Introduction

I get contacted by various aspiring models, at least once a week, asking what qualities are important to impress a photographer. Additionally, I get tons of emails from other models who don’t bother to ask and seriously don’t have a clue as to how unprofessional their initial contact is perceived. While there are plenty of resources out there if you want to be a fashion or bikini model... alternative, modeling is a very different genre of modeling and there is very little information out there for models who want to take a different path.

I’ve been in the gothic, fetish, fantasy or alternative photography business for nearly a decade now. I’ve been lucky enough to achieve a certain level of success and gain a little notoriety along the way. I have a website that generates a million hits a month with an online model application that literally attracts models from around the world. Among other things, I’m in charge of recruiting new models for Toxic Goddess. I’d love to have the time and resources to work with every model who applies to shoot with me, but unfortunately I have to sift through the applications and choose the most compelling models to contact. These articles will give you some insight into the process that I go through to make that selection.

Before I go on I should mention a couple of things. I don’t claim to speak for all photographers, alternative or otherwise. This is my opinion formed from my own experiences and tastes. Furthermore, there is a big difference between what I, as an alternative photographer, looks for, versus what a mainstream or commercial photographer would look for (and I’ll talk about those differences soon). However, with that said, some of this is universal with all photographers and all genres of modeling.

Take this for what it's worth. This is an opportunity for an aspiring alternative model to get a glimpse into what it takes to attract the attention of a professional photographer and deliver a stunning performance. Even if you're a seasoned model, it may give you a new perspective into one photographer's mind. Maybe it will just make you laugh from time to time, but even that has some value... right?

I'll wrap this introduction with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art."

Let's create some art together.

Dream hard,
- Dirk Hooper

December 7, 2007