rates are listed on their web site and that's what they are. They will tell you that you are unprofessional. Remember- You are the buyer, and they are the seller. It is a buyers market. They are in business to sell their services to you. If they complain and refuse to cooperate, delete their harsh E-Mail and keep looking for other photographers. There are plenty of good photographers out there. If they threaten you, keep their E-Mail on file and report them. Most photographers cannot follow through on their threats, but since they do not know who you are (until you accept their bid, of course), you're safe.
If they see that their competition is competing against them, they will lower their rates for you or risk losing a sale.

Know what fair rates are for Tampa Bay.
CHECK RATE SHEET. You need to know what a fair rate for model portfolio photography is in Tampa Bay. If they go too low with their bids, you need to find out the reason that they can offer you low rates. If their rates are too high, use our bidding boards to bring them back down to earth! That's a good photographer. Good boy.

Don't disrespect the photographers.
You're trying to get a fair rate. You are not trying to make them lose money. Be polite and professional, and realize that it's not wrong for a photographer to make a profit. That's why they are in business as a professional, and you really don't want to work for a photographer who runs a charity. Don't talk down to the photographer and don't be condescending; they will be more open to respecting you in return.

Drive the bids.
The more photographers who bid on you, the more competition, and the lower the rates can go. It can really be that simple. Go find as many photographers as you can and send them your E-Mail message! Once you write it for one photographer, you can sent the same one to others, too. Ah, the joy and the power of the Internet! Use this E-MAIL LETTER TEMPLATE.

Be professional.
Be polite and professional. Keep your opinions to yourself. Don't get into arguments or debates with the photographers- just go to the next one if they have a problem with you. If you are professional you will be treated and respected as a professional.

Handle rejection.
You're a model. Rejection comes with the business. No matter what you do, you will have to deal with it. You will get some photographers annoyed with this, but remember that you cannot make everyone happy, and in the end the money that you will save will make any trouble worth it.

"I am a model from Tampa, Florida, and I need a six look portfolio session in the month of October. Please place your bid for what I need in order to be considered."

"Hello! I am a model who has seen your work, and I am interested in you providing the photography services that I am in need of. I am inviting you to join a group bidding process known as a reverse auction on the Internet for the job that I have posted there. While I respect your work and your rates as a professional photographer, I am looking for the best rates and the best quality of photography work.
If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here: ____________________.
Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you can offer me on the board."

"Hello! My name is (First name only, preferably made up), and I have seen your work. I am interested in you providing the photography services that I am in need of. I am inviting you to join a group bidding process known as a reverse auction on the Internet for the job that I have posted there. While I respect your work and your rates as a professional photographer, I am looking for the best rates and the best quality of photography work.
If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here: ____________________.
Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you can offer me on the board.
Sincerely,
(First name only, preferably made up)."



		TAMPA BAY MODELING - TAMPA BAY FILM - TAMPA BAY ACTING - TAMPA BAY PHOTOGRAPHERS
		Reverse Auctions Models can get the lowest portfolio photography rates! Help yourself for low cost photography and other services by using our online bidding system. Save up over 50% off of any service that you need for your modeling career! As a model, you will have to pay for these services. You might as well save money while you do it. POST YOUR NEED Post what you need on any Internet message board. GET INSTRUCTIONS IS THIS ETHICAL? This free and easy to use online bidding board was developed by models who have had photographers and other service vendors bid against each other to win their business. The lowest bid wins, of course, and that's the idea. They saved over 50% and more, and you can do the same! Follow the rules and make them use the board, and this will work nicely. This bidding system is brand new and the first of its kind to be used in the modeling industry. It was launched on Monday, October 18, 2004, and many people do not know about it yet. Photographers cannot use something that they do not know about, and you need as many as possible to bid in order to lower the rate. Your success using this will depend upon how many photographers post bids for your service need, and you will need to send them to your post. The advantage of doing this is that you can screen most of the photographer bidding for quality, and that will not be an issue. In the future, photographers will be coming here to bid on their own, and the models will have to review their work before allowing them to bid or accepting their bid as final. Instructions Follow these easy steps exactly. Follow the rules for bidding and you will get the lowest rates. Allow photographers to sidetrack the process by contacting you directly and you will waste money that you do not have to spend- stick to the script and you will save a lot of money. You do not need to be in the Tampa Bay area to use our system. You can be anywhere in the world. Shop for photographers and service suppliers in your area. As a model looking for services, you are the customer and you call the shots. Photographer have no right to overcharge you for services, and you have the right to seek a lower rate and pay them a fair rate. All the cards are in your hand. They have to convince you to invest in their services, and that gives you both the power and leverage in any negotiations. Do not let someone convince you to spend more than you have to. Use this system like it is designed to be used and follow our simple rules and you will save more than enough money to make the easy effort worth it. Don't accept their rates! NEGOTIATE. Nothing is as cut and dry as they would have you believe. Many photographer will discount their services to get your business, ESPECIALLY when they have competitors bidding against them for the sale! For these instructions, we will specify that the model is looking for a photographer, but this can be used for any modeling industry service that they are dealing with. Tampa Bay Modeling assumes no liability or responsibility for business conducted on the bidding board. All participants accept all risks and potential liability. For more, please read our reverse auction bidding board DISCLAIMER. Economic Rule: Competition drives down prices. Complicated? It's not! It's easy to create a competitive scenario that will save you money. Try it and see how easy it can be. Many photographers market their services with rates and are always trying to underbid other photographers to get business. Make this simple fact work for you! Models should NOT reveal their real identity until they accept the bid that they want and set up their service or shoot. Use a YAHOO or HOTMAIL disposable E-Mail account. DO NOT use your real E-Mail account. Keep the control where it belongs- with you! MODEL INSTRUCTIONS - PHOTOGRAPHER INSTRUCTIONS - SERVICE VENDOR INSTRUCTIONS Model Instructions Just five minutes gets you started. Quick Process 1. LOOK at our suggested RATE INDEX to see what a fair rate is in Tampa Bay or Florida. Use this to evaluate your bids. 2. POST WHAT YOU NEED with a description of what you are looking for, what city you are in, and when you need it. You can look at the posts of other models on the board to get an idea of what to post. 3. GET LETTER to E-Mail to the photographers and invite them to bid for your business. The more photographers that bid, the lower your rate can go. 4. GET TIPS to improve the bidding process and get a lower rate. 5. GET AGREEMENT to close the deal. Don't know the process or this is your first time? Take five minutes and learn the process with easy instructions! Process With Instructions 1. POST A DESCRIPTION of what you need on our online bidding board. First, get familiar with our SUGGESTED RATES for model photography so you know what is fair. When you figure out what you need, post it. Post a request for services on Tampa Bay Modeling's reverse auction message board. Sample request would be like "I am looking for four looks for my portfolio, and I'd like to do this between November 3 and 15. I am a model in the Tampa Bay area. Please give me what you would charge for this, and I will consider working with the photographer with the lowest bid for my requirement. Do not contact me directly. To be considered, you must post your bid on this board". Post WHAT you need, WHEN you need it, and request the quotes (bids) to be placed on the board (this is very important, and we will explain). When you post your bid thread, give it the SAME NAME AS THE E-MAIL (Hotmail or Yahoo) ADDRESS NAME YOU ARE USING so photographers can find your bid! You can also cut and paste the URL of your thread into the body of your invitation E-Mail to give them a direct link. 2. SHOP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS or service vendors. Go to a search engine or an online photography directory. Look for photographers in your local area. Look at the pictures on their web site. Only deal with photographers who do good work. If their photography is flawed or that cannot demonstrate range, keep shopping. If they list their rates, note that everything is negotiable and you should be able to reduce that rate by a good percentage. We've had models get over 50% off, and in a few cases they got over 75% off the photographers normal rate. Once you have compiled a list of contact E-Mails, E-Mail all the photographers an invitation to bid for your business by ending them a simple E-Mail with a link to your post on our bidding board (cut and paste the address on your browser window to make it easy for them, or add this general address: http://www.network54.com/Forum/357360 . Get a sample letter HERE, and feel free to change what you need to. Models do not have to disclose who they are when they use this, and should stay anonymous until they actually accept the photographer bid and meet with them to sign their agreement. GET INVITATION LETTER. 3. DRIVE THE BIDDING process. This is critical. Don't just post and sit back. be proactive and take the initiative. You're the boss! Once you post your service requirement and a few photographers have bid, you need to keep adding the photographers. The more photographers who enter the bidding process, the more you will potentially be able to save. If you only have a few photographers, there will be less incentive to lower their rates. GET AS MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AS POSSIBLE TO BID ON YOUR NEED! You cannot allow photographer to privately bid or to contact you with a deal. You will be giving away money that you do not have to give away unless you stick to the plan. They must post their bid on the bidding board so the other photographers who are bidding can see WHO they are and WHAT they are bidding. The photographers will look at the quality of the other photographers work, and will look at their rates. Their competitive nature will help drive the rate lower and lower. Remember: There are a lot of photographers out there. There are fewer models. Competition is fierce, and my making them post publicly, you facilitate an environment conducive to competition and will get a lower rate. Most photographers will be obligated to participate in this process simply because their competition will be doing it and they would lose your business by default. Do NOT let the photographers bid anonymously. The other photographers MUST be able to see who they are, the work that they do, and the rates that they are bidding. all these factors will drive down the bids and this process will save you money. If a photographer that you did not invite to bid jumps into a bid, look at their work. If it would not meet your needs, you do not have to accept their bid as final if they underbid the others. Let them bid if they want to, as it will help the process, but don't say anything to them. Simply accept the best photographer at the lowest rate you can get. 4. CLOSE the deal. As their customer, you choose the final bid. It doesn't have to be the lowest on on the board, but the lowest bid at the most ideal quality of service. Announce on the thread "I have made my section. The bidding has been closed for this job." You do not need to announce who you have chosen, and there is no time limit on the process other than the one that you have set. Contact the photographer and set up a meeting to sign the service agreement at your low rate. Check their references. If the photographer misrepresents their work or misleads you, simply walk away and choose again from the bidding board. If the photographer tries to convince you to book services at a higher rate or tries to modify what was originally agreed upon, run away and report them to the authorities! This is unethical and illegal, and could be a case for fraud or using deceptive trade practices. If you need an agreement to use for your booked rate, use THIS. When you meet with the photographer and sign the deal, stick to the original deal. DO NOT LISTEN TO ANY ALTERNATIVE DEALS. If they do good work and you might consider working with them in the future, consider alternative deals in the future. For now, insist on the quoted rate and your service requirement. DISCLAIMER The results of this service are not guaranteed. Savings in services specified were from models who have used reverse bidding techniques used in Tampa Bay Modeling's Reverse Auction System. The service if provided as a service free of charge for models, and no guarantees expressed. Results of the use of this service vary case by case, and is mainly up to the model and how they conduct themselves. In general, the more people that you get to bid, the lower the bids tend to go. Tampa Bay Modeling and its affiliates are not responsible for any interaction, business conducted, or services booked on our Reverse Auction Bidding Board. False statement, misleading bids, flaming, and defamatory posts will not be tolerated, and will be removed upon discovery. Tampa Bay Modeling reserves the right to remove or edit posts on our board at our discretion, at any time, and with no reason given. All participants accept full responsibility from the use of our bidding boards, and waive Tampa Bay Modeling and our affiliates from any and all claims of libel, slander, fraud, cyber stalking, and any civil or criminal infraction. Opinions on any public message board are the opinions of the author that posted them, and may not necessarily be the opinions of Tampa Bay Modeling. Q&A File: Questions and Answers. Updated as we get them. Tips: How to use our bidding system to save money Reverse Auction Bidding Message Board Resources Sample service requests that models might place on board. Letters for models to send to photographers or service vendors. Agreement for booking services at the agreed rates. Suggested Photography Rates POST A COMMENT - TERMS OF USE - MODELING RATE SHEETS - ABOUT US Photographer Instructions Business rule: This can be a great way to sell your photography services. Remember that. You might not like the fact that models are pressuring you to participate in the modeling industry's first reverse auction program. You may even try to ignore them. That would be like throwing away business, however, and is not the way to deal with this. The best way to deal with this program is stay positive and use it to market your quality services! Think about it- there are models who like your work enough to consider booking you for their portfolio. The only thing that they want is a fair rate for your services, and we hope that you understand. Learn the process and embrace it. Your bank account will thank you! Think about this: How many shoots have you lost to other photographers who do not do work anywhere near as high quality as you do but charge a lot more? There are photographers out there who can talk a good sales pitch who have below average skill but can close a sale. Sometimes, they will embellish the value of their work and try to pitch themselves as a larger player in the modeling industry with connections to convince models to pay extremely high rates. The insult to injury comes when the model pays high rates for pictures that end up worthless, and when they finally find you they no longer have any money left to invest in your services. Would you rather discount your services or not have the booking to begin with. Not participating with this service is a mistake when you have models looking for the services that you offer! Your competition will be bidding, too, so at the very least you'll have to play the game to be in the running to winning a job. THIS SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO DRIVE RATES BELOW PROFIT MARGINS. We do not want photographers to go out of business over this. You may have to discount your rates a little to keep up, but even if the rate bids go lower than you can do, you can still win the job! How is this? Because if your quality is good, the models might still give you the booking, even if a hundred other photographers have bids that are lower. The photographers who bid too low will either demonstrate that they don't know what they are doing or their work will be so bad that a lower rate will not do much to hurt your consideration. Most models who are smart enough to use this service are also smart enough to know the difference between good and bad photography. If you are as low as you can possibly go with your rate bid, let them know. Post something like "I bid $400.00 for this job, and this offer stands firm". Don't give up. For every post that offers a lower rate, repost your offer even if it is more. If you stay visible in the bidding process, at least you are still in the running for consideration even if your rates are higher, that is if your quality is good, because you are still visible to the model. Quality often wins out over rate pricing, anyway, and wouldn't you rather compete on the grounds of the quality of your work instead of rates? Everyone can win with this program. The smart photographer will go here often to check out models who are looking for services so they can offer what they have to give. That's smart. ETHICS OF REVERSE AUCTIONS We have already heard from at least one respected professional that this may not be ethical. We disagree. This is exercising freedom in the market at its best. From Webster's dictionary - "Ethical": Being in accordance with the accepted principles of right and wrong that govern the conduct of a profession. "Unethical": Not adhering to ethical or moral principles; "base and unpatriotic motives"; "a base, degrading way of life"; "cheating is dishonorable"; "they considered colonialism immoral"; "unethical practices in handling public funds". Models, this is a changing modeling industry. You need to be open to new ideas and the progress that doing this differently enables. There is nothing unethical or wrong with open competition and shopping for the best rates; we do it every day when we shop for things that we need. It's time that we apply these strategies to model photography and modeling industry services. Reverse Auctions are considered to be ethical and are now accepted business practices used by corporations to have subcontractors bid for jobs. There is noting immoral or illegal about it, nor is it "cheating". For proof, go to any search engines and enter "Reverse Auctions" in the search field. Reverse Auctions have been proven to work, and are revolutionizing the way the business world contracts for work. We are introducing this proven concept to the modeling world. Reverse Auctions are an alien concept to the modeling industry, and people may not understand them at first. It is a known fact that people who are uninformed automatically assume the worst of anything that they do not immediately understand. We challenge you to take the time to understand this process and make up your own mind. If you still think that it is unethical, please feel free to not use this and pay whatever rates a photographer dictates to you. Smart models will use this system, save over 50%, and realize that they have the power and the ability to negotiate for what they need. RETURN TO INSTRUCTIONS POST A COMMENT - TERMS OF USE - MODELING RATE SHEETS - ABOUT US Tips: How to use our bidding system to save money 1. Read the instructions. 2. Communicate your needs. 3. Follow the rules. 4. Don't consider photographers who do not cooperate. 5. Know what fair rates are for Tampa Bay. 6. Don't disrespect the photographers. 7. Drive the bids. 8. Be professional. 9. Handle rejection. RETURN TO INSTRUCTIONS POST A COMMENT - TERMS OF USE - MODELING RATE SHEETS - ABOUT US Read the instructions. Take five minute and read the instructions. This is not hard to do, but you need to know the rules. How can you play the game and win if you don't know the rules? If you are reading this, you probably just read the rules and understand them. Read the rest of these tips and get ready to save some money. TIPS MENU Communicate your needs. POST YOUR REQUEST. You need to post exactly what you need so you don't have to clarify yourself. The photographers need to know what they are bidding on. INVITE THE PHOTOGRAPHER. Send an E-Mail like this or copy it and fill in the blanks to get the photographers to bid on your request for services. TIPS MENU Follow the rules. You need to stick to plan, and do not get tempted to go off course. Don't allow photographers to convince you to accept a private bid for their services. Why? Because if the other photographers can see their bid, they will try to underbid it, which will cause them to lower their bid to keep your interest. The rules are there to help you get the most out of this. TIPS MENU Don't consider them if they do not cooperate. Some photographers might get angry that a "model" is asking them to bid on services. They will explain that their rates are listed on their web site and that's what they are. They will tell you that you are unprofessional. Remember- You are the buyer, and they are the seller. It is a buyers market. They are in business to sell their services to you. If they complain and refuse to cooperate, delete their harsh E-Mail and keep looking for other photographers. There are plenty of good photographers out there. If they threaten you, keep their E-Mail on file and report them. Most photographers cannot follow through on their threats, but since they do not know who you are (until you accept their bid, of course), you're safe. If they see that their competition is competing against them, they will lower their rates for you or risk losing a sale. TIPS MENU Know what fair rates are for Tampa Bay. CHECK RATE SHEET. You need to know what a fair rate for model portfolio photography is in Tampa Bay. If they go too low with their bids, you need to find out the reason that they can offer you low rates. If their rates are too high, use our bidding boards to bring them back down to earth! That's a good photographer. Good boy. TIPS MENU Don't disrespect the photographers. You're trying to get a fair rate. You are not trying to make them lose money. Be polite and professional, and realize that it's not wrong for a photographer to make a profit. That's why they are in business as a professional, and you really don't want to work for a photographer who runs a charity. Don't talk down to the photographer and don't be condescending; they will be more open to respecting you in return. TIPS MENU Drive the bids. The more photographers who bid on you, the more competition, and the lower the rates can go. It can really be that simple. Go find as many photographers as you can and send them your E-Mail message! Once you write it for one photographer, you can sent the same one to others, too. Ah, the joy and the power of the Internet! Use this E-MAIL LETTER TEMPLATE. TIPS MENU Be professional. Be polite and professional. Keep your opinions to yourself. Don't get into arguments or debates with the photographers- just go to the next one if they have a problem with you. If you are professional you will be treated and respected as a professional. TIPS MENU Handle rejection. You're a model. Rejection comes with the business. No matter what you do, you will have to deal with it. You will get some photographers annoyed with this, but remember that you cannot make everyone happy, and in the end the money that you will save will make any trouble worth it. TIPS MENU Sample service request that models might place on board. "I am a model from Tampa, Florida, and I need a six look portfolio session in the month of October. Please place your bid for what I need in order to be considered." Letters for models to send to photographers or service vendors. "Hello! I am a model who has seen your work, and I am interested in you providing the photography services that I am in need of. I am inviting you to join a group bidding process known as a reverse auction on the Internet for the job that I have posted there. While I respect your work and your rates as a professional photographer, I am looking for the best rates and the best quality of photography work. If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here: ____________________. Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you can offer me on the board." ___________________________________________________ "Hello! My name is (First name only, preferably made up), and I have seen your work. I am interested in you providing the photography services that I am in need of. I am inviting you to join a group bidding process known as a reverse auction on the Internet for the job that I have posted there. While I respect your work and your rates as a professional photographer, I am looking for the best rates and the best quality of photography work. If you would like to bid for my business, please do so by going here: ____________________. Although I look forward to the chance of working with you, I cannot consider your services unless you participate with my bidding process. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing what rates you can offer me on the board. Sincerely, (First name only, preferably made up)." RETURN TO INSTRUCTIONS UPDATED 08/19/06
		ABOUT TAMPA BAY MODELING - TERMS OF USE - TAMPA BAY MODELING NEWS - TAMPA BAY MODELING OPINION - TAMPA MODELING INDUSTRY RATES - TAMPA BAY MODELING FEATURES - TAMPA MODELING SCAMS - TAMPA MODELS - TAMPA MODELING JOBS - TAMPA MODELING RESOURCES - TAMPA MODELING TUTORIALS - TAMPA BAY MODELING CONTACT - TAMPA BAY MODELING FAQ ABOUT - TERMS -NEWS - OPINION - RATES - FEATURES - SCAMS - MODELS - MODELING JOBS - RESOURCES - TAMPA BAY - CONTACT TAMPA MODELING JOBS - FLORIDA MODELING JOBS TAMPA BAY MODELING - TAMPA BAY ACTING - TAMPA BAY FILM - TAMPA BAY PHOTOGRAPHERS - TAMPA PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG TAMPA BAY - ORLANDO - MIAMI - FLORIDA © Copyright 2004-2007 Tampa Bay Modeling. All rights reserved. Presented as-is, with no guarantees expressed or implied. Informational use only. Tampa Bay Modeling is not legally liable for the content on this web site, and use of any content waives us from liability. Anyone using the content on this site or attempting anything described on this site assumes all legal and civil liability. Please be familiar with with your local laws before using this site. Information on Tampa Bay Modeling is not to be taken as legal advice or advice which may be covered under any licensed or regulated profession. Opinions expressed on this web site are those of the individual contributor and may not be shared by other contributors, models, photographers, advertisers, or businesses who may be involved with this web site or our online community. Tampa Bay Modeling is a free, no-obligation professional modeling resource web site operated from Clearwater Beach, Florida, by a team of professional freelance and agency-represented models. For more, please read our Disclaimer. Raptor Class Web Site by EOS MediaArts, a Passinault.Com company. Raptor Class 0001, commissioned 011806.0800 hrs. Web Site Design and Code by EOS MediaArts. Main Photography by Aurora PhotoArts. Events by Eventi Events. Word to Ya. Hosted on the Tampa Bay advertising agency EOS MediaArts Tampa Hub server account as of 08/16/06. Tampa Bay Modeling moved to new Eos MediaArts Tampa Hub server on 12/16/07. Tampa Bay Modeling site moved to new, permanent TampaBayModeling.Com server on 03/23/08. Updates resume. Raptor 1.0 Upgrade applied 01/18/06 Raptor 2.0 Upgrade applied 09/07/07 Raptor 3.0 Upgrade applied 12/16/07 TBM site template and site directories refreshed on 03/23/08 Modeling, entertainment, and other cool links: Tampa Photography - Tampa Model Portfolio Photography - Tampa Composite Cards - Tampa Headshots - Tampa Headshot Photography - Tampa Photography Society - Tampa Model Agency Information - Tampa Film Showcase - Tampa Casting - Tampa Talent Scams - Frontier Society - 100 Tears Movie - Joe Davison - Marcus Koch - Tampa Gadgets - Tampa Spy - Tampa Cool Things - Tampa Video Games - Tampa Aquariums - Tampa Pet Fish - Tampa Kites - Hardware Hacks Tampa Bay Modeling Career Information: Write a model - Modeling questions - Modeling advice - How to model - Modeling questions and answers - Find a model agency - Find a model portfolio photographer - Find a model agent - Modeling letters - Modeling help Tampa Bay Modeling Career Subjects: Tampa model jobs - Tampa models - Tampa TFP photography - Tampa model agency - How to model - Composite cards - Zed cards - Get started in modeling - Modeling career - Tampa TFCD photography - Tampa model portfolio - Tampa photographer - Tampa photography - Model scams - Portfolio networking - Free modeling information - Tampa model complaints - Modeling hate mail - Tampa model consultants - Tampa Bay modeling readers - Tampa Bay Modeling mail bags - Mail bag archives - Best model mail - Tampa Bay modeling allegations BEWARE OF THESE TOP TAMPA BAY MODEL SCAMS: Tampa Model Search, Tampa Bay model search, Florida model searches, Tampa Bay model placement, Tampa Bay model consultant, Florida modeling consultants, Tampa Bay TFP photographer, Tampa Bay model portfolio photography scams, Tampa Talent Scams and Tampa Bay model job scams. Be aware of what they are, and be careful! As of February 24, 2007, Tampa Bay Modeling and our industry allies are at war with unethical and unprofessional elements in the Tampa Bay and Florida modeling industry. Our primary targets are Tampa Bay model consultation and agency placement scams, Tampa Bay model searches, Tampa Bay model job scams, Tampa Bay TFP photographers, and Tampa Bay model photography scams. We expect the fight to last years, and we already know that we have been tremendously effective in helping to change the modeling industry so far, as we have the dominate voice in the Tampa Bay modeling industry. Models, your help has arrived, and it is right here. Regarding Tampa Bay model and talent agencies, we are now convinced that the licensed ones (and all of the ones who are SAG franchised) are on the level and are not doing anything wrong. This said, they have no business managing the career of any professional model, due to the fact that they are working conflicts on interest, as they also represent other models who are in competition for the same jobs that they refer them to. Tampa Bay model and talent agencies also have no business referring aspiring models to any photographers, and we strongly recommend that models find photographers on their own and obtain their modeling portfolios before talking to any modeling agencies. Model and talent agencies should be used only as a source of model jobs and nothing more. By all means, utilize model and talent agencies as one of your many sources of potential jobs, but never let them tell you what to do and always scrutinize their advice. The agency way is no longer the only way, and there are professional alternatives to Tampa Bay model and talent agencies! Also, please note that model and talent agency scams are still around, too. The Tampa Bay Talent Sites ADDED MARCH 29, 2007. UPDATED OCTOBER 01, 2007 TAMPA BAY MODELING - TAMPA BAY ACTING - TAMPA BAY FILM There are now a total of three Tampa Bay Talent web sites. These sites are Tampa Bay Modeling, which you are now on, Tampa Bay Acting, which has launched but had a rough launch and isn't as up to speed as we would like, and, of course, Tampa Bay Film, which has surprised us with its popularity; it is now the fastest growing web site in our group and its size is now equal to our own, with no end in sight. Tampa Bay Film may become much larger than the rest of us by this summer, and this will be an important property. Here at Tampa Bay Modeling we are used to conflict, as we have been fighting a modeling industry war for several years now, and our experience will surely give the Tampa Bay Film staff and their allies a major advantage as they fight for change and professional growth. All of the Tampa Bay Talent sites, of course, are Raptor Class sites which are optimized for scam-fighting operations, so we are set up for fighting. Where are our sister regional modeling sites? These region-optimized mirror web sites, tentatively known as Miami Beach Modeling, Orlando Modeling, and Florida Modeling (don't bother looking up domain names on these, as some are already taken by others and the titles / domain names have not been finalized yet) are presently on hold until we can add new features to Tampa Bay Modeling and update some of our older content. We have teams of models and modeling industry professionals already assembled to work on these sites after they launch, although we are now finalizing site production protocols so our web master is not overwhelmed with work. For now these sites are on hold. Our regional modeling resource site editors, to assume their responsibilities once these modeling sites go active and launch, are as follows: Orlando Modeling - Orlando model Patricia Olson is the Editor of the Orlando Modeling site. She is a top fashion runway model from New York with a B.A. in Mass Communications. Miami Beach Modeling - Miami Beach model Maritza Gonzalez, an old friend of Danielle Cooper's, will be the Editor of the Miami Modeling web site. Maritza is a fashion model from Miami Beach, Florida, and she has worked with many modeling agencies in her career as an employee as well as a model. She is a professional booker and has headed agency divisions, such as the new faces division at a large agency. Florida Modeling - Tampa model Heidi Duran will helm the Florida Modeling web site. Heidi is a commercial print and fashion runway model with professional experience in New York, Miami, and Europe. She has worked with the top modeling agencies in the world, including Elite and Ford. As you can see, we have a lot going on here, and we are growing constantly. This spring and summer, we will be adding more features and a ton of modeling career tools and resources. We are even bringing back our Tampa Bay modeling mail bag, with Tampa Bay professional model Monica Stevens, this spring (with an improved, streamlined format so we can keep up with that and our web master can also work on mail bags for Tampa Bay Acting and Tampa Bay Film)! We look forward to the difference that we will make in the Tampa Bay modeling industry, and we're sure that all models are very excited by the potential, the possibilities, and the results of our hard work. These are truly exciting times for Tampa Bay Modeling and the Tampa Bay modeling industry! Sincerely, The 2007 Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Fashion / Commercial Model Danielle Cooper Tampa Bay Modeling Editor and Senior Writer Fashion / Commercial Model Monica Stevens Tampa Bay Modeling Mail Bag Editor, Staff Writer, and Content Editor Model Nancy Slater Ambassador and Tampa Bay Modeling Founding Model Model Laura Perez Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Writer Model Talesha Larsen Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Artist and Designer Swimsuit / Bikini Model Jessica Moore Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Writer and Public Relations Fashion Model Sidney Thornton Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Writer and Legal Secretary Model / Actor Chris Capri Tampa Bay Modeling Staff Writer, Contributing Model Photographer, and Security Orlando Modeling - Orlando model Patricia Olson Miami Beach Modeling - Miami Beach model Maritza Gonzalez Florida Modeling - Tampa model Heidi Duran SPECIAL THANKS Tampa Bay model Jillian Nicols - Independent Modeling The Staff of Independent Modeling, Independent Acting, Independent Performer, TALON Talent Online reference contact database, Advanced Model, and Frontier Society California / Florida Model Kitty Kavey - Florida Models Tampa Bay Entertainment Producer / Professional Polymath C. A. Passinault Passinault.Com - The Passinault Entertainment Group and Passinault Industries LLC Tampa Bay Advertising Agency EOS MediaArts, a Passinault Industries LLC company Tampa Bay photography and design services company Aurora PhotoArts, a Passinault Industries LLC company Tampa Bay Event Planning and Stage Production company Eventi Events and Stage, a Passinault Entertainment Group company Tampa Bay indie film, video game developer, and music label production company Dream Nine Studios, a Passinault Entertainment Group company Tampa Bay Model And Talent Agencies Tampa Bay Advertising Agencies Tampa Bay Art Directors Chris Woods - Icon Film Studios The following models, actors, talent, production professionals, and supporters: Lauren Moss, Danielle Cooper, Brian Steel, Monica Stevens, Jillian Nicols, Sidney Thornton, C. A. Passinault, Chris Woods, Joe Davison, Nolan Canova, Harmony Oswald, Kitania Kavey, Sarah Bray, Ann Poonkasem, Shane Kelley, Kasey Kelley, Somali Rose Kletch, Simon Lynx, Craig Kovach, Brent Cameron, Marlon Brown, Rachel Eaglin, Michael Christian, Steve Benz, Matt Angelo, Don Asbough, Jack Amos, Alyssa Bakun, Brenna Barry, Tiffany Tenn, Craig Huey, Andy Meng, Spellbound Soul, Keljean Connolly, Amanda Craft, Susan Jeffers, Stephanie Duncan, Leticia Godwin, Kinsley Goldburg, Jinelsa Rosado, Shilah Goodwin, Charlotte Mansfield, Charlotte Durnell, Kevin Hentkowski, Joy Nash, Roxanne Kowalska, Laura Lowie Narvaez, Jane Park, Erin Whitehead, Monica May, Jason Lugauskas, Jennifer Curry-Deleo, Robin Kay, The late Sophie Blackburn, Damien Kincannon, Josh Kincannon, Paul Guzzo, Pete Guzzo, Sofia Kolesnikova, Serena Lorien, Lisa Marie Lowrey, Kristen Ludwig, Woody Luke, Denise Marks, Tara Moore, Rob Mussell, Nazia, Kristin Renta, Kristen Serena Willyard, Mark Robinson, Angela Simons, Lynn Slawsky, Laura Jean Angelone, Angelique Angel Haywood, Christina Spake, Alissa Young, Rosemary Riquel, Kerri Hall, Michelle Marin, Krista Washington, Shirley Cuscaden, Catherine Croak, Danielle Dolan, Rick Danford, Porl Delinco, Terry Hogan, Gus Perez, Ann Marie Spizuoco, Melissa Webb, Rachael Lee, Rod L. Griffin, Marcus Kotch, Alissa Ali Young, Terence Nuzum is God, Lisa Ciurro, Shelby Mcintyre, Amanda Beck, and Melissa Maxim. © Copyright 2004-2008 Tampa Bay Modeling. All rights reserved
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